Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning Officer (MEAL) job at Next Media

Background

The Next Creata Program, implemented by Next Creata under the Uganda Creatives Program (a consortium with Bayimba Foundation, ITC, and Mastercard Foundation), is designed to empower 40,000 young women across Uganda to access dignified work in the creative economy.

The program focuses on media production training, digital skilling, entrepreneurship, and market linkage. Monitoring and learning are critical to track progress, ensure accountability, and inform adaptive programming for sustainable results.

The MEAL Officer plays a central role in designing and implementing the program's monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework, ensuring data-driven decision-making and accountability to beneficiaries, partners, and donors.

Purpose of the Role

To lead the implementation of the MEAL strategy for the Next Creata Program, ensuring robust data systems, accurate reporting, effective learning loops, and strong accountability mechanisms across all program activities and downstream partners.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Monitoring & Evaluation, Economics, Development Studies, or a related field.
• A Master's degree is preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning for donor-funded programs.
• Experience with Mastercard Foundation, UN agencies, or similar donors is a distinct advantage.
• Proven expertise in data analysis (using tools like Excel, SPSS, or PowerBI), visualization, and reporting.
• Proficiency in digital data collection tools (e.g., Kobo, ODK, CommCare) and management dashboards.
• Strong knowledge of M&E frameworks, logical frameworks, theory of change design, and performance measurement.

Soft Skills:

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and report writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal and mentoring abilities.

• Design, maintain, and update the program's results framework, indicators, and performance tracking tools in alignment with consortium-level MEL standards.
• Lead the operationalization of the MEAL plan, including developing data collection tools, reporting templates, and indicator reference sheets.
• Collect, verify, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data from training centers, internship placements, and partner organizations.
• Manage the central MEAL database and dashboard for real-time progress visualization.
• Coordinate baseline, midline, and endline surveys in collaboration with the Program Lead and consortium MEL unit.
• Ensure downstream partners adhere to data collection standards and timely reporting.
• Support the design and implementation of evaluation studies, impact assessments, and learning reviews.
• Facilitate regular learning sessions with staff, trainers, and partners to analyze program data and inform adaptive decision-making.
• Document success stories, case studies, and best practices that demonstrate program impact.
• Synthesize evidence to feed into quarterly and annual donor reports.
• Collaborate with the Curriculum & Training Manager to ensure continuous improvement in training models based on data insights.
• Establish feedback and complaint mechanisms for program participants, ensuring confidentiality and timely resolution of issues.
• Work closely with the Safeguarding focal person to track, report, and follow up on safeguarding incidents.
• Integrate gender and inclusion metrics into monitoring systems and ensure data disaggregation (by gender, age, region, and vulnerability).
• Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual MEAL reports summarizing progress, achievements, and areas for improvement.
• Ensure compliance with donor and consortium reporting requirements (Mastercard Foundation, ITC, Bayimba).
• Support downstream partners in preparing and validating their own reports.
• Maintain accurate documentation of all data sources, analytical tools, and verification materials for audit readiness.
• Train internal staff and downstream partners on MEAL principles, data quality assurance, and digital data tools.
• Support the rollout of digital M&E tools (e.g., KoboToolbox, CommCare, or PowerBI dashboards).
• Conduct field mentoring visits to build partner capacity in evidence-based reporting and accountability systems.

• Excellent communication, facilitation, and report writing skills
• Strong interpersonal and mentoring abilities
• Proven expertise in data analysis (using tools like Excel, SPSS, or PowerBI), visualization, and reporting
• Proficiency in digital data collection tools (e.g., Kobo, ODK, CommCare) and management dashboards
• Strong knowledge of M&E frameworks, logical frameworks, theory of change design, and performance measurement

• Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Monitoring & Evaluation, Economics, Development Studies, or a related field
• A Master's degree is preferred
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning for donor-funded programs
• Experience with Mastercard Foundation, UN agencies, or similar donors is a distinct advantage