Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Coordinator – HQ job at African Initiatives for Relief and Development( AIRD )

Organisational Context

African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD) is an African-led humanitarian and development organisation working across multiple African countries. Its programmes include logistics, infrastructure, livelihoods, skills development, economic inclusion, protection, climate resilience and emergency response.

AIRD has recently received approval from the Mastercard Foundation for the Skilling for Employability and Fulfilling Lives (SELF) Programme in Chad. The programme supports refugee and host-community youth through skills development and pathways into employment and sustainable livelihoods. AIRD is also strengthening its organisation-wide MEL function to improve programme quality, reporting, learning and evidence-based management.

Job Purpose

The MEL Coordinator has two linked responsibilities: to provide technical MEL leadership for the SELF Programme in Chad and to strengthen AIRD-wide MEL systems while supporting country programmes and HQ performance processes.

The Coordinator will help teams plan for results, collect and verify reliable data, analyse progress and use evidence to improve implementation and management decisions.

Reporting and priorities: The Program Manager provides day-to-day supervision and performance management. The COO/Deputy CEO sets organisational priorities and resolves competing cross-functional demands. The Coordinator will prepare an annual workplan and quarterly priorities with the Program Manager, distinguishing SELF deliverables from AIRD-wide support. Time or cost allocation will follow AIRD procedures and the approved award budget.

Key Responsibilities

1. MEL Leadership for the SELF Programme in Chad

• During start-up, review the approved proposal and results framework, MEL framework, first-year implementation plan, approved budget, and terms of reference for the labour market assessment (LMA) and baseline. Agree the first 30-day MEL actions with the Project Coordinator, Chad Country Programme Director and HQ Programme Manager.
• Translate the approved results framework and Mastercard Foundation requirements into a practical project MEL plan, indicator reference sheets, data collection tools, reporting protocols, monitoring calendar and partner reporting requirements.
• Provide MEL technical leadership for the LMA across the four target provinces in coordination with the Project Coordinator, LMA lead, technical team and consultants. Review methodology, sampling, tools, fieldwork protocols, data quality controls and analysis.
• Coordinate MEL design and quality assurance for the baseline, including indicator confirmation, sampling, data collection tools, enumerator orientation, field checks, data cleaning, analysis and reporting. Support baseline data collection before substantive interventions, in line with the approved workplan.
• Ensure LMA findings are analysed and presented in a way that helps the Project Coordinator and technical team decide on priority sectors and trades, training providers, apprenticeship and job-placement pathways, enterprise opportunities and market linkages.
• Establish and maintain reliable participant and partner data systems to track selection, enrolment, participation, completion and results across entrepreneurship and green-skills training, business-development services, grants, market linkages, apprenticeships, job placement, retention, legal identity and business formalisation, as defined in the approved MEL framework.
• Track progress against programme targets and inclusion commitments. Ensure participant data can be analysed by age, sex, refugee or displaced-person status, disability and province, while protecting confidentiality and applying approved data definitions.
• Review and verify monitoring information from Refugee-Led Organizations, TVET institutions, employers and other implementing partners. Identify gaps, agree corrective actions with responsible teams and document follow-up.
• Prepare performance analysis and evidence for quarterly programme reviews, implementation adjustments, formal scale-up decisions, the Year 1 performance review and Year 2 planning.
• Support Youth Advisory Committees and programme teams to use participant feedback and learning to improve implementation and address barriers to participation.

2. AIRD-Wide HQ MEL Systems and Country Programme Support

• Develop and phase in AIRD-wide MEL policies, minimum standards, guidance, indicator definitions, reporting tools and standard operating procedures that can be adapted to different programmes and donor requirements.
• Provide planned technical guidance and quality assurance to Country MEL Officers and programme teams. Review country MEL plans, results frameworks, indicators, tools and data quality arrangements, and provide mentoring based on agreed country support priorities.
• Support monthly MRP processes by checking data completeness and consistency, analysing country and portfolio results, preparing dashboards and performance summaries, and following up data issues with the relevant country teams.
• Support AIRD’s corporate strategy reviews and business-planning processes by aligning indicators, targets, evidence sources and reporting cycles across country programmes and HQ.
• Contribute MEL expertise to proposal development and programme design, including theories of change, results frameworks, indicator selection, monitoring plans, assessments, evaluation design and learning approaches.
• Coordinate or provide technical support for evaluations, data quality assessments and programme reviews across AIRD. Track recommendations and agreed management actions with the responsible teams.
• Provide evidence and analysis for senior management, donor engagement and organisational performance discussions, including clear explanations of progress, variance, data limitations and proposed follow-up.

3. Data Quality, Accountability, Ethics and Learning

• Establish proportionate data quality procedures, including source verification, spot checks, consistency checks, documentation of revisions and escalation of unresolved data issues.
• Promote ethical and inclusive data collection. Ensure consent, confidentiality, safe participation, secure storage and access controls are built into MEL processes, especially when working with young people, refugees and other at-risk groups.
• Support programme and country teams to maintain accessible beneficiary feedback and complaints mechanisms. Coordinate analysis, referral and follow-up with designated programme, safeguarding and protection colleagues; sensitive cases remain with designated response staff.
• Organise programme reflection and learning sessions, document lessons and recommendations, and support teams to record how evidence informed changes to programme design or delivery.
• Review donor reports and management products for consistency between narrative claims, indicator data and supporting evidence before submission or circulation.

4. Capacity Development and HQ Technical Support

• Develop practical MEL guidance, templates and training materials, and build the capacity of AIRD staff and implementing partners in results-based management, indicator tracking, data quality, analysis and reporting.
• Participate in HQ technical support missions to country programmes and provide follow-up support against agreed workplans.
• Maintain clear quarterly workplans and records of SELF and AIRD-wide deliverables. Submit any required activity or time-allocation records in line with AIRD procedures and the approved award budget.
• Undertake other duties related to the role as assigned by the Program Manager, within organisational priorities set by the COO/Deputy CEO.

Expected First-Year Results

• A practical SELF MEL plan, indicator reference materials, reporting calendar, partner data requirements and participant-tracking arrangements are operational.
• LMA and baseline methods, tools, fieldwork and analysis meet agreed quality standards, and findings inform programme decisions in line with the approved implementation schedule.
• SELF performance data show progress against approved output, outcome and inclusion targets, including pathways from training into employment, enterprise and sustainable livelihoods.
• Country teams receive a phased package of AIRD MEL standards, tools and technical support, with improved monthly MRP data quality and portfolio-level analysis.
• Quarterly programme and organisational reviews use reliable evidence and document follow-up actions, learning and priorities for the subsequent period.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Economics, Development Studies, Demography, Data Science, Social Sciences or a related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible MEL experience supporting donor-funded humanitarian or development programmes.
• Demonstrated experience developing or strengthening MEL systems, results frameworks, indicator definitions and data quality procedures, preferably across more than one country programme.
• Experience designing or overseeing baselines, labour market assessments, quantitative and qualitative studies, evaluations and data quality assessments.
• Experience monitoring livelihoods, youth employment, TVET, economic inclusion or refugee and host-community programmes. Experience tracking transitions into work or enterprise is an advantage.
• Experience with institutional donors and partner reporting requirements. Familiarity with Mastercard Foundation reporting is an advantage.
• Experience with digital data collection and analysis platforms such as KoboToolbox, ODK, Excel and Power BI, or equivalent tools.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Technical expertise

• Strong understanding of results-based management, theories of change, indicator design and outcome measurement.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research, data analysis, visualisation and report-writing skills.
• Ability to translate data and evaluation findings into clear management recommendations and practical programme improvements.

Ways of working

• Strong facilitation, coaching and partnership skills, including the ability to work across HQ, country teams and implementing partners.
• Strong organisation and planning skills, with the ability to manage a defined portfolio of priorities and communicate workload conflicts early.
• Commitment to accountability, safeguarding, gender equality, disability inclusion, ethical research and responsible data management.
• Willingness and ability to undertake periodic travel to Chad and other AIRD country programmes.

Languages

• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English is required.
• Working knowledge of French is highly desirable and will be considered an advantage, but is not a minimum eligibility requirement.
• Knowledge of additional languages used in AIRD operational countries is an advantage.

Equal opportunity: AIRD is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Selection is based on merit, qualifications and the requirements of the position.

• MEL Leadership for the SELF Programme in Chad
• During start-up, review the approved proposal and results framework, MEL framework, first-year implementation plan, approved budget, and terms of reference for the labour market assessment (LMA) and baseline. Agree the first 30-day MEL actions with the Project Coordinator, Chad Country Programme Director and HQ Programme Manager.
• Translate the approved results framework and Mastercard Foundation requirements into a practical project MEL plan, indicator reference sheets, data collection tools, reporting protocols, monitoring calendar and partner reporting requirements.
• Provide MEL technical leadership for the LMA across the four target provinces in coordination with the Project Coordinator, LMA lead, technical team and consultants. Review methodology, sampling, tools, fieldwork protocols, data quality controls and analysis.
• Coordinate MEL design and quality assurance for the baseline, including indicator confirmation, sampling, data collection tools, enumerator orientation, field checks, data cleaning, analysis and reporting. Support baseline data collection before substantive interventions, in line with the approved workplan.
• Ensure LMA findings are analysed and presented in a way that helps the Project Coordinator and technical team decide on priority sectors and trades, training providers, apprenticeship and job-placement pathways, enterprise opportunities and market linkages.
• Establish and maintain reliable participant and partner data systems to track selection, enrolment, participation, completion and results across entrepreneurship and green-skills training, business-development services, grants, market linkages, apprenticeships, job placement, retention, legal identity and business formalisation, as defined in the approved MEL framework.
• Track progress against programme targets and inclusion commitments. Ensure participant data can be analysed by age, sex, refugee or displaced-person status, disability and province, while protecting confidentiality and applying approved data definitions.
• Review and verify monitoring information from Refugee-Led Organizations, TVET institutions, employers and other implementing partners. Identify gaps, agree corrective actions with responsible teams and document follow-up.
• Prepare performance analysis and evidence for quarterly programme reviews, implementation adjustments, formal scale-up decisions, the Year 1 performance review and Year 2 planning.
• Support Youth Advisory Committees and programme teams to use participant feedback and learning to improve implementation and address barriers to participation.
• AIRD-Wide HQ MEL Systems and Country Programme Support
• Develop and phase in AIRD-wide MEL policies, minimum standards, guidance, indicator definitions, reporting tools and standard operating procedures that can be adapted to different programmes and donor requirements.
• Provide planned technical guidance and quality assurance to Country MEL Officers and programme teams. Review country MEL plans, results frameworks, indicators, tools and data quality arrangements, and provide mentoring based on agreed country support priorities.
• Support monthly MRP processes by checking data completeness and consistency, analysing country and portfolio results, preparing dashboards and performance summaries, and following up data issues with the relevant country teams.
• Support AIRD’s corporate strategy reviews and business-planning processes by aligning indicators, targets, evidence sources and reporting cycles across country programmes and HQ.
• Contribute MEL expertise to proposal development and programme design, including theories of change, results frameworks, indicator selection, monitoring plans, assessments, evaluation design and learning approaches.
• Coordinate or provide technical support for evaluations, data quality assessments and programme reviews across AIRD. Track recommendations and agreed management actions with the responsible teams.
• Provide evidence and analysis for senior management, donor engagement and organisational performance discussions, including clear explanations of progress, variance, data limitations and proposed follow-up.
• Data Quality, Accountability, Ethics and Learning
• Establish proportionate data quality procedures, including source verification, spot checks, consistency checks, documentation of revisions and escalation of unresolved data issues.
• Promote ethical and inclusive data collection. Ensure consent, confidentiality, safe participation, secure storage and access controls are built into MEL processes, especially when working with young people, refugees and other at-risk groups.
• Support programme and country teams to maintain accessible beneficiary feedback and complaints mechanisms. Coordinate analysis, referral and follow-up with designated programme, safeguarding and protection colleagues; sensitive cases remain with designated response staff.
• Organise programme reflection and learning sessions, document lessons and recommendations, and support teams to record how evidence informed changes to programme design or delivery.
• Review donor reports and management products for consistency between narrative claims, indicator data and supporting evidence before submission or circulation.
• Capacity Development and HQ Technical Support
• Develop practical MEL guidance, templates and training materials, and build the capacity of AIRD staff and implementing partners in results-based management, indicator tracking, data quality, analysis and reporting.
• Participate in HQ technical support missions to country programmes and provide follow-up support against agreed workplans.
• Maintain clear quarterly workplans and records of SELF and AIRD-wide deliverables. Submit any required activity or time-allocation records in line with AIRD procedures and the approved award budget.
• Undertake other duties related to the role as assigned by the Program Manager, within organisational priorities set by the COO/Deputy CEO.

• Results-based management
• Theories of change
• Indicator design
• Outcome measurement
• Quantitative research
• Qualitative research
• Data analysis
• Data visualisation
• Report writing
• Facilitation
• Coaching
• Partnership skills
• Organisation skills
• Planning skills
• Accountability
• Safeguarding
• Gender equality
• Disability inclusion
• Ethical research
• Responsible data management
• KoboToolbox
• ODK
• Excel
• Power BI

• Master’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Economics, Development Studies, Demography, Data Science, Social Sciences or a related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible MEL experience supporting donor-funded humanitarian or development programmes.
• Demonstrated experience developing or strengthening MEL systems, results frameworks, indicator definitions and data quality procedures, preferably across more than one country programme.
• Experience designing or overseeing baselines, labour market assessments, quantitative and qualitative studies, evaluations and data quality assessments.
• Experience monitoring livelihoods, youth employment, TVET, economic inclusion or refugee and host-community programmes. Experience tracking transitions into work or enterprise is an advantage.
• Experience with institutional donors and partner reporting requirements. Familiarity with Mastercard Foundation reporting is an advantage.
• Experience with digital data collection and analysis platforms such as KoboToolbox, ODK, Excel and Power BI, or equivalent tools.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English is required.
• Working knowledge of French is highly desirable and will be considered an advantage, but is not a minimum eligibility requirement.
• Knowledge of additional languages used in AIRD operational countries is an advantage.