Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Reporting (MERL) Associate job at Kilimo Trust

Purpose of the Job:

To strengthen data-driven planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) in Kilimo Trust implemented projects through accurate data management, analysis, and reporting. Specifically, the MEL Associate is expected:

• To collect, organize and store project data and evidence in a form that is safe and accessible to authorized people
• To analyze and share collected data regularly with all project stakeholders in appropriate form relevant to each stakeholder
• To ensure that program outcomes are tracked, evaluated, and used to improve performance and foster organizational learning.

Responsibilities:

Data Collection and Management:

• Design and review data collection tools (surveys, questionnaires, digital forms).Develop data collection templates using appropriate platforms Ensure data quality assurance and validation.
• Manage project databases and maintain secure data storage systems.
• Clean and preprocess raw datasets

Data Analysis

• Perform statistical and quantitative analysis of project data as captured in project and strategy KPIs
• Conduct value chain analysis.
• Analyze climate and production data for forecasting trends.
• Support impact evaluation studies

Monitoring and Evaluation Planning:

• Develop and maintain project performance dashboards.
• Track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Support baseline, midline, and endline surveys.
• Generate periodic monitoring reports (monthly, quarterly, annual).
• Assist in donor reporting requirements

Reporting and Visualization:

• Prepare high-quality reports for internal stakeholders, donors, and partners that outline progress, lessons learned, and impact. Ensure that reporting is aligned with internal and external stakeholders requirements and deadlines are met.
• Develop visual dashboards using Power BI, Tableau, Excel among others
• Produce clear data visualizations (charts, graphs, infographics).
• Prepare technical reports and policy briefs.
• Present findings to project teams and stakeholders.

Capacity Building:

• Train program staff and partners on MEL tools and processes to enhance their capacity for data collection, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Support teams to use data for adaptive management and learning.
• Working with project staff, develop data management standard operating procedures(SOPs) and guideline

Learning and Knowledge Management:

• Foster a culture of learning within the organization by documenting best practices, lessons learned, and success stories.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing events, including learning workshops, to improve program performance.
• Recommend improvements to program strategies based on evaluation findings.

Educational Qualifications and Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Data Science, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Monitoring and Evaluation, Project Management, or a related field.
• A Master’s degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in agricultural or rural development projects.
• Experience working with donor-funded programs (e.g., USAID, IFAD, World Bank) will be an added advantage.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and demonstrated experience with statistical and data analysis tools such as SPSS, STATA, R, or Python. Experience with data visualization platforms such as Power BI or Tableau is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of the agricultural sector in East Africa, with a solid understanding of Monitoring an Evaluation frameworks and methodologies.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills, with high attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.
• Strong report writing and documentation skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively within cross-cultural and multidisciplinary teams.

• Design and review data collection tools (surveys, questionnaires, digital forms).Develop data collection templates using appropriate platforms Ensure data quality assurance and validation.
• Manage project databases and maintain secure data storage systems.
• Clean and preprocess raw datasets
• Perform statistical and quantitative analysis of project data as captured in project and strategy KPIs
• Conduct value chain analysis.
• Analyze climate and production data for forecasting trends.
• Support impact evaluation studies
• Develop and maintain project performance dashboards.
• Track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Support baseline, midline, and endline surveys.
• Generate periodic monitoring reports (monthly, quarterly, annual).
• Assist in donor reporting requirements
• Prepare high-quality reports for internal stakeholders, donors, and partners that outline progress, lessons learned, and impact. Ensure that reporting is aligned with internal and external stakeholders requirements and deadlines are met.
• Develop visual dashboards using Power BI, Tableau, Excel among others
• Produce clear data visualizations (charts, graphs, infographics).
• Prepare technical reports and policy briefs.
• Present findings to project teams and stakeholders.
• Train program staff and partners on MEL tools and processes to enhance their capacity for data collection, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Support teams to use data for adaptive management and learning.
• Working with project staff, develop data management standard operating procedures(SOPs) and guideline
• Foster a culture of learning within the organization by documenting best practices, lessons learned, and success stories.
• Facilitate knowledge-sharing events, including learning workshops, to improve program performance.
• Recommend improvements to program strategies based on evaluation findings.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Demonstrated experience with statistical and data analysis tools such as SPSS, STATA, R, or Python
• Experience with data visualization platforms such as Power BI or Tableau
• Strong knowledge of the agricultural sector in East Africa
• Solid understanding of Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks and methodologies
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills
• High attention to detail
• Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights
• Strong report writing and documentation skills
• Proven ability to work effectively within cross-cultural and multidisciplinary teams

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Data Science, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Monitoring and Evaluation, Project Management, or a related field.
• A Master’s degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage.