Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer job at International Crane Foundation

SUMMARY:

The International Crane Foundation’s Uganda project works to fulfill the requirements for securing and improving the ecological integrity of key sites for cranes in Uganda in collaboration with local communities and key stakeholders, and monitoring and threat mitigation for Grey Crowned Cranes. The Programme aims to address key threats to cranes and their wetland habitats, secure and improve the ecological integrity of key sites for cranes in Uganda, and benefit communities who share these same landscapes. All in collaboration with local communities and key stakeholders. The Uganda Project is part of ICF’s Africa Programme, which aims to maintain stable wild populations of four threatened crane species resident in Sub-Saharan Africa: Wattled, Blue, Black Crowned, and Grey Crowned Cranes. The ICF currently has three regional hubs across Africa, located in South Africa, Zambia, and Uganda, and will be expanding into the Sahel/Sudan Savanna region. The Uganda Project works within our East African Regional Hub with the headquarters in Kampala.

We are looking for a dynamic, committed, and detail-oriented person with passion, integrity and innovation to fill the position of Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer. Effective Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) is vital to track progress, measure impact, and inform adaptive management. The Senior MEAL Officer will support both conservation and data collection and management of data for MEAL purposes across the Uganda Project areas.

The Senior MEAL Officer will be responsible for implementing on-the-ground conservation activities in Masaka, Kyotera and Rakai, and contributing to the systematic collection, analysis, and reporting of MEAL data to assess Uganda project effectiveness. The Officer will work closely with local communities, district stakeholders, and partner organizations to promote the conservation of cranes and wetland habitats.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop a comprehensive MEAL framework and tools aligned with the Uganda project's strategic and Conservation Standards.
• Lead baseline, mid-term, and end-line surveys assessing outputs and outcomes including crane population trends, habitat condition, human-crane conflict reduction, and community engagement.
• Coordinate data collection efforts using tools like ESRI Survey123, satellite tracking data, aerial surveys, Kobo, and community monitoring reports from Crane Custodians.
• Train and supervise field teams, including community Crane Custodians and partner CBOs, on data collection, quality assurance, and reporting.
• Manage databases and ensure timely, accurate analysis and presentation of data for adaptive project management.
• Prepare regular MEAL reports, including progress reports and technical briefs for internal use and donor reporting.
• Support and implement ICF's crane monitoring and wetland conservation strategies in Masaka, Kyotera and Rakai districts.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Facilitate and strengthen community-based conservation groups and local wetland management committees.
• Maintain strong relationships with local government departments, partner NGOs, and community stakeholders.
• Promote sustainable livelihood activities that contribute to conservation outcomes.
• Participate in awareness-raising and environmental education activities.
• Undertake mobilization and identification of local communities at project sites for participation in project activities.
• Monitor and liaise with Crane Custodians to gather field data for monitoring and reporting of the project activities.
• Assist in the development of communication materials that highlight project results and learning.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Master's degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, and a bachelor's degree in a conservation-related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, preferably in conservation or natural resource management projects.
• Strong knowledge of ecological monitoring, biodiversity indicators, and community-based conservation.
• Experience with GIS and data management software (e.g., ESRI Survey123, GPS data analysis).
• Proven ability to design and implement M&E frameworks aligned with donor requirements.
• Experience in developing and implementing M&E plans.
• Good understanding of ecological context of Uganda.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent organizational skills, detailed oriented, high-level integrity and standards of personal conduct.
• Demonstrated capacity to write project reports and correspondences in clear, concise, logical, and grammatically correct manner, and competency to use word processing and spreadsheet software.
• Attentive to detail and thoroughness in terms of timeliness and quality of work.
• Flexibility to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Valid driving permit and ability to ride a motorcycle.

The International Crane Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, and this position is open to Ugandans. Qualified candidates should submit CVs, daytime telephone contact, email addresses, names and addresses of three referees, and a cover letter explaining how their experience will contribute to the requirements of the position, as one pdf file.

• Develop a comprehensive MEAL framework and tools aligned with the Uganda project's strategic and Conservation Standards.
• Lead baseline, mid-term, and end-line surveys assessing outputs and outcomes including crane population trends, habitat condition, human-crane conflict reduction, and community engagement.
• Coordinate data collection efforts using tools like ESRI Survey123, satellite tracking data, aerial surveys, Kobo, and community monitoring reports from Crane Custodians.
• Train and supervise field teams, including community Crane Custodians and partner CBOs, on data collection, quality assurance, and reporting.
• Manage databases and ensure timely, accurate analysis and presentation of data for adaptive project management.
• Prepare regular MEAL reports, including progress reports and technical briefs for internal use and donor reporting.
• Support and implement ICF's crane monitoring and wetland conservation strategies in Masaka, Kyotera and Rakai districts.
• Facilitate and strengthen community-based conservation groups and local wetland management committees.
• Maintain strong relationships with local government departments, partner NGOs, and community stakeholders.
• Promote sustainable livelihood activities that contribute to conservation outcomes.
• Participate in awareness-raising and environmental education activities.
• Undertake mobilization and identification of local communities at project sites for participation in project activities.
• Monitor and liaise with Crane Custodians to gather field data for monitoring and reporting of the project activities.
• Assist in the development of communication materials that highlight project results and learning.

• Strong knowledge of ecological monitoring, biodiversity indicators, and community-based conservation.
• Experience with GIS and data management software (e.g., ESRI Survey123, GPS data analysis).
• Proven ability to design and implement M&E frameworks aligned with donor requirements.
• Experience in developing and implementing M&E plans.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent organizational skills, detailed oriented, high-level integrity and standards of personal conduct.
• Demonstrated capacity to write project reports and correspondences in clear, concise, logical, and grammatically correct manner, and competency to use word processing and spreadsheet software.
• Attentive to detail and thoroughness in terms of timeliness and quality of work.
• Flexibility to work under pressure and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to ride a motorcycle.

• Master's degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, and a bachelor's degree in a conservation-related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, preferably in conservation or natural resource management projects.
• Good understanding of ecological context of Uganda.
• Valid driving permit.