MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING OFFICER

iDE Zambia

• Contract

• Lusaka

• 15h ago

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MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING OFFICER

Sector: Strategy and Innovation

Department: Program (Zambia)

Reports to: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager

Supervises: None

SUMMARY

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Officer will report to and work under the administrative supervision of the MERL Manager. Technical guidance will be provided by iDE Zambia Strategic and Innovation (SI) unit as well as iDE HQ MERL team.

He/she will be responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation, research, and learning framework of the Sectors/Projects. He/she will develop a systematic monitoring framework to manage and improve the qualitative and quantitative evidence gathered by the Sectors/Projects . He/she will also provide technical assistance to the implementing projects, particularly in relation to monitoring, reporting and use of Monitoring feedback.

This role is a full-time (contractual) position based in Lusaka at iDE Zambia Head Office.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Monitoring and Evaluation Systems Development

• Participate in the review and refinement of programme/project results frameworks, logical frameworks, and performance indicators.

• Contribute to the development and updating of Monitoring & Evaluation Plans and Performance Monitoring Plans (PMP).

• Support integration of M&E into programme/project work plans and budgets, ensuring alignment with timelines and deliverables.

• Develop, adapt, and maintain M&E tools, templates, and digital systems for data capture, management, and reporting.

• Develop the overall framework for programme/project M&E, including mid-term review, impact assessment and final evaluation planning.

• Develop Performance Monitoring Plans with relevant data collection systems and document baseline data and reference points for indicators.

• Review existing data systems and collection methods and, with the M&E Unit and collaborating partners, agree on any required changes, support and resources.

• Develop a plan for project-related capacity building on M&E, including digitization needs and training schedules.

• Organize and undertake training with collaborating program staff and partners on M&E as required.

• Provide technical support and training to staff and partners on M&E systems, tools, and digital data collection platforms.

• Ensure adherence to ethical standards, data protection and confidentiality in all M&E activities

2. Data Collection, Analysis and Reporting

• Support the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data across programmes, ensuring adherence to standard methodologies (surveys, FGDs, cohort tracking, observational tools).

• Conduct routine Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) to verify accuracy, reliability, completeness and timeliness of project data and support corrective actions.

• Perform regular data quality checks, audits, spot-checks and verifications to strengthen data integrity.

• Maintain clean, organized, secure and traceable program databases (Salesforce).

• Regularly collect and update data against program indicators and compile baseline, monitoring and follow-up datasets.

• Analyze and aggregate findings using Excel, SPSS, STATA, or R, and produce actionable summaries for programme teams.

• Support the development, maintenance and improvement of Management information management system and dashboards to translate raw data into interactive visual platforms for real-time tracking.

• Develop interactive dashboards and assist in visualisation for presentations and decision-making.

• Compile and contribute to monthly, quarterly and annual reports tracking progress against indicators.

• Support programme and communications teams in documenting case stories, best practice documentation, lessons learned and updating knowledge products.

3. Research and Learning

• Support the design and implementation of baseline, midline, endline, operations research and other evaluations.

• Contribute to thematic studies, spot checks and operational research as required.

• Support the design and implementation of cohort studies and other longitudinal research to assess medium- and long-term outcomes and impact.

• Assist in developing Terms of Reference (ToRs) for assessments, evaluations and research consultancies; manage and quality-assure consultant outputs.

• Participate in organising and facilitating learning events, after-action reviews, reflection workshops and bi-annual reviews with staff and partners.

• Document lessons learned, synthesize evidence and produce short policy/practice briefs to inform programme adaptation and fundraising.

• Track and share relevant sectoral research, evidence and news with programme teams to ensure continued relevance and inform design.

4. Accountability and Knowledge Management

• Collect beneficiary feedback and response mechanisms to strengthen programme accountability and responsiveness.

• Work with communications teams to document human-interest stories, case studies and success narratives.

• Contribute content (stories, data highlights, lessons learned) to the MERL Messenger and other internal learning platforms.

• Maintain and update a repository (Intrasite) of MERL tools, datasets, reports and knowledge products; ensure easy access for programme teams.

• Package MERL findings into user-friendly formats (dashboards, infographics, policy briefs, one-pagers) to enhance evidence uptake.

• Ensure timely sharing of MERL data and insights with internal and external stakeholders and participate in communities of practice or sector forums.

5. Other duties

• Carry out other responsibilities related to Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning as assigned by the MERL Manager.

Primary Qualifications

Education and Experience

• First university degree or above in agriculture, Agriculture economics, statistics, demographics, or related social science field.

• Added advanced qualifications in M&E preferred.

• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in a position responsible for project management or implementing MERL activities, preferably within smallholder agriculture programmes.

• Experience in designing, implementing, and operating project MERL systems from project initiation to closeout stages.

• Experience in designing and managing beneficiary monitoring and database systems that promote gender-inclusive programs, including use of Management Information Systems (MIS) such as Salesforce or similar platforms.

• Experience in planning and performance measurement, including indicator tracking, target setting, reporting, database management, and developing MERL and Performance Monitoring Plans (PMPs).

• Knowledge of major evaluation methodologies (qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, and impact evaluations) and strong data collection and analysis skills using statistical software such as SPSS, STATA, R, and advanced Microsoft Excel.

• Experience in planning and managing surveys, including development and deployment of digital data collection tools using platforms such as KoboToolbox, ODK, or similar systems.

• Experience in developing interactive dashboards and data visualization products using Power BI or similar visualization tools to support decision-making.

• Experience conducting Data Quality Assessments (DQAs), data verification, and supervision to ensure data accuracy, reliability, and integrity.

Preferred skills and attributes

• Training/coaching/mentoring/ Facilitation skills

• Analytical skills;

• The ability to work independently, think innovatively and strategically and work effectively within a team

• Relevant private sector experience

• Excellent written and spoken command of English. Knowledge of local language(s) in program areas preferred.

• Ability to facilitate and serve as project liaison for externally managed evaluations and research consultancies.

Pr

• Participate in the review and refinement of programme/project results frameworks, logical frameworks, and performance indicators.
• Contribute to the development and updating of Monitoring & Evaluation Plans and Performance Monitoring Plans (PMP).
• Support integration of M&E into programme/project work plans and budgets, ensuring alignment with timelines and deliverables.
• Develop, adapt, and maintain M&E tools, templates, and digital systems for data capture, management, and reporting.
• Develop the overall framework for programme/project M&E, including mid-term review, impact assessment and final evaluation planning.
• Develop Performance Monitoring Plans with relevant data collection systems and document baseline data and reference points for indicators.
• Review existing data systems and collection methods and, with the M&E Unit and collaborating partners, agree on any required changes, support and resources.
• Develop a plan for project-related capacity building on M&E, including digitization needs and training schedules.
• Organize and undertake training with collaborating program staff and partners on M&E as required.
• Provide technical support and training to staff and partners on M&E systems, tools, and digital data collection platforms.
• Ensure adherence to ethical standards, data protection and confidentiality in all M&E activities
• Support the collection of both qualitative and quantitative data across programmes, ensuring adherence to standard methodologies (surveys, FGDs, cohort tracking, observational tools).
• Conduct routine Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) to verify accuracy, reliability, completeness and timeliness of project data and support corrective actions.
• Perform regular data quality checks, audits, spot-checks and verifications to strengthen data integrity.
• Maintain clean, organized, secure and traceable program databases (Salesforce).
• Regularly collect and update data against program indicators and compile baseline, monitoring and follow-up datasets.
• Analyze and aggregate findings using Excel, SPSS, STATA, or R, and produce actionable summaries for programme teams.
• Support the development, maintenance and improvement of Management information management system and dashboards to translate raw data into interactive visual platforms for real-time tracking.
• Develop interactive dashboards and assist in visualisation for presentations and decision-making.
• Compile and contribute to monthly, quarterly and annual reports tracking progress against indicators.
• Support programme and communications teams in documenting case stories, best practice documentation, lessons learned and updating knowledge products.
• Support the design and implementation of baseline, midline, endline, operations research and other evaluations.
• Contribute to thematic studies, spot checks and operational research as required.
• Support the design and implementation of cohort studies and other longitudinal research to assess medium- and long-term outcomes and impact.
• Assist in developing Terms of Reference (ToRs) for assessments, evaluations and research consultancies; manage and quality-assure consultant outputs.
• Participate in organising and facilitating learning events, after-action reviews, reflection workshops and bi-annual reviews with staff and partners.
• Document lessons learned, synthesize evidence and produce short policy/practice briefs to inform programme adaptation and fundraising.
• Track and share relevant sectoral research, evidence and news with programme teams to ensure continued relevance and inform design.
• Collect beneficiary feedback and response mechanisms to strengthen programme accountability and responsiveness.
• Work with communications teams to document human-interest stories, case studies and success narratives.
• Contribute content (stories, data highlights, lessons learned) to the MERL Messenger and other internal learning platforms.
• Maintain and update a repository (Intrasite) of MERL tools, datasets, reports and knowledge products; ensure easy access for programme teams.
• Package MERL findings into user-friendly formats (dashboards, infographics, policy briefs, one-pagers) to enhance evidence uptake.
• Ensure timely sharing of MERL data and insights with internal and external stakeholders and participate in communities of practice or sector forums.
• Carry out other responsibilities related to Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning as assigned by the MERL Manager.

• Training/coaching/mentoring/ Facilitation skills
• Analytical skills;
• The ability to work independently, think innovatively and strategically and work effectively within a team
• Relevant private sector experience
• Excellent written and spoken command of English. Knowledge of local language(s) in program areas preferred.
• Ability to facilitate and serve as project liaison for externally managed evaluations and research consultancies.

• First university degree or above in agriculture, Agriculture economics, statistics, demographics, or related social science field.
• Added advanced qualifications in M&E preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in a position responsible for project management or implementing MERL activities, preferably within smallholder agriculture programmes.
• Experience in designing, implementing, and operating project MERL systems from project initiation to closeout stages.
• Experience in designing and managing beneficiary monitoring and database systems that promote gender-inclusive programs, including use of Management Information Systems (MIS) such as Salesforce or similar platforms.
• Experience in planning and performance measurement, including indicator tracking, target setting, reporting, database management, and developing MERL and Performance Monitoring Plans (PMPs).
• Knowledge of major evaluation methodologies (qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods, and impact evaluations) and strong data collection and analysis skills using statistical software such as SPSS, STATA, R, and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Experience in planning and managing surveys, including development and deployment of digital data collection tools using platforms such as KoboToolbox, ODK, or similar systems.
• Experience in developing interactive dashboards and data visualization products using Power BI or similar visualization tools to support decision-making.
• Experience conducting Data Quality Assessments (DQAs), data verification, and supervision to ensure data accuracy, reliability, and integrity.