Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer

Reports to: Project Manager/ MEL Consultant Lead
Responsible for: Temporary Supervision of staff as described here. (From time to time, may supervise temporarily hired data collectors/Research assistants and Data entrants).

2. Job Purpose

The MEL Officer is responsible for operationalising the institution’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) system across its partners and the Uganda eLearning initiative. Beyond routine data capture and entry, the role ensures that quality data is systematically collected, verified, analysed, and used to track progress against agreed outputs and outcomes, demonstrate results to stakeholders, and drive evidence-based learning and continuous improvement. Working under the technical guidance of the MEL Consultant, the MEL Officer implements the MEL framework, theory of change, and results/log frame matrix and serves as the day-to-day custodian of program data and learning processes.

 1. Objectives of the Role

The MEL Officer is expected to:

• Operationalise a credible, standards-compliant MEL system that generates timely, high-quality, and verifiable data.
• Track and report performance against output- and outcome-level indicators — not merely activity or task completion.
• Safeguard data quality and integrity across the full data value chain (collection → entry → cleaning → analysis → reporting).
• Promote a culture of learning and adaptive management by translating evidence into actionable insights.
• Support accountability to learners, partners, regulators (e.g., UVTAB/TVET Council), and donors through accurate, on-time reporting

3. Key Functions
Critical Indicators

Key Results Areas (KRAs)

MEL System Implementation & Tools

• Implement and maintain the MEL framework, theory of change, logframe/results matrix and indicator reference (PIRS) sheets developed with the MEL Consultant.
• Develop, pre-test and roll out data collection tools (surveys, registers, attendance/LMS extracts, tracer and feedback instruments).
• Maintain a functional, well-documented MEL database/MIS and ensure it draws cleanly from the LMS
• Data Collection, Quality Assurance & Management
  • Coordinate routine and periodic data collection across programs, sites and TOTs.
  • Perform data entry, cleaning, validation and de-duplication; maintain audit trails and version control.
  • Conduct routine data quality assessments (RDQA) against validity, reliability, timeliness, precision, integrity and completeness; document and resolve data-quality issues.
• Indicator Tracking, Analysis & Reporting
  • Track progress against agreed indicators and targets and maintain the performance/indicator tracking table.
  • Analyse quantitative and qualitative data and produce dashboards, periodic progress reports, and ad-hoc analyses.
  • Prepare accurate, on-time reports for management, regulators and partners, disaggregated by sex, age, disability and other relevant categories.
• Monitoring, Field Verification & Compliance
  • Plan and conduct support supervision, spot checks, and data verification visits.
  • Monitor implementation against work plans and flag variances, risks, and bottlenecks early.
  • Ensure compliance with MEL standards, regulatory requirements (UVTAB/TVET), and donor reporting requirements.
• Learning, Knowledge Management & Adaptive Management
  • Organise and document learning, review, and reflection sessions and after-action reviews.
  • Capture lessons, success stories, and case studies and maintain a knowledge repository.
  • Translate evidence into recommendations and track the uptake of learning into program decisions.
• Capacity Strengthening & Data Use
  • Build the MEL capacity of TOTs, facilitators, and field staff in data collection and quality.
  • Promote the use of data for decision-making at all levels.
  • Champion data protection, research ethics, and confidentiality in line with applicable laws and policies.

4. Critical MEL Performance Indicators

• Performance in the role is assessed against MEL-specific indicators, including:
• Data quality — % of data passing routine data-quality checks (target ≥ 95%); error/rework rate within the agreed threshold.
• ·Timeliness — % of reports and data submissions delivered on or before deadline (target 100%).
• Completeness — % of required records and fields complete and appropriately disaggregated.
• Indicator coverage — % of logframe indicators with current, verifiable data each reporting cycle.
• Evidence use — number/% of program decisions or adaptations informed by MEL evidence.
• ·Verification — % of planned monitoring/verification visits completed with documented action points.
• Reporting accuracy — variance between reported and source-verified figures kept within tolerance.

5. Collaboration with the MEL Consultant

The MEL Officer works under the technical guidance of the MEL Consultant. In broad terms, the Consultant provides design, methodological, and quality-assurance leadership. At the same time, the MEL Officer operationalises the system day-to-day and feeds field realities back into the Consultant’s design. The division of responsibilities is summarised below.

• Area MEL Consultant (leads / technical guidance), MEL Officer (operationalises / day-to-day) MEL framework, ToC & logframe
• Designs and updates the framework, theory of change, results matrix and indicator definitions (PIRS).
• Implements and maintains them; supplies field input to refine them. Indicators & targets
• Defines indicators, methodologies, baselines and targets.
• Tracks indicators, maintains the tracking table and raises data gaps. Tools & methods
• Designs and approves data tools and sampling approaches.
•  Pre-tests, deploys and manages tools and the resulting data. Evaluations (baseline/midline / endline)
• Leads design, methodology, analysis and evaluation reporting.
• Coordinates logistics, data collection, enumerator support and data quality of clean datasets.

Sets QA protocols and standards.

• Conducts routine RDQA, resolves issues and escalates systemic problems.
• Analysis & reporting
• Quality-assures analysis and produces strategic / donor-level reports.
• Produces routine analyses, dashboards and periodic reports. Learning & capacity
• Designs the learning agenda and training curricula.
• Facilitates routine learning events and on-the-job support to staff.

6. Person Specification

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Statistics, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences or a related field; post-graduate training or certification in M&E is an added advantage.
Experience
• At least 3–5 years’ relevant MEL experience, preferably in education/TVET, youth skilling, or donor-funded programs.
Knowledge & Technical Skills
• Results-based management, theories of change and logical frameworks.
• Indicator development and data-quality assurance (RDQA).
• Quantitative and qualitative methods and sampling.
• Proficiency in Excel and at least one statistical package (SPSS, Stata or R) and a mobile data-collection platform (e.g. Solsice, KoboToolbox, ODK or CommCare).
• Data visualisation and dashboards; familiarity with LMS data is an advantage.
Core Competencies
• Analytical and detail-oriented, with strong numeracy.
• Integrity and sound ethics in data handling.
• Strong communication and report-writing skills.
• Collaboration, planning and organisation.
• Adaptability and a problem-solving, learning mindset.

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Updated CV
• Cover letter outlining relevant experience
• Use the provided link to apply for this job:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfKofgsqacwu-Z7I_jA35U9QYDfCcl3d8GFSF7dwYMN-Vpw1g/viewform?usp=header
• Deadline: July 10, 2026