Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist – Rwanda

The Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist leads the design and delivery of high-quality MEL across AMIs Rwanda-based and multi-country programme. This is a senior expertise-led role: the Specialist owns MEL plans logframes and theories of change for complex programmes ensures rigorous data collection and quality and turns programme data into credible evidence learning and donor-ready reporting.

As AMIs internal point of MEL expertise for these programmes the Specialist shapes the measurement methodologies tools and frameworks we use: working beyond standard indicators and logframes to design measurement around impact pathways and bringing Impact Measurement and Management (IMM) thinking into how we define and evidence outcomes. The role carries particular fluency in reporting for institutional funders especially the Mastercard Foundation and works closely with programme teams partners and AMIs Impact Intelligence team to ensure learning travels and decisions are evidence-led.

MEL design & measurement strategy

• Lead the design of MEL frameworks for complex multi-country programs including MEL plans log frames results frameworks and theories of change aligned to organizational guidance and donor requirements.
  

• Design measurement around impact personas and impact pathways not only indicators and log frames and bring Impact Measurement and Management (IMM) thinking into indicator and outcome design.
  

• Translate programme and client strategy into clear measurable business and impact outcomes with defensible indicators and evidence frameworks.
  

Data collection quality & systems

• Oversee routine baseline monitoring and endline data collection across programmes ensuring tools and processes are practical and fit-for-purpose.
  

• Own data quality: validation cleaning and quality-assurance procedures working with enumerators programme staff and partners.
  

• Steward ethical data practices informed consent data protection and safe handling of participant information in line with organisational and donor requirements.
  

Analysis learning & insight

• Analyse and synthesise programme data into practical insight segmentation and learning that improves programme design targeting and delivery.
  

• Produce learning briefs dashboards and presentations for internal and external stakeholders; lead reflection and learning sessions so insight travels across teams.
  

Donor reporting & compliance

• Lead donor-compliant reporting for Rwanda-based and multi-country programmes indicator tracking results-framework reporting and narrative with particular fluency in Mastercard Foundation requirements and others such as the World Bank AGRA and BRD.
  

• Maintain clear documentation of MEL processes data sources and assumptions; support internal reviews audits and external evaluations.
  

Collaboration & coordination

• Work closely with programme teams SPMs and internal stakeholders to embed MEL into programme delivery; provide MEL-informed guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
  

• Act as an internal point of expertise on MEL methodology helping to raise standards and mentor less experienced colleagues including the MEL Officer without formal line management at this stage.
  

• Build MEL capability across programme teams and delivery partners through tools training and ongoing support so data collection and reporting meet quality standards.
  

• Coordinate external partners consultants and field teams ensuring tools and processes are practical and fit-for-purpose.
  

• Escalate data quality risks delivery challenges and timeline issues in a timely solutions-focused way.
  

Education

• Bachelors degree in monitoring & evaluation social sciences development studies economics statistics or a related field. A Masters is an advantage but not required.
  

Experience

• 57 years MEL experience within development or donor-funded programmes including a track record of leading MEL design (not only implementation).
  

• Demonstrated experience designing MEL frameworks for complex programmes: MEL plans logframes / results frameworks and theories of change.
  

• Experience across multi-country programmes not only single-country delivery.
  

• Strong experience reporting for the Mastercard Foundation and ideally other institutional funders (World Bank AGRA BRD or similar).
  

• Familiarity with Impact Measurement and Management (IMM) approaches and with impact personas and impact pathways as ways to design measurement around outcomes.
  

• Experience coordinating data collection and working with enumerators or implementation partners including field-based MEL.
  

Skills & attributes

• Strong quantitative and qualitative skills data cleaning validation and analysis; proficiency in Excel / Google Sheets and comfort with analysis tools.
  

• Experience with digital data collection tools (Kobo ODK SurveyCTO SurveyMonkey or similar); dashboards / visualization (Meta base Tableau Power BI) an advantage.
  

• Keeps current with advances in MEL practice and brings new methods tools and techniques into the work to improve rigour and insight.
  

• Excellent written and verbal communication in English; able to translate complex data into clear insight for non-technical audiences and clients.
  

• High attention to detail strong organization and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced delivery environment.
  

• Proactive reliable collaborative with strong integrity and respect for ethical data practices.
  

• A high-impact diverse and ambitious team with common values:
  

• Be the best: We work really hard are proud of what we do and love delighting our clients with quality.
  
• Own it: We step up to the task never pass the buck and hold ourselves accountable for delivering results.
  
• Push the limits: We ask why embrace failure and try new things. We never settle.
  
• Do whats right: We act with integrity confront dishonesty treat people fairly and strive to contribute to the greater good
  
• Always care: We dont have ego its always team before me. We are kind we celebrate each others success and we care enough to give honest feedback.
  

• A dynamic office & team life:
  

• Monthly team social events and yearly offsite
  
• Regular learning and coaching opportunities
  
• A hybrid working model