MEAL Manager 18 views0 applications

Reports to: Program Director
Department: MEAL
Position classification: Full-time.
Location: Entasekera, Loita Ward, Narok County
Employment type: Kenya-based role. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Kenya. Visa/work permit sponsorship is not available.

COMPANY INFORMATION:
We believe the social foundation of basic human needs can be met for all people within the Earth’s ecological limits. By collaborating with communities to restore degraded environments and protect essential ecosystems, we foster a resilient foundation that supports both people and planet, recognizing the health of both are inseparable and interdependent. Our work de-risks the future by designing and implementing holistic systems that address the foundational needs of people, restores essential biodiversity, and directly impacts the effects of climate change through collaboration with local stakeholders, regional authorities, and global partners.

Compassionate Carbon Africa (CC) works in developing regions of the world to facilitate landscape restoration and community development through nature-based solutions. CC’s mission is to foster healthy relationships between communities and the land on which we all depend through landscape restoration and conservation. We envision a world where communities thrive in healthy and restored environments.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Manager serves as the technical lead for all MEAL and MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification) activities, supporting forest carbon projects in Kenya. The MEAL Manager oversees the implementation of integrated systems that ensure high-quality data on carbon, social, and biodiversity outcomes while facilitating evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement. This role is responsible for building transparent, auditable monitoring frameworks that comply with international carbon standards and social safeguards requirements. By working closely with project teams, local leadership, and technical partners, the MEAL Manager drives adaptive management and accountability processes to maximize impact in the Olokeri Landscape Project.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• MEAL + Data System Management: Manage and implement robust MEAL and MRV systems that integrate field monitoring, geospatial, and remote-sensing data to support real-time decision-making and ensure audit readiness of carbon and co-benefit results.
• Data Governance + Quality Assurance: Establish data management frameworks to uphold data quality and security, including clear data ownership, traceability, and version control. Oversee data collection, verification, and QA/QC procedures to ensure all monitoring data for carbon, biodiversity, and social outcomes are accurate, organized, and meet international standards.
• Data Analysis + Learning: Lead analysis of monitoring data to identify trends, uncertainties, and lessons, translating findings into actionable insights to guide project teams in adapting approaches for improved outcomes. Facilitate continuous learning by sharing best practices and results across teams.
• Standards Compliance &+ Audit Readiness: Maintain audit-ready documentation (monitoring plans, SOPs, data dictionaries, evidence logs, community engagement records, etc.) to ensure all carbon accounting and co-benefit data meet requirements of relevant standards (e.g., Equitable Earth, Kenyan law). Coordinate validation and verification processes by preparing required data and serving as a key contact for third-party auditors/VVBs.
• Technical Support for Carbon Projects: Provide technical guidance on MRV for a carbon project, including advising on monitoring methodologies, sample design, carbon pool selection, and the use of remote sensing to maximize accurate carbon sequestration measurement. Oversee quality control of carbon data (e.g., field measurements, biomass calculations) to ensure all carbon quantification follows approved methodologies and is well-documented. Stay updated on emerging MRV best practices and recommend innovative tools or methods to enhance monitoring efficiency and carbon accounting accuracy.
• Community Accountability + Safeguards: Work closely with program teams to integrate community feedback and social safeguards into MEAL processes, documenting stakeholder participation (e.g., FPIC – Free, Prior, and Informed Consent) and ensuring participatory monitoring that builds local ownership and meets ethical standards.
• Resource Management: Manage MEAL/MRV budgets and resources, ensuring that monitoring activities are cost-effective and aligned with project financial plans and organizational goals.
• Team Leadership + Development: Recruit, train, and lead a high-performing team. Mentor staff, set clear goals, monitor progress, and promote a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

EDUCATION + WORK EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry or Forest Sciences, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Ecology or Conservation Biology, Geography/Geospatial Science, Climate Science/Environmental Engineering, Statistics, Development Studies, or closely related field.
• At least 5 years of progressive experience in environmental monitoring, carbon projects, or data systems management, including at least 2-3 years in a supervisory or team leadership role in Monitoring & Evaluation/MEAL.
• Solid experience with forest conservation or carbon project MRV is highly desirable, especially involvement in projects that successfully completed third-party validation or verification processes (e.g., under VCS/CCB standards).
• Familiarity with reforestation, restoration ecology, forest carbon accounting, or climate change mitigation projects in developing country contexts is advantageous.
• Certifications or formal training in carbon accounting, or GHG quantification, project management, GIS or geospatial analysis, are preferred.

SKILLS + ABILITIES

• Models the Ethos in all professional interactions, demonstrating a commitment to the organization’s values, vision, and conduct standards.
• Strong technical expertise in forest carbon MRV (measurement, reporting, verification) and Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) and/or Afforestation/Reforestation (ARR) methodologies, with the ability to ensure rigor and accuracy in carbon monitoring and reporting.
• Proven ability to manage integrated data and monitoring systems, combining field, geospatial, and remote-sensing data for comprehensive analysis. Demonstrated skill in data governance, quality assurance, and audit readiness in compliance-focused projects.
• Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex datasets, implement robust QA/QC processes, and draw actionable insights for project teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the capacity to present technical information clearly to diverse audiences and engage effectively with auditors, community stakeholders, and organizational leadership.
• High professional integrity, sound judgement, and the ability to balance operational demands with compliance requirements to maintain project credibility and carbon integrity.
• Comfortable with relevant technology and software (e.g. MS Office, GIS tools); quick to learn new systems for project monitoring and reporting.
• Familiarity with GIS, remote sensing, or mapping tools for land-use planning, carbon baselining, and monitoring is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with EarthRanger and Ecoscope is an advantage.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken), is required; proficiency in Kiswahili and/or Maa is a strong asset.

WORK CONDITIONS

• Work Environment: Combination of home office and field settings, including regular visits to forested and rural project sites under varied weather and terrain conditions. Frequent interaction with local communities and multi-stakeholder teams may involve basic field accommodations and extended time in remote areas.
• Work schedule: Full-time, with standard office hours, requiring occasional flexibility (e.g. early mornings, evenings, or weekends) to coordinate across time zones with global technical team.
• Physical Requirements: Moderate physical fitness is required for fieldwork in rustic environments, including walking long distances on uneven terrain, standing for extended periods, and occasionally lifting or carrying field equipment. Work also involves typical office tasks (computer use, meetings) when not in the field.
• Travel: Regular domestic travel within Kenya to remote project sites for monitoring and community consultation, sometimes involving difficult travel conditions and overnight stays. Occasional international travel for training or coordination meetings may be required.
• Safety + Special Conditions: Adherence to all applicable safety protocols and alignment of activities with established environmental and social safeguards. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position; only Kenyan nationals will be considered.

Disclaimer: This document outlines primary duties but may not cover all responsibilities or conditions. Compassionate Carbon may assign extra tasks or modify roles for business needs or employee accommodation, per applicable law.

Compassionate Carbon is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a team representing a variety of backgrounds, viewpoints, and skills. Candidate selection is based on technical qualifications and position requirements; employment will not commence until applicable background and reference checks are completed.

Safeguarding: Compassionate Carbon holds strict safeguarding principles and does not tolerate behaviors that harm others, including sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and other injustices. Employees are expected to abide by company policies.