Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Reporting & Learning (MEARL) Lead 17 views0 applications

Location: Nairobi, Kenya (with extensive travel to ASAL counties)
Position Type: Full-time
Reporting to: AHN Convener

Duration: Full time 2-year contract term (with possibility of extension based on performance and funding)

Remuneration: competitive package offered – based on value, skill, and experience

Background

The ASAL Humanitarian Network (AHN) is a coalition of local and national NGOs dedicated to fostering a more locally led aid system. Operating so far across ten Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) counties in Northern Kenya, the network focuses on addressing the unique challenges faced by these communities through evidence-based strategic programming, advocacy, influencing, capacity strengthening, and collaboration.

As AHN looks to expand its efforts in scaling impactful humanitarian action, the MEARL Lead will play a critical role in ensuring that all interventions are guided by robust evidence, accountability, and learning. This position is key to supporting AHN’s mission of building a more accountable, transparent, and effective humanitarian response system in the devolved governance structure while holding ourselves, stakeholders, and duty bearers to the highest standards of responsibility.

Job Summary

The MEARL Lead will be responsible for the strategic leadership and management of AHN’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Reporting, and Learning framework. This includes designing evidence-based systems that inform advocacy, strategic programming, and decision-making. The MEARL Lead will ensure that AHN’s interventions are data-driven, accountable, and continuously improved based on lessons learned from implementation in the complex ASAL context.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic MEARL Framework Design and Implementation
   • Develop and implement a comprehensive MEARL framework aligned with AHN’s strategic goals, ensuring the collection, analysis, and reporting of high-quality data.
   • Integrate MEARL systems into all AHN projects to provide evidence for scale, effectiveness, and sustainability in ASAL communities.
   • Ensure that monitoring and evaluation tools are responsive to the evolving challenges of ASAL regions and devolved governance systems.
   • Coordinates, designs and implements MEAL plan and learning agenda for complex programmes, focusing on systems change with a large influencing component.
2. Evidence-Based Advocacy and Strategic Programming
   • Lead the collection and analysis of data to inform advocacy efforts and strategic programming, particularly around accountability for humanitarian actors, stakeholders, and duty bearers.
   • Collaborate with the Policy and Advocacy Lead to generate evidence that supports policy influencing and engagement at county, national, and international levels.
3. Accountability Mechanisms
   • Design and manage robust accountability systems, including Complaints and Redress Feedback Mechanisms (CFRM), to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and responsiveness in all AHN programs.
   • Hold AHN, its partners, stakeholders, and duty bearers accountable for delivering timely and effective humanitarian aid to communities in need.
4. Capacity Strengthening and Learning
   • Provide technical leadership and capacity-building support to AHN members and partners on MEARL systems, tools, and methodologies.
   • Foster a culture of continuous learning by leading after-action reviews, evaluations, and knowledge-sharing initiatives to improve the impact of humanitarian programs.
5. Reporting and Communication
   • Prepare and disseminate high-quality reports, data briefs, and learning materials for internal and external stakeholders.
   • Collaborate with the Communications and Media Officer to ensure that evidence and data are effectively communicated to target audiences, including the public, donors, and policy-makers.
6. Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Management
   • Build strong relationships with key stakeholders, including authorities, donors, and other humanitarian actors together with Network members agencies, to promote a shared understanding and set up of accountability and evidence-based programming in the ASAL context.
   • Participate in relevant county and national forums to advocate for data-driven approaches to humanitarian programming.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Development Studies, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Experience:
  • At least 7 years of experience in MEAL, preferably in humanitarian or development programming, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
  • Proven experience in implementing MEARL systems in complex, multi-stakeholder environments, preferably within the ASAL context or similar.
  • Demonstrated expertise in managing accountability mechanisms, particularly Complaint/Redress Feedback Reporting Mechanisms (CFRM).
  • Proven experience managing budgets and projects
  • Familiarity and experience working with partners and highly developed diversity and cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Skills:
  • Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights for policy, advocacy, and strategic programming.
  • Expertise in designing and leading large-scale MEARL frameworks that align with donor and programmatic requirements.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to lead and influence across multiple levels of stakeholders.
  • Proficiency in using data management software and reporting tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, SPSS, etc.).
  • Excellent command of English, both written and spoken