Senior Manager Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Research (MEL&R)

The Senior Manager Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Research (MEL&R) will be a leading expert in the field of evaluation and applied research. He/she will be able to foster and steer high quality initiatives at AWARD.
 He/she will ensure that AWARD generates, uses and communicates high-quality evidence, to drive learning, adaptive management, accountability, and influence within the agricultural research for development (AR4D) ecosystem.
 Working closely with the other AWARD units, the Senior Manager will lead the development and continuous strengthening of MEL&R frameworks and systems aligned with AWARD’s strategy, vision and mission. He/she will oversee applied and evaluative research that will advance the understanding of gender equality and generate actionable evidence on outcomes, institutional and policy change, and impact in the AR4D sector.
 The Senior Manager will shape the learning agenda with methodological rigor, ensure the relevance of research initiatives while also supporting the development of strategic partnerships and collaborative relationships.

Duties and responsibilities

Robust Monitoring, Evaluation and Adaptive Learning

• Lead the development and continuous  management of AWARD MEL&R strategy, tools, frameworks and systems;
  
• Oversee the design, implementation and  reporting of ME&L activities across AWARD initiatives and programs to  track outputs, outcomes, impact and transformation;
  
• Lead periodic learning reviews and advise  on project/program’s overall approach and adjustments, and prepare regular  and ad hoc updates;
  
• Oversee the implementation of quality  assurance and control protocols and ensure internal consistency and  validity of project/program’s monitoring checks to enable improved  capturing and narration of programmatic results and impact.
  

Gender-Responsive Evidence, Applied and Evaluative Research

• Ensure the systematic integration of  gender and social inclusion perspectives across MEL frameworks,  indicators, tools, and analytical approaches;
  
• Lead the development and application of  gender-responsive and intersectional indicators, including the collection  and analysis of sex- and age-disaggregated data;
  
• Guide applied and evaluative research on  outcomes, impact, institutional change, and policy influence related to  gender equality in agricultural research and development;
  
• Ensure research initiatives are  methodologically rigorous, learning-oriented, and produce actionable  evidence for policy and practice.
  

Knowledge Management, Learning and Influence

• Lead the synthesis, documentation and  dissemination of findings, lessons learnt and best practices through  internal platforms and external forums;
  
• Collaborate with AWARD units to translate  evidence into accessible and influential knowledge products including  peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations; and consistent  engagement with research, policy, and practitioner networks.
  

Donor engagement, Grant Performance and Resource Mobilisation Support

• Contribute to technical donor reporting  ensuring alignment with AWARD’s strategy, learning objectives and donor  standards;
  
• Contribute to proposal development and  grants’ negotiations including design of high quality ME&L inputs, to  ensure successful proposals;
  
• Monitor project/program overall  performance against agreed milestones, targets and indicators and make  useful recommendations to address gaps and improve efficiency and  effectiveness.
  

Capacity Building and Team Leadership

• Lead and manage the MEL&R unit,  including staff and consultants, fostering a culture of coaching,  mentoring, learning, accountability, and professional growth;
  
• Support other AWARD units with technical  guidance and ensure clarity on MEL&R standards and expectations;
  
• Promote inclusive, participatory, and  gender-responsive MEL&R practices across AWARD portfolio through  collaborative learning processes.
  

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in international development with a focus on agrifood systems and impact and with at least 5 years in a senior management MEL&R role;
  
•  Experience working across multiple African countries on AR4D issues is essential;
  
• Demonstrated experience designing and leading MEL systems, frameworks and tools for multi-country, donor-funded programs and initiatives;
  
• Demonstrated understanding of gender and social inclusion analysis and gender-responsive MEL&R approaches, research design, data management, quality assurance and control procedures;
  
• Demonstrated strategic and systems thinking with strong analytical skills
  
• Track record of producing high-quality reports, studies, knowledge products and dissemination to various audiences;
  
• Excellent command of the English Language, working knowledge of French language would be an added advantage.
  

Education, knowledge and experience

•Minimum of 10 years’ experience in international development with a focus on agrifood systems and impact and with at least 5 years in a senior management MEL&R role;
 •Experience working across multiple African countries on AR4D issues is essential;
 •Demonstrated experience designing and leading MEL systems, frameworks and tools for multi-country, donor-funded programs and initiatives;
 •Demonstrated understanding of gender and social inclusion analysis and gender-responsive MEL&R approaches, research design, data management, quality assurance and control procedures;
 •Demonstrated strategic and systems thinking with strong analytical skills.

Terms and conditions

•This is a Globally Recruited Position (GRS). CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration commensurate with skills and experience.
 •The initial appointment will be for two (2) years, with a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
 •The duty station will be in Nairobi, Kenya CIFOR-ICRAF Offices.