The MEL Specialist will lead the design and execution of robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems under a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Food for Progress (FFPr) initiative in Cote d’Ivoire. The role ensures evidence-based decision-making by guiding indicator design, performance tracking, data collection protocols, and adaptive learning processes across all technical domains—including productivity, finance, trade, and monetization.

The MEL Specialist will also oversee data quality assurance and support reporting to the donor, ensuring compliance with USDA/FAS standards. Working closely with program staff, field teams, and implementing partners, the MEL Specialist will foster a culture of results-driven programming and institutional learning.

Requirements

Key Responsibilities

MEL Framework Design and Management

• Develop and refine Results Frameworks, Logical Frameworks, and Performance Monitoring Plans (PMP) in alignment with USDA FFPr standards.
• Establish indicators, baselines, and target-setting protocols across all program components.
• Design and roll out digital and manual data collection tools suitable for local contexts and field realities.

Performance Monitoring and Evaluation

• Lead training and supervision of field teams and partners responsible for data gathering and indicator tracking.
• Conduct regular Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) and ensure reliability, consistency, and completeness of all reported results.
• Oversee verification of outcome indicators related to productivity, financial inclusion, trade volumes, and stakeholder engagement.

Learning and Adaptive Management

• Generate periodic reports, dashboards, and evidence summaries for internal and external audiences.
• Facilitate learning reviews and reflection workshops to assess performance, address challenges, and inform design adaptations.
• Collaborate with program leads to integrate MEL findings into planning and decision-making.

Donor Compliance and Communication

• Ensure all MEL activities meet USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) guidelines for performance reporting and learning.
• Lead preparation of quarterly and annual reports, including success stories and lessons learned.
• Respond to donor inquiries and MEL audit requests in coordination with senior program staff.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in monitoring and evaluation, international development, agricultural economics, or related discipline.

Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in MEL roles for donor-funded projects, preferably in agriculture, trade, or financial inclusion.
• Familiarity with USDA, USAID, or comparable MEL systems and reporting standards.
• Strong experience designing indicator frameworks and overseeing large-scale data collection systems.

Skills

• Proficient in Excel, data visualization software, and mobile data platforms (e.g., KoboToolbox, CommCare, ODK).
• Fluent in English and professional French.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills with the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
• Experience managing multi-partner MEL systems across diverse geographies strongly preferred.