Lake Tanganyika Basin MEL Lead

About the role

The Lake Tanganyika Basin (LTB) Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Lead is the technical lead for the MEL function of the Lake Tanganyika Basin Irreplaceable Landscape strategy. Based in Kigoma, Tanzania, and reporting to the LTB Director, the role designs, coordinates and improves a basin-wide MEL system that tracks progress across freshwater, terrestrial, livelihood, governance, gender, climate resilience, sustainable finance and transboundary collaboration outcomes. It works with the Deputy Director, workstream leads and the Africa Science and MEL team, and with partners in Tanzania, Zambia, DRC and Burundi.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the design and continuous improvement of a basin-wide MEL plan aligned with TNC Africa MEL standards and the Africa Unified and Standardized MEL Frameworks, including results pathways, indicators, assumptions, risks, targets and learning questions.
• Coordinate MEL implementation across the LTB team, implementing partners and stakeholders, and track biodiversity, governance, climate resilience, gender and inclusion, livelihoods and transboundary collaboration outcomes.
• Establish and improve MEL data systems, standards, tools and data governance, and lead data quality assurance across program zones.
• Produce consolidated performance analyses, indicator summaries, dashboards and disaggregated reports for program leadership, donor reporting and adaptive management.
• Run quarterly reviews, annual pause-and-reflect reviews and learning workshops, and build donor-ready reporting and evidence products.
• Build MEL capacity in core teams, partners and communities, and oversee baseline, midline, endline and real-time monitoring and learning studies.
• Take part in regional and global MEL communities of practice, update hub records with the Regional Science and MEL team, and support fundraising with the funding collaboration teams.
• Provide technical guidance, quality assurance and supervision for MEL staff, consultants, interns and partner focal points.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree and 5 years' experience in MEL, conservation science, environmental science, natural resource management, social science, statistics, data science or a related field, with at least 6 years of progressively responsible MEL or program performance management experience.
• Experience with complex, multi-partner programs and with government agencies, NGOs, research institutions and community groups.
• Strong communication and report writing skills; peer-reviewed publications are an added advantage.
• Desired: master's degree, experience leading MEL systems for multi-country conservation programs, and experience with mixed-methods approaches and SMART.

Required skills

• MEL data analytics, performance reporting and data aggregation with quality assurance.
• Indicator design, results frameworks, theories of change and data quality assurance.
• Desired: Excel, KoboToolbox, Survey123, ArcGIS/QGIS, statistical software (e.g. MAXQDA, Atlas.ti, JMP), SMART, and synthesis of scientific and programmatic information.

Applications are submitted through the employer's online application portal; the process is rolling and the role will be closed once a strong pool is found.