Head of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

Job Description

Inkomoko is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.  Refugees, women, and persons who reflect the diverse communities we serve are strongly encouraged to apply. 

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Head of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plays a critical leadership role in driving the strategic direction, implementation, and continuous improvement of Inkomoko’s MEL systems across its regional programs. This position serves as a key driver for embedding a culture of learning and evidence-based decision-making within the organization, ensuring that the data generated from various programs is not only accurate but also actionable in informing strategic decisions.

The Head of MEL will lead a team of country MEL Managers, fostering a collaborative environment focused on producing high-quality evaluations, learning processes, and reporting systems that advance Inkomoko’s mission of empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurs, including those from refugee and marginalized communities. The individual will work closely with the Regional MEL Director, senior leadership, and various program teams to ensure that MEL systems are effectively integrated into program designs, operations, and organizational strategies. As Inkomoko continues to expand its impact across East Africa, the Head of MEL will play a central role in shaping the learning agenda, ensuring that Inkomoko’s programs remain adaptive, responsive, and aligned with organizational goals, as well as donor expectations.

This leadership role demands a blend of technical expertise in MEL, strong strategic thinking, and excellent interpersonal skills to influence decision-making at all levels of the organization. The Head of MEL will provide leadership not only in the development and execution of MEL frameworks but also in translating evaluation findings into actionable insights that guide program design, scaling, and impact. Additionally, they will drive a focus on innovation within the MEL space, including exploring digital solutions and emerging methodologies that enhance data collection, analysis, and real-time decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

MEL strategy and systems development (30%)

• In liaison with the Regional MEL Director, lead the design, implementation, and continuous refinement of a comprehensive MEL strategy that supports Inkomoko’s mission to enhance MSME impact and growth across the region.
• Ensure robust MEL frameworks are integrated into program design, emphasizing measurable impact on communities and entrepreneurs.
• Foster a culture of evidence-based decision-making by ensuring MEL data and insights are accessible, actionable, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Collaborate with the IT team and MEL Director to integrate internal systems and tools that enable data consistency, real-time access, and seamless flow across platforms.
• Uphold data integrity, confidentiality, and ethical standards, especially when working with vulnerable populations, in alignment with regional and global MEL best practices.

Evaluation and learning (40%)

• Lead and oversee the design and execution of high-quality evaluation and learning activities, including outcome assessments, impact studies, and program reviews.
• Ensure evaluations are participatory, reflect diverse stakeholder perspectives, and drive actionable recommendations for program improvement and scaling.
• Synthesize findings from evaluations and research to inform strategic decision-making, refine programmatic approaches, and contribute to the advancement of Inkomoko’s theory of change.
• Collaborate with external evaluators and research partners to ensure rigorous, independent assessments that align with Inkomoko’s MEL approach.
• Engage with donors, partners, and other stakeholders to communicate MEL outcomes and leverage evaluation findings to deepen relationships, attract funding, and influence sectoral learning.

Leadership and team management (20%)

• Lead a high-performing MEL team by providing clear guidance, mentoring, and fostering professional development.
• Build and maintain a culture of learning within the MEL team, ensuring that MEL Managers are equipped with the necessary skills and resources to excel.
• Support MEL Managers in the development of work plans, ensuring alignment with overall organizational goals and regional strategies.
• Monitor team performance and provide feedback to ensure the MEL function meets global standards of excellence and Inkomoko’s impact targets.

Strategic engagement and reporting (10%)

• Represent Inkomoko’s MEL function at senior management meetings, providing strategic insights to support organizational growth and innovation.
• Prepare and deliver regular reports to senior leadership, board members, and donors, effectively communicating MEL findings and their implications for Inkomoko’s operations and program strategies.
• Work closely with the Regional MEL Director to ensure that MEL outputs inform broader organizational planning, funding strategies, and outreach efforts.

Budget management and resource allocation (10%)

• Work closely with the Regional MEL Director to manage and optimize the regional MEL budget, ensuring value for money while maintaining high standards of MEL performance.
• Ensure resources are appropriately allocated across MEL activities, balancing strategic priorities and operational needs.
• Lead the hiring and onboarding process for new MEL staff, ensuring alignment with the regional team’s goals and capacity.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• Experience: At least 8 years of experience in MEL, with a proven track record of leading teams and managing MEL systems at a senior level. Experience in international development, especially working with entrepreneurs or refugees, is highly desirable.
• Education: Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., Social Sciences, Evaluation, Statistics, or International Development).

Skills:

• • Strong expertise in both qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods.
  • Proven experience in data management, MEL tool development, and learning systems.
  • Exceptional communication skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights for diverse audiences.
  • Ability to mentor and manage a team, ensuring continuous development and performance enhancement.

Personal Attributes:

• • Strategic thinker with the ability to balance high-level vision with detailed operational implementation.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with a collaborative, team-oriented approach.
  • Demonstrated commitment to ethical data use, learning, and continuous improvement.

WHAT YOU’LL GET

This role is inside a high-growth, mission-driven social enterprise. By joining, you’ll access:

• Competitive salary, and potential Performance-based bonus
• Incredible company culture, with opportunities for learning and growth
• Diverse colleagues across the region, and policies that demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion
• Ability to make a significant social impact to your community
• Health insurance for self and family
• Staff savings and provident fund, negotiated bank rates for long-term employees
• Generous annual leave, parental leave, and sabbatical options.

TO APPLY

If you’re excited about this role, please submit your application through the: application portal. Application deadline is on the 15th January, 2025.

Tell us about what you’ll bring to this growing company.

Inkomoko is committed to justice, diversity, equity and inclusion.  As we seek to reflect the communities we serve, refugees and women are strongly encouraged to apply. As a company we have policies that ensure fair treatment in the application process.

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Employment is conditional upon successful background checks and other verification as needed.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and background screening checks. Inkomoko also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual misconduct, fraud, or abuse.

By applying, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.