MERL Field Officer

Job Title: MERL Field Officer

• Location: Based in Jigjiga, Somali region Head Office Addis Ababa
• Department: MSP, MERL
• Reports To: Manager, Monitoring

About Kifiya

Kifiya is an AI-powered financial and market infrastructure company advancing inclusive economic growth across Africa. We design and deploy risk decisioning systems, intelligent financial infrastructure, and market linkage platforms that unlock credit, insurance, payments, and capital access for MSMEs and smallholder farmers. We build the AI, data, and financial infrastructure that helps financial institutions serve hard-to-finance segments at scale.

Business Unit Description

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) unit is the evidence and performance function of Kifiya’s Market Solutions Practice. It designs and operates the systems that track delivery progress, measure outcomes and impact, and generate actionable insights to strengthen program quality and results. MERL ensures that MSP interventions are grounded in clear theories of change and SAFEE-aligned delivery pathways, supported by reliable data, learning agendas, and adaptive management practices.

Position Summary

Based in one of our 8 regional hubs the field officer is responsible for supporting the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) unit of MSP at the HQ in designing, implementing, maintaining its MERL system. You will support all the programs under Marker Solutions Practices team of Kifiya Financial Technology with special emphasis on SAFEE program and contribute in designing, coordination, and execution of MERL initiatives of our Foundation partners and beyond. You will work closely with the regional teams based in the field and coordinate with impact communications team (under MERL) at the HQ to collect and validate impact/success stories from the field. The position will also perform or lead any other related tasks as assigned by the supervisor.

Key Responsibilities

The MERL Officers will contribute to and support all MSP MERL efforts in the field in respect to:

• Monitoring activities around SAFEE and non-SAFEE key performance indicators (KPIs) and quality assurance of its digital platforms.
• Impact and program evaluations triggered through and that feed back into monitoring and or research findings.
• Research and studies that help develop contributory evidence to relevant sectoral transformation.
• Learning and adaptation that originate from all monitoring, evaluation and research activities.
• Impact Communication that includes collection of impact story information and preparing stories, case studies from the field, Participation in and support of knowledge and learning dissemination events, publications, and such.

The above efforts can be initiated or lead specifically to:

• Data Collection and Verification (field work):
o Monitoring – Borrowers’ performance – (regular borrowers+ IDPs + Migrants/Returnees+ PWDs).
o Thematic impact stories around Jobs, Training, Borrowing
o Case study – a) Service providers – bank or others, b) systemic change – 3 per month
o Internal Research – Where applicable (both qualitative and quantitative)
• Data transcription, impact story/case study writing – 2 to 3 days (at the office)
o Writing Impact Story based on the collected data
o Writing Case study based on the collected data
o Internal Research – KII, FGD data transcription
• Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination: Collaborate with Kifiya IFS team in the field, project partners, banks, cooperatives, and local networks to support smooth program implementation, reporting, data quality, and inclusive financial access for all types of MERL activities (exclusively)
• Perform other assignments or tasks as may originate from Kifiya Financial Technology headquarters in Addis Ababa.

Key Outputs

• MERL Knowledge: Understanding of monitoring, evaluation, and reporting practices.
• Data Handling: Ability to collect, validate, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data.
• Financial Literacy: Basic knowledge of credit systems, loan processes, and borrower profiling.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Strong interpersonal skills to communicate with borrowers, banks, and partners.
• Communication: Clear written and verbal communication, with reporting and documentation skills.
• Organizational Ability: Capacity to manage multiple tasks and field activities efficiently.
• Digital Proficiency: Familiarity with data collection and reporting tools (e.g., Excel, KoboToolbox).
• Inclusion Awareness: Commitment to gender equality and social inclusion in community engagement.
• Strong ability to integrate AI‑driven insights to accomplish MERL activities as mentioned above.
• Willingness to travel to the field locations at least 40% to 60 % in a month

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as statistics, social sciences, or development studies.
• 3+ years of extensive experience in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Knowledge of MERL frameworks and methodologies.
• Experience working in a field setting, particularly in development or humanitarian contexts

Core Competencies

• Team player, Strategic thinker with strong execution focus.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Collaborative managership style, with a passion for innovation and financial inclusion