Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Lead - Expanding Dairy Genetics in East Africa (consultant)

About the Organization

Development Gateway: An IREX Venture (DG) is an international non-profit organization with approximately 80 team members based in more than 10 countries worldwide. By leveraging the combination of programmatic and IT developer capacity and skills within DG, over the last 20 years we have researched data ecosystems, built digital tools to support those data ecosystems, and advised on data strategy and digital transformation to strengthen decision-making, transparency, and service delivery.

Project Summary

Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) has awarded a sub-grant to Development Gateway to implement the Expanding Dairy Genetics in East Africa (EDGE) project activities through a four-year implementation period from May 2026 to Apr 2030. LIC and Development Gateway will reach the project’s goal of addressing supply, demand, and the enabling environment to sustainably increase dairy productivity through genetic gains by 1) strengthening last-mile delivery of improved genetics; 2) increasing farmer demand and adoption; and 3) improving the enabling environment.

Development Gateway’s role will be to build awareness and capacity of SSPs of sexed semen, strengthen artificial insemination technicians’ skills and reach and access to necessary inputs and infrastructure to sustainably increase dairy productivity through the adoption of the sexed semen technology at scale. Building on previous works with Gates Foundation, the Public-Private Partnership for Artificial Insemination Delivery and Sustainable Commercialization of Sexed Dairy Genetics (SCSDG) in East Africa projects, EDGE will work to improve market access to improved dairy genetics for youth, women and men dairy farmers of different scales.

Position Summary

The MEL Lead consultant will lead the establishment of the monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) system for the EDGE project. Specifically, the consultant will lead and ensure the development of EDGE project MEL system, implementation of baseline survey, and setting up life of project MEL plan/ definition of indicators and annual work plans, targets and indicators. The consultant is also responsible for developing data collection tools for various specific studies and assessments as well as baseline and impact surveys along with developing LOP MEL plan.

Reporting and Supervisory Responsibilities

The MEL Lead reports to the Project Manager. This consultancy will oversee all MEL enumerators and consultants in Ethiopia.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and keep the MEL system up to date throughout the duration of the project.
• Implement activities to monitor, evaluate, and learn from project activities and results.
• Train all project staff and key partners in their role in project monitoring and evaluation.
• Manage a tablet-based data collection platform, including training staff and ensuring timely data entry, cleaning and communication.
• Develop survey tools for baseline, specific and impact studies at various stages of the project implementation.
• Lead baseline, specific and impact studies at various stages of project implementation
• Design scope of work and survey design and methodology for baseline survey and revise according to feedback from project management team and partners.
• Select and manage appropriate enumerators and consultants for the baseline survey.
• Develop all survey tools and questionnaires and revise according to feedback from project management team and partners
• Clean and analyze baseline survey data and use the SCSDG final evaluation outcomes to develop Results Framework with detailed monthly, annual and life of project targets for key indicators.
• Regularly review data collection processes, including conducting regular visits to the field to support implementation of MEL and to identify where improvements are needed.
• Organize and lead regular knowledge sharing and adaptive management events, internally and externally.
• Provide EDGE project reports on progress against key metrics to the National Coordinator and Technical Director during the duration of the project implementation.

Deliverables

• EDGE project Baseline – after identifying gaps from SCSDG final evaluation
• Edge LOP MEL plan, and indicator definitions
• Tool development for farmer and AI tech survey
• Clear MEL requirements from all team members
• Tracking tools for Commercialization Fund and summary data of flow of funds

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in economics, statistics, or related field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience designing and implementing MEL systems for development projects.
• Excellent quantitative and qualitative research, data analysis and evaluation skills.
• Computer literacy and competency in the use of Microsoft Office software.
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g. Stata, SPSS).
• Highly developed conceptual, analytical and innovative problem-solving ability.
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor tasks.
• Ability to independently and proactively work as a team member with minimum day-to-day oversight.
• Fluent in Amharic and English
• Strong interpersonal, writing, and oral presentation skills in English.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in economics, statistics or other relevant area.
• Minimum two (2) years of management experience.
• Experience working with US government or other international funders.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity and lived experience. We strongly encourage applications from people whose identities are underrepresented in the sectors where DG works. DG does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.