Senior Associate, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning at Rainforest Alliance

The Rainforest Alliance seeks a Senior Associate for Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning in Nairobi, Kenya. The role involves designing and implementing a performance-based MEL system aligned with global strategies, coordinating data collection and analysis, and facilitating learning sessions. Responsibilities include developing MEL plans, ensuring data quality, and training partners. The position requires strong collaboration with project teams and stakeholders to support adaptive management and continuous learning.
The Rainforest Alliance is a growing network of people who are inspired and committed to working together to achieve our mission of conserving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable livelihoods. Through creative, pragmatic collaboration, we aim to rebalance the planet by building strong forests and healthy communities around the world.
Senior Associate, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

The Senior MEL Associate will design and be responsible for the implementation of RA´s performance-and evidence-based MEL system, ensuring it is aligned with RA’s global strategy and donor expectations. You will guide field data collection, ensuring its quality and timely reporting, and analyzing it to support the project´s adaptive management and continuous learning. The position requires strong coordination with the project´s implementing partners, RA field teams, and RA´s Impact unit.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning System Design

Lead the development and implementation of the MEL Plan for LANDRISE, ensuring integration with RA’s global MEL system tools and processes, as well as donor frameworks.
Ensure that the donor-approved logframe Impact, Outcome, Output indicators are accompanied by clear instructions on methodologies and required evidence and are understood by all project implementors.
Ensure that Annual Workplan are properly designed (i.e. use RA´s official Workplan Template and are aligned with the project´s logframe Outputs and include project management and MEL-related activities.
As needed, support the project manager on the annual review of the project´s MEL framework´s key elements (i.e., Theory of Change, logframe, Workplan) by the LANDRISE´s Steering Committee, and adjust accordingly, and
With support from RA´s GIS team, co-design and maintain the project´s GIS system.
Data Collection, Management & Analysis
Coordinate baseline, midline, and endline assessments across the five countries in collaboration with consultants and technical teams.
Supervise data quality control processes and ensure use of standardized tools and protocols across all field teams.
Ensure RA´s MEL system web-based platform (the PMP/DeltaGIS) is updated quarterly, with participation of all project implementers, and generate and share project performance metrics with the project manager and other relevant stakeholders.
Using appropriate tools (e.g., STATA, Power BI, etc.), perform additional project performance analysis as needed.

Learning, Reflection & Adaptive Management

Organize and facilitate periodic project performance sessions with project implementors, to improve adaptive management and ensure continuous learning.
Support the project manager in analyzing and operationalising community-based feedback generated from RA’s Community Listening Program (CLP) and RA's grievance mechanisms implemented in RA-certified farmer groups; and
Document and disseminate learning products including case studies, outcome briefs, and knowledge-sharing materials.
Collaboration & Capacity Building
Train partners, local field teams, and stakeholders on the project´s MEL Plan processes, platforms (PMP/DeltaGIS), and tools, including field data-gathering tools as needed (e.g., KoboToolbox, ODK).
Provide remote and in-person technical support to ensure high-quality MEL system implementation across all landscapes spanned by the project; and
Support the landscape governance bodies to co-design long-term sustainable landscape management plans, and to monitor landscape performance.

Reporting & Donor Compliance

Ensure accurate and timely reporting of MEL deliverables, including monthly dashboards, quarterly RA and donor reports, and mid-term and final evaluations; and
Support the project manager and RA´s Communications team on the project´s external visibility efforts through evidence-based success stories and visualizations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Resource Economics, Statistics, Development Studies, Agricultural Economics, or related field; Master’s degree is an added advantage.
At least 5 years of progressive experience in MEL roles, including field-based data collection, indicator tracking, and report preparation for multi-country or multi-sector projects.
Proficiency in GIS and data analysis software (e.g., SPSS, STATA, R, Excel, or Power BI).
Demonstrated experience designing and leading MEL systems for donor-funded economic empowerment, agriculture, or conservation programs.
Experience training field teams, leading participatory MEL processes, and producing high-quality reporting.