Job Information
Abt Global Inc. Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Director DRC CBFAP in Kinshasa, United States
MEL Director
The World at Abt
Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.
We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.
To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.
Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.
The Opportunity
Abt Global Britain seeks a qualified Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Director to support the anticipated FCDO-funded Congo Basin Forestry Action Programme (CBFAP). CBFAP is a seven-year program to support effective forest governance and markets reform; provide grassroots support to local communities; mobilize private sector finance for forests; and drive reform, ambition and cooperation. The MEL Director will serve as a member of the project’s Senior Management Team and is responsible for all MEL components of this project including the design and implementation of the MEL Plan, preparing periodic reports and supporting the effective use of data for programming decisions. Strong experience in managing and implementing M&E, staff building, excellent data analysis and writing skills are important.
Diversity and inclusion are important pillars at Abt Global, and as such would like to strongly encourage female applicants, younger applicants, and applicants from rural areas to apply for this role. The position is contingent upon the activity’s award and FCDO approval. This will be a full-time position based out of Kinshasa, DRC.
*Specific duties and responsibilities include the following: *
Develop and finalise a comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Framework for the life of the programme, in collaboration with appropriate stakeholders.
Provide strategic leadership in the use of MEL data to guide programmatic decisions, improve program impact, and foster adaptive management practices.
Facilitate adaptive learning and ensure that program staff and partners are actively using data to refine interventions and optimize program outcomes.
Provide mentorship and capacity building for MEL staff and local partners to strengthen their skills in data collection, management, and analysis.
Ensure that MEL processes integrate gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) considerations, capturing data disaggregated by gender, age, and other vulnerable groups.
Engage with local communities, national governments, and international partners to ensure that MEL findings are used to inform broader policy and practice in forest governance.
Lead the implementation and management of monitoring, evaluation and learning for the programme at the national and sub-national levels, including customisation, roll out and management of an online M&E system.
Develop, operationalise, and oversee MEL plan components including indicator reference sheets, standard data collection tools and processes, data management approaches, data quality assurance (DQA) protocols, and data analysis plans, and train appropriate programme staff in their use.
Directly supervise and manage the performance of Kinshasa and province-based M&E staff.
Ensure that the MEL plan generates high-quality and meaningful information to inform programme decisions.
Support evidence-based programmatic decision-making at all levels through data analysis, reporting and communication of programme learnings across multiple locations.
Support and manage the design, implementation, and/or oversight of research, evaluations or assessments.
Lead preparation of all programme reporting requirements and lead the development of learning products for dissemination with appropriate stakeholders.
Collaborate with relevant social sector stakeholders on specific sector data, sector M&E, and other relevant technical areas related to programme MEL.
*Qualification requirements include: *
Minimum of a Master’s Degree in Statistics, Social Sciences, Environmental Management, Land and Forestry Management or other relevant field, PhD preferred.
Minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience in monitoring, evaluation, and research in the public sector field, with progressively increasing level of responsibility; experience with FCDO-funded activities preferred.
Demonstrated expertise in rigorous quantitative research and analytical methods, some experience with qualitative research, spatial data analysis; firm command of M&E issues with respect to social sector systems.
Ensure efficient use of technology and data systems such as DHIS2, managing large datasets across multi-country platforms to support data-driven decision-making.
Strong interpersonal skills, initiative, good judgment, demonstrated team leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
Fluency in French is required, alongside strong written and verbal communication skills in English
Extensive experience in knowledge management and dissemination of results and research findings.
Computer literacy (MS Office and statistical software such as STATA, SPSS, R-Studio, etc).
What We Offer
We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits and professional development.
Abt Global Inc. is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.
Disclaimer: Abt will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.
Abt is committed to creating a safe and inclusive work environment. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate background checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Abt also participates in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (https://misconduct-disclosure-scheme.org/) . In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
Abt Global is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Global is regularly ranked as one of the top global research firms and one of the international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in more than 40 countries.
At Abt Global, we are committed to creating a lasting culture of equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that in order to achieve full participation, our practices must be free of prejudice, discrimination, and bias that result in inequitable outcomes. We are actively working to advance equity for everyone, and while we still have much work to do, we know that racial and cultural diversity are an asset to our business and the communities where we live and serve. Our ongoing commitment is focused on creating business practices that advance racial and social equity, investments in community impact programs for the benefit of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), and expand upon project work related to racial equity and social justice.