Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent research organization established to improve people's lives, protect and restore nature, and stabilize the climate. With a workforce of over 2,000 employees, WRI operates in more than a dozen focus countries and collaborates with partners in over 50 nations. The organization is dedicated to leveraging data, expertise, and global reach to influence policy and catalyze change across various systems, including food, land, water, energy, and cities. WRI's mission is to encourage human society to live in ways that protect the environment and ensure the sustainability of resources for future generations. The organization values independence, integrity, impact, partnership, and care, and is committed to advancing gender and social equity in its mission, ensuring equal opportunities in employment for all qualified applicants regardless of their background.

Job Overview:
The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting the design and implementation of a comprehensive MEL framework for a national electric mobility project focused on two- and three-wheelers in Kenya. This position is essential for tracking progress, measuring impact, and facilitating adaptive management of the project. The MEL Specialist will work closely with the WRI Ross Center Electric Mobility team, the national project team, implementation partners, and an international MEL expert to ensure that the MEL framework aligns with the project's overall theory of change. The role involves ensuring robust monitoring and reporting of outcomes related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions, green job creation, climate finance mobilization, energy cost savings, and systems transformation. The MEL Specialist will also integrate equity considerations into their work, ensuring that the project benefits all stakeholders equitably.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEL Specialist will be responsible for several key duties, including:

• MEL System Design and Implementation (40%): Developing and maintaining a comprehensive MEL framework aligned with project indicators and targets, including GHG emissions reductions, green jobs disaggregated by gender, public and private climate finance mobilized, and energy cost savings. This includes leading the development of a GHG-focused MEL framework, establishing methodologies to track emissions reductions, and implementing MEL plans that ensure data integrity and alignment with donor requirements.
• Monitoring and Performance Management (30%): Regularly tracking progress against outputs, outcomes, and impact indicators, leading primary data collection, and guiding project staff in reviewing monitoring results to improve impact delivery.
• Reporting, Communication, and Learning (20%): Preparing quarterly and annual MEL reports, drafting MEL sections for funder reports, and translating complex findings into actionable insights for stakeholders.
• Institutional MEL Support (10%): Supporting collaboration with the Global Managing for Results (MfR) team to enhance MEL practices across the organization and participating in the internal MEL Community of Practice.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a completed bachelor’s degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Environmental Science, Economics, Statistics, Development Studies, or a related field. Additionally, they should have at least 3 years of full-time relevant work experience in results-based MEL within climate change, energy, transport, or development programs. Familiarity with GHG accounting methodologies, experience designing MEL systems, and proficiency in statistical or data visualization tools are also required. Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of donor-funded project requirements, particularly from international climate finance mechanisms, and have experience working collaboratively with diverse teams.

Educational Background:
The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Monitoring & Evaluation, Environmental Science, Economics, Statistics, or Development Studies. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of monitoring and evaluating projects related to climate change and sustainable development.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 3 years of full-time relevant work experience, particularly in results-based monitoring, evaluation, and learning within the context of climate change, energy, transport, or development programs. Experience with quantitative analysis, particularly in tracking GHG emissions and job creation metrics, is crucial. Proven experience in designing MEL systems, report writing, and working with government stakeholders and donors is also necessary.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position, while proficiency in French is considered a plus. This language requirement is important for effective communication with diverse stakeholders and partners involved in the project.

Additional Notes:
This is a hybrid position that requires the candidate to work in the office for 8 days per month. Existing work authorization in Kenya is required at the time of application submission, as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work authorization for this position. The potential salary will be commensurate with experience and other compensable factors. The application deadline is set for 2 September 2025, but the organization may close applications sooner if a high volume of qualified applications is received. Candidates must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered for the position.