Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer

Job Posting Organization:
VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting volunteering as a powerful and practical means to combat poverty and inequality. Established with the mission to create lasting change through volunteering, VSO operates in some of the world’s poorest and most fragile regions. The organization believes in empowering local communities rather than merely providing aid, focusing on the potential of individuals in developing countries to shape their own futures. VSO's approach, known as Volunteering for Development (VfD), prioritizes the most marginalized individuals and is grounded in years of evidence and learning, fostering active citizenship that drives local community-led change and contributes to sustainable development goals long after projects conclude. VSO has a global presence, working in numerous countries and engaging a diverse workforce to achieve its mission.

Job Overview:
The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer will be responsible for implementing the MEL plan of the project in accordance with the VSO Global Results & Learning Framework and the Theory of Changes aligned with the VfD framework. This role is crucial for ensuring timely tracking of progress against results, generating high-quality evidence, facilitating learning, and ensuring compliance with both donor and organizational MEL requirements. The MEL Officer will develop and operationalize the project MEL plan, create indicator tracking tools, and establish data collection systems that align with the project logframe and donor specifications. The role also involves routine monitoring of activities, outputs, and outcomes across various components such as climate adaptation, peacebuilding, livelihoods, and disaster risk reduction (DRR). Additionally, the MEL Officer will support baseline, midline, and endline assessments, including conducting surveys and qualitative studies, and will perform regular field monitoring visits to verify data quality and assess the progress of implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and operationalize the project MEL plan, ensuring alignment with the VSO Global Results & Learning Framework.
• Create and maintain indicator tracking tools and data collection systems in accordance with project logframe and donor requirements.
• Conduct routine monitoring of project activities, outputs, and outcomes across climate adaptation, peacebuilding, livelihoods, and DRR components.
• Support the execution of baseline, midline, and endline assessments, including surveys and qualitative studies.
• Perform regular field monitoring visits to verify data quality and assess implementation progress.
• Generate high-quality evidence to facilitate learning and compliance with donor and organizational MEL requirements.
• Engage with stakeholders to ensure effective communication and collaboration in the MEL process.
• Analyze data and prepare reports to share findings with relevant parties.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of MEL practices within the organization.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning principles and practices.
• Experience in developing MEL plans and tools, including indicator tracking and data collection systems.
• Familiarity with project management and implementation in development contexts.
• Proven ability to analyze data and generate reports.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a multicultural environment.

Educational Background:
A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, development studies, or a related discipline is required. A master’s degree in a relevant field is preferred and may enhance the candidate's profile.

Experience:
A minimum of 3-5 years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning within the development sector is required. Experience working in international development, particularly in areas related to climate adaptation, peacebuilding, and livelihoods, is highly desirable. Familiarity with donor compliance and reporting requirements is also beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, both written and spoken. Knowledge of local languages spoken in Ethiopia would be an advantage and is considered a plus for effective communication with local communities.

Additional Notes:
This position is a full-time role with a fixed-term contract lasting one year, with the possibility of extension based on performance. The annual basic salary is ETB 1,230,02

• The application closing date is January 13, 2026, with interviews scheduled for February 2, 2026, and a start date of March 3, 202
• VSO promotes equal opportunities and values a diverse workforce, and reserves the right to close the job early if a sufficient number of applications are received. VSO is committed to a fair and transparent recruitment process and does not charge any fees in connection with the application or recruitment process.