MEAL OFFICER

CARE International Nigeria is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer to support the effective implementation of the Regreening Africa II Project in Sokoto State. The MEAL Officer will be responsible for coordinating the project's monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning systems to ensure that programme performance, results and impacts are systematically measured, documented and used to inform decision-making.

The position will support the development and implementation of MEAL plans, indicator tracking tools, data collection systems, assessments and reporting processes in line with project objectives, donor requirements and CARE's standards. The MEAL Officer will work closely with the Project Manager, implementing partners, government institutions, community structures and technical teams to generate reliable evidence on the adoption of regreening practices, landscape restoration, household livelihoods, green enterprises and institutional strengthening.

The role will promote evidence-based programming, adaptive management, knowledge sharing and accountability to communities and stakeholders, contributing to the project's overall objective of scaling community-led landscape restoration and strengthening resilient livelihoods.

Responsibilities

SCOPE:

Employment Type: Contract - Full-Time

Job Status: Nationals only.

Slots: 1

Location: Sokoto, Sokoto State.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS:

Job Responsibility #1: Monitoring, Evaluation and Results Measurement

• Develop, update and implement the project MEAL plan, ensuring alignment with the approved results framework, logical framework, indicators, targets and donor reporting requirements.
• Establish and maintain indicator tracking tools and performance measurement systems to monitor outputs, outcomes and progress towards project objectives.
• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to assess the implementation and quality of regreening activities across project locations.
• Monitor the adoption of Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), agroforestry, tree planting, nursery development and other sustainable land management practices.
• Track relevant project indicators, including household adoption, farmer participation, tree survival where applicable, restoration practices, green enterprise development, and women's and youths' participation.
• Support baseline, midline, endline and other assessments to measure changes in household practices, livelihoods, environmental outcomes and institutional capacity.
• Work with project teams and implementing partners to establish clear indicator definitions, data collection methodologies, targets and verification procedures.
• Ensure monitoring findings are shared with the Project Manager and relevant technical teams to support timely corrective action and improved programme performance.

Job Responsibility #2: Data Management, Quality Assurance and Analysis

• Develop and maintain appropriate data collection tools, databases, indicator tracking sheets and reporting templates for project monitoring and evaluation.
• Coordinate the collection, compilation, cleaning, validation, analysis and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data.
• Conduct routine data quality assessments to verify data accuracy, completeness, consistency, reliability and timeliness.
• Ensure that project data are disaggregated by sex, age, location and other relevant categories, in line with donor and programme requirements.
• Support the use of digital data collection and monitoring tools, including mobile-based platforms, geospatial information and relevant project applications.
• Work with project teams to verify farmer registration, lead farmer group records, training attendance, nursery activities, restoration sites and other programme evidence.
• Maintain an organised and secure system for storing monitoring data, assessment reports, attendance records, photographs, GPS coordinates and supporting documentation.
• Ensure appropriate data protection, confidentiality and informed consent procedures are followed during data collection and management.
• Produce periodic dashboards, analytical summaries and visual presentations to communicate programme performance and emerging trends.

Job Responsibility #3: Reporting, Learning and Adaptive Management

• Coordinate the preparation of timely and accurate MEAL inputs for monthly, quarterly, annual and donor reports.
• Work closely with the Project Manager and technical teams to document progress against targets, explain variances and identify implementation challenges.
• Document good practices, success stories, lessons learned and evidence of changes resulting from project interventions.
• Facilitate reflection sessions, learning reviews and after-action reviews with project staff, implementing partners, communities and other stakeholders.
• Support evidence-informed decision-making by translating monitoring findings and assessment results into practical recommendations for programme improvement.
• Contribute to the documentation and dissemination of learning through workshops, learning briefs, case studies, presentations and other knowledge products.
• Support the use of relevant Regreening Africa II learning approaches and tools, including outcome mapping, the SHARED methodology and joint review and learning processes, as applicable to the project.
• Track agreed recommendations from monitoring visits, assessments and learning sessions to ensure that responsible teams follow up on identified actions.
• Support the Project Manager in identifying performance gaps and proposing adjustments to implementation approaches based on evidence.

Job Responsibility #4: Accountability, Capacity Building and Stakeholder Engagement

• Support the establishment and strengthening of community feedback and complaints mechanisms to ensure that project participants can safely share concerns, suggestions and feedback.
• Ensure that feedback received from communities is documented, referred to the appropriate personnel and followed up in accordance with CARE's accountability procedures.
• Promote the participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities and other relevant community groups in monitoring, feedback and learning activities.
• Train and mentor project staff, community facilitators, lead farmers and implementing partners on data collection, monitoring tools, reporting standards and evidence documentation.
• Work with government institutions, extension workers, community structures and implementing partners to strengthen their capacity for participatory monitoring and learning.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings, technical workshops, joint monitoring visits and review sessions to communicate findings and promote shared learning.
• Coordinate with CARE's MEAL and programme quality teams to ensure compliance with organisational standards and consistency in monitoring approaches.

Job Responsibility #5: MEL Planning, Risk Management and Other Duties

• Contribute to annual work planning, budget preparation and periodic reviews by providing evidence on implementation progress, indicator performance and resource needs.
• Identify risks that may affect data quality, monitoring activities, reporting timelines and the achievement of project results, and recommend mitigation measures.
• Support the documentation of programme assumptions and monitor changes in contextual factors that may affect project outcomes.
• Ensure MEAL activities are implemented in line with approved budgets, workplans, donor requirements and CARE policies.
• Contribute to resource mobilisation through the provision of reliable programme evidence, results summaries and lessons learned for concept notes and proposals.
• Perform other relevant duties assigned by the supervisor in support of project objectives.

Other Responsibilities:

• Contribute to CARE's resource mobilization efforts.
• Perform any other related duties assigned.

Requirements

QUALIFICATION/EXPERIENCE/TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Economics, Agricultural Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Monitoring and Evaluation or a related field.
• At least three (3) years of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning for humanitarian or development programmes.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing MEAL plans, results frameworks, indicator tracking systems and data collection tools.
• Experience conducting field monitoring, assessments, data quality checks, data analysis and programme performance reviews.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative data and prepare clear, evidence-based reports.
• Practical experience using digital data collection tools such as KoboToolbox, ODK, SurveyCTO or similar platforms.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other data management or visualisation tools; experience with Power BI, SPSS, Stata or equivalent analytical software is an advantage.
• Experience in livelihoods, agriculture, climate resilience, natural resource management, landscape restoration or environmental programming is an advantage.
• Familiarity with donor-funded projects, particularly EU-funded programmes, and their monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Understanding of results-based management, theories of change, logical frameworks, outcome mapping and participatory monitoring approaches.
• Demonstrated experience working with communities, government institutions, implementing partners and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication, analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly to project implementation locations in Sokoto State.
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Hausa is an advantage.
• Demonstrated commitment to CARE's safeguarding standards, including Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Harassment and Abuse (PSHEA), and to Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion (DEBI).

Competencies:

• Monitoring, evaluation and results measurement.
• Data management, analysis and interpretation.
• Attention to detail and data quality assurance.
• Reporting, documentation and knowledge management.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving.
• Communication and interpersonal skills.
• Stakeholder engagement and teamwork.
• Planning, organisation and time management.
• Accountability, integrity and confidentiality.
• Commitment to inclusion, safeguarding and community participation.
• Research methods with specific capacities for Randomized Controlled Trials

NOTE:

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
• CARE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. CARE considers all applicants on the basis of merit without prejudice to race, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age, colour, national origin, marital status, or veteran status.
• CARE Nigeria is committed to preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH), child abuse, and human trafficking. We hold zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, or discrimination. The selected candidate will be required to adhere to CARE’s Safeguarding Policies, Code of Conduct, and undergo strict background checks, including reference and screening checks.
• There are individuals who may use CARE’s name and trademark in emails and on websites in an attempt to solicit fees from interested job seekers. Please note that CARE will not request for any monetary payments from applicants at any stage of the recruitment process.

Qualified Women and Persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.