MEL Officer

The Opportunity 

This is an exciting opportunity for an ambitious and highly motivated MEL professional to lead the implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities across PEAS Zambia's Eastern Province portfolio under the guidance of the Senior MEL Officer. 

The successful candidate will coordinate timely data collection, quality assurance, analysis and reporting; maintain agreed data spreadsheets, dashboards and platforms; and support learning and research across the Eastern Province programme. Candidate will work with Zambia and Global MEL colleagues, programme teams, government stakeholders, and external researchers and evaluators to ensure evidence is accurate, timely and used to improve programme delivery. We are looking for someone who combines strong technical MEL skills with excellent relationship management skills. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience of working with large datasets, developing digital data collection tools, conducting analysis, producing high-quality reports, and translating evidence into actionable recommendations. 

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Responsibilities 

• Supervise the MEL Assistant to ensure accurate data collection, cleaning, and reporting across all Eastern Province projects; provide coaching and quality assurance of MEL Assistant responsibilities.
• Maintain and update required data spreadsheets, dashboards and platforms accurately and on time, following agreed reporting cycles, data standards and version-control procedures.
• Develop and deploy digital surveys using CommCare and KoboToolbox to streamline organization-wide data collection.
• Design, build and maintain Power BI dashboards for operations and programs to generate actionable insights for programmatic and strategic decision-making.
• Support the development and maintenance of MEAL frameworks, indicators, and tools aligned with project goals and donor requirements for both programs and operations.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to assess program performance and outcomes and guide continuous improvement.
• Conduct internal evaluations (baseline, midline, endline) and document lessons learned to support adaptive programming.
• Standardize data cleaning processes and ensure compliance with data security and quality protocols.
• Promote a data-driven culture by integrating MEL into planning, implementation, and review processes.
• Work closely with the PEAS Global MEL team and external researchers and evaluators to plan and facilitate program evaluations and research, including tool review, permissions and ethical requirements, sampling, fieldwork coordination, data quality assurance, data provision, and follow-up on findings.
• Train staff and field teams on MEL tools, data collection protocols, and analysis techniques to strengthen organizational MEL capacity.
• Facilitate learning sessions and data review meetings to translate findings into actionable program improvements.
• Produce routine performance and evaluation reports in line with agreed cycles, and provide accurate data, analysis and narrative input to donor reports as required, meeting reporting deadlines and agreed indicator definitions.

Who we are looking for

We are seeking a highly organized, analytical, and solutions-oriented individual who is passionate about improving education through evidence and learning. The successful candidate will possess strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to communicate complex findings clearly with diverse audiences. 

They will thrive in a dynamic environment, be comfortable managing multiple priorities, and demonstrate a commitment to PEAS' mission of improving educational opportunities for young people across Zambia. 

Essential Criteria 

• At least a bachelor's degree. This should ideally be in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Economics, or another field with a strong quantitative or research component. Candidates whose bachelor's degree is in another subject must also hold a relevant postgraduate qualification or professional certificate in monitoring and evaluation, statistics, data analysis, data science, research methods or a related quantitative field. 
• Minimum 3 years' experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, or learning role. 
• Demonstrated experience collecting, cleaning, validating and managing quantitative and qualitative data, with clear responsibility for data quality.  
• Advanced Excel skills, including formula-based analysis, data cleaning, validation, reconciliation and management of large datasets. 
• Demonstrated experience analyzing quantitative and qualitative data to answer monitoring, research or evaluation questions, including selecting appropriate methods, interpreting findings and limitations, and translating results into clear conclusions and actionable recommendations. 
• Experience developing and maintaining Power BI dashboards, including data preparation, refresh processes, quality checks and user-focused visualization.
• Experience using digital data-collection platforms such as KoboToolbox, CommCare or similar. 
• Excellent analytical report-writing and data-visualization skills, including the ability to communicate complex quantitative and qualitative findings clearly to non-technical audiences. 
• Experience coordinating field-based data collection activities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills. 
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills. 
• Understanding of safeguarding and ethical research practices. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage recurring reporting deadlines, maintain accurate records and work independently with limited day-to-day supervision. 

Desirable Criteria - these knowledge and experience criteria are not required for your application; however, if you do have any of these desirable knowledge or experiences, we encourage you to highlight this in your application: 

• Experience working in the education sector. 
• Demonstrated ability to apply statistical analysis beyond basic descriptive reporting, with knowledge of sampling, inferential statistics and interpretation of results, using statistical software such as Stata, R, SPSS or Python.
• Experience contributing data, analysis or narrative to donor reports and working with donor indicator frameworks Experience supporting or conducting research and evaluations, including collaboration with external researchers or evaluators Experience supervising field teams, research assistants, or MEL staff. 
• Experience working with schools and district, provincial or national education stakeholders in Zambia 

Recruitment Process: 

Assessment stages are likely to include: 

1.    Application review. 

2.    Technical assessment. 

3.    Competency-based interview. 

4.    Reference checks. 

Working Arrangements: 

This role will be based in Katete, Eastern Province. Regular travel to schools and programme locations within the province will be required. Hybrid working arrangements may be considered where operationally feasible. 

Working at PEAS 

No matter what the role, team, context or country, we are all guided by our values, intrinsically motivated and energetic. 

·      Make a meaningful impact – Contribute to evidence generation and learning that helps strengthen schools and improve educational outcomes for thousands of learners across Zambia.  

·      Be part of a collaborative team – Join a supportive and purpose-driven team that values learning, innovation, accountability and continuous improvement.  

·      Opportunities for professional growth – Work across programmes and departments, developing skills and experience beyond your core role while contributing to organizational learning.  

·      A values-driven organization – Be part of an organization that is committed to integrity, safeguarding, inclusion and delivering lasting impact through education. 

How to apply 

To apply, please click on the link here to complete the application form, and once completed, also submit your CV to Apply Now with the subject title “MEL Officer – Katete – YOUR NAME”. 

The closing date for ALL applications is 23^rd August 2026. 

We will review and shortlist applications on a rolling basis and may close the application process sooner than the date specified should we receive a high number of suitable candidates. Due to high volumes of applications, if you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion. 

We are committed to ensuring our opportunities are accessible to all, so if there is any way that we can support you to be the best you can be in the recruitment process, please do get in touch by e-mail on Apply Now. 

We welcome all applicants and will always treat every application fairly based on merit. 

PEAS is highly committed to keeping children safe from harm and preventing corruption. We therefore take our responsibility to promote safe recruitment practices very seriously, including conducting appropriate reference and background checks. We also operate a zero-tolerance approach to any PEAS employees who breach our Safeguarding and Anti-Corruption Policies, which all employees are required to sign upon induction. 

PEAS is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate in its recruitment practices and, in order to build the strongest possible workforce, actively seeks a diverse applicant pool.