Job Description

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.

The Organization

Since 1944, Heifer International has supported more than 36 million Smallholder Farmer (SHF) families globally to lift themselves out of hunger and poverty while caring for the earth—in partnership with the communities we serve, including youth and women. Heifer International is now accelerating its strategic approaches to closing the Sustainable Living Income (SLI) gap for 10 million additional SHF households globally by 2030 using the Sustainable Locally Led Development (SLLD) approach.

Key Purpose Of Department

Systematic Monitoring, Evaluation and Measurement of Project Progress: Establish and implement robust systems to regularly monitor, evaluate and measure SL SLLDP project progress towards achieving project outcomes and higher-level strategic objectives through systematic and accurate tracking of key performance indicators (KPIs).

Enhance Accountability to Stakeholders: Improve transparency and accountability to stakeholders by providing them with transparent, accurate, and comprehensive information, ensuring they remain informed about project progress, achievements, and resource utilization.

Facilitate Data-Driven Decision-Making: Provide timely and reliable data to inform evidence-based decision-making, enabling adaptive management and strategic adjustments to enhance project effectiveness.

Promote Organizational Learning: Foster a culture of continuous learning by generating insights from project data and evaluations, sharing best practices, and facilitating knowledge exchange to strengthen program design and implementation.

Function

The MEL Manager will manage the development and implementation of Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and Systems for projects executed in Sierra Leone, where heifer has not yet established a country Office. A strong emphasis is on data collection, integrity, data analysis, reporting and dissemination to MAFFS and IFAD. The MEL Manager will provide technical input to SL SLLDP project reviews and provide leadership and supporting the implementation of Heifers regional and global Monitoring and Evaluation Systems in Sierra Leone, ensuring the standards in baseline surveys, living income benchmark (LIB), impact monitoring the evaluation process that contribute to the global strategies.

The PMEL Manager represents Heifer’s program knowledge and perspective in the development of strategies within Heifer at large and the development of the private sector.

This role will be based in Makeni, Sierra Leone.

Responsibilities and Deliverables

A. Implement Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Systems (MELS) in Sierra Leone SLLDP (30%)

• Conduct and manage project baseline and monitor project progress and evaluation as per the M&E plan.
• Ensure the effective implementation of MELS policies, procedures, and guidelines for SLLDP.
• Ensure proper use of available digital tools and techniques for effectively managing MELS activities.
• Provide support to the PMU of the SLLDP in preparing their MEL plan and in using digital tools for data collection and management; support Heifer-wide research for learning when needed.
• Elevate MELS-related challenges with the Team Lead for coordination with the SVP African Program to find timely solutions.

B. Contribute to program effectiveness, design, monitoring, evaluation, learning, and systems for specific country projects (20%)

• Design monitoring and evaluation plans incorporating core standards, go-to standard indicators defined by HQ, and set targets for indicators.
• Create an indicator reference sheet for all indicators.
• Develop the projects' results framework, logical framework, and Theory of Change.
• Support the SLLDP in designing data collection tools, plans, and processes for all required information ensuring high quality and integrity of data.
• Review and adjust M&E plans, targets, tools, and processes periodically.
• Ensure alignment of the SLLDP MEL plans and procedures with Heifer’s standards and requirements.
• Support the development of the MELS budget and staffing plan for the SLLDP project.
• Assist in networking with other development organizations, governments, and other line agencies in promoting Heifer's development model or initiatives and potential collaborations.

C. Data management, analysis, reporting, and utilization for learning (20%)

• Summarize/aggregate data at the country level and contribute to organization-wide aggregation.
• Manage all data properly in clean form and analyze for use in project management, learning, and reporting needs.
• Ensure timely data availability for reporting as needed.
• Respond to periodic donor and headquarters requests for additional information on project activities and results.
• Document lessons learned, successes, failures, and best practices via case studies.
• Develop and monitor country project-level action agendas to ensure that they are refined and acted upon.
• Produce progress and annual reports: assume overall responsibility for production of the SLLDP official reports to HQ, donors, and MAFFS. This includes:
• Facilitate and coordinate systematic collection of the data required for producing semi-annual and annual reports.
• Ensure data quality: oversee and validate the quality and reliability of the collected data to maintain the integrity of the reports.
• Conduct comprehensive analysis: perform thorough data analysis and synthesis to generate meaningful insights and actionable findings in the report.
• Develop evidence-based reports: produce evidence-driven semi-annual and annual reports for SLLDP detailing project progress, program reach, outcomes, impacts, and alignment with the strategic goals of Heifer International.
• Ensure timely submission: adhere to deadlines by submitting all reports promptly and in accordance with reporting schedules.
• Support in preparing the annual SLLDP report: compile and submit the final SLLDP Annual Report, reflecting overall TA support performance, achievements, and strategic contributions.

D. Capacity development (15%)

• Equip MELS staff and implementing partners’ staff with the skills to deliver MELS activities effectively.
• Build implementing partners’ capacity in MELS activities, including proper record keeping and data management.
• Provide coaching and training to equip MELS staff in the PMU of SLLDP to deliver their assigned responsibilities efficiently.
• Train SLLDP PMU staff in MEL and provide them with technical support to build their MEL capacity.
• Contribute to the recruitment, training, and supervision of external parties that are contracted to implement special surveys and studies required for evaluating the SLLDP project effects and impacts.

F. Fundraising (10%)

• Support the development of concept notes, project proposals, and submission to potential donors.
• Support research and evaluation initiatives in Sierra Leone and other Sahel countries.
• Assist in networking with other development organizations, governments, and other line agencies in promoting Heifer’s development models or initiatives and potential collaboration.
• Support the SLLDP PMU and TA Team Lead in data collection and updating for all value chains of interest in Sierra Leone.
• By actively collaborating with the TA Team Lead, develop concept notes and proposals aimed at securing funding from diverse sources.
• Help develop the MEL plan components (LogFrame, Theory of Change, and Results Framework) for all funding proposals prepared by Sierra Leone.

E. Any other assigned functions (5%)

• Perform other job-related duties as requested.

Minimum Requirements

• B.Sc./M.Sc. in Economics, Agricultural Economics, or a related field.
• 10 years and above in a similar position.

Most Critical Proficiencies

• Planning and budgeting, Program Development and Fundraising, program Knowledge, Quality, Conflict Resolution, Supervision & Monitoring, Impact Measurement, Resource Management, Stakeholder Relations Management and Business Acumen.
• Knowledge Management, Supervision and monitoring, Data Analysis, Project Management, Strategic Thinking, People Management, Purpose & Service, Change Management and Diversity & Inclusion.

Key Behavioural Competencies

• Accountability
• Professional Excellence
• Humility
• Customer Orientation
• Empathy
• Innovation

Deadline for Applications: 15th November 2026