MERL Officer- Roster Full Time NEW

The MERL Officer will support the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning activities. The role is responsible for developing and maintaining monitoring systems, data collection tools, databases, and reporting mechanisms to track project performance and support evidence-based decision-making.

The post holder will collect, analyse, and interpret project data, monitor progress against targets, conduct data quality assessments, and prepare timely reports for donors and stakeholders. They will coordinate assessments, baseline studies, surveys, evaluations, and research activities, ensuring that findings and lessons learned are integrated into programme planning and implementation.

The MERL Officer will also promote learning and accountability by documenting best practices, supporting feedback and complaints mechanisms, and producing knowledge products that showcase project achievements and impact. In addition, the role will provide technical support and training to project staff on MERL tools, data management, and reporting requirements, while ensuring the integration of gender equality, inclusion, safeguarding, and accountability principles across all project activities.

The Individual

• Education at BA/BSC/ Master’s Degree level or equivalent in Social science, Development studies, Economics, Statistics and Management
• Minimum 3 years relevant experience working on gender transformative monitoring, evaluation, research and learning.
•  programs/ projects or demonstrated equivalent combination.
• Practical knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodologies, including log frames, result chains, theories of change, and assessment/evaluations.
• Experience in staff/team management, coaching, mentoring, capacity building, and performance review and appraisal.
• Demonstrated knowledge of strategic planning processes
• Depth and breadth of knowledge of Plan’s global and national strategies and policies.
• Ability to communicate effectively and authoritatively on area of expertise.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships across a network.

Safeguarding Children and Program Participants (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI)

• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed per the appropriate procedures.
• Ensures that all staff in the unit/function/department are properly inducted on and understand their role in upholding Plan International’s safeguarding and GEI policies;
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in day-to-day work.
• Ensures that Plan Ethiopia contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.