MEL Director
Job Description
Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Director
Location: Flexible within One Acre Fund countries of operation (Preferred: Kigali, Rwanda or Nairobi, Kenya)
Application Deadline: 30 June 2025
Start Date: As soon as possible
Travel Requirement: Approximately 20% regional travel
Eligibility: Open to nationals or those with extensive professional experience in One Acre Fund’s countries of operation. Work permit support available.
Reports to: Global Impact Director
Department: Global Impact
About One Acre Fund
Founded in 2006, One Acre Fund equips 5.5 million smallholder farmers to make their farms more productive. Across nine countries that together are home to two-thirds of Africa’s farmers, we provide high-quality farm supplies, tree seedlings, accessible credit, modern agronomic training, and a wide range of other agricultural services. On average, this model enables farmers to increase their income and assets on supported land by more than 35 percent, while permanently improving their resilience. This is all made possible by our team of over 9,000 full-time staff drawn from diverse backgrounds and professions.
To learn more, visit our Why Work Here page.
About the Role
We are seeking a dynamic research and evaluation leader with proven experience in implementing robust studies in rural areas, managing large and diverse teams, and effectively communicating results. The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Director will oversee all MEL functions across the organization and serve as a key member of One Acre Fund’s leadership team.
The MEL department functions like an in-house research and evaluation firm, conducting rigorous evaluations and analyses that inform strategic decision-making. Present in all ten countries where One Acre Fund operates, the department plays a vital role in measuring and enhancing program impact. This is a unique opportunity to lead MEL work in an organization where data is highly valued and used to shape strategy.
Key Responsibilities
Research and Evaluation
- Lead annual evaluation studies in all program countries to measure and learn about the organization’s impact on farmers.
- Maintain and enhance the quality and rigor of data collection and analysis for which One Acre Fund is known.
- Design and oversee experimental studies that evaluate short-term and long-term program outcomes, conducted in-house or with external partners.
Team Leadership
- Develop and professionalize MEL staff across various countries to uphold high standards of rural data collection and team performance.
- Manage MEL teams, including senior leaders, and foster a culture of excellence and continuous learning.
Strategic Engagement
- Ensure MEL data informs program design and operational strategy by collaborating with program leadership.
- Work with senior leaders to set and implement a long-term vision for MEL.
- Develop robust methods and frameworks to evaluate new areas of work, including market access programs, smallholder insurance, and farmer resilience.
Data Utilization
- Provide strategic analysis and recommendations to guide organizational investments.
- Oversee transparency and accessibility of key data insights, including trends, comparisons, and gap analyses.
- Liaise with donors and partners to ensure MEL outputs are responsive to their requirements.
Representation and Communication
- Represent MEL work and results internally and externally with confidence and clarity.
- Communicate findings in a way that facilitates decision-making at the leadership level.
Career Growth and Development
One Acre Fund invests heavily in staff development. Team members receive:
- Weekly check-ins with their manager
- Access to mentorship, training programs, and learning resources
- Performance reviews every six months
- Career planning conversations and support
This role offers an opportunity to shape a growing organization while building a long-term, rewarding career in development and evaluation leadership.
Qualifications
We seek exceptional candidates with a strong background in evaluation, rural livelihoods, and leadership in Sub-Saharan Africa. Candidates should have:
- A Master’s degree or higher in agriculture, economics, demography, statistics, mathematics, or a related field.
- A minimum of 7 years of experience in monitoring and evaluating complex programs.
- At least 7 years of experience in a quantitative discipline (e.g., economics, agricultural or development economics, biostatistics, sociology, nutrition) with advanced training in quantitative methods.
- 5+ years of experience managing diverse teams across geographies.
- Strong proficiency in at least one statistical software (e.g., STATA or R).
- Demonstrated experience working in multicultural environments in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex findings into actionable insights.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health insurance
- Housing (if required)
- Relocation support
- Competitive compensation
- Flexible work arrangements blending remote and in-person work
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
One Acre Fund is committed to building an inclusive and equitable workplace. Diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI), and anti-racism are central to our mission and purpose. We strive to ensure all staff feel valued, represented, and supported so that they can thrive professionally and deliver exceptional impact for the farmers we serve.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, including but not limited to gender, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation, and age.
Important Notes on Recruitment
One Acre Fund never requests payment at any stage of the recruitment process. All communications from our hiring team will come from an @oneacrefund.org email address. Any suspicious activity should be reported to: globalhotline@oneacrefund.org
Ready to lead high-impact MEL work in one of Africa’s most respected agricultural development organizations? Apply by 30 June 2025.
