Rikolto in East Africa is part of the Rikolto network, an international NGO with over 50 years of experience working with farmer organisations and food chain actors across Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Rikolto's mission is to contribute to a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural sector where family farmers supply quality products for local, regional, and international markets.

In Uganda, Rikolto is implementing the Climate-Resilient Businesses for Wetland Adjacent Communities project, funded by aBi Development. This project promotes sustainable and climate-resilient agribusinesses among 50,000 smallholder farmers in Eastern Uganda through climate-smart agriculture, green enterprise development, wetland restoration, and inclusive market systems.

Rikolto is seeking an MEL Officer to coordinate the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) system for the project, ensuring high-quality, timely, and evidence-based data collection, analysis, reporting, and learning across all project components. The Officer will support the refinement of the Theory of Change, track key indicators, facilitate data-driven decision-making, and ensure adaptive learning across stakeholders.

Job Purpose

To lead Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning activities that strengthen evidence-based project management, adaptive learning, and impact measurement for wetland-adjacent communities in Eastern Uganda.

Reports to: Project Manager

Contract Duration: 1 year (renewable)

Duty Station: Eastern Uganda

Responsibilities

MEL System Development and Data Management

• Develop and implement the MEL framework, tools, and systems aligned with the project’s Theory of Change and logical framework.
• Design indicator tracking tools, reference manuals, and data collection instruments.
• Gather and validate project data, ensuring quality, consistency, and reliability.
• Track key outcome indicators including climate-smart practice adoption, wetland restoration, green enterprise viability, market access, and gender/youth inclusion.

Training and Capacity Building

• Build MEL capacity among staff, partners, facilitators, and cooperatives.
• Clarify MEL expectations, roles, and responsibilities for all stakeholders.

Research, Evaluation, and Assessments

• Support thematic studies (e.g., wetland use, value chain impacts, ecosystem services).
• Coordinate internal/external evaluations (baseline, midline, endline).
• Design and conduct qualitative and quantitative assessments (farmer surveys, MSP assessments, etc.).

Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• Facilitate reflection and learning sessions for project teams and stakeholders.
• Disseminate best practices and evidence to support adaptive management.
• Promote MEL findings to inform strategic decision-making.

Reporting and Communication

• Compile accurate indicator workbooks and project reports.
• Support data-driven knowledge products for internal and external use.

Planning, Strategy, and Coordination

• Provide evidence and trend analysis for project planning and prioritisation.
• Coordinate with thematic leads, project managers, and external MEL consultants.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Statistics, Economics, Development Studies, Computer Science, Environmental Science, or related field (postgraduate qualification an advantage).
• At least 5 years’ relevant experience in MEL, research, or project implementation in the development sector.
• Expertise in MEL system design, ToC, logical frameworks, SMART indicators, and quality data collection.
• Experience conducting qualitative and quantitative research and evaluations.

Technical Skills

• Hands-on experience with MEL tools (Excel, SPSS, Google Forms, Kobo Toolbox).
• Proficiency in dashboard and data visualisation tools (Power BI, Tableau).
• Ability to synthesise and communicate findings for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience tracking climate and ecosystem indicators (CO₂ reductions, wetland restoration, climate-smart practices adoption).

Other Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and communication skills.
• Strong report writing and analytical abilities.
• Integrity, attention to detail, and self-driven work ethic.