(Senior) Director, Global MEL NGO Job Evidence Action

AI summary

Evidence Action is seeking a (Senior) Director, Global Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning to lead MEL strategy across its global portfolio. The role is based in Nairobi and requires expertise in quantitative-heavy program evaluation. This is a full-time management position with an open salary, deadline 27/07/2026.

• Lead global MEL strategy for Evidence Action's programs.
• Based in Nairobi, full-time management role.
• Expertise in program evaluation design required.

Description

Home » Jobs In Kenya » Director Jobs In Kenya » (Senior) Director, Global MEL NGO Job Evidence Action Job Title: (Senior) Director, Global MEL Date Posted: 13/07/2026 Job Type: Full Time Job Level: Management Employer: Evidence Action Industry: Director Salary: Open Location: Nairobi Country: Kenya Deadline: 27/07/2026 Summary: Director Jobs. Evidence Action Jobs. Looking for a director job in Kenya? Evidence Action is hiring a (Senior) Director, Global Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning to lead global MEL strategy, strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems.The role is based in Nairobi and Expertise in program evaluation design is required. The Role Evidence Action was built on the belief that data should drive every important decision, from how programs are selected, designed, and delivered, to how resources are allocated and programs are scaled. We are constantly striving to strengthen our monitoring, learning, and evaluation (MLE) strategy across our global program portfolio, generating the evidence that underpins program delivery at scale, piloting and launching new programs, and significant exit decisions affecting millions of people we serve. For us, MLE is more than an audit function; it is the foundation upon which we learn, adapt, and grow. The recent monitoring issues on our revealed the need to strengthen this foundation across our complex global portfolio. As we continue to iterate and our ambitions grow to scale proven programs and develop new ones, we are investing in senior MLE leadership to drive and deliver organizational direction on data-led decision-making, and actively balance the rigor, cost and speed trade-offs across the portfolio. In addition to delivering a high-quality end-to-end MLE strategy at the core, we have identified additional priorities for this role including an MLE protocol review across each of our existing programs, AI opportunity spotting, and strengthened organization-wide engagement on evidence and learning. As the (Senior) Director, Global Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning, you will also lead the continued evolution of our MLE approach, ensuring our systems, structures, and external presence reflect the scale of what we are building. We are seeking a senior leader to hold an exceptionally high bar across the entire team, ranging from design, implementation and data collection, and analysis, to dissemination. In this role, you will be held directly accountable for technical rigor on MLE and will contribute heavily to strengthening organizational leadership and external credibility in this area. You bring deep expertise in quantitative-heavy program evaluation and evidence systems, strategic instincts to identify problems early, curiosity to ask relevant questions to understand context, impatient optimism to arrive at possible solutions under time and resource limitations, and the interpersonal sophistication to create alignment in a matrixed global organization. Key Responsibilities Lead Organizational MLE Strategy Lead from the front Evidence Action’s evaluation for early-stage programs, strengthening rigor and consistency as we assess and select innovations. This includes evaluating existing evidence in partnership with program teams, stress-testing hypotheses, assessing credible pathways to impact at scale, and developing stage-appropriate evaluation plans. Quantitatively model the expected outcomes of potential new programs, right-sized to project scope/cost and time constraints. This will require using microeconomic tools and concepts to predict actions of individuals and governments, and to determine how to value different types of benefits, as well as good judgment to assess real potential for impact at scale. As programs transition to scale, ensure consistent iteration and rigorous application of agreed protocols throughout the program lifecycle, in coordination with the Director. Build a strong understanding of challenges and opportunities across the existing at-scale portfolio and work closely with the Director to re-design protocols, structures, and data collection processes grounded in operational realities. Lead cross-portfolio MLE review as a near-term organizational priority in face of DSW findings, including direct management of external consultants. The review will surface gaps in MLE practice and standards, which you will translate into lasting improvements across the team. Lead organization-wide data-driven decision making, identifying the highest-value questions across the program portfolio and ensuring that MLE findings inform program design and organizational decision-making. Work with in-field project and MLE leads to ensure that MLE collects actionable information they need and that MLE findings reach on-the-ground program decision-makers. Actively engage across the matrix to ensure MLE is embedded from the earliest stages of program lifecycle and assess how best to resource and structure this work within the MLE team. Role model the