Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Assistant, Uganda

Job Details

Trees for the Future (TREES) is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Assistant based in Buganda, Uganda, to support its Lake Victoria Watershed Agroforestry Carbon Project across Mt. Elgon, Busoga and Buganda regions. This is a full-time position reporting to the MEL Officer and collaborating closely with the MEL team in Mbale and Busoga, including the MEL Director and GIS Analyst. The role focuses on coordinating field data collection, conducting first-line data quality assurance and validation, and supporting analysis and reporting that inform program management, carbon project verification, and organizational learning. The position requires extensive field travel and motorcycle riding on and off-road. Learn more at trees.org/lvcarbon.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Support annual and quarterly MEL workplans in alignment and coordination with program team's plans and priorities.
• Coordinate logistics for data collection activities, including field schedules, sampling/targeting guidance, planning, and device readiness.
• Conduct routine and periodic field monitoring using mobile data collection (TaroWorks) and other tools to collect quantitative and qualitative data with farmers, lead farmers, and field staff, verifying implementation quality and adherence to program standards.
• Conduct interviews with farmers and program participants to support case studies, learning documentation, and communications products.
• Support specialized field data collection including field area measurement, biodiversity assessments, and geospatial data collection (e.g., polygon mapping) as required.
• Submit monthly monitoring data into Salesforce accurately and on time.
• Monitor project progress against targets and identify issues.
• Conduct first-line data quality assurance (DQA), including completeness checks, spot validations, range/outlier reviews, duplicate checks, and follow-up resolution with field teams.
• Support carbon program data collection and other surveys through all stages: planning, training of data collectors, data verification, analysis, reporting, including adherence to ethical standards.
• Support basic analysis and visualization (tables, simple charts, and maps) to help teams interpret progress and identify gaps.
• Interpret monitoring results and highlight trends, risks, or implementation gaps for program teams.
• Produce routine monitoring outputs (e.g., weekly summaries, field performance snapshots, and issue logs) and contribute to preparation of monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual project performance reports.
• Track progress against project indicators and targets and support updates to MEL frameworks and tools.
• Maintain secure and well-organized data files and documentation to support internal controls, learning, and reporting.
• Provide ongoing coaching and practical support to strengthen consistent, accurate data collection across field teams.
• Deliver orientations and trainings for field staff on MEL tools, data collection protocols, and quality expectations.
• Capture and synthesize field feedback and lessons learned to inform continuous improvement and adaptive management.
• Provide MEL representation during site visits, investor visits, and learning events.
• Support setup and administration of digital data collection systems (e.g., TaroWorks), including form deployment, user access support, and syncing workflows.
• Support maintenance, updating, and integrity of the project database and related MEL information systems.
• Ensure data collection follows ethical and safeguarding standards, including informed consent, confidentiality, and secure handling of devices and files.
• Support compliance with required government research permits and approvals as directed by the MEL Director.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation and evidence (e.g., attendance records, monitoring logs, verification checklists).
• Escalate data integrity risks, implementation constraints, or ethical concerns promptly to the MEL Director.

Qualifications, Skills and Requirements

• Minimum of a basic degree in Demography, Statistics, Social Sciences, Information Technology, or equivalent.
• At least two (2) years of experience in implementation of MEL in development projects implemented by national/international NGOs/UN bodies/Government.
• Experience providing MEL related training and coaching to all levels of stakeholders.
• Proven ICT skills, especially in use of mobile data collection, i.e. TaroWorks, ODK, CommCare, KoboCollect.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience using Excel and statistical software such as SPSS, Stata, Epi Info, or similar tools for data analysis.
• Strong analytical skills, including ability to interpret monitoring data, identify trends or data quality issues, and collaborate with program teams to use evidence to improve implementation.
• Report writing, PowerPoint development, and excellent oral presentation skills.
• Strong community facilitation skills and experience in providing remote support or willingness to learn effective remote facilitation.
• Willing and able to travel extensively in the field, troubleshoot in remote areas, and converse with smallholder farmers.
• Valid motorcycle license with experience riding both on and off road and history of safe motorcycle operation.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is preferred; local language an added advantage.
• Preferred: Experience implementing surveys and/or other field data collection and supporting DQAs in development or agricultural programs.
• Preferred: Experience in M&E of Agriculture and/or Environmental Protection projects.