Senior Education, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research

Senior Education, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning Manager

Location: Derry-Londonderry or Remote from the United Kingdom or Ireland
Salary: £38,220 - £40,777 per annum
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
 

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL) professional to play a key role in strengthening the impact and quality of international education programmes.

The organisation works in partnership with local organisations in Tanzania and Ethiopia, with a particular focus on Early Childhood Education (ECE) and early primary learning. As Senior Education & MERL Manager, you will help ensure that high-quality evidence, data and learning are used to improve programmes and inform strategic decision-making.

About the role

You'll be the organisation's Senior Education, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning Manager (MERL) lead for its education portfolio, working across head office and country programmes to develop strong monitoring and evaluation systems, improve data quality and turn evidence into practical insights.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing and maintaining MERL systems, frameworks and processes across international education programmes.
• Leading data analysis and visualisation, including developing Power BI and Excel dashboards.
• Supporting evaluation and research activities, including sampling, data collection and analysis.
• Ensuring high standards of data quality, governance and safeguarding.
• Working with programme partners to strengthen their MEL systems, data collection and reporting.
• Providing training, mentoring and technical support to NGO partners and programme teams.
• Turning complex data into clear, accessible insights and stories for senior management, Boards, donors and other audiences.
• Supporting grant management and ensuring MEL deliverables meet donor requirements.
• Promoting a strong culture of learning and continuous improvement, ensuring evidence is used to adapt and strengthen programmes.

About you

We're looking for an experienced MERL/MEL professional who combines strong technical data and evaluation skills with a genuine understanding of international education programming.

You'll ideally have:

• A minimum of 5 years' experience in a MERL/MEL role ideally within INGO.
• Strong experience in education-related monitoring and evaluation, particularly Early Childhood Education or early primary learning.
• Experience working in Low- and Middle-Income Country (LMIC) contexts.
• Strong analytical and data visualisation skills, including Power BI and Excel.
• Experience with digital data collection platforms such as Kobo or ODK.
• Experience developing and implementing MERL frameworks within education programmes.
• The ability to analyse complex data and communicate findings clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Experience providing technical assistance, training and mentoring to NGO programme teams and partner organisations.
• An understanding of safeguarding within programme activities.
• A strategic and analytical approach, with the ability to manage deadlines and work independently.
• A willingness to undertake occasional international travel

Why apply?

This is an opportunity to take on a senior, hands-on MERL position where your work will directly support the quality and impact of international education programmes.

You'll have the opportunity to work across programme design, monitoring, evaluation, research, data analysis and organisational learning, while supporting partners to strengthen their own capabilities.

How to apply

Please submit your CV. Following review of your CV you will be required to complete an application form, which will be sent to you post review.

Candidates must have the right to live and work in the UK or Ireland.