MEL Lead (FCDO GOAL)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Lead for its upcoming Girls and Out-of-School Children: Action for Learning Programme (GOAL) Long-Term Technical Assistance (LTTA) contract in Pakistan. This role is central to delivering a comprehensive MEL strategy aligned with the programme’s Theory of Change, logframe, and Value for Money (VFM) frameworks. The MEL Lead will oversee data collection, management, analysis, and evidence use to support adaptive, politically informed education reforms in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and potentially Sindh. This position requires close collaboration with technical teams and government counterparts to strengthen provincial education systems and ensure inclusive, equitable outcomes for marginalized children.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead the development and implementation of the programme’s MEL strategy, ensuring alignment with the Theory of Change, logframe, and VFM monitoring.
- Apply adaptive MEL methodologies such as Developmental Evaluation and Systems Thinking MEL, using innovative methods like outcome mapping and process tracing.
- Manage and update the programme logframe and maintain a change log throughout the contract lifecycle.
- Establish quantitative and qualitative baseline data in collaboration with provincial education departments and GOAL partners, leveraging existing knowledge products.
- Design real-time, community-driven monitoring activities integrated into government systems, ensuring accessibility for all stakeholders.
- Track contribution pathways to FCDO’s education milestones using agreed indicators and data sources, including Annual School Census and ASER assessments.
- Implement an incremental evaluation approach that builds evidence continuously rather than relying solely on summative reports.
- Own the evidence base for learning and adaptation (KPI 5), ensuring lessons learned inform quarterly reporting and adaptive management.
- Prepare annual MEL strategy documents, KPI reports, and contribute to exit planning and quarterly progress reports.
- Ensure MEL data is disaggregated by gender, disability, poverty, and geography, working closely with the GESI Specialist.
- Monitor and report on Value for Money to support financial and progress reporting aligned with the programme’s payment model.
- Build MEL capacity within provincial government counterparts to strengthen routine data systems and promote sustainability.

Required Qualifications

- Advanced degree in monitoring and evaluation, statistics, social science, education, or a related field.
- 8-10+ years of senior MEL leadership experience on complex, donor-funded programmes, preferably with FCDO or similar donors.
- Proven expertise in adaptive and developmental MEL methodologies and innovative evaluation methods beyond conventional logframe approaches.
- Strong experience managing logframes, Theories of Change, and VFM frameworks within large-scale programmes.
- Familiarity with KPI-linked fee-retention payment structures and donor reporting, ideally FCDO’s.
- Knowledge of education data systems in Pakistan or similar contexts, such as EMIS, Annual School Census, and ASER.
- Experience building MEL capacity among government counterparts.
- Excellent written and spoken English; proficiency in Urdu or regional languages is an advantage.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

- Experience working within politically informed, systems-strengthening education programmes.
- Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams, including technical leads, provincial education departments, and GESI specialists.
- Commitment to IRC’s core values of integrity, service, equality, and accountability, and adherence to safeguarding and professional conduct standards.

This position is contingent on the successful award of the GOAL LTTA contract and reflects FCDO’s Terms of Reference. The IRC is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive work environment that promotes critical reflection and power sharing to achieve lasting impact in humanitarian education programming.