Terms of Reference (ToR)- MEL Officer (Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning)

Terms of Reference (ToR)

MEL Officer (Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning)

Location: Kathmandu-based, with frequent travel to project sites

Duration: One-year contract (with possibility of extension)

Level of Effort: 25–30 hours per week with flexible scheduling

Reports to: Country Director

Works closely with: Communications Team, Executive Director (USA), Local Partners

1. Background

NIVAS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering marginalized communities—especially women and children—through sustainable, dignified housing solutions. By providing safe and secure homes, NIVAS aims to break cycles of poverty and vulnerability while strengthening land and housing rights, construction skills, and livelihood opportunities.

To ensure data-driven decision-making, continuous learning, and accountability to communities and donors, NIVAS is strengthening its Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems across all program areas, including housing construction, land and housing rights literacy, construction training, and livelihood support.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The MEL Officer will play a critical role in co-developing and implementing systems that support strategic learning, demonstrate program impact, and enhance overall program performance. This includes refining the organization’s Theory of Change and logframes across multiple program areas.

This role ensures timely data collection, rigorous analysis, and high-quality reporting to inform adaptive programming, foster institutional learning, and strengthen accountability to both communities and donors.

3. Scope of Work / Key Responsibilities

A. Monitoring & Evaluation

• Co-design and manage MEL frameworks, indicators, log frames, and data collection tools.
• Lead baseline, midline, and endline assessments using digital platforms such as Kobo Toolbox or ODK.
• Ensure data quality through regular field visits, spot checks, and verification processes.
• Maintain and update real-time dashboards for monitoring project performance and impact.

B. Research & Learning

• Lead qualitative and quantitative research initiatives to assess program effectiveness and community-level outcomes.
• Develop learning agendas and facilitate periodic reflection and learning sessions with field teams and partners.
• Capture, synthesize, and document key lessons learned, best practices, and evidence-based insights.

C. Reporting & Donor Support

• Compile, analyze, and interpret MEL data to support high-quality internal and external reporting.
• Contribute MEL components to donor proposals, reports, and results frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with donor reporting requirements and provide evidence-based updates on indicator progress.

D. Capacity Building

• Facilitate and mentor field staff and local partners on MEL tools, ethical data collection, and basic analysis.
• Develop MEL protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and data management guidelines.
• Support the integration of MEL findings into program design, decision-making, and strategic planning.

4. Deliverables

• Updated MEL frameworks and tools for all ongoing projects.
• Baseline and endline reports, field visit reports, and outcome monitoring briefs.
• Periodic dashboards and summary reports shared with internal teams.
• Documented learning agendas, case studies, and success stories.
• Training materials and session reports for MEL capacity-building activities.

5. Duration and Level of Effort

• Initial contract duration: 1 year, with a probation period of 3 months.
• 25–30 hours per week with flexible scheduling, including frequent travel to project sites.
• Contract extension subject to performance review and funding availability.

6. Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in development studies, Social Sciences, Public Health, Statistics, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 5+ years of professional experience in MEL roles within NGOs or INGOs.
• Strong proficiency in digital data collection tools (Kobo Toolbox, ODK), data analysis (Excel, SPSS, STATA), and visualization platforms (Power BI, Tableau).
• Solid understanding of participatory MEL approaches and ethical data management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Nepali.

7. Supervision and Reporting

The MEL Officer will report directly to the Country Director and work closely with the Communications Team, Executive Director (USA), and partner organizations. The role includes providing regular updates and contributing to strategic discussions related to program adaptation and scale.

8. Confidentiality & Ethics

The MEL Officer will uphold the highest standards of confidentiality, ethical data handling, and respect for community voices. All data collected and analyzed under this role will remain the intellectual property of NIVAS.

Compensation

Compensation for this position is aligned with local Nepali NGO salary structures.

To Apply

Please send the following to the NIVAS Board of Directors at nivasbuilt@gmail.com:

• Resume
• Brief Cover Letter with Statement of Interest

Application Deadline: 10 February