Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Specialist, Competitive African Rice Platform (CA

Job Description

Background and Context

The Competitive African Rice Platform (CARP) Ghana is the apex rice value chain organization in Ghana and serves as the national chapter of the ECOWAS Rice Observatory (ERO). CARP Ghana brings together stakeholders from across the rice value chain to promote collaboration, policy dialogue, investment, and innovation to enhance the competitiveness of Ghana's rice sector.

To strengthen its Secretariat and support the implementation of its strategic priorities, CARP Ghana seeks is seeking a qualified and results-oriented Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Officer to lead the development and implementation of an effective MEL system that supports evidence-based decision-making, accountability, learning, and reporting across CARP Ghana’s programmes and partnerships.

The successful candidate will work closely with the Secretariat, Board, members, development partners, and stakeholders across the rice value chain to strengthen data systems, monitor programme performance, measure impact, and generate knowledge products that inform policy and strategic interventions.

Key Responsibilities

The MEL Officer shall:

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve CARP Ghana’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework.
• Design results frameworks, logical frameworks, indicators, theories of change, and performance measurement plans for projects and programmes.
• Develop and manage data collection tools, methodologies, databases, dashboards, and reporting systems using quantitative and qualitative approaches.
• Coordinate routine monitoring activities, field visits, surveys, assessments, and data quality assurance exercises.
• Analyse programme data and generate timely reports, dashboards, briefs, and presentations for management, donors, and stakeholders.
• Track programme outputs, outcomes, impacts, and key performance indicators in line with organisational and donor requirements.
• Support baseline studies, mid-term reviews, end-line evaluations, impact assessments, and learning exercises.
• Establish systems for documenting lessons learned, best practices, innovations, and success stories across the rice value chain.
• Strengthen organisational learning by facilitating reflection sessions and supporting evidence-based planning and decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with donor reporting requirements and international MEL standards.
• Build the capacity of staff, partners, and member organisations on MEL concepts, data management, and results-based management.
• Collaborate with programme teams, consultants, researchers, government institutions, and development partners in data collection and reporting.
• Support knowledge management, policy advocacy, and communication through data visualization, publications, and analytical reports.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the National Coordinator.

Required Skills or Experience

Qualifications and Experience

Academic Qualifications

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Statistics, Economics, Agricultural Economics, Agriculture, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Data Science, Public Policy, Project Management, or a related discipline.
• A Master’s Degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage.
• Professional certification in Monitoring & Evaluation, Results-Based Management (RBM), Project Management, Data Analytics, or Impact Evaluation will be an advantage.

Professional Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL/MEL).
• Proven experience designing and implementing MEL systems for development programmes, agricultural projects, private sector initiatives, or multi-stakeholder platforms.
• Experience managing large datasets and conducting quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Experience developing indicators, logframes, theories of change, and results frameworks.
• Experience supporting donor-funded programmes and reporting to development partners.
• Experience conducting surveys, evaluations, impact assessments, and research studies.
• Experience working with farmer organisations, agribusinesses, producer associations, value chain actors, or commodity platforms is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with Ghana’s agriculture sector, particularly rice or other agricultural value chains, will be an advantage.

Technical Competencies

• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning methodologies
• Results-Based Management (RBM)
• Data quality assurance and validation
• Statistical analysis and interpretation
• Survey design and field data management
• Data visualization and dashboard development
• Report writing and presentation
• Knowledge management and organisational learning
• Knowledge of software such as Microsoft Excel, Power BI, KoboToolbox, ODK, SPSS, STATA, R, GIS, or other relevant data management and analytical tools will be an added advantage.

Personal Attributes

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent planning and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments under tight deadlines.
• Willingness to undertake regular field travel.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.

Terms of Employment

• The successful candidate will be employed on an initial one-year renewable contract, subject to satisfactory performance and continued funding.
• The position is based in Accra, with regular travel to rice-producing regions across Ghana.