Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable.  One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies, and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond

You will be a valued team member of a complex, multi-stakeholder project that advances the quality and connectivity of rangelands in Northern Tanzania through improved coordination, learning, and communication of multiple stakeholders on the landscape. The Monitoring and Learning Specialist is responsible for all monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL) and related activities. The MEL Specialist is part of the core Project Management Unit. The Monitoring and Learning Specialist also supports the NTRI coordination unit’s core function for monitoring, evaluation, and learning of progress and performance of key outcomes and indicators achieved by the partnership.  This is a term-limited position through September 2020, and will report to the EENT COP. The position is based at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) office in Arusha, Tanzania.

The Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Specialist refines and maintains systems to collect and analyze information on outputs and outcomes of the NTRI partnership and EENT Project. She/he supports the NTRI coordination unit’s core monitoring, evaluation, and learning function and implements monitoring, evaluation, and learning functions in accordance with the commitments and requirements of USAID.

1.  Support monitoring, evaluation, and learning aspects of the NTRI partnership’s work to realize landscape-level outcomes, including: 

• Manage a dashboard of metrics that measure progress toward achieving landscape-level outcomes for people wildlife, and habitat. Ensure that data collected is available to partners, collaborators, and communities.   
• Manage and provide technical oversight of key research/data collection efforts that provide information on landscape-level outcomes, including a socio-economic household survey, rangeland condition and land use change assessments, and aerial wildlife survey.
• Conduct periodic rapid technical evaluations of collaborative activities in the field to identify where adaptations might be needed.
• Lead a process for sharing lessons learned and using data to inform decision-making for adaptive management of the NTRI program and EENT project.
• Coordinate a system for monitoring progress of a stakeholder forum for healthy, connected rangelands.

2. Support monitoring, evaluation, and learning aspects of the NTRI partnership’s internal coordination platform, including: 

• Coordinate and maintain a NTRI partnership Organizational Capacity Assessment and track targets and milestones set through action planning
•  Manage a consultant conducting an external review of the NTRI partnership and support a process to address findings.
•  Support monitoring, evaluation, and learning aspects of an NTRI partnership annual internal review.

3.  Lead compliance with USAID MEL requirements, including:

• Refine and maintain systems to collect, store, and ensure quality control of data and information for tracking of progress against targets and deliverables. Ensure standardization of monitoring and data storage for USAID compliance.
• Guide staff and sub-awardees on monitoring practices.
• Compile, review, and submit publications and data to various USAID portals including Development Experience Clearinghouse, Development Data Library, TriaNet, Implementing Partner Reporting System
• Assist in the development of project reports and deliverables, particularly with respect to MEL aspects. Ensure implementation of and reporting against EENT Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Plans. 

4.  Participate in the development of annual work plans. Ensure alignment with technical strategy, agreement on annual milestones, and the inclusion of MEL activities in the work plan. 

5.  Screen activities for environmental risk according to USAID requirements, and develop and implement environmental mitigation and monitoring activities, as necessary.

6.  Manage internal & host external Data Quality Assessments.

•  BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in conservation practice, information management or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
•  Minimum of four years’ work experience directly implementing monitoring and evaluation systems. 
•  Experience in report writing, analytical and communication skills, including oral presentation skills, knowledge management and dissemination of findings in both English and Kiswahili.
•  Experience with USAID monitoring and evaluation processes, indicators and reporting requirements 
•  Experience managing complex or multiple projects, including staffing, workloads, and finances under deadlines.
•  Supervisory experience, including motivating, leading, setting objectives and managing performance.
•  Experience negotiating.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

•  Experience in implementing activities related to rangeland management, land use planning, and/or community-based conservation in East Africa. 
•  Experience implementing monitoring and evaluation for a USAID funded project. 
•  Expertise in rigorous quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation analytical methods including research design and implementation, design, and data analysis, rapid appraisals, etc.
•  Experience incorporating project learning into programming.
•  Experience providing guidance to project staff and grantees on design, monitoring, and evaluation.
•  Experience maintaining an online database for monitoring of performance and outcomes.
•  Experience with strengthening local organizations and building local capacities for MEL.
•  Experience working in complex partnerships.
•  Geospatial skills.
•  Experience working with multiple stakeholders.
•  Willingness to undertake field visits.