Regional MEAL & Learning Specialist

Action Against Hunger is seeking a seasoned Regional MEAL & Learning Specialist to provide strategic leadership and operational management for a multi-country humanitarian consortium spanning Ethiopia, Somalia, and Djibouti. Based in Nairobi and reporting to the Regional Consortium Coordinator, this role sits at the intersection of rigorous evidence generation and adaptive programme management across one of the world's most complex humanitarian corridors.

The Specialist will architect and steward a consortium-wide Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) system fully aligned with DG ECHO donor requirements and the strategic learning priorities of IGAD, ICPAC, and SCALAA. This includes direct oversight of the Data Analyst, technical guidance to country MEAL focal points, and hands-on MEAL data management for the Somalia component — making this a uniquely strategic yet operational position for an accomplished regional MEAL professional.

• Design, implement, and continuously improve the consortium-wide MEAL system across Ethiopia, Somalia, and Djibouti.
• Develop and maintain the programme Results Framework, Theory of Change, indicator matrix, targets, data sources, disaggregation requirements, and responsibility assignments.
• Design and manage the programme MEAL Plan, including data-collection schedules, quality-assurance protocols, accountability mechanisms, reporting responsibilities, and the regional learning cycle.
• Establish consistent MEAL governance standards across country teams, implementing partners, programme staff, and regional technical teams.
• Lead quarterly and annual programme reviews and ensure monitoring findings drive adaptive management and programme decision-making.
• Provide technical leadership for baseline, mid-term, and endline evaluations using rigorous mixed-methods approaches across all three programme countries.
• Develop evaluation methodologies, research questions, sampling strategies, data-collection tools, analytical frameworks, and reporting structures.
• Manage external evaluation consultants, including developing terms of reference and reviewing technical proposals and deliverables.
• Directly oversee Somalia evaluation and MEAL component, ensuring consistent data quality and conflict-sensitive data collection.
• Establish consortium-wide data-quality standards, verification procedures, source-data archives, and auditable evidence trails for donor-reported results.
• Ensure ethical and responsible data management, including informed consent, confidentiality, anonymization, secure storage, and access controls.
• Lead the development of After-Action Reviews, donor evidence packages, and regional learning products that translate programme data into actionable insights.
• Design and lead structured learning events, pause-and-reflect sessions, and cross-country knowledge exchange to embed a culture of learning.
• Directly manage the Data Analyst, providing mentorship, performance management, and technical supervision.
• Provide technical capacity building to country MEAL focal points and implementing partner MEAL staff.

• Demonstrate at least 7 years of progressive MEAL experience within international NGO or humanitarian contexts, with a minimum of 3 years in a regional or multi-country capacity.
• Design and implement complex Results Frameworks and Theories of Change for multi-partner, multi-country programmes funded by institutional donors such as DG ECHO, USAID, or FCDO.
• Apply advanced mixed-methods research skills — including quantitative survey design, qualitative research, and participatory methods — to evaluations in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
• Demonstrate hands-on experience with anticipatory action, early warning systems, disaster risk reduction, or climate-informed humanitarian programming.
• Manage external consultants and lead independent evaluations from terms of reference development through to final report quality assurance.
• Use data management and analysis tools proficiently — including ODK/KoboToolbox, SPSS, Stata, R, or Power BI — to produce donor-ready evidence packages.
• Apply conflict-sensitive and do-no-harm principles to data collection in insecure and politically sensitive operating environments, including Somalia.
• Communicate complex MEAL findings clearly to diverse audiences including donors, government counterparts, and community stakeholders, both verbally and in written products.
• Demonstrate fluency in English; working knowledge of Somali, Amharic, or French is a distinct advantage.
• Hold a postgraduate degree in Development Studies, Statistics, Social Sciences, Public Policy, International Development, or a related field.

Action Against Hunger offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and in line with INGO regional pay scales for Nairobi-based senior technical roles. Estimated monthly gross salary ranges between KES 350,000 and KES 550,000. The organisation provides a comprehensive benefits package typical of a leading international humanitarian organisation.

• Comprehensive medical insurance cover for staff
• International NGO pension and retirement benefits
• Annual leave and rest-and-recuperation provisions
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Supportive and mission-driven work environment

This role is ideally suited for a senior MEAL professional with a proven track record of leading regional evidence and learning systems in complex, multi-country humanitarian or development consortia. You are comfortable operating at both a strategic level — influencing donor reporting and organisational learning — and a technical level, directly managing data quality processes and country focal points. Experience in the Horn of Africa context, particularly Somalia or Ethiopia, and familiarity with DG ECHO-funded programmes will make your application highly competitive.

Please do not apply if you have fewer than 5 years of MEAL experience, have not managed multi-country or consortium-wide MEAL systems, or have no experience working in fragile or conflict-affected humanitarian settings. This is not an entry-level or generalist programme role.

• Prepare an updated CV (maximum 4 pages) clearly highlighting your regional MEAL experience, evaluation methodologies used, and donor experience.
• Draft a tailored cover letter (maximum 1 page) addressing your suitability for this specific role and your experience with anticipatory action or climate-informed programming.
• Submit your application through the Action Against Hunger official careers portal or the platform where this vacancy is listed.
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a technical assessment followed by a competency-based interview panel.
• Action Against Hunger is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Women and candidates from the Horn of Africa region are strongly encouraged to apply.