Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Manager

DepartmentImpact and Learning

LocationKumasi

 

Role Title: Monitoring, Evaluation,  Research & Learning (MERL) Manager 

 

Learn About Farmerline

Are you driven to make a positive impact on millions of lives and leave a lasting legacy? Do you want to utilize your talents and skills to make a difference, rather than simply earning a living? Are you passionate about contributing to feeding the world, both now and in the future? Farmerline is dedicated to reimagining how the world thinks about and invests in the livelihoods of small-scale farmers. Our mission is to create lasting profits for farmers everywhere. We approach challenges with bold and systemic thinking while maintaining a lean and nimble operation. 

Farmerline, an agritech, was founded in 2013 serving 800 farmers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana through mobile information services. Over the past 10 years, we have expanded our impact significantly, having profiled and served over 1.7 million farmers and digitized more than 4 million acres of land through collaboration with over 3,000 strategic partners across 48 countries. Farmerline also works with other stakeholders in the agricultural sector to provide access to financing, inputs, and markets for smallholder farmers. Farmerline’s Mergdata, a web and mobile application, offers real-time traceability, certification audit, farm mapping, farmer education, and analytics solutions to help organizations that work with farmers achieve their sustainability and food security goals efficiently. Mergdata uses big data and AI to give organizations insight into the work of farmers and to give farmers increased access to resources and services; including financial services. Farmerline is currently one of the fastest growing Agtech companies in Africa, having recently secured a pre-Series A funding of $14 million, led by Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund (ARAF), Oikocredit, FMO (the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank), and nine other global investors. We recently expanded into francophone Africa with an official launch of operations in Cote d’Ivoire; deepening our partnerships across West Africa and accelerating our commitment to support small scale farmers everywhere. 

We foster a learning organization where you will have the opportunity to apply your ideas and creativity to solve problems on a daily basis. If you are drawn to a dynamic, collaborative culture, set high standards, and tackle challenges with determination and a sense of humor, Farmerline is the perfect environment for you to thrive. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, valuing diversity and encouraging applications from all candidates. We firmly believe that diverse perspectives empower our teams to create innovative solutions and better understand the needs of our global clients. Aligned with our values, we are committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse global workforce without any form of discrimination.

 

Field

Details

Job Title

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning(MERL) Manager

Department and Location

Impact & Learning, Kumasi

Incumbent Supervisor

Head, Impact & Learning

Suggested start date

October 2023

Length of assignment

Permanent position, renewal is subject to performance

 

Role Overview

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Manager will all lead MERL activities to support the development of a responsive and robust MERL system and tools for Farmerline playing a key role in making data-led recommendations that drive short to long-term impact strategy. This will be aimed at understanding and increasing stakeholder impact while improving our operations. This role also focuses on designing MERL systems for projects, frequent meticulous impact data collection and analysis, conducting evaluations and rapid assessments, work planning, development of data collection instruments and sampling strategies, documenting best practices, writing/reviewing required reports, and research.

You will support designing and implementing Farmerline’s impact programs, monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes. You will assist in the launch and evaluation of new products and services aimed at increasing the impact of our programs on farmers.  The MERL Manager will also serve as a resource person in areas of proposal writing, research, data management, and reporting as well as conducting special projects and other duties as required. Scaling these innovations, however, requires an eye for behavior change to encourage the adoption of new technologies and strong evidence generation.

 

Responsibilities 

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning:

  • Lead the development and implementation of monitoring, evaluation and learning strategy and systems through the creation of data collection tools and surveys for tracking the impact of Farmerline’s services, as well as report writing
  • Coordinate monitoring systems including data collection, analysis, and review
  • Ensure appropriate monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system is in place and is functioning
  • Tests the assumptions underlying its theory of change and results framework to enable evidence based adaptive management 
  • Managing data collection and analysis with strong and evident integration of gender and environmental sustainability.
  • Develop and maintain the program indicators and data management to ensure that information is accurate and current.
  • Ensure key progress information (qualitative and quantitative) is collected from partners, reviewed, entered into the program database, and analyzed.
  • Undertake field visits to partners to confirm and triangulate reported findings. Oversee and provide training on interview best practices 
  • Work with Project partners to develop MERL frameworks, processes, and systems that will provide compatible and quality data that will enable reporting on the Project outcomes.
  • Ensure gender and environmental data are included and analyzed in all reports and evaluations.
  • Conduct customer feedback surveys to improve service delivery, other success metrics such as loyalty and follow-up with recommendations to the business units
  • Ensure 100% tracking of company-wide impact indicators
  • Assist establish appropriate indicators of partner projects upon request (drawing on benchmarks, and other available tools)
  • Ensure relevant and timely M&E information is provided in user-friendly formats to key stakeholders
  • Ensure appropriate capacity development and supportive supervision for staff in monitoring and evaluation procedures, data collection tools, and data management practices in alignment with the MEL plan.
  • Work with respective teams to package quality and accurate program reports, output results, stories of change, and other Communication and Learning pieces, for wider dissemination. 

Research: 

  • Design a monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning system including the development of data collection and reporting tools and generation of reliable data for results-based management 
  • Design, implement and disseminate qualitative and quantitative research studies
  • The MERL Manager will support projects by working with other business units and stakeholders to build and manage sound M&E systems that improve understanding of the local context and track project implementation and outcomes of interventions over time.
  • Support the design of systems, processes, and protocols for strategic research programs to ensure high-quality research design, implementation, and analysis.
  • Write and publish learnings on programs and strategic direction to influence best practices internally and externally.
  • Build and strengthen the capacity of others to deliver high-quality research, analysis, publications, and documentation.
  • Support to design and evaluate the implementation of pilot activities such as testing of new products, training field staff, ensuring proper output and outcome indicator data collection, quality control, analysis, and management
  • Liaise with Regional Teams and Agronomist to facilitate adequate monitoring of pilots of new products and interventions

Behaviour Change Programming

  • Develop behaviour change campaigns that encourage farmers and stakeholders to practice positive attitudes for livelihood enhancement such as agribusiness digitization, climate-resilient initiatives, crop diversification, etc
  • Collaboratively develop behaviour change campaigns to drive business digitization adoption 

 

Requirements 

 
  • 7+ years' experience in monitoring and evaluation methodologies (i.e. both quantitative and qualitative data collection, processing, and analysis);
  • Master’s degree or higher in  monitoring and evaluation, statistics, economics, or business administration, agriculture, or another related field.
  • Strong research skills with the ability to translate findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Extensive knowledge and experience in reporting procedures, best practices, guidelines, and tools for monitoring, evaluation, and learning, including impact evaluation.
  • Understanding of agricultural production, market systems, and livelihood programming; demonstrated practical experience in using monitoring and evaluation, and learning activities to inform activity implementation and results.
  • English and French proficiency would be desirable
  • Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as a high level of attention to detail.
  • Energetic, independent, and self-motivated individual with a solution-based approach while demonstrating innovation, integrity, quality, creativity, flexibility, and resilience.
  • Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
  • Proven excellence in verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures and to distill complex information and data into accessible conversation and written pieces.
  • Possess professional maturity, sensitivity to different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify Farmerline’s values.
  • Ability to manage multiple demands and prioritize tasks, work effectively and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, and support other team members.
     

    Role Title: Monitoring, Evaluation,  Research & Learning (MERL) Manager 

     

    Learn About Farmerline

    Are you driven to make a positive impact on millions of lives and leave a lasting legacy? Do you want to utilize your talents and skills to make a difference, rather than simply earning a living? Are you passionate about contributing to feeding the world, both now and in the future? Farmerline is dedicated to reimagining how the world thinks about and invests in the livelihoods of small-scale farmers. Our mission is to create lasting profits for farmers everywhere. We approach challenges with bold and systemic thinking while maintaining a lean and nimble operation. 

    Farmerline, an agritech, was founded in 2013 serving 800 farmers in the Ashanti Region of Ghana through mobile information services. Over the past 10 years, we have expanded our impact significantly, having profiled and served over 1.7 million farmers and digitized more than 4 million acres of land through collaboration with over 3,000 strategic partners across 48 countries. Farmerline also works with other stakeholders in the agricultural sector to provide access to financing, inputs, and markets for smallholder farmers. Farmerline’s Mergdata, a web and mobile application, offers real-time traceability, certification audit, farm mapping, farmer education, and analytics solutions to help organizations that work with farmers achieve their sustainability and food security goals efficiently. Mergdata uses big data and AI to give organizations insight into the work of farmers and to give farmers increased access to resources and services; including financial services. Farmerline is currently one of the fastest growing Agtech companies in Africa, having recently secured a pre-Series A funding of $14 million, led by Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund (ARAF), Oikocredit, FMO (the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank), and nine other global investors. We recently expanded into francophone Africa with an official launch of operations in Cote d’Ivoire; deepening our partnerships across West Africa and accelerating our commitment to support small scale farmers everywhere. 

    We foster a learning organization where you will have the opportunity to apply your ideas and creativity to solve problems on a daily basis. If you are drawn to a dynamic, collaborative culture, set high standards, and tackle challenges with determination and a sense of humor, Farmerline is the perfect environment for you to thrive. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, valuing diversity and encouraging applications from all candidates. We firmly believe that diverse perspectives empower our teams to create innovative solutions and better understand the needs of our global clients. Aligned with our values, we are committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse global workforce without any form of discrimination.

     

    Field

    Details

    Job Title

    Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning(MERL) Manager

    Department and Location

    Impact & Learning, Kumasi

    Incumbent Supervisor

    Head, Impact & Learning

    Suggested start date

    October 2023

    Length of assignment

    Permanent position, renewal is subject to performance



     

    Role Overview

    The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Manager will all lead MERL activities to support the development of a responsive and robust MERL system and tools for Farmerline playing a key role in making data-led recommendations that drive short to long-term impact strategy. This will be aimed at understanding and increasing stakeholder impact while improving our operations. This role also focuses on designing MERL systems for projects, frequent meticulous impact data collection and analysis, conducting evaluations and rapid assessments, work planning, development of data collection instruments and sampling strategies, documenting best practices, writing/reviewing required reports, and research.

    You will support designing and implementing Farmerline’s impact programs, monitor progress, and evaluate outcomes. You will assist in the launch and evaluation of new products and services aimed at increasing the impact of our programs on farmers.  The MERL Manager will also serve as a resource person in areas of proposal writing, research, data management, and reporting as well as conducting special projects and other duties as required. Scaling these innovations, however, requires an eye for behavior change to encourage the adoption of new technologies and strong evidence generation.

     

    Responsibilities 

    Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning:

    • Lead the development and implementation of monitoring, evaluation and learning strategy and systems through the creation of data collection tools and surveys for tracking the impact of Farmerline’s services, as well as report writing
    • Coordinate monitoring systems including data collection, analysis, and review
    • Ensure appropriate monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system is in place and is functioning
    • Tests the assumptions underlying its theory of change and results framework to enable evidence based adaptive management 
    • Managing data collection and analysis with strong and evident integration of gender and environmental sustainability.
    • Develop and maintain the program indicators and data management to ensure that information is accurate and current.
    • Ensure key progress information (qualitative and quantitative) is collected from partners, reviewed, entered into the program database, and analyzed.
    • Undertake field visits to partners to confirm and triangulate reported findings. Oversee and provide training on interview best practices 
    • Work with Project partners to develop MERL frameworks, processes, and systems that will provide compatible and quality data that will enable reporting on the Project outcomes.
    • Ensure gender and environmental data are included and analyzed in all reports and evaluations.
    • Conduct customer feedback surveys to improve service delivery, other success metrics such as loyalty and follow-up with recommendations to the business units
    • Ensure 100% tracking of company-wide impact indicators
    • Assist establish appropriate indicators of partner projects upon request (drawing on benchmarks, and other available tools)
    • Ensure relevant and timely M&E information is provided in user-friendly formats to key stakeholders
    • Ensure appropriate capacity development and supportive supervision for staff in monitoring and evaluation procedures, data collection tools, and data management practices in alignment with the MEL plan.
    • Work with respective teams to package quality and accurate program reports, output results, stories of change, and other Communication and Learning pieces, for wider dissemination. 

    Research: 

    • Design a monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning system including the development of data collection and reporting tools and generation of reliable data for results-based management 
    • Design, implement and disseminate qualitative and quantitative research studies
    • The MERL Manager will support projects by working with other business units and stakeholders to build and manage sound M&E systems that improve understanding of the local context and track project implementation and outcomes of interventions over time.
    • Support the design of systems, processes, and protocols for strategic research programs to ensure high-quality research design, implementation, and analysis.
    • Write and publish learnings on programs and strategic direction to influence best practices internally and externally.
    • Build and strengthen the capacity of others to deliver high-quality research, analysis, publications, and documentation.
    • Support to design and evaluate the implementation of pilot activities such as testing of new products, training field staff, ensuring proper output and outcome indicator data collection, quality control, analysis, and management
    • Liaise with Regional Teams and Agronomist to facilitate adequate monitoring of pilots of new products and interventions

    Behaviour Change Programming

    • Develop behaviour change campaigns that encourage farmers and stakeholders to practice positive attitudes for livelihood enhancement such as agribusiness digitization, climate-resilient initiatives, crop diversification, etc
    • Collaboratively develop behaviour change campaigns to drive business digitization adoption 

    Requirements 

     
    • 7+ years' experience in monitoring and evaluation methodologies (i.e. both quantitative and qualitative data collection, processing, and analysis);
    • Master’s degree or higher in  monitoring and evaluation, statistics, economics, or business administration, agriculture, or another related field.
    • Strong research skills with the ability to translate findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
    • Extensive knowledge and experience in reporting procedures, best practices, guidelines, and tools for monitoring, evaluation, and learning, including impact evaluation.
    • Understanding of agricultural production, market systems, and livelihood programming; demonstrated practical experience in using monitoring and evaluation, and learning activities to inform activity implementation and results.
    • English and French proficiency would be desirable
    • Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills as well as a high level of attention to detail.
    • Energetic, independent, and self-motivated individual with a solution-based approach while demonstrating innovation, integrity, quality, creativity, flexibility, and resilience.
    • Flexible, adaptable, and able to execute a range of job duties and changing priorities.
    • Proven excellence in verbal, written, and presentation skills with the ability to articulate information to a variety of constituents across cultures and to distill complex information and data into accessible conversation and written pieces.
    • Possess professional maturity, sensitivity to different cultures, and impeccable integrity that exemplify Farmerline’s values.
    • Ability to manage multiple demands and prioritize tasks, work effectively and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, and support other team members.
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