Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist

About the Role and Organization

Carnegie Mellon University, a distinguished global research institution, has established its African branch in Kigali, Rwanda, known as CMU-Africa. Founded in 2011, CMU-Africa fosters engineering, technology, and innovation through advanced graduate education and collaborative research across the continent. It attracts students from more than 25 African nations and leads numerous sponsored projects and talent development initiatives contributing to Africa's digital advancement.

This position as a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist aims to enhance CMU-Africa's capacities in systematically assessing, reporting, and improving the impact of its educational, research, and sponsored programs. The MEL Specialist will work collaboratively with leadership, faculty, staff, and partner organizations to implement effective methods for tracking progress, evaluating outcomes, generating evidence, and promoting organizational learning to optimize program effectiveness and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Strengthen MEL systems institution-wide in partnership with leadership and program teams across education and research sectors.
• Provide expert advice on designing theories of change, establishing results frameworks, choosing indicators, and meeting reporting requirements.
• Integrate MEL best practices into program design, execution, review, and ongoing improvements.
• Implement MEL standards consistently across CMU-Africa and its partners.
• Coordinate and assist in evaluations, assessments, and research assessing program impact.
• Facilitate learning sessions to extract lessons and identify improvement opportunities.
• Summarize findings into actionable guidance to inform program adjustments and organizational plans.
• Develop knowledge products, including learning briefs, case studies, and impact stories, to communicate key outcomes.
• Manage collaboration with external evaluators and consultants.
• Oversee preparation of reports and evidence materials for funding partners and stakeholders.
• Ensure documentation and reporting meet timelines, quality standards, and credibility requirements.
• Support institutional strategic reviews and impact communication efforts.
• Deliver training, coaching, and technical support to build MEL skills within CMU-Africa and external partners.
• Promote standardized MEL tools and guidelines for consistency across programs.
• Engage in communities of practice and peer learning to enhance partner capacities.
• Interpret MEL and research data to identify trends, risks, and improvement needs.
• Translate evidence into strategic insights aiding leadership decision-making and program enhancement.
• Create presentations and reports that explain findings clearly to diverse audiences.
• Serve as a reliable advisor on MEL issues to internal teams and institutional leaders.
• Collaborate with data analysts and colleagues to align data systems with MEL needs.
• Build strong relationships across multidisciplinary teams and multiple organizations with cultural sensitivity.
• Perform other duties that support CMU-Africa's goals and mission.

Qualifications

• A master’s degree in relevant fields such as Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Economics, Public Policy, International Development, Education, Social Sciences, or Data Analytics; or equivalent experience and education combination.
• At least five years of progressive responsibility in monitoring, evaluation, learning, research, or impact assessment roles.
• Experience interfacing with complex programs in higher education, research, international development, nonprofits, or social impact sectors.
• Skilled in designing MEL frameworks, evaluations, reporting workflows, and learning initiatives.
• Proficient in supporting donor-funded projects with compliance to stakeholder reporting standards.
• Experienced in conducting training and providing capacity-building assistance.
• Exposure to multi-institutional, cross-country, or varied stakeholder engagement is highly valued.

Preferred Skills and Attributes

• In-depth understanding of MEL principles, theories of change, results frameworks, and evaluation design.
• Capability in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research methodologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills combined with critical thinking.
• Excellent communication aptitudes, able to explain complex insights to both technical and non-technical groups.
• Competence in facilitating stakeholder engagement and fostering teamwork.
• Proven ability to generate comprehensive reports, learning content, and evidence-based recommendations.
• Familiarity with data collection tools, survey platforms, and analytics collaboration.
• Strong organizational skills managing dynamic, multifaceted priorities.
• High professional integrity, adaptability, and cultural awareness committed to continuous learning and social impact.

Benefits

Employees receiving benefits enjoy comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage, alongside a robust retirement savings program with employer contributions. Additional benefits include tuition assistance, paid holidays and leave, life and disability insurance, free regional transit passes, access to a family concierge service, fitness center usage, and more.

Additional Information

This full-time, onsite position is located in Kigali, Rwanda, within a dynamic university committed to innovation and community engagement. The university values a holistic approach to hiring, considering the full range of experience, skills, and personal aspirations beyond formal credentials. The MEL Specialist is expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity and will interact with diverse internal and external stakeholders to advance the institution’s strategic priorities.