Mekong Sub-Cluster Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. We are driven by a vision of a better world:

A world where across every society all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably.

To make this vision a reality, we need transformations in vital agri-food, energy, and water systems. SNV contributes by strengthening capacities and catalyzing partnerships in these sectors. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises. Building on 60 years of experience we support our partners with our technical and process expertise and methodological rigor. We do this in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia with a team of approximately 1,600 colleagues. By being adaptable and tailoring our approaches to these different contexts, we can contribute to impact at scale, resulting in more equitable lives for all.

Overview of Context

SNV globally has a strategic priority to strengthen its monitoring, evaluation and learning functions across the technical sectors, country offices and programs, resulting in a stronger ability to not only report on evidence-based impact, but also to practice ongoing data-driven learning and adaptive management. The role is envisioned as primarily direct project support work on a few key projects, with some strategic work to Cambodia and Vietnam directly. There is also the potential to “light touch” engage other SNV Asian countries as well. It is a pilot role - the first time this role will exist in the Asia region - and thus the candidate will need to bring a clear vision and show adaptability to shape what is practical and effective.

At this time, the division of labor is envisioned as such:

• Currently, one key multi-country project will fund 50% of the role’s time, and will require the advisor to work directly on that project, performing key MEL functions. This is the Biodiversity Landscape Fund (BLF) Lower Mekong Landscape Project, in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, funded by UK DEFRA, where SNV is a consortium partner to Flora and Fauna International’s lead role of the project. This role will be directly responsible for the MEL work on SNV’s component, sustainable agriculture, and work with the Fund Manager, with MEL guidance provided by an Independent Evaluator Team (INDEV) and an independent Data Service Collection Provider (DCSP).
• Several other projects in Cambodia and Vietnam may also directly fund this role’s time, but more in an advisory and quality assurance capacity, backstopping existing team members.
• In time, the role is expected to serve in a country-level capacity development and knowledge sharing leadership role for both countries, leading a combination of training, regular light-touch “lunch and learns,” and facilitating a community of practice’s engagement with HO. There is potential for these efforts to engage other SNV Asia country staff as appropriate.
• As needed, the role will serve directly as proposal development support for MEL design elements, such as support in developing theories of change, logical frameworks, MEL planning, staffing and budget planning, as well as learning agendas.
• As needed, the role may serve as backstopping for MEL start-up of inception phases of new projects in the region.

The MEL Manager provides strategic leadership on MEL functions. The MEL Manager is a strategic advisor, which is a highly skilled position that focuses on the establishment and quality assurance of project and country level MEL systems, facilitation of project and country level M&E, learning and accountability frameworks, and capacity development of staff and program managers. They coach project MEL Advisors & staff with MEL responsibilities and provide recommendations and advice to the CMT, as needed.

This will be a national contract and selected candidate must be a citizen of, or have right to work in Vietnam or Cambodia.This position is contingent upon funding confirmation.

For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org

For the 50% MEL lead role on the SNV component of the BLF Project:

• Coordinate with partners to harmonise MEL and data gathering, storage and analytical approaches under a common consistent MEL framework. Provide inputs to framework adjustments where necessary (ToC, Logframe).
• Support DCSP in base-, mid-, and end-line gathering of impact indicators, ensuring consistency with measurement of output and outcome indicators. Provide feedback to draft DCSP reports and suggest improvements.
• Participate and co-facilitate MEL and learning workshops with INDEV.
• Train and guide country teams in solid MEL systems, as well as output and outcome measurement of the established indicators.
• Responsible for component 2 data storage, cleaning and analysis. Support on component 1. For SNV, LogAlto (our corporate data platform) is used in addition to the Digital platform of BLF.
• Promote and ensure consistent integration of GEDSI principles throughout all MEL approaches.
• Provide impact & result narratives as part of reviews which illustrate the ToC, drawing on collected and interpreted indicator data.
• Prepare monitoring reports for submission to Lead and INDEV, in coordination with country PMs.
• Support the team in the preparation of annual work plans/budget plans based on annual learning cycle and gathered data.
• Lead dissemination of review findings to multiple partners and stakeholders.
• Facilitate documentation and reporting of assessments, program data, lessons learnt and best practices for internal and external sharing.
• Support the project team dissemination of project communication outputs, (publications, social media, videos, policy briefs etc.)

For MEL technical support to country programs and staff responsibilities could include, as time permits:

• Provide MEL technical support to programs and develop MEL tools and guidance for program teams. This may include support to program design elements like theory of change, logical frameworks, indicator reference sheets and targets, overall monitoring, evaluation and learning plans, as well guidance on quantitative and qualitative methods, tools, operational research, participatory learning reviews, and assessments, studies and evaluations that are grounded on program experience and best practices
• Contribute directly to new concept, proposal, and program development and design with relevant program technical teams, Finance, HR, and Operations, including but not limited to assessments, results and logical frameworks, and inputs to proposals and other design documents.
• Support the planning of MEL activities including the baseline, midterm and final evaluations, and developing standards for data collection. Provide advice on a range of options and methodologies, including low-cost and low level-of-effort evaluation approaches, when needed.
• Provide support with drafting learning/research agendas for programs, and facilitating the management of learning agendas throughout the life of the project.
• In coordination with the Head Office MEL team, support the capacity building of program staff on design and MEL concepts through trainings and new hire orientation, including designing and delivering formal training.
• Together with Head Office MEL team, proactively build and lead a strong M&E community of practice among the Cambodia and Vietnam country program portfolios, and foster opportunities for learning, cross-pollination, and collaboration. Potentially include other SNV Asia countries in the CoP as interested.
• Serve as technical advisor for technology for data management systems and real-time data flow, utilizing appropriate software platforms for cloud aggregation, data processing and manipulation, and data visualization and utilization. This includes learning and testing new software platforms, as well as working with tech partners, to develop both project and country level information management systems.
• Keep up to date on trends and innovations in program management, M&E, mobile data, and other external resources relevant to SNV’s work and disseminate them across SNV Asia team and other regions where relevant.
• Contribute to the development of a culture of MEAL prioritisation with a focus on quality by leading by example and supporting Sector Leaders in critical reflection, recognition of failures/weaknesses, accountability, and continuous learning, including organising regular Pause & Reflect sessions.
• Other duties as necessary.

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Development, Sociology, Economic or related field
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in development sector (NGOs, CSO), with at least 5 years of full-time experience with M&E tasks, preferably related to inclusive agriculture value chain development projects, or related sectors
• Strong background in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) including quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of M&E systems (result chains, logical frameworks, indicators, tools of verification etc.), impacts assessment, results-based orientation and approaches.
• Experience in leading and managing MEL technology, such as digital data collection tools, indicator databases, and dashboards.
• Experience in contributing to or facilitating project learning.
• Demonstrated capacity with data analysis and production of concise reports.
• Experience in guiding or advising staff and partners on MEL approaches and practices is desirable.
• Good understanding of business and private sector.
• Very good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage a range of task requests, prioritize, and subsequently decline and defer where necessary, while communicating carefully to key stakeholders.
• Very good written and spoken English. Knowledge of other SE Asian languages preferred.
• Highly motivated self-starter with strong technical and organizational skills who takes individual accountability seriously.
• Willingness to travel for work.

Interested applicants are requested to submit the CV, and Cover Letter via the SmartRecruiter through provided link. The application should be submitted by Friday, 23 May 2025.