We’re Hiring a Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Manager!

We are seeking an experienced, values-driven, and reporting-adept MEL Manager to provide strategic leadership of the organisation’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning function, strengthening accountability, evidence-based decision-making, and sustainable programme impact as Siyazisiza Trust continues to grow and evolve.

Application closing deadline: Monday 22nd June 2026

To be based at Siyazisiza’s Zululand Agri Support Centre, Ogagwini (near Mtunzini), KZN

WHY SIYAZISIZA TRUST?

Siyazisiza Trust is a South African non-profit organisation committed to strengthening rural livelihoods, improving food security, and enabling inclusive economic participation for smallholder farmers. Through integrated farmer support programmes, Siyazisiza Trust provides agricultural extension services, capacity building, infrastructure support, and market access initiatives across multiple provinces.

Our work is rooted in partnerships with farming communities, traditional leadership structures, cooperatives, government stakeholders, and private-sector actors. We operate in diverse rural contexts where trust, accountability, cultural sensitivity, and practical problem-solving are essential. Siyazisiza Trust offers a purpose-driven environment for field‑based professionals who want to contribute meaningfully to sustainable agricultural development, resilient local food systems and meaningful community impact.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager provides strategic leadership for Siyazisiza’s organisational MEL system. The role is responsible for designing, strengthening and institutionalising robust monitoring frameworks across all programmes, ensuring data integrity, donor-compliant reporting, evidence-based decision-making, and embedding an organisational culture of reflective learning and accountability.

The MEL Manager works closely with programme, finance, fundraising. training and field teams to ensure that performance data is credible, reports are analytically sound and professionally written, and that findings meaningfully inform adaptive programme improvement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Organisational MEL Leadership – The MEL Manager develops and leads the implementation and refinement of Siyazisiza’s organisational MEL strategies and frameworks that align with the organisational strategy, programme objectives and donor requirements. They design and maintain programmatic theories of change, logical frameworks, and performance indicators to ensure effective measurement of outputs, outcomes, and impact.

Programme Performance Monitoring – The MEL Manager tracks progress against outputs, outcomes and key indicators; analyses trends, identifies risks and flags implementation gaps; and provides structured performance feedback to programme teams.

Data Management & Quality Assurance – The MEL Manager oversees the implementation of data collection systems and ensures rigorous data quality assurance processes. They maintain secure, well-structured digital data systems and tools, and ensure that all documentation is accurate, complete, effectively stored, and audit ready.

Reporting & Evaluation – The MEL Manager leads the preparation of high-quality donor and internal reports, ensuring that programme performance is clearly linked to agreed indicators and outcomes (including developing clear, well-written narratives that accurately integrate quantitative data, qualitative insights, and contextual analysis). The role holds primary responsibility for drafting and finalising donor and internal performance reports, coordinating structured internal inputs, review and sign-off prior to submission. They also manage and oversee programme evaluations, translating findings into practical recommendations that support programme improvement and strategic decision-making.

Applied Research & Learning Integration – The MEL Manager designs and oversees structured research components within designated programmes, ensuring that pilot initiatives and innovation-focused projects generate credible, documented learning beyond routine monitoring. The role develops appropriate research frameworks, methodologies, and documentation processes to capture strategic insights, test assumptions, and analyse systemic outcomes. Findings are synthesised into practical learning briefs and strategic recommendations that inform programme refinement and contribute to broader knowledge on local food systems and agroecological enterprise development.

Organisational Learning & Knowledge Management – The MEL Manager facilitates organisational learning by leading quarterly reflection sessions, documenting lessons learned and best practices, and strengthening staff capacity in MEL tools and approaches. They promote a culture of evidence-based decision-making and continuous improvement.

Compliance, Accountability & Donor Requirements – The MEL Manager ensures adherence to donor agreements, ethical standards, and organisational policies. They oversee the implementation of beneficiary accountability and feedback mechanisms, effective and respectful handling of beneficiary data, and support periodic audits and external evaluations by maintaining comprehensive and accessible records.

MEL Systems Strengthening & Capacity Development – The MEL Manager serves as the organisational focal point for the current external MEL systems strengthening consultancy, working closely with the consultant to implement, refine, and institutionalise new frameworks, tools, and processes. The role ensures that systems developed through the consultancy are effectively embedded across all programmes and sustained beyond the consultancy period. While not holding direct line-management responsibility over programme or field staff, the MEL Manager is responsible for guiding, monitoring, and supporting staff in the implementation of MEL requirements, strengthening their capacity in data collection, documentation, and performance tracking to ensure consistency, quality, and accountability across the organisation, enabling a high-performing and collaborative MEL function.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The successful candidate will bring a strong combination of technical MEL expertise, analytical capability, and sector knowledge appropriate to strengthening monitoring, evaluation, research, and reporting systems within a mission-driven organisation.

1) Qualifications

• Honours degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Development Studies, Statistics, Social Sciences, Public Policy, or related field.
• Formal training or certification in Results-Based Management (RBM), Programme Evaluation, or related MEL methodology.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and statistical/data analysis software (e.g., SPSS, STATA, R)
• Professional certification in Monitoring & Evaluation or Evaluation Practice.
• Training in digital data collection systems, GIS, or advanced analytics.
• Certification in ethical research practices, data protection, or safeguarding

2) Experience

• 6–8 years’ progressive experience in Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning within NGOs, development programmes, or public sector projects.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a management or supervisory role.
• Proven track record in designing and implementing results-based MEL frameworks, indicators, and log frames.
• Demonstrated experience drafting high-quality donor reports, including strong analytical narrative writing that integrates quantitative and qualitative data.
• Experience managing donor compliance, and audit processes.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting or overseeing evaluations, and translating findings into programme improvements.
• Experience building MEL capacity across multidisciplinary teams, including guiding and supporting staff who do not report directly to the MEL function.
• Experience designing or overseeing applied research, pilot initiatives, or innovation-focused learning processes within development or programme contexts.

3) Operational Requirements

• Ability to work across multiple programmes, manage complex reporting cycles and competing deadlines, and prioritise analytical tasks effectively.
• Excellent analytical writing and synthesis skills, with the ability to produce clear, professional, donor-ready reports under deadline.
• Ability to design and implement practical research methodologies appropriate to rural development and smallholder agriculture contexts.
• Strong digital literacy, including the use of MEL software, data management systems, dashboards, and data visualisation tools.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment, and to navigate performance tensions constructively and professionally in a dynamic NPO context.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to project sites for data verification, research oversight, and stakeholder engagement.
• Commitment to ethical research practice, data confidentiality, and safeguarding of beneficiaries.
• Valid Code 10 driver’s licence, and minimum of three years driving experience
• Language proficiency:
  • English (required)
  • isiZulu (preferred)
  • isiXhosa, siSwati and/or Tsonga (advantageous)

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

The ideal candidate is a strategic and results-driven MEL professional with a strong background in designing, implementing, and managing Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning systems in NGO or development contexts. They possess extensive experience in results-based management, donor compliance, and data-driven decision-making, and have a proven track record of translating complex quantitative and qualitative data into clear, well-written reports and actionable programme insights.

They are comfortable operating at both strategic and operational levels, able to lead organisational MEL strategy while ensuring high-quality data collection, verification, and reporting. They are confident in managing teams, building internal capacity, and fostering a culture of organisational learning and accountability.

The ideal candidate demonstrates a strong research mindset, able to structure learning from pilot initiatives and innovation-focused programmes beyond routine monitoring. They are confident guiding colleagues in MEL practice, strengthening organisational capability even where they do not hold direct line-management authority.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates are invited to submit to careers@siyazisiza.org.za:

• A letter of motivation (no more than 1 page)
• A concise CV (no more than 2 pages)
• Two reference letters
• Copies of your qualifications
• Copy of your South African ID or for non-South Africans, copy of your country ID/passport and copy of your South African work permit

On your email, the email subject line should be “Application for MEL Manager position”

Application deadline is Monday 22nd June 2026.

If you do not receive feedback within 30 days of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.

All personal information submitted will be processed in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and used solely for recruitment purposes. Siyazisiza Trust reserves the right to verify qualifications, employment history, and references as part of the selection process.

Siyazisiza Trust is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds.