MEL Lead – Fixed-Term (Zambia)

About the role

One Acre Fund is looking for an experienced Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) professional to lead field data collection, analysis, and quality assurance for its climate‑smart agriculture and agroforestry programmes in Zambia. Based in Kabwe, you will manage a 13‑person field implementation team and serve as the primary liaison with the Global MEL team.

Key responsibilities

• Design statistically sound survey instruments and methodologies tailored to rural agricultural interventions.
• Establish and maintain data management workflows, cleaning protocols, and automated quality‑assurance checks.
• Conduct rigorous statistical analyses (regression, multi‑level modelling, difference‑in‑differences) using R, Python or equivalent tools.
• Translate analytical findings into actionable recommendations for program and leadership teams.
• Coordinate the full survey lifecycle—from questionnaire scripting to field deployment across Central and Southern Provinces.
• Lead, coach, and supervise the 13‑person field implementation team.

Required profile

• Minimum 4 years of professional experience in MEL, preferably in agricultural or climate‑smart programmes.
• Proven experience managing field teams and overseeing large‑scale survey operations.
• Strong quantitative background with ability to apply both parametric and non‑parametric methods.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Required skills

• R
• Python
• Statistical analysis and modelling
• Survey design and data cleaning
• Data quality assurance processes