This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days per month in the office. You will be based in our office in Nairobi. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position.

About the Program:

The WRI Africa Food Program aims to support the transformation of food systems in Africa to address food and nutritional insecurity for a rapidly growing population, while achieving institution’s goals for people, nature, and climate. The program prioritizes three key areas: (i) promoting sustainable, nature-positive agriculture practices, including agroecology and regenerative farming to improve soil health and yields for smallholder farmers; (ii) reducing food loss and waste, and (iii) shifting diets toward diverse, nutrient-dense foods to address malnutrition and health issues especially women and children. The program embraces circularity for food to address the interconnected goals of improving human well-being, protecting nature, and combating climate change.

Job Highlight:

Reporting to Director of the Food Program at WRI Africa, with a dotted line to the PMEL Manager for Africa, you will lead in the development of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system design for the Food Program and design cost-effective strategies for measurement of progress and impact of program interventions. You will be adept at managing multiple opportunities with the ability to negotiate and develop complex strategic partnerships to advance the program’s work. You will take lead in assessment of project impacts in the food program and oversee growth of the MEL component of the Food Program. You will integrate equity into your work.

What you will do:

Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Impact (60%):

• Oversee food program monitoring, evaluation, learning, work planning and reporting roles and responsibilities
• Design, review and update the food program MEL System, MEL plan and frameworks in line with Program TOCs, donor requirements and needs of the various projects and track the implementation and pause and reflect moments of the of the food program theories of change
• Lead and coordinate the process of annual work planning, budgeting and reporting for the food program including data compilation and collection, analysis and annual reporting of the progress of the food program and support teams in the process of work planning and budgeting
• Program monitoring: Organise field-based monitoring and spot checks for the food program, participate in in the design and implementation of the monitoring data collection tools, report writing, reporting and dissemination
• Supervise the submission of quality, comprehensive and timely quarterly progress reports for the food program
• Coordinate and participate in the annual Data Quality Assurance, training and reporting for Outcome and output indicators that contribute to the institutional score card for the food program and Identify data and knowledge gaps impeding effective deployment of food systems
• Support the process of Pause and reflect moments in defining, redefining and reviewing food program performance outcomes and outputs indicators and updated in the DevResult, and support the process of data analysis of quantitative data as well as qualitative data on all program inputs, outputs and outcomes
• Conduct MEL training and capacity building for the food program and offer leadership and technical support to project staff in the implementation of their monitoring responsibilities to ensure correct and timely collection of monitoring data
• Conduct and participate in research that advances knowledge and learning on the priority areas for Food for WRI Africa, including regular writing, review and publishing of journal articles, peer reviewed reports, issue briefs, opinion pieces and strategic communication outputs
• Track the process to ensure the food program in WRI Africa is achieving the outcomes set in the strategy in priority countries and landscapes by setting clear goals and robust execution plans
• Support in the leadership and oversight in the day-to-management of program with respect n resource, finance, programming and risk management
• Lead efforts in reviewing existing evaluation approach and to promote more rigorous and impact-oriented evaluation design

Fundraising and Engagement (20%):

• Lead in the development of MEL frameworks for all donor proposals under the food program Support
• Support the food program in building relationships with a diverse network of relevant public and private sector actors to maintain a strong network of research and academic, development and public institutions that will advance food systems transformation
• Review proposals developed by the Food Program to integrate relevant MEL frameworks

Institutional support MfR /PMEL (20%):

• Actively participate in the MfR/PMEL community of Practice, providing technical input in the policy and institutional demands
• Participate and contribute to the development, review and update of the institutional Results framework and theories of change
• Actively support and engage in the host country’s PMEL activities
• Design Terms of Reference, procure and manage consultants in the food program as needed
• Lead and nurture a growing team of researchers in food program focus areas.

What you will need:

• Education: You have a completed master’s degree in Economics, Project Management, M& E or related fields
• Experience: You have 7+ years full-time relevant work experience
• Experience designing and managing complex, multi-partner projects in an NGO setting, with experience creating and communicating theories of change, results frameworks, and other components of a MEL for project donors, partners, and stakeholders
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise on issues related to project design, monitoring, evaluation and learning
• Experience in proposal writing in a development setting
• Demonstrable qualitative and quantitative analytical skills and knowledge on socio-economic modelling
• Publication record in peer-reviewed outlets
• Experience working in a team to address complex situations involving numerous and sometimes competing organizational constituencies
• Experience in project management
• Ability to travel internationally
• Experience working in an international team
• Languages: Verbal and written proficiency in English. Knowledge of French is preferable
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization.

Potential Salary:

Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume with a  cover letter by 2 September 2025. We may close for applications sooner if we receive a high volume of qualified applications.

You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• A competitive salary
• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities.
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure

About Us:

World Resources Institute works to improve people’s lives, protect and restore nature and stabilize the climate. As an independent research organization, we leverage our data, expertise and global reach to influence policy and catalyse change across systems like food, land and water; energy; and cities. Our 2,000+ staff work on the ground in more than a dozen focus countries and with partners in over 50 nations.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Independence, Integrity, Impact, Partnership and Care.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission including equal opportunities in employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, caste, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

Our People team carefully reviews all applications

Share

Stay Connected

#s("I18N_POWERED_BY_JOBVITE")