Role Purpose Statement

This role requires strong evaluation design, research, and analytical skills to generate high-quality evidence and improve decision-making across Busara’s behavioral science projects. It is well-suited for someone who is highly comfortable working with data, enjoys designing and implementing evaluations, and can translate complex findings into clear, visual, and actionable insights.

The Specialist will support and lead evaluation design, conduct rigorous analysis, and develop practical Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) tools and processes to strengthen internal systems. The role also involves working closely with project teams to ensure evidence is effectively connected to strategy, implementation, and adaptive management across our portfolio.

The ideal candidate is a strong analytical thinker and clear communicator, with technical confidence in MEL practice. They will be able to design and lead learning reviews, conduct MEL assessments and trainings, synthesize evidence across multiple countries, and support teams in using data and insights to drive continuous learning and improvement.

Key Accountabilities/Responsibilities

The MEL Specialist will work closely with Busara Project Leads and the research team to perform a variety of tasks, including, but not limited to:

Evaluation Design, Research & Evidence Architecture

• Design evaluations and reviews, including sampling plans, analytical frameworks, and fit-for-purpose methodologies.
• Lead the design and strengthening of Theories of Change, learning frameworks, and measurement strategies.
• Design and apply appropriate evaluation designs, such as mixed-methods, theory-based, quasi-experimental, or contribution analysis.
• Lead or support data collection, including designing qualitative and quantitative tools and protocols.
• Conduct rigorous analysis of primary and secondary datasets to generate actionable insights.
• Ensure all evaluations meet quality, ethical, and learning standards, and are tailored to decision-making needs.

Data Analytics & Data Visualization

• Conduct quantitative analyses using multiple data sources (descriptive statistics, trends, segmentation, simple modeling).
• Develop clear, engaging visualizations (charts, dashboards, summary visuals) that help teams understand patterns quickly.
• Create simple dashboards using tools like Google Sheets, Excel, Data Studio, or similar.
• Present findings visually in ways that support rapid learning and decision-making.

MEL Systems, Tools & Data Quality

• Develop MEL plans, indicator definitions, and practical measurement frameworks.
• Create user-friendly tools such as surveys, interview guides, templates, and checklists.
• Strengthen internal data management systems, including data flows, documentation practices, and verification steps.
• Lead the design of data quality assessments (DQAs) and recommend improvements.

Learning, Synthesis & Reporting

• Produce clear, well-structured evaluation reports, evidence summaries, and learning briefs.
• Support learning sessions, reflection workshops, and sense-making meetings.
• Write case studies, short briefs, and presentations tailored to internal and external audiences.

Internal MEL Capacity Building

• Strengthen MEL capability across Busara by guiding associates and analysts.
• Build and maintain tools, templates, and internal guidance notes.
• Support MEL-related business development by contributing to scopes of work and proposals.

We encourage you to apply and join us on our journey in advancing behavioral science in the Global South!

Data Privacy Statement

As part of Busara’s recruitment process, personal information provided by an applicant through various means will be collected and stored. This includes but is not limited to the information which the candidate provides to Busara in their application and profile, any data from role assessments, interviews information including video interviews and data provided to us by your referees. This data will be used to evaluate the application, communicate with the candidate, and where a candidate has selected this option, for future recruitment opportunities. All this information will be treated as part of each job application record and only retained for the required record retention period.

By choosing to apply for this position at Busara, you are giving Busara your consent to process your personal data as described above. We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is secure.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

• Design evaluations and reviews, including sampling plans, analytical frameworks, and fit-for-purpose methodologies.
• Lead the design and strengthening of Theories of Change, learning frameworks, and measurement strategies.
• Design and apply appropriate evaluation designs, such as mixed-methods, theory-based, quasi-experimental, or contribution analysis.
• Lead or support data collection, including designing qualitative and quantitative tools and protocols.
• Conduct rigorous analysis of primary and secondary datasets to generate actionable insights.
• Ensure all evaluations meet quality, ethical, and learning standards, and are tailored to decision-making needs.
• Conduct quantitative analyses using multiple data sources (descriptive statistics, trends, segmentation, simple modeling).
• Develop clear, engaging visualizations (charts, dashboards, summary visuals) that help teams understand patterns quickly.
• Create simple dashboards using tools like Google Sheets, Excel, Data Studio, or similar.
• Present findings visually in ways that support rapid learning and decision-making.
• Develop MEL plans, indicator definitions, and practical measurement frameworks.
• Create user-friendly tools such as surveys, interview guides, templates, and checklists.
• Strengthen internal data management systems, including data flows, documentation practices, and verification steps.
• Lead the design of data quality assessments (DQAs) and recommend improvements.
• Produce clear, well-structured evaluation reports, evidence summaries, and learning briefs.
• Support learning sessions, reflection workshops, and sense-making meetings.
• Write case studies, short briefs, and presentations tailored to internal and external audiences.
• Strengthen MEL capability across Busara by guiding associates and analysts.
• Build and maintain tools, templates, and internal guidance notes.
• Support MEL-related business development by contributing to scopes of work and proposals.

• Strong evaluation design skills
• Research skills
• Analytical skills
• Comfort working with data
• Ability to design and implement evaluations
• Ability to translate complex findings into clear, visual, and actionable insights
• Strong analytical thinker
• Clear communicator
• Technical confidence in MEL practice
• Ability to design and lead learning reviews
• Ability to conduct MEL assessments and trainings
• Ability to synthesize evidence across multiple countries
• Ability to support teams in using data and insights to drive continuous learning and improvement
• Quantitative analysis skills
• Data visualization skills
• Proficiency in tools like Google Sheets, Excel, Data Studio, or similar
• Ability to develop MEL plans, indicator definitions, and practical measurement frameworks
• Ability to create user-friendly tools such as surveys, interview guides, templates, and checklists
• Ability to strengthen internal data management systems
• Ability to lead the design of data quality assessments (DQAs)
• Ability to produce clear, well-structured evaluation reports, evidence summaries, and learning briefs
• Ability to support learning sessions, reflection workshops, and sense-making meetings
• Ability to write case studies, short briefs, and presentations
• Ability to guide associates and analysts
• Ability to build and maintain tools, templates, and internal guidance notes
• Ability to support MEL-related business development

• Strong evaluation design, research, and analytical skills
• High comfort working with data
• Experience designing and implementing evaluations
• Ability to translate complex findings into clear, visual, and actionable insights
• Strong analytical thinker
• Clear communicator
• Technical confidence in MEL practice
• Experience designing and leading learning reviews
• Experience conducting MEL assessments and trainings
• Experience synthesizing evidence across multiple countries
• Experience supporting teams in using data and insights to drive continuous learning and improvement
• Proficiency in quantitative analysis using multiple data sources
• Experience developing clear, engaging visualizations
• Experience creating simple dashboards using tools like Google Sheets, Excel, Data Studio, or similar
• Experience developing MEL plans, indicator definitions, and practical measurement frameworks
• Experience creating user-friendly tools such as surveys, interview guides, templates, and checklists
• Experience strengthening internal data management systems
• Experience leading the design of data quality assessments (DQAs)
• Experience producing clear, well-structured evaluation reports, evidence summaries, and learning briefs
• Experience supporting learning sessions, reflection workshops, and sense-making meetings
• Experience writing case studies, short briefs, and presentations
• Experience guiding associates and analysts
• Experience building and maintaining tools, templates, and internal guidance notes
• Experience supporting MEL-related business development