The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer is an officer-level position within Equity Group Foundation (EGF). The position holder will support the implementation of MERL activities across EGF programs, working closely with Enterprise Development and Financial Inclusion pillar Program Managers and regional teams, under the supervision of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Manager.

The MERL Officer will support routine monitoring, data management, analysis, reporting, research, learning, and evidence-generation activities. The position will contribute to maintaining high-quality program data and generating timely information to support program implementation, decision-making, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

• Support the management, maintenance, cleaning, validation, and quality assurance of program databases, including identifying and addressing errors, inconsistencies, duplicates, missing information, and other data quality issues.
• Provide basic support and guidance to program and regional teams on the use of MERL databases, data collection systems, reporting tools, and related data processes, and escalate technical issues where necessary.
• Generate routine reports and data visualizations from program datasets, including tables, charts, dashboards, and other reporting outputs.
• Prepare and submit accurate and timely weekly reports for regional teams, highlighting program implementation progress, key outputs, emerging issues, and data quality concerns.
• Support the development, testing, and refinement of quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments, including questionnaires, interview guides, monitoring tools, and other MERL instruments.
• Support data collection, monitoring, data quality assessments, evaluations, beneficiary engagements, and other MERL field activities in accordance with approved methodologies, tools, protocols, and procedures.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis using appropriate analytical software, under guidance where required, and support the interpretation of findings.
• Support the preparation of data analysis, methodology, findings, and other relevant sections of MERL reports and knowledge products.
• Conduct desk reviews and synthesize relevant primary and secondary information to inform program monitoring, research, evaluation, and learning activities.
• Support the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned, good practices, and evidence generated through program implementation and MERL activities.
• Participate in regional and program meetings, workshops, learning events, and other forums relevant to MERL activities.
• Provide MERL support to program teams and other departments in response to routine and ad hoc requests.

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Statistics, Economics, International Development, or a related field.
• Relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation, research, data analysis, data management, program reporting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and familiarity with at least one statistical or data analysis software package, such as SPSS, Stata, R, Power BI, or a similar tool.
• Basic knowledge of quantitative data analysis and interpretation.
• Familiarity with qualitative data collection and analysis approaches will be an added advantage.
• Ability to collect, organize, clean, analyze, and present data accurately.
• Experience conducting basic background research, desk reviews, and synthesis of primary and secondary information.

Desired Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Basic understanding of monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning concepts and processes.
• Familiarity with data visualization and presentation of findings.
• Ability to conduct document reviews and organize information to identify key themes, patterns, and findings.
• Good report writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a fast-paced program environment.
• Commitment to professional integrity, confidentiality, responsible data handling, and ethical MERL practices.
• Willingness to learn, receive feedback, and continuously develop technical and professional skills.

• Support the management, maintenance, cleaning, validation, and quality assurance of program databases, including identifying and addressing errors, inconsistencies, duplicates, missing information, and other data quality issues.
• Provide basic support and guidance to program and regional teams on the use of MERL databases, data collection systems, reporting tools, and related data processes, and escalate technical issues where necessary.
• Generate routine reports and data visualizations from program datasets, including tables, charts, dashboards, and other reporting outputs.
• Prepare and submit accurate and timely weekly reports for regional teams, highlighting program implementation progress, key outputs, emerging issues, and data quality concerns.
• Support the development, testing, and refinement of quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments, including questionnaires, interview guides, monitoring tools, and other MERL instruments.
• Support data collection, monitoring, data quality assessments, evaluations, beneficiary engagements, and other MERL field activities in accordance with approved methodologies, tools, protocols, and procedures.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis using appropriate analytical software, under guidance where required, and support the interpretation of findings.
• Support the preparation of data analysis, methodology, findings, and other relevant sections of MERL reports and knowledge products.
• Conduct desk reviews and synthesize relevant primary and secondary information to inform program monitoring, research, evaluation, and learning activities.
• Support the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned, good practices, and evidence generated through program implementation and MERL activities.
• Participate in regional and program meetings, workshops, learning events, and other forums relevant to MERL activities.
• Provide MERL support to program teams and other departments in response to routine and ad hoc requests.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Familiarity with at least one statistical or data analysis software package, such as SPSS, Stata, R, Power BI, or a similar tool
• Basic knowledge of quantitative data analysis and interpretation
• Familiarity with qualitative data collection and analysis approaches
• Ability to collect, organize, clean, analyze, and present data accurately
• Experience conducting basic background research, desk reviews, and synthesis of primary and secondary information
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively within a team
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Basic understanding of monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning concepts and processes
• Familiarity with data visualization and presentation of findings
• Ability to conduct document reviews and organize information to identify key themes, patterns, and findings
• Good report writing and presentation skills
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a fast-paced program environment
• Commitment to professional integrity, confidentiality, responsible data handling, and ethical MERL practices
• Willingness to learn, receive feedback, and continuously develop technical and professional skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Statistics, Economics, International Development, or a related field.
• Relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation, research, data analysis, data management, program reporting.