ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Light for the World is a global development organization sparking lasting change for disability rights and eye health in sub-Saharan Africa. Our vision is a world where people with disabilities, and people with avoidable eye conditions, fully exercise their rights to health, education, work, and protection in emergencies. They are the drivers of change. Our history of improving health systems, enabling education for all, and amplifying the voices of people with disabilities – spans three decades. Over the last three decades we improved health systems, enabled education for all, and amplified the voices of people with disabilities.

Our program in Ethiopia include:

• Eye Health – preventing blindness and promoting eye health for all.
• Inclusive Education – ensuring children with disabilities receive quality, inclusive education.
• Inclusive Economic Empowerment – ensuring that barriers are removed for men and women with disabilities to access decent work.

We focus on the poorest and hardest to reach because that’s where we will have the biggest impact.

In Ethiopia, our country strategy for the year 2030 focuses on Eye Health, Inclusive Economic Empowerment, Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), Inclusive Education and Humanitarian Action. Advocacy and disability inclusion are cross cutting theme.  Currently, Light for the World Ethiopia is supporting projects in Addis Ababa City Administration, Amhara, Tigray, Oromia, Sidama, Benishangul and SNNP regions. We are in the process of expanding our team in Ethiopia and looking for a committed person to fill the role below and be part of this growth.

Role Position: Monitoring & Evaluation Officer

Reports To: MERLA Manager

Duty Station: Addis Ababa

Terms on Employment: Full-time, one-year contract with possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding

Job Purpose

The MERLA Officer is responsible for leading and coordinating all Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, Learning, and Accountability (MERLA) functions of the ADA-funded Livelihoods for Resilience (L4R) project under International Partnerships Austria (IPA). The role includes ensuring robust data systems, delivering high-quality evidence generation, and supporting adaptive learning and program improvement. The Officer will provide technical leadership in the design and implementation of key assessments and evaluations and ensure strong coordination with consortium members (CARE Ethiopia and Austrian Red Cross).

KEY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 MERLA Systems Development and Coordination

• Develop and maintain an integrated MERLA framework in line with ADA, LFTW, and consortium partner requirements.
• Harmonize indicators, data collection protocols, and tools across partners for consistent project performance tracking.
• Lead the development and updating of digital MERLA tools to support real-time monitoring and evidence generation.

Collaboration with Consortium Members

• Serve as the lead MERLA focal point, ensuring strong coordination with CM MERLA officers from CARE Ethiopia and AutRC.
• Coordinate MERLA planning, learning agendas, and shared accountability mechanisms across consortium members.
• Consolidate and validate CM MERLA data inputs for reporting and learning purposes.
• Facilitate joint quarterly and annual MERLA reflection and planning sessions.

Technical Leadership in Study Design, Assessments, and Evaluations

• Lead the end-to-end design and technical oversight of all LFTW-led studies and evaluations including baseline, midterm review, and final evaluation:
• Develop study protocols, sampling frameworks, methodologies, and data collection tools.
• Define appropriate evaluation designs (e.g., mixed methods, contribution analysis, outcome harvesting) in consultation with the MERLA Manager and Program Manager.
• Lead procurement and technical supervision of external consultants or firms engaged for evaluations.
• Ensure tools and methodologies are inclusive and disability/gender/age disaggregated where appropriate.
• Oversee data collection quality assurance and fieldwork coordination for each study or assessment.
• Lead the drafting, review, and finalization of assessment reports, ensuring clarity, rigor, and alignment with donor expectations.
• Translate findings into programmatic recommendations, lessons learned, and advocacy insights for internal and external use.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Implement and manage routine monitoring systems for LFTW components of the L4R project.
• Regularly track progress against project indicators and provide early warning to the program team on underperformance or data gaps.
• Conduct periodic data quality assessments (DQAs), site visits, and coaching to implementing teams.
• Integrate disability and inclusion indicators within routine data flows.
• Ensure that monitoring data feeds into adaptive management processes.

 Data Management and Analysis

• Design and manage centralized and secure data management systems and dashboards for the project.
• Clean, analyze, and visualize data using Excel, Power BI, or statistical software for internal learning and donor reporting.
• Provide technical support to CM MERLA teams in data analysis and synthesis of joint results.

Reporting and Donor Compliance

• Prepare and submit high-quality, accurate, and timely quarterly, semi-annual, and annual donor reports.
• Ensure alignment with ADA donor reporting formats and indicator tracking sheets (ITS).
• Support narrative reporting by contributing quantitative and qualitative results, success stories, and evidence of impact.

Research, Learning, and Knowledge Management

• Develop and lead the project’s learning agenda and coordinate its implementation with CMs.
• Facilitate cross-consortium learning workshops, pause-and-reflect sessions, and after-action reviews.
• Identify, document, and disseminate best practices, case studies, and success stories to internal and external audiences.
• Maintain an organized and up-to-date knowledge repository for the project.

Accountability and Safeguarding

• Establish and strengthen inclusive and responsive Complaints and Feedback Mechanisms (CFMs).
• Track and report accountability-related indicators and ensure participant feedback informs program changes.
• Monitor and document safeguarding concerns, risks, and mitigation efforts in collaboration with LFTW’s Safeguarding Focal Points.

Safeguarding and Code of Conduct

Light for the World is committed to safeguarding and inclusion. The MERLA Officer must actively promote and model safe, inclusive, and dignified programming practices and adhere to the organization’s safeguarding, anti-harassment, and protection from exploitation and abuse policies.

Qualifications and Experience

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Statistics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or related fields. Minimum 4 years in MERLA positions within complex, multi-stakeholder or consortium-led projects.

• Proven technical experience in designing, managing, and reporting large-scale assessments and evaluations (baseline, midterm, endline).
• Experience working with institutional donors such as ADA, EU, GIZ, or SDC is highly desirable.
• Background in inclusion, gender-sensitive, or disability-focused programming is an asset.
• Proficiency with M&E software tools (KoboToolbox, ODK, Power BI, Excel).
• Strong analytical and reporting skills using SPSS, STATA, or other statistical packages.
• Solid understanding of theories of change, log frame approaches, and results-based management (RBM).
• Demonstrated experience leading or managing external consultants during evaluations.
• Strong interpersonal and coordination skills to work across teams and partners.
• Excellent writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines with high attention to detail and quality
• Commitment to inclusive programming and social justice
• Interest to abide by Light for the world’s values- Together, with Respect, Accountability, Inclusion & Learning

How To Apply

Please send a non-returnable CV and a cover letter mentioning how your experiences match with the job advertisement until October, 10 2025. Please mention your salary expectation for the role in your application letter and include 3 professional references into your CV. Applications should be sent to www.ethojobs.com

Note: We only accept applications from qualified persons via ethiojobs. Persons with Disabilities and Female applicants fulfilling the requirement are highly encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.