Regional MEL Officer, Asia

Our client is seeking a Regional MEL Officer to lead a newly created function serving the Asia region. In this "system-builder" role, you will develop and implement regional MEL frameworks from the ground up to enhance data integrity, partner engagement, and regional accountability. You will bridge the gap between grassroots community results and global reporting standards by strengthening regional monitoring processes, verifying data accuracy, and providing tailored technical support to local partners. As the primary regional lead for MEL, you will collaborate closely with Regional Coordinators, Program Officers, and the global team to lead data-driven processes that ensure the quality, usability, and strategic alignment of project results across diverse Asian contexts.

Reporting to: MEL Manager, Programme Unit

Role Nature: 1-year Consultant Contract (Renewable upon performance)

Travel: Regular travel within the region

Key Responsibilities:

• Primarily responsible for collecting, reviewing, verifying and validating regional data and results reported by partners - both quantitative indicators (communities, hectares) and qualitative results (outcomes and changes) - ensuring that these are entered into the ROOTS system, following the required structure, language, and are consistent with the reports from partners and with supporting evidence. The Officer identifies and addresses data inconsistencies, missing information, and potential duplication across reported communities or territories.
• Data analysis by aggregating regional data related to territorial recognition, governance enhancement, effective management, policy influence, and institutional capacity, while also monitoring cross-cutting themes such as gender equality, biodiversity, and environmental outcomes to identify trends, lessons learned, and emerging results for institutional reporting and learning.
• Spatial Data Coordination in collaboration with the GIS Officer. This includes the identification of territories and communities linked to specific results, clarifying discrepancies between spatial and narrative data, as well as validating spatial data submitted by partners and ensuring alignment between evidence, spatial datasets, and reported results. They will facilitate communication with partner technical teams for data validation, for the purpose of corrections and updates.
• Conducting assessments of partners' MEL capacity and providing technical assistance on their MEL needs within the regions. This may take the form of guidance tools and materials, facilitation of regional training and other forms as determined by the MEL Manager and Chief Program Officer.
• Supporting partner engagement and capacity by guiding partners on reporting requirements, data quality standards, and the use of templates and tools. Additionally, the officer will assist partners in improving data collection practices and strengthening evidence by linking results to documentation and spatial data. When necessary, the MEL Regional Officer will facilitate technical discussions with partner teams.
• Contributing to donor reports and ensuring that regional data used is consolidated, accurate and validated, consistent with and aligned with ROOTS systems and the Spatial data sets.
• The Regional Officer contributes to the production of internal knowledge products, project evaluations and other research activities as necessary.
• The Regional Officer collaborates with the global MEL team in the conduct of internal learning.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Natural Resource Management, Development Studies, Geography, Environmental Governance, Monitoring & Evaluation, Social Sciences, Law, or related field
• 5-10 years in MEL, project monitoring, or data management (negotiable)
• Experience working with multi-country or regional programs
• Experience working with Indigenous People or land/tenure issues is an added advantage
• Candidates need Asia field experience (not just HQ roles in Asia)

Skills:

• Strong data analysis and validation skills
• Experience with results frameworks and indicator-based reporting
• Ability to work with both qualitative and quantitative data
• Familiarity with GIS concepts (not necessarily at an advanced technical level)

Competencies:

• Strong attention to detail and data quality
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving
• Ability to coordinate across teams and cultures
• Clear communication and facilitation skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Knowledge of Bahasa is an added advantage