Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning Specialist – Eastern Kafue Nature Alliance Mid level

Lusaka, Zambia

This role will be based in Lusaka, Zambia

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges to create a world where people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which include a  and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want better insight into TNC? Check out our  or .

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of knowledge and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

Since establishing the Africa Programme in 2007, The Nature Conservancy’s vision in Africa is to work towards fostering a sustainable future for people and nature, partnering with indigenous communities across 55 million acres on the continent. Our efforts are firmly rooted in people, leveraging scientific and technical expertise as we collaborate with governments and organizations to conserve and enhance Africa’s shared resources in the nine countries we operate.

TNC’s work in Africa transcends three key pillars: securing ownership rights to lands and resources for indigenous people, strengthening leadership and resource management, and helping communities value nature through a holistic appreciation of its benefits while increasing revenue streams for conservation efforts and socio-economic development. Together with our partners, we are witnessing critical milestones in integrated land and fisheries management, ocean and source water protection, energy development, and sustainable food production working together and strengthening our resolve in tackling global challenges such as climate change, habitat and biodiversity loss that stands to adversely impact the nearly 1.4 billion people that share Africa.

The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges to create a world where people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our Mission and guided by our Values, which include a  and Respect for People, Communities, and Cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want better insight into TNC? Check out our  or .

Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our Mission by hiring and engaging a diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we work. In addition to the requirements in our postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job. Diversity of knowledge and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of inclusion! Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote myriad TNC staff members, “you’ll join for our mission, and you’ll stay for our people.”

Since establishing the Africa Programme in 2007, The Nature Conservancy’s vision in Africa is to work towards fostering a sustainable future for people and nature, partnering with indigenous communities across 55 million acres on the continent. Our efforts are firmly rooted in people, leveraging scientific and technical expertise as we collaborate with governments and organizations to conserve and enhance Africa’s shared resources in the nine countries we operate.

TNC’s work in Africa transcends three key pillars: securing ownership rights to lands and resources for indigenous people, strengthening leadership and resource management, and helping communities value nature through a holistic appreciation of its benefits while increasing revenue streams for conservation efforts and socio-economic development. Together with our partners, we are witnessing critical milestones in integrated land and fisheries management, ocean and source water protection, energy development, and sustainable food production working together and strengthening our resolve in tackling global challenges such as climate change, habitat and biodiversity loss that stands to adversely impact the nearly 1.4 billion people that share Africa.

In Zambia, TNC has a primary geographical focus on the Greater Kafue Ecosystem (GKE). This is Zambia’s largest conservation landscape, a 66,000 sq. km complex of exceptional biodiversity value, dominated by the 22,000 sq. km Kafue National Park and nine Game Management Areas (GMAs) under communal tenure that spans an additional 44,000 sq. km. TNC is working with communities and diverse public and private stakeholders in this ecosystem to strengthen community tenure over natural resources, develop effective natural resource governance and management systems, and create sustainable conservation management and revenue generation models for the landscape. One key project which supports this strategy is a five-year $10m USAID-funded Global Development Alliance (GDA) project, the “Eastern Kafue Nature Alliance” (EKNA), which leverages private sector partner resources and expertise to achieve integrated and sustainable outcomes for biodiversity conservation, economic prosperity, sustainable agriculture, human well-being, and natural resource governance in the eastern sector of the GKE. The project is focused on delivering lasting outcomes for nature and people in and around Lunga Luswishi, Mumbwa, Namwala, and Nkala GMAs.

Measuring, reporting, and monitoring the project’s progress towards these outcomes across a vast landscape and across multiple sectors is an exciting and rewarding task, and one critical to the project itself, to the TNC Zambia country programme, and to TNC Africa’s overall conservation goals.

Working closely with the EKNA Chief of Party, the TNC Country Director, and the conservation teams, the Monitoring Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Specialist for the EKNA Project is a core team member of a complex, multi-stakeholder, multi-disciplinary project that advances conservation, economic development, and human wellbeing goals across a large, ecologically sensitive landscape. The MERL Specialist will be responsible for all monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) and related activities associated with the USAID-funded project, with technical support to this work provided by the wider TNC Zambia and TNC Africa Monitoring and Evaluation teams. The MERL Specialist position is term-limited for three years or for the duration of funding by USAID. Reporting to the Chief of Party, the position will be based at TNC Lusaka office.

Specifically, the MERL Specialist:

1. Leads monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning aspects of the USAID-funded project’s work to realize landscape-level outcomes, including:
   • Managing a dashboard of metrics that measure progress toward achieving landscape-level outcomes for people, wildlife, and habitat and ensuring that data collected is available to USAID, private sector partners, implementing and collaborating partners, and communities.
   • Managing and providing technical oversight of key research/data collection efforts that provide information on landscape-level outcomes, including baseline and periodic socio-economic household surveys biophysical condition and land use change assessments, and biodiversity monitoring surveys.
   • Monitoring implementation progress reports to inform and support ongoing implementation.
   • Conducting periodic rapid technical evaluations of project activities in the field to identify where project management and resource allocation adaptations might be needed.
   • Leading a process for sharing lessons learned and providing lessons to inform decision-making for adaptive management of the USAID-funded project
2. Lead compliance with USAID MERL requirements, including:
   • Refining and maintaining systems to collect, store, and ensure quality control of data and information for tracking progress against targets and deliverables.
   • Ensuring standardization of monitoring and data storage for USAID compliance.
   • Providing technical leadership to develop and implement the project’s sub-awardees’ monitoring and evaluation framework and plans, monitoring and performance measurement activities, and establishing and communicating meaningful and measurable indicators and targets.
   • Compiling, reviewing, and submitting publications and data to various USAID portals including Development Experience Clearinghouse, Development Data Library, TriaNet, Implementing Partner Reporting System
   • Assisting in the development of project reports and deliverables, particularly with respect to MERL aspects.
   • Ensure implementation of and reporting against project MERL plans.
   • Coordinate data quality audits and reviews
3. Participate in the development of annual work plans. Ensure alignment with technical strategy, agreement on annual milestones, and inclusion of MERL activities, and targets in the work plan.
4. Coordinate quarterly Implementing Partner meetings and semi-annual and annual portfolio reviews.
5. Screen activities for environmental risk according to USAID requirements, and develop and implement environmental mitigation and monitoring activities, as necessary.
6. Manage internal and host external Data Quality Assessments and Reviews

Minimum Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree and 5 years’ experience in conservation, natural resources management, development studies, information management, statistics, quantitative analysis, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with report writing, analytical, and communication skills, including oral presentation skills, knowledge management, and dissemination of findings in English.
• Experience with donor-funded project monitoring and evaluation processes, indicators, data quality control, and reporting requirements.
• Experience managing and supervising data collection.
• Competence in computer skills (e.g., Excel, Word, SPSS, etc.)
• Full and valid Zambian Driving License

Desired Qualifications:

• Over 7 years of relevant experience
• Experience implementing monitoring and evaluation for a USAID-funded project and knowledge of USAID monitoring and evaluation processes
• Experience in implementing activities related to biodiversity conservation, community conservation and/or natural resource management
• Expertise in rigorous quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation analytical methods including research design and implementation, design and data analysis, rapid appraisals, etc.
• Experience incorporating project learning into adaptive management.
• Knowledge of GIS
• Experience providing guidance to project staff, partners and grantees on design, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Experience maintaining an online database for monitoring of performance and outcomes.
• Experience with strengthening local organizations and building local capacities for MERL.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders and complex partnerships
• Willingness to undertake field visits.
• A passion for Zambia’s wildlife and wild spaces.

Since 1951, The Nature Conservancy has been doing work you can believe in protecting the lands and waters that all life depends on. Through grassroots action, TNC has grown to become one of the world’s most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff, we impact conservation worldwide!

The Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package, including health care benefits, Retirement Pension Stipend, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, and other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits in the on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a work environment that supports the health, well-being, and flexibility needs of the people we employ!

This description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for this job.

For Internal Reporting:

Job Family: Conservation

Internal Job Code: 250005

Salary Grade: 7

Status: Salaried

PeopleSoft Job ID Number:

Date: September  2023

To apply for job ID 54167 , submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at . Need help applying? Visit our page or contact .

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.