Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager

About Trees for the Future (TREES)

At Trees for the Future (TREES), we believe farmers have the power to transform the world. For over 30 years, we’ve been a global leader in agroforestry training, partnering with farming families to build vibrant economies, sustainable food systems, and thriving ecosystems. Through our signature Forest Garden Approach—a proven nature-based solution—farmers restore their land, plant thousands of trees, and grow diverse crops, breaking cycles of climate change and generational poverty. By reclaiming their agency, farmers are creating new possibilities for their families, communities, and the environment. Active in Kenya, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda, TREES has planted over 350 million trees to date. Joining our passionate, collaborative team means empowering farmers to lead lasting change for people and the planet.

TREES started its operations in Tanzania in 2015. We partner with farmers and the government across five key regions of mainland Tanzania: Mwanza, Simiyu, Singida, Tabora, and Iringa. We have reached 11 district councils: Magu, Bariadi, Busega, Kilolo, Iringa Municipal, Uyui, Urambo, Mkalama, Iramba, Singida DC, and Ikungi. Through these efforts, we significantly contribute to sustainable food security, environmental conservation, thriving ecosystems, and the reduction of poverty at the household level. By adopting the Forest Garden Approach, farmers are leading the charge for sustainable development and creating brighter futures for their communities.

Learn more at trees.org.

Role Purpose

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager will lead the implementation of TREES’ Tanzania Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning strategy. Reporting to the Country Director, the Manager will ensure quality design of data collection tools, quality assurance of the data collected and analysed, and development and application of frameworks to track project progress and contribute to measuring and reporting collective impact in line with Verra’s Verified Carbon and Climate Community Biodiversity (CCB) Standards, as described in VM-0047.

The MEL Manager will oversee day-to-day MEL activities in Tanzania. She/he will drive the qualitative and quantitative routine and periodic data collections, and develop successful mechanisms for timely reporting and support learning processes related to the TREES Forest Garden program and future carbon monitoring initiatives. This role will collaborate closely with the Field Operations Senior Manager, field teams, data analysts, and program staff to ensure effective data collection, analysis, and use for program improvement. The position holder will supervise two MEL Officers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and ensure application of effective data collection, tracking, and reporting tools to monitor activity outputs and quality project interventions
• Lead in the primary data collection efforts based on the project needs, including study and tool design, overseeing data collection, coding, analysis, and interpretation, and cooperation with local consultants or firms
• Train and mentor project staff in the use of MEL methods and data collection tools
• Champion knowledge management through sharing evaluations and lessons learned from the project and applying evidence and learning to rapidly adapt programming.
• Develop a thorough understanding of the project’s data collection abilities, data processing procedures, and the project’s stakeholder needs
• Efficiently track, analyse, report, and update objectives, activities, indicators, and results over the life of the project to be consistent with the project work plan
• Ensure the integrity and relevance of data collected from the project is reliable to support project achievements, and suggest timely adjustments to better serve project objectives and priorities
• Lead in the provision of technical assistance, developing and setting up systems for the timely collection, management, analysis, and reporting of valid and reliable data that meet national and TREES reporting requirements;
• Taking a lead role in ensuring MEL activities for the projects are comprehensively designed and budgeted;
• Collaborate with MEL and technical project teams to ensure real-time data collection from the project stakeholders, engaging ICT-enabled systems where applicable;
• Ensure data collection processes adhere to ethical standards, including obtaining government research permits;
• Collaborate with the MEL team at the central office to contribute to the effective implementation of TREES' Global MEL agenda;
• Contribute to the program’s narrative reporting, including reviewing data in Performance Measurement Frameworks, and work plans and ensuring reports and work plans are results-focused
• Provide coordination support in the implementation of the country work plan by generating and using high-quality data for decision-making
• Provide ongoing technical assistance to the field team to ensure compliance and accuracy of data collection and reporting through regular coaching, data quality audits, and monitoring visits.
• Escalate significant issues or risks encountered during MEL activities to the Country Director in a timely manner.
• Deliver training and refresher sessions to technical field staff on MEL systems and tools for data collection.
• Support MEL representation during site visits or donor calls by helping prepare documentation and explaining monitoring processes and metrics.

Who You Are

• An enthusiastic advocate for TREES’ mission and values. You are passionate about improving livelihoods through agroforestry. You center farmers in every decision, ensuring projects drive real impact for communities and the environment.
• An action-oriented MEL professional. Your collaborative approach is evident as you train field staff on all MEL systems and applications, analyze all collected data, and present results to leadership.
• You are a strong and capable technical trainer. You demonstrate strong leadership by designing and delivering comprehensive training programs for field staff on all Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems and applications, ensuring their proficiency in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• You are a communication ninja. Your strong communication skills and relationship-building abilities make you an effective team member who looks for ways to relay information so it sticks and is easily understood.
• You understand what details matter, and you get them right. You look for ways to make systems simple, efficient, and user-friendly. You can turn a vision into tactical next steps.
• An adept problem solver. You overcome obstacles in your work by identifying them, adapting to new information, and proactively devising solutions. You take action before being asked and hold yourself accountable when you set goals.

Requirements

• Master's Degree or its international equivalent degree in development studies, social sciences, M&E, Demography, gender studies, or statistics, ideally with a focus on M&E.
• At least 5 years of experience in the design and implementation of M&E in development projects implemented by national/international NGOs/UN bodies/government.
• Experience managing real-time end-to-end data management systems and solutions, with proven ICT skills, especially in the navigation of Android technology and web-based databases.
• Experience with the development and oversight of, the implementation of data collection tools and systems for the entry, analysis, and storage of data.
• Experience with adaptive management, iterative M&E, and effective feedback loops to ensure the use of data in strategic and programmatic decision-making;
• Advanced experience and skills in using quantitative and qualitative data analysis tools (statistical package) (e.g., SPSS, STATA, NVIVO, etc.) is an asset.
• Experience in the use of digital data collection tools
• An understanding of GIS systems.
• Experience in providing remote support or willingness to learn effective remote facilitation and support skills.
• Excellent report writing, analytical, and communication skills, including oral presentation skills;
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Ability to travel frequently and troubleshoot in remote areas, and converse with smallholder farmers.

Work Environment and Benefits

TREES is an International Organization that strives to be the best home for staff wanting to make an impact on the farmers we serve. We believe that the diversity of our staff contributes to excellence. TREES values collaboration and teamwork that fosters increased engagement and innovation for professional growth.

We offer a multicultural, collegial work environment with a competitive salary, comprehensive medical insurance, workers' compensation, and substantial paid time off, including annual leave and sick leave.

Apply

If this opportunity speaks to you, please apply with 1) a cover letter that explains why TREES’ work excites you and why this role is a fit for you; and 2) your resume. Submit this by August 15th, 2025. Ensure both documents are shared as PDF documents. We review applications on a rolling basis.

Trees for the Future is an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, or other characteristics or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

We embrace and value diverse skill sets and backgrounds. We are a community of leaders who are proud to represent many different national, racial, ethnic, socio-economic, religious, gender, and other identities. Our diversity as a community is our strength, driving our ability to be empathetic, visionary, and effective leaders.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.