SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. Driven by a vision of a better world where all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyses partnerships that transform agri-food, energy, and water systems. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises. With 60 years of experience and a team of approximately 1,600 people, we support our partners in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia, tailoring our approaches to different contexts to achieve large-scale impact and create more equitable lives for all. Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org

Project Description

TUMAI MAJI (Transforming Utilities and Mobilising Action for Investment in ASAL Water Security) is a five-year (2027-2031), Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands-funded programme that tackles water insecurity in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) as a governance and systems challenge. Working across the Rift Valley Basin (Turkana and West Pokot) and the Ewaso Ng’iro North Basin (Samburu, Marsabit and Laikipia), the programme strengthens four interlinked systems: basin and water resource management (System A), water and sanitation services (System B), institutions and governance (System C), and finance and investment (System D). At its core is a Living Lab, where stakeholders test and refine solutions before scaling them. The programme promotes market-led change through improved utility performance, delegated management models, public-private partnerships, women- and youth-led enterprises, and an Innovation Challenge Fund, with gender equality and social inclusion, youth employment, climate resilience and conflict sensitivity embedded throughout. TUMAI MAJI is implemented as a consortium by SNV (System C and D lead), Rural Water Management Solutions (RWMS – System B lead) Kenya and IHE Delft Institute for Water Education (System A lead), and is delivered with implementing partners alongside capacity-strengthening partners and the five county governments.

The programme’s integrated Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEL) approach is coordinated by SNV across all four systems, with a designated MEL focal point in each partner organisation. It combines quantitative and qualitative evidence to assess delivery, outcomes and systems change, and to support learning and adaptive programme management.

SNV Kenya is seeking a qualified and results-oriented MEL Officer to coordinate the design, implementation and continuous improvement of TUMAI MAJI’s integrated consortium-wide MEL system. Working closely with the Project Manager, Programme Management Unit (PMU), system leads, partner MEL focal points and implementing partners, the officer will ensure that programme performance is monitored consistently, evidence is credible and timely, results are reported against the approved logframe and EKN indicator frameworks, and learning informs decisions across the four interlinked systems.

The role will provide technical guidance and implementation support on indicator protocols, data collection and analysis, data quality assurance, evaluations, reporting, learning and knowledge management. The officer will help the consortium assess not only progress against targets, but also whether changes in institutional behaviour, coordination, governance and service performance are emerging, and how these contribute to wider water security and climate resilience outcomes.

The position will be based in Nairobi.

Key Responsibilities

1. MEL system coordination and planning

• Coordinate implementation and continuous improvement of one integrated, consortium-wide MEL system across Systems A–D, working with SNV, RWMS, IHE Delft and implementing partners through designated partner MEL focal points.
• Develop, maintain and periodically update the programme MEL framework and tools (MEL Plan, indicator reference sheets and protocols, data collection tools, reporting calendar and responsibilities matrix), ensuring consistency with the approved Theory of Change, logframe, donor requirements and programme work plan.
• Support partners during inception to finalise indicator reference sheets/trackers (indicator definitions, baselines, annual targets, means of verification, measurement frequency, disaggregation and responsibilities); and contribute to the development of the baseline report, MEL Plan, Learning Framework and inception report.
• Ensure that monitoring arrangements cover outputs, outcomes and systems-change results, and that indicator methods and evidence requirements are applied consistently across all four systems.
• Lead in the development of relevant Monitoring tools and resources for the programme (partner performance forms, monitoring checklists, site visit forms, activity monitoring forms etc.)

2. Monitoring, data collection and quality assurance

• Coordinate routine monitoring and partner reporting, track progress against logframe indicators and annual targets, identify implementation gaps and follow up on corrective actions.
• Establish and oversee data quality assurance procedures, including source-document checks, data verification and validation, completeness and consistency checks, documentation of assumptions, and periodic data quality reviews.
• Maintain an accessible, secure and well-organised digital MEL database or system, with clear data-management procedures, version control, audit trails and appropriate access arrangements.
• Plan and conduct risk-based field monitoring visits to verify reported results, assess the quality of data collection and implementation, and document findings, recommendations and follow-up actions.
• Ensure data are disaggregated in line with the logframe and programme commitments, including by sex, age and disability where applicable, and refugee/host status or other relevant characteristics where required and feasible.
• Triangulate quantitative and qualitative evidence from administrative records, household and facility surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, dashboards, observatory data, decision logs and partner records.

3. Evaluation and systems-change measurement

• Coordinate the programme baseline during inception in 2027, the midline assessment in 2029 and the internal endline evaluation in 2031, working with partners and relevant stakeholders to ensure methodological rigour and timely delivery.
• Lead in the development and application of a mixed-methods approaches to assess results across the four systems, including the use of outcome rubrics, scorecards and signal-of-change statements to assess system shifts.
• Support routine evaluation through contribution analysis approach to assess how programme activities and changes across Systems A, B, C and D plausibly contribute to wider outcomes in water security, climate resilience, wellbeing and more equitable access to water and sanitation.
• Track progress on relevant EKN Water, Private-Sector Development and Climate indicator frameworks, alongside programme-specific indicators for institutional capacity, delegated management and public-private-community partnership arrangements, policy progress and evidence-informed decisions.

4. Learning, adaptive management and knowledge products

• Coordinate implementation of the programme Learning Framework and facilitate semi-annual Pause and Reflect sessions, an annual cross-partner learning workshop and yearly in-county learning sessions.
• Lead adaptive management in the programme by documenting evaluation methods, limitations, assumptions and findings transparently and support partners and programme leadership to translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Ensure learning is connected to programme decisions, including annual work planning, willingness-and-ability gate reviews, Living Lab development, implementation adaptations and decisions on whether interventions should proceed, expand, be adapted or stop.
• Document lessons, promising practices, emerging outcomes, implementation challenges and unintended effects across the four systems, and develop or coordinate concise learning briefs, case studies, evidence summaries, presentations and other knowledge products.
• Support knowledge exchange between consortium partners, county governments, water service providers, WRA, WRUAs, communities and other relevant stakeholders, ensuring that evidence is accessible and useful to decision-makers.
• Maintain a record of decisions and actions arising from learning and review processes, and follow up with responsible teams to assess whether agreed actions have been implemented.

5. Reporting, accountability and compliance

• Coordinate the timely consolidation and quality review of partner data and narrative contributions for annual reporting to EKN, as well as inception, midline and endline reports and other agreed programme deliverables.
• Prepare clear, accurate and evidence-based performance summaries, analysis and visualisations for programme management, consortium partners, the PMU and Programme Steering Committee.
• Support publication of programme results and budget data through the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), in coordination with the responsible programme and finance colleagues.
• Ensure that reported results can be traced to documented sources and are consistent with the approved logframe, indicator definitions, reporting periods and donor requirements.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality, responsible data handling and ethical practices in data collection, storage, analysis and dissemination.

6. Cross-cutting quality and collaboration

• Integrate GESI, climate resilience, human rights and conflict sensitivity into monitoring tools, analysis, evaluation questions and learning processes.
• Monitor relevant indicators and qualitative evidence relating to inclusion, participation, voice, accountability, climate resilience and conflict sensitivity; flag possible unintended negative effects and support timely escalation and adaptation.
• Work with system leads and partner focal points to strengthen MEL capacity, provide practical guidance on tools and protocols, and promote consistent evidence standards across the consortium.
• Participate in relevant SNV, PMU, consortium and programme meetings, and contribute MEL analysis to work planning, risk management and programme review processes.
• Undertake other MEL-related responsibilities agreed with the line manager that are consistent with the position’s purpose.

Key Deliverables

The officer will coordinate or contribute to the following deliverables, according to the approved programme work plan and reporting calendar:

• A harmonised MEL Plan, indicator protocols, data collection tools, reporting calendar and partner responsibilities matrix.
• Baseline data collection and baseline report, including agreed baselines, Year 1 targets and documented measurement methods.
• A functioning digital MEL system and documented data quality assurance and data-management procedures.
• Regularly updated indicator tracker/dashboard and consolidated partner monitoring data.
• Distributed monitoring and learning tools linked to a data quality assurance protocol
• Timely, quality-assured contributions to annual EKN narrative reports, IATI reporting and other agreed reporting requirements.
• Midline assessment report (2029) and internal endline evaluation report (2031), including systems-change assessment and contribution analysis.
• Facilitation and documentation of semi-annual Pause and Reflect sessions, annual cross-partner learning workshops and yearly in-county learning sessions.
• Learning products and documented management responses to evaluation, monitoring and learning findings.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least five years of relevant experience in MEL for donor-funded development programmes, including responsibility for the MEL cycle from design and indicator development through data collection, analysis, reporting, evaluation and learning.
• Bachelor’s degree in monitoring and evaluation, social sciences, development studies, statistics, economics, water/environmental management or another relevant field. A Master’s degree is an added advantage.
• Relevant professional training or certification in monitoring and evaluation is required.
• Experience using mixed-methods approaches and analysing both quantitative and qualitative data, including surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, administrative data and qualitative outcome evidence.
• Experience measuring programme outcomes and institutional or systems change, and translating evidence into practical recommendations for programme adaptation and decision-making.
• Strong skills in data management, analysis and visualisation, and advanced skills in data analytics digital data collection, database development and maintenance, spreadsheets and MEL tools. Experience with digital dashboards or database-based reporting systems is an advantage.
• Experience coordinating MEL across multiple partners or geographic locations and strengthening the capacity of colleagues or partner organisations .
• Experience in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), water resources management, climate resilience, governance, utility/service delivery, financial inclusion or private-sector development is an advantage.
• Familiarity with donor indicator frameworks and results-based reporting is desirable; experience with EKN/DGIS reporting or IATI is an added advantage.
• Strong analytical, report-writing, facilitation and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, attention to detail and ability to work independently, collaboratively and to deadlines.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work constructively with diverse partners and stakeholders.
• Willingness and ability to undertake need-based travel to the five target counties and work in dynamic field contexts.

Reporting Lines

The MEL Officer will report to the Project Manager with a dotted reporting line to the Country MEL Advisor.

Additional information

SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of experts.

SNV strives to be an inclusive employer, thriving on the diversity of its people and does not discriminate based on disability status, religion, ethnic origin, gender and sexual orientation, etc.

Interested applicants are requested to submit the CV and Cover Letter via the Smart Recruiter through provided link https://smrtr.io/CD36X   or  to [email protected]   Subject line Tumai Maji MEL Officer

Role Closes on the 13th November 2026 at 5pm.