Merla Manager — Inclusive Africa Program (LAP) & Unlocking Opportunities (UO) at inABLE

About the Role

Lead Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Accountability (MERLA) across inABLE programs, including the Inclusive Africa Program (IAP) and Unlocking Opportunities (UO). The role designs and oversees a robust, accessible MERLA system that generates high-quality evidence on results (outputs→outcomes→impact), drives adaptive management, and ensures accountability to participants, partners, donors, and regulators. The MERLA Manager owns the portfolio logframe/indicator architecture, evaluation agenda, learning cycles, and feedback/safeguarding mechanisms, ensuring that all data and products comply with data protection and accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG/KS 2952). The MERLA Manager serves as the designated Data Protection Officer for purposes of the Data Protection Act.

Key Responsibilities

MERLA Strategy, Frameworks & Governance

• Own and maintain integrated MERLA plans for inABLE, especially for IAP and UO (theories of change, results frameworks, indicator reference sheets, MEAL SOPs, evaluation calendar)
• Align MERLA with donor logframes and institutional KPIs; assure coherence across multi-partner/county delivery and continental activities
• Convene MERLA governance routines (monthly/quarterly reviews, learning clinics) and feed decisions into annual replans and budget revisions

Design & Methods

• Develop mixed-methods designs (quantitative, qualitative, outcome harvesting, contribution analysis) fit for purpose and feasible for county and regional delivery
• Design sampling strategies, questionnaires, and discussion guides; ensure tools are accessible (screen-reader friendly, captioned, plain language, braille/large print as needed)
• Lead power/precision considerations and bias mitigation; embed Do-No-Harm, ethics, and safeguarding in all studies

Data Systems, Standards & Quality Assurance

• Administer the digital MERLA stack and secure data management systems
• Maintain data quality assurance and compliance with protection standards