NEXTIER IS RECRUITING SPRiNG Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning MEL Lead
JOB VACANCY: MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING (MEL) LEAD
Organization: Nextier
Programme: Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG)
Position: SPRiNG Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Lead
Location: Abuja, Nigeria (with regular travel across Nigeria)
Reports To: Team Leader, SPRiNG Programme
Application Deadline: Thursday, 22nd October 2026
ABOUT NEXTIER
Nextier is a multi-competency advisory firm focused on advancing development in Africa through evidence-based research, strategic advisory, and practical solutions. Nextier is a consortium partner delivering the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme.
ABOUT THE SPRiNG PROGRAMME
The Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) Programme is a politically led, evidence-based initiative focused on conflict prevention, violence reduction, security and justice, natural resource management, and resilience.
Addressing the interconnected political, conflict, and ecological drivers affecting security across North-West and North-Central Nigeria, SPRiNG works directly with government stakeholders—particularly at state and local government levels—to strengthen their capacity to respond to conflict, security, justice, and natural resource management challenges.
ROLE OVERVIEW
Nextier is seeking an experienced Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Lead to provide senior-level leadership for MEL activities across the SPRiNG Programme.
The MEL Lead will direct the measurement, documentation, analysis, and consolidation of programme results while ensuring that achievements and lessons are accurately captured and reported on time. This role will also drive SPRiNG’s adaptive learning cycle, ensuring that evidence and learning generated through MEL systems are actively used to support programme adaptation and strategic decision-making.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy & System Management: Lead the implementation and continuous development of the programme’s Research, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (RMEL) strategy, systems, and processes. Maintain the Theory of Change, logframe, results management handbook, and project guidance.
Data Quality & Compliance: Oversee portfolio data collection, intervention monitoring, and field verification. Ensure high data quality and strict compliance with ethical, safeguarding, and data protection standards.
Learning & Adaptation: Lead the Learning and Adaptation function across the programme. Facilitate quarterly project learning and adaptation sessions, synthesize evidence for strategic reviews, and support analysis of what works, the rationale behind programme adaptations, and project-level stop/go decisions.
Political Economy & Influence Tracking: Apply a Thinking and Working Politically (TWP) approach to analyzing and reporting results. Monitor and document programme influence and behavior change.
Research & Evaluation: Lead the design and implementation of the programme’s learning agenda. Manage relationships with midline/endline evaluation teams, support annual perception surveys, and conduct outcome harvesting to substantiate results.
Capacity Building & Supervision: Develop and update MEL training, tools, and templates for programme staff and implementing partners. Provide functional supervision to Regional MEL Officers and coordinate field monitoring visits.
Knowledge Dissemination: Work alongside the core programme team and Communications Lead to package and disseminate findings, lessons, and stories of change.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience leading and implementing MEL systems in a development context in Nigeria, with proven senior management experience in governance, public policy, social development, climate adaptation, or peacebuilding.
Education: Master’s degree in Social Sciences, Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, or a related field.
Programme Expertise: Demonstrated experience working on large-scale, donor-funded adaptive programmes (FCDO experience is highly desirable), including learning cycles, strategy testing, and stop/go decisions.
Technical Skills: Strong expertise in Thinking and Working Politically (TWP) frameworks, experimental methods (e.g., randomized controlled trials), data quality assessments, real-time dashboards, digital data collection, and management information systems (MIS).
Regional Insight: Strong understanding of peace, security, and climate issues in North-West and North-Central Nigeria.
Languages: Fluency in spoken and written English. Proficiency in Hausa or other local languages is an added advantage.
KEY ATTRIBUTES
Rigorous and honest approach to evidence and results.
Adaptive, responsive, and practical approach to complex problem-solving.
Confident working with senior government officials, partner organizations, and development agencies.
Excellent team leadership, coaching, and stakeholder management skills.
Willingness and ability to travel regularly across Nigeria.
WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS
SPRiNG is designed to be evidence-based and adaptive. The MEL Lead plays a pivotal role in ensuring that programme evidence is accurate, lessons are actively applied during implementation, and the experiences of communities served by the programme directly inform high-level decision-making.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their application containing:
An updated CV
A Cover Letter explaining their interest in the role and relevant areas of expertise.
Submission Email: recruitment@thenextier.com
Email Subject Line: SPRiNG MEL Lead – [Your Full Name]
Application Deadline: Thursday, 22nd October 2026
Please Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
