Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer – LaTaBioCoN Project

Job Vacancy at EDOTA, Kigoma October 2026 Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer – LaTaBioCoN Project Position Type:InternshipLocation:Nguruka Field Office, Kigoma Region, with travel tosites in Katavi, Tabora, Rukwa and Geita RegionsReports To:Project ManagerDuration:24 months, with possibility of extension depending on availability of funds About EDOTA Education Outreach Tanzania (EDOTA) is a local not-for-profit NGO that works collaboratively with local and international partners, local communities, local government authorities and other organizations to promote inclusive community development and economic justice. The organization was registered on 26th May 2010 with registration number00003478to operate in Tanzania Mainland. Since its establishment, EDOTA has successfully implemented several funded projects aimed at enhancing livelihoods and economic strengthening, promoting good governance, conserving the environment, addressing gender-based violence (GBV), and promoting health. TNC and EDOTA established a partnership in 2020, with EDOTA successfully implementing previous programmes aimed at strengthening community-led fisheries conservation, enforcement readiness and local conservation in Katavi, Kigoma, Tabora, Geita and Rukwa regions. Project Overview TheLaTaBioCoN Projectaddresses critical environmental and socio-economic challenges facing the Lake Tanganyika Basin (LTB), a massive ecosystem covering approximately223,000 km², holding one-fifth of Earth’s accessible freshwater and supporting more than 12 million people across Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Tanzania and Zambia. The basin encompasses several major government-managed protected areas and internationally recognized Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs). However, the ecosystem is under immense pressure from the overexploitation of nearshore fish communities, habitat loss and widespread catchment degradation. These human-driven pressures are heavily amplified by climate change, which has caused persistent lake warming, stronger stratification, expanding low-oxygen zones and erratic rainfall trends that accelerate soil erosion. These challenges threaten fisheries, rain-fed agriculture and lake-dependent livelihoods. To counter these systemic risks, EDOTA plays a pivotal role within the LaTaBioCoN consortium by leading critical conservation, socioeconomic development and regenerative economy initiatives. Specifically, EDOTA is responsible for promoting sustainable human development and implementing community livelihood interventions that help vulnerable populations adapt to climate and environmental pressures. EDOTA also promotesNature-based Enterprises (NbEs)to generate eco-friendly income streams, alongside catchment management strategies designed to mitigate erosion and heavy sediment delivery into critical habitats, while facilitating community-led governance among riparian communities. Position Overview EDOTA is looking for an analytical, adaptive and field-orientedMonitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer. This role goes beyond standard monitoring. The successful candidate will oversee data collection systems, evaluate project impacts and manage the research and learning loop. The MERL Officer will ensure that field insights, CMI-led expertise and scientific research are captured and converted into actionable knowledge. A core focus will be designing inclusive tools that accurately track project impacts on youth and women’s livelihoods, gender equity and the participation of persons with disabilities. The officer will also lead community participatory monitoring initiatives to empower local rights-holders and synthesize field evidence into high-impact public policy briefings for government duty-bearers. Key Responsibilities Framework and Systems DesignDevelop and implement a comprehensive MERL framework, logframe indicators and data collection tools tailored to multi-stakeholder governance and conservation goals. Develop and implement a comprehensive MERL framework, logframe indicators and data collection tools tailored to multi-stakeholder governance and conservation goals. Inclusive Data CollectionLead field monitoring activities, ensuring data collection is strictly disaggregated by age, gender and disability to accurately capture social inclusion metrics. Lead field monitoring activities, ensuring data collection is strictly disaggregated by age, gender and disability to accurately capture social inclusion metrics. Research and Knowledge ManagementPartner with local scientific and research institutions to track how knowledge products are integrated into local governance and duty-bearer decision-making. Partner with local scientific and research institutions to track how knowledge products are integrated into local governance and duty-bearer decision-making. Facilitate Project LearningDesign and host regular reflection and learning sessions for consortium partners, local NGOs and civil society to adaptively manage and improve project strategies. Design and host regular reflection and learning sessions for consortium partners, local NGOs and civil society to adaptively manage and improve project strategies. Reporting and DocumentationCompile high-quality, data-driven quarterly and annual progress reports for donors.Draft impact stories, case studies and policy briefs. Compile high-quality, data-driven quarterly and annual progress reports for donors. Draft impact stories, case studies and policy briefs. Community Feedback LoopsEstablish and maintain safe, accessible accountability and feedback mechanisms within target communities and CMIs. Establish and maintain safe, accessible accountability and feedback mechanisms within target communities and CMIs. Ethical StandardsMonitor and ensure adherence to ethical standards among project workers and stakeholders. Monitor and ensure adherence to ethical standards among project workers and stakeholders. Required Qualifications and Experience Education A University Degree inResearch, Public Policy, Statistics, Development Studies, or a related field. Professional certifications inM&E or Data Analyticsare a strong asset. Experience Experience isnot required. Technical Skills Advanced proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data collection methodologies. Knowledge and application ofAI applications. Proficiency in mobile data collection tools such as:KoboToolboxSurveyMonkey KoboToolbox SurveyMonkey Knowledge of statistical/data analysis software such as:SPSSStataExcel Power Query SPSS Stata Excel Power Query Social Inclusion Focus Proven experience designing and tracking indicators related to:Gender equalityYouth employmentDisability inclusion Gender equality Youth employment Disability inclusion Communication and Reporting Superior reporting and analytical writing skills. Ability to translate complex datasets into simple, visual and understandable insights for community rights-holders and government duty-bearers. How to Apply All applications should be submitted via email to: Email:ajira@edota.co.tz Copy (CC):edota@info.co.tz Application Deadline:14th October 2026 at 15:30 PM Applicants should indicate the position they are applying for in their application. Position:Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer – LaTaBioCoN