Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Manager

PROJECT SUMMARY:

MILK is a comprehensive dairy value chain development program focused on increasing productivity, competitiveness, and market access across the sector. Activities included strengthening the capacity of dairy cooperatives and milk collection centers through management, operational, extension service, and digital transformation support; expanding farmer access to productivity-enhancing inputs, artificial insemination, veterinary services, and agricultural financing; supporting dairy processors with infrastructure upgrades, cold-chain improvements, food safety certification, and product development; and facilitating market linkages, trade promotion, stakeholder engagement, and regulatory reforms to improve sector performance. The project will work closely with farmers, cooperatives, processors, government agencies, financial institutions, and private-sector partners to enhance milk quality, increase farmer incomes, promote adoption of modern technologies, and expand domestic and export market opportunities.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager will lead the development, implementation, and adaptation of MILK’s Performance Monitoring Plan and Evaluation Plan in close collaboration with program staff, partners and USDA and ensure that its collaborative MEL process adequately reflect ongoing learning, knowledge sharing and adaptive management. Position will be based in Bangkok with travel to project activity locations.

GENERAL:

Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people in Thailand and around the world to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources. By linking local individuals and communities with new ideas and technology, Winrock International is increasing long-term productivity, equity, and responsible resource management to benefit the poor and disadvantaged.

ESSENTIAL REPONSIBILITIES:

MEL Team and Process Management/Oversight:

• Provide overall leadership, training, mentoring, and coaching to the MILK MEL team to ensure all USDA MEL related requirements are met.
• In collaboration with the COP, technical team and Winrock’s Head Office MEL support unit (PIDA), develop and manage the MILK’s PMP & Evaluation Plan, ensuring compliance with USDA MEL requirements and Winrock’s MEL standards; use Winrock’s MIS systems to collect and analyze data on inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts; and report accurate results to the funder in a timely manner.
• Support sub-contracted evaluation and survey firms to ensure evaluations and annual survey efforts meet funder standards and deadlines.
• Design and manage monitoring and evaluation tools and processes, including ongoing (routine) monitoring and (annual) survey instruments.
• Supervise timely and accurate reporting of quantitative and qualitative data by MILK partners and grantees and in cooperation with program staff to ensure timely data analysis and reporting.
• Develop capacity of implementing partners to institute appropriate M&E systems within their organizations in accordance with the PMP.
• Develop the capacity of partners and grantees to collect relevant indicator data within their respective organization in accordance with the MEL PMP and overall program targets.

Management Information System (MIS):

• Provide MILK’s MEL Officer with technical guidance and oversight of MILK’s in-house Management Information System (i.e., Winrock MIS), including uploading data and tracking of progress and trends to generate donor reports and dashboards.
• Oversee data quality checks including regular field visits and spot checks to ensure consistency with the project’s MIS.
• Ensure all indicator data and associated disaggregates are populated in the MIS, accurately reflect indicator tracking tables and are available for timely bi-annual reporting to the funder.
• Validate MIS data from partners and staff through data review and field monitoring visits.

Collaborating, Learning & Adapting:

• Work with the Communications Team, COP, and PIDA to develop dashboards, learning briefs, success stories, and other tools to evaluate MILK impact, trends, and highlight key learnings.
• Design and lead learning activities such as annual pause and reflect sessions.
• Provide comprehensive analysis of learning outcomes to inform project interventions.
• Lead knowledge sharing activities within project, USDA, other implementing partners, and with target countries’ governments
• Support the technical team to ensure planned interventions deliver far-reaching results and impact in line with donor expectations and MILK’s performance indicator targets.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in statistics, demographics, public policy, international development, economics, social sciences, or other related relevant fields. A Master’s degree in related relevant field is an added advantage.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 6-8 years of experience managing and implementing complex MEL systems for international development projects, preferably with international donor organizations, USDA and/or USAID.
• Experience managing large MEL databases, conducting timely data analysis, and developing high-quality dashboards and reports.
• Proven record of managing MEL staff, consultants, and sub-contracted MEL evaluation and survey firms.
• Experience in agriculture and/or food security projects preferred.
• Demonstrated and proven record to work in a multidisciplinary team.

Skills:

• Excellent staff training & management, motivational, and organization