Monitoring, Evaluation, Technology, Accountability and Learning Coordinator (METAL) Coordinator

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Country Program Overview

The IRC Kenya country program supports vulnerable host and refugee communities to live secure, productive, and healthy lives. Working in partnership with county and national governments, community-based organizations, and other NGOs, IRC delivers integrated programming across health, nutrition, protection, governance, WASH, and education sectors. We operate in Turkana, Garissa, and Nairobi counties, addressing both emergency needs and long-term resilience through systems strengthening, innovation, and research.

Position Overview

Reporting to the Deputy Director for Grants and Accountability (DDGA) and working closely with the Regional Advisors, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Technology, Accountability, and Learning (METAL) Coordinator provides strategic and technical leadership for all data, measurement, accountability, and learning functions within IRC Kenya.

This role goes beyond traditional MEAL functions — it is designed for a forward-thinking professional who integrates cutting-edge technology, data science, and applied research to enhance program quality, accountability, and impact. The METAL Coordinator will lead innovation in digital data systems, advanced analytics, and visualization tools (such as CommCare, Power BI, AI-supported analysis, and mobile data platforms) to drive real-time decision-making, adaptive programming, and strategic learning.

In addition, this role will serve as the research and learning focal point, building collaborations with universities, think tanks, and innovation hubs to design and conduct independent and joint research that generates actionable insights for IRC and the wider humanitarian sector.

To this end, the METAL Coordinator is responsible to ensure that a monitoring, evaluation accountability and learning, and data management system is in place, sufficiently resourced and successfully implemented from collection to visualization, and that METAL data is contributing to improved learning and program quality. The METAL Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that METAL principles are integrated in every step of the project cycle, as per IRC’s corporate guidelines and contributes to the implementation of the Country Strategic Action Plan (SAP) and the global IRC strategy. In support of these goals, the Coordinator provides vital technical assistance, capacity sharing, individual mentoring, supervision and training to MEAL staff at IRC and partners.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Innovation

• Lead the evolution from MEAL to METAL, embedding technology and innovation at the core of IRC Kenya’s evidence and learning systems.
• Ensure the country program’s measurement and learning agenda aligns with IRC’s Strategy100 and Kenya’s Strategic Action Plan (SAP).
• Champion the use of data-driven and technology-enabled decision-making, ensuring that insights from data are translated into adaptive programming.
• Champion client centered design approaches into our sectoral strategies and critical proposals
• Lead and enhance outcome level analysis for the purposes of evidence driven programming throughout the strategic plan cycle
• Lead independent research, learning and evaluation to position IRC as a thought leader in its core sectors
• Cultivate and manage strategic research and learning partnerships with universities, research institutions, and innovation labs to enhance evidence generation and thought leadership.
• Represent IRC Kenya in national and regional research, M&E, and innovation forums.
• Embed client accountability, inclusivity, and data ethics across all technology and learning initiatives.

Technological Leadership and Data Systems

• Lead the design and deployment of digital data systems and ensure interoperability across programs and platforms.
• Promote advanced analytics and data visualization (using Power BI, Tableau, and GIS) to strengthen strategic insights, outcome-level analysis, and operational efficiency.
• Integrate AI and automation tools into data collection, cleaning, and interpretation processes where appropriate and ethical.
• Oversee data quality assurance and lead data audits to ensure validity, reliability, and compliance with IRC standards.
• Strengthen the use of digital feedback and client-responsive systems to ensure accountability and real-time program adaptation.

Research, Evidence, and Learning

• Lead the country program’s research and learning agenda, ensuring all studies and evaluations meet high methodological standards.
• Commission and manage independent and collaborative studies that assess program outcomes and explore emerging humanitarian and development questions.
• Translate research and evaluation findings into strategic recommendations, publications, and advocacy products.
• Facilitate learning events, brown-bag discussions, and peer-to-peer exchanges to ensure knowledge sharing and institutional learning.
• Ensure evidence is systematically used to inform proposal development, strategy updates, and innovation design.

Capacity Strengthening and Team Leadership

• Provide strategic direction and mentorship to the national MEAL teams, fostering a culture of curiosity, innovation, and excellence.
• Conduct regular capacity assessments and develop learning pathways for IRC and partner MEAL staff.
• Build technical capacity in digital data systems, statistical analysis, AI-supported analytics, and visualization.
• Lead recruitment, supervision, and professional development of METAL team members, ensuring a diverse and high-performing unit.

Key Working Relationships

• Reports to: Deputy Director for Grants and Accountability (DDGA)
• Direct Supervision: MEAL Technology Manager, Client Responsiveness Manager
• Internal: Program Coordinators and Managers, Regional Measurement Advisors, Grants, Finance, and Technical Coordinators
• External: Universities, research institutions, government counterparts, partner NGOs, and innovation collaborators

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree in data science, statistics, public health, social sciences, information systems, or a related field.
• Minimum 6–8 years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning in humanitarian or development contexts, including at least 3 years in a leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated experience in research design, implementation, and dissemination, including collaboration with academic or research institutions.
• Proven expertise in data management systems, mobile data collection platforms (CommCare, ODK), and data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau).
• Understanding and experience with AI, machine learning, or digital transformation tools applied to M&E, learning, or operational efficiency is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of client accountability mechanisms and participatory approaches.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and cross-sector collaboration.
• Ability and willingness to travel to field locations as needed.
• Fluency in English required; Kiswahili proficiency is an asset.

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

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