Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

The Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation (ZMBF) is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) founded by H.E Mariam H. Mwinyi, the First Lady of Zanzibar, and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of ZMBF. The Foundation was duly registered in July 2021 under the Societies Act No 6 of 1995. The ZMBF aims to complement the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RGoZ) efforts towards attaining quality life for all Zanzibaris. With a major focus on socioeconomic development, public health improvement, and gender-based violence elimination for women, youth, and children.

The ZMBF’s Vision and Mission can only be achieved through an empowered workforce one that is motivated, committed to growth and integrity, and driven to pursue excellence in execution. To this end, ZMBF is seeking innovative, self-driven, dynamic, and competent qualified candidates to fill the following vacancy:

Overall Purpose of the Job

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer will support the effective implementation of the Projects through strong monitoring systems, data management, and learning processes. The MEL Officer will work closely with the Strategic Information Manager, Program Coordinator, and field teams to ensure accurate data collection, performance tracking, documentation of project outcomes, and continuous learning. This position ensures that interventions are evidence-driven and that project decisions are informed by reliable data and community feedback.

Responsibilities or duties

Monitoring and Data Collection

• Develop, update, and implement project monitoring tools and data collection systems.
• Collect, verify, and analyze field data on seaweed production, processing, income, and beneficiary participation.
• Conduct routine monitoring visits to project sites to assess progress and data quality.
• Ensure field teams adhere to data collection protocols and ethical standards.

Data Management and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date databases for all project indicators.
• Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual MEL reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify gaps or inconsistencies in field data and support corrective actions.
• Prepare visualizations (charts, dashboards) to communicate project performance clearly.

Learning, Documentation, and Knowledge Sharing

• Document success stories, lessons learned, challenges, and best practices.
• Facilitate reflection sessions with field teams to inform adaptive project management.
• Support learning events, reviews, and community feedback forums.
• Promote knowledge-sharing across departments and with partners.

Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Track program implementation against planned targets and quality benchmarks.
• Ensure activities follow established MEL frameworks, donor requirements, and organizational standards.
• Conduct data quality assessments and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Monitor compliance with quality standards in seaweed farming, processing, and value addition.

Capacity Building

• Train field officers, community leaders, and cooperatives on data collection and MEL tools.
• Strengthen the capacity of community groups in basic recordkeeping and monitoring of production and sales.
• Mentor stakeholders on using data for decision-making and business improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Support coordination with local leaders, government departments, cooperatives, and market actors on MEL-related activities.
• Represent the organization in meetings related to monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning.
• Share MEL insights with stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and project impact.

Administrative and Logistical Support

• Assist in developing activity plans, MEL budgets, and field requisitions.
• Maintain organized documentation, including attendance sheets, training records, and verification forms.
• Support logistics for MEL-related trainings, surveys, and field assessments.

Qualifications or requirements

Experience needed

Minimum 2–3 years’ experience in MEL or field-level project implementation, ideally in livelihoods, enterprise development, or community-based programs.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

ZMBF is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity. ZMBF is committed to principles of safeguarding in the workplace and will not tolerate any form of abuse, wherever it occurs or whoever is responsible.

• Develop, update, and implement project monitoring tools and data collection systems.
• Collect, verify, and analyze field data on seaweed production, processing, income, and beneficiary participation.
• Conduct routine monitoring visits to project sites to assess progress and data quality.
• Ensure field teams adhere to data collection protocols and ethical standards.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date databases for all project indicators.
• Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual MEL reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify gaps or inconsistencies in field data and support corrective actions.
• Prepare visualizations (charts, dashboards) to communicate project performance clearly.
• Document success stories, lessons learned, challenges, and best practices.
• Facilitate reflection sessions with field teams to inform adaptive project management.
• Support learning events, reviews, and community feedback forums.
• Promote knowledge-sharing across departments and with partners.
• Track program implementation against planned targets and quality benchmarks.
• Ensure activities follow established MEL frameworks, donor requirements, and organizational standards.
• Conduct data quality assessments and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Monitor compliance with quality standards in seaweed farming, processing, and value addition.
• Train field officers, community leaders, and cooperatives on data collection and MEL tools.
• Strengthen the capacity of community groups in basic recordkeeping and monitoring of production and sales.
• Mentor stakeholders on using data for decision-making and business improvement.
• Support coordination with local leaders, government departments, cooperatives, and market actors on MEL-related activities.
• Represent the organization in meetings related to monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning.
• Share MEL insights with stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and project impact.
• Assist in developing activity plans, MEL budgets, and field requisitions.
• Maintain organized documentation, including attendance sheets, training records, and verification forms.
• Support logistics for MEL-related trainings, surveys, and field assessments.

• Demonstrated ability to collect and analyze data using tools such as MS Excel, KoboCollect, ODK, or similar platforms.
• Strong facilitation, mobilization, and communication skills.
• Ability to prepare clear reports and manage project databases.

• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Statistics, Social Sciences, Community Development, Marine Science, Agriculture, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum 2–3 years’ experience in MEL or field-level project implementation, ideally in livelihoods, enterprise development, or community-based programs.
• Demonstrated ability to collect and analyze data using tools such as MS Excel, KoboCollect, ODK, or similar platforms.
• Strong facilitation, mobilization, and communication skills.
• Ability to prepare clear reports and manage project databases.
• Willingness to travel frequently to rural and coastal communities.