NGO recruitment specialist with experience placing MEL and programmes professionals across Kenya’s legal aid and human rights sector | Last updated: April 2026
Kituo Cha Sheria – Legal Advice Centre is recruiting a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer based at their Nairobi headquarters, with field travel required. This is a one-year contract role at Programme Officer level, and the application deadline is 27 April 2026. If you have a solid MEL background and experience working in the NGO, legal aid, or human rights space, this MEL Officer Kituo Cha Sheria 2026 vacancy is one of the stronger opportunities in the sector right now.
About This Role
This isn’t a standard MEL data entry position. Kituo Cha Sheria is bringing in a MEL Officer specifically to transition the organisation from fragmented, project-based data systems to a unified, integrated MEL architecture — one that serves all six of their programme pillars simultaneously. The person hired will set MEL standards, approve data tools, and enforce compliance across all programme teams. That’s a significant mandate for a Programme Officer-level contract.
The role reports directly to the Head of Programmes and works across legal, finance, field, and community paralegal teams. You’ll be expected to hit the ground running — MEL plans and results frameworks for all active programmes are due within 60 days of onboarding, and a centralized data management system must be operational within six months.
Work arrangement is hybrid (remote and on-site), with field travel to project sites and community areas as part of routine duties.
Key Responsibilities
MEL Systems Design and Management
- Lead design, development, and continuous improvement of MEL systems across all programmes and research projects
- Develop and review results frameworks, logical frameworks, and theories of change with programme teams
- Translate programme requirements into functional data collection solutions, integrated with Kituo’s Legal Case Management System (LCMS)
- Oversee configuration and deployment of digital data collection tools including mobile-based platforms and electronic registries
- Set and enforce MEL standards, approve data collection tools, and ensure MEL compliance across all programme teams
Data Collection, Management, and Quality Assurance
- Develop and standardize data collection tools, survey instruments, and case-tracking registers for each programme area
- Establish data quality assurance mechanisms including validation rules, routine audits, and data cleaning protocols
- Maintain centralized databases for storage, retrieval, and analysis of programme data
- Disaggregate all programme data by gender, age, disability status, and geographic location
Reporting, Analytics, and Knowledge Management
- Lead development of monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual programme reports submitted on time to internal management and donors
- Produce data visualizations, dashboards, and automated reporting systems to support evidence-based decision-making
- Document lessons learned, best practices, case studies, and success stories
- Support donor report preparation by consolidating performance data and indicator progress
- Contribute to policy briefs, learning papers, and programme evaluations
Evaluation and Learning
- Plan and coordinate baselines, mid-term reviews, and end-line assessments within agreed project timelines
- Facilitate after-action reviews and organizational learning events to embed lessons into programme design
- Use evaluation findings actively to inform programme adaptation and strategic decision-making — not just documentation
- Maintain a structured learning agenda aligned with Kituo’s Strategic Plan 2026–2030
Capacity Building
- Provide technical support and mentorship to programme and research teams on MEL systems and data quality
- Conduct at least two MEL training sessions per year for staff and community-based monitors
- Develop user guides, SOPs, and training materials for data collection and reporting
- Supervise data clerks, MEL assistants, or interns assigned to the MEL function where applicable
Partnerships, Donor Engagement, and Safeguarding
- Liaise with donors, partner organisations, and sub-grantees on MEL requirements and compliance
- Represent Kituo in MEL-related forums, technical working groups, and sector networks
- Uphold Kituo’s safeguarding policies in all data collection activities, particularly when working with refugees, GBV survivors, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized communities
- Obtain and document informed consent from data subjects in accordance with Kenya’s Data Protection Act, 2019
Required Qualifications
Academic and Professional:
- Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Health, Information Management, or a related field from a recognised university
- Additional training or certification in digital data systems, data engineering, or MEL frameworks is an added advantage
- Minimum 2 years of progressive experience in monitoring and evaluation, data management, or MEL systems design
- Demonstrated experience in the non-profit, legal aid, access-to-justice, or human rights sector is highly desirable
- Experience working with multi-donor programmes and complex data environments is required
Technical Skills:
- Strong grounding in MEL methodologies, results-based management, and theory of change development
- Proficiency in digital data collection platforms such as KoboToolbox, ODK, CommCare, or similar tools
- Familiarity with data visualization tools such as Power BI or Tableau
- Proficiency in statistical analysis software — SPSS, Stata, or R
- Understanding of data governance, access controls, informed consent, and ethical data management practices
- Excellent written and verbal English; Kiswahili proficiency is an advantage
Personal Attributes:
- High level of integrity and discretion in handling sensitive programme and beneficiary data
- Commitment to human rights principles and the rights of marginalized populations
- Self-motivated, collaborative, and adaptable to new technologies and evolving MEL best practices
For professionals looking to strengthen their MEL credentials ahead of applying, the ALNAP network and BetterEvaluation offer free sector-specific resources on evaluation frameworks and methods widely used in the NGO space.
Key Performance Indicators
Kituo has published specific quarterly KPIs for this role — which is unusually transparent and worth knowing before you apply:
| KPI | Target |
|---|---|
| Data quality assessment score | ≥ 90% of datasets meeting quality standards per quarter |
| Reporting timeliness | 100% of reports submitted by deadline |
| MEL system uptake across programmes | ≥ 85% of programme staff actively using MEL tools within 6 months |
| Data disaggregation compliance | 100% of programme data |
| Evaluation completion rate | 100% of baselines, MTRs and end-lines within agreed timelines |
| Learning uptake | ≥ 2 programme adaptations documented from evaluation findings per programme per year |
| Staff MEL capacity | ≥ 80% pass rate in MEL competency assessments post-training |
These targets are non-negotiable benchmarks — your performance review will be measured against them quarterly.
What They Offer
- Contract: One (1) year, renewable subject to performance and funding availability
- Remuneration: Determined by Kituo Cha Sheria’s salary structure at Programme Officer level — not publicly disclosed
- Health insurance as per organisational policy
- Field travel and subsistence allowances
- Professional development including access to MEL training, sector workshops, and conferences
- Hybrid work arrangement — remote and on-site
How to Apply
Application email: hr@kituochasheria.or.ke Addressed to: The Human Resource Officer, Kituo Cha Sheria – Legal Advice Centre Deadline: 27 April 2026
Application Deadline
27 April 2026 — late applications will not be considered. Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.
Documents Required
- Detailed cover letter outlining your motivation and relevant MEL experience, with specific reference to access-to-justice or human rights programming
- Updated CV with three professional referees
- Scanned academic and professional certificates
Your cover letter is critical for this role. Kituo has been explicit that MEL experience in the legal aid or human rights sector is highly desirable — if you have it, don’t bury it. Address directly how your MEL systems work has contributed to programme improvement, not just data collection.
About Kituo Cha Sheria
Kituo Cha Sheria – Legal Advice Centre is one of Kenya’s oldest and most established legal aid NGOs, founded in 1973. The organisation provides free legal aid services, advances public interest litigation, and empowers communities through legal education and paralegal training. Kituo works across six strategic focus areas under its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan: Land, Climate and Environmental Justice; Governance Justice and Rule of Law; Migration Justice and Governance; Legal Aid and Empowerment; Economic and Social Justice; and Organisational Development and Sustainability. For more, visit kituochasheria.or.ke.
Kituo Cha Sheria is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from marginalised communities.
