Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Officer

The initiative entails 3 components, starting with developing guidelines to revert non-FLA abandoned fishponds in Iloilo Province back to mangroves, offering models for communities and local governments for wider implementation. By securing key administrative conditions, the project supports the National Blue Carbon Action Partnership Plan and the government’s goal to recover 52,000 ha of fishponds, unlocking significant carbon removal potential. Second, it demonstrates sustainable aquaculture practices in viable ponds in Leganes, Iloilo, by integrating mangrove-friendly designs and management, enabling communities and smallholders to replicate and build climate-resilient livelihoods. Third, the project supports co-development of biodiversity-friendly livelihoods in fishponds reverted to mangroves in Barangay Dolores Marine and Fish Haven in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. By promoting financial literacy through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) and activities such as stock enhancement for shellfish harvesting, ecotourism, and value-added seafood processing, the initiative will provide income opportunities for over 100 fisherfolk households while supporting conservation. These efforts will be incorporated into the area’s updated management plans.

The primary function of the role is to develop the project MEL plan, collect and analyse project indicator data, assess the outcomes and impact of our work and to help communicate our successes and the lessons learned to a wide range of stakeholders. The role will involve the regular monitoring of progress against project key indicators and periodic reporting to the donor. The role will also work to help improve our data collection, management, storage and analysis processes, tools, and systems. The MEL Officer shall be based in ZSL-Philippines country office in Iloilo City with corresponding fieldwork and travel to project sites. The MEL Officer will work directly with the Project Manager who will provide guidance and instructions on daily tasks, data, and information to be collected and reports to be generated.

1. With the Project Manager, the post-holder will lead the development, implementation and monitoring of the project MEL plan, ensuring project delivery and stipulations are attained and are in line with the plan, while specifying adjustments as necessary;
2. Collect and monitor data through assessments and surveys with the team in project sites including socio-economic profiles, organizational diagnosis and capacity, business management, biophysical and livelihoods data;
3. Set up a system for data management including storage, processing, analysis, consolidation, sharing and managed access;
4. Generate and submit to the Project Manager periodic project progress reports, datasets, infographics or slide decks as required by the donor and ZSL;
5. Conduct workshops, orientations, trainings and other internal and stakeholder meetings where necessary;
6. Provide input to activity, survey, workshop, training and other technical reports and plans;
7. Submits own monthly workplans, reporting of monthly accomplishments, activity and travel expense reports and other project documents in compliance of ZSL procedures and donor requirements;
8. Following the ZSL Impact Framework, assess the outputs, outcomes, and impact of projects and use that information to help communicate the impact of ZSL’s work;
9. Contribute to organizational learning through the design of procedures, processes, and systems to encourage and facilitate more effective sharing of program results, approaches, feedback from partners, and lessons learned throughout the organization, using this insight to contribute to the field and shape future programs;
10. Strengthen monitoring, evaluation, feedback, and learning practices across the organization through trainings, workshops, webinars, etc.;
11. Create the data infrastructure and framework required for ongoing monitoring, evaluation, feedback, and learning to strengthen strategy and implementation;
12. Contribute to relevant sections of funding proposals to ensure alignment between partner capabilities and project requirements to articulate outputs, outcomes, and impact;
13. Conduct periodic meetings with teams on MEL progress, challenges, and ways forward, including backstopping to provide support and enhance implementation.          

This job description is designed to outline a range of main duties that may be encountered.  It is not designed to be an exhaustive list of tasks and can be varied in consultation with the post holder to reflect changes in the job or the organisation. 

• Preferably, with previous experience in non-government organizations (NGO) settings and natural resource conservation and management programs
•  Experience or knowledge with the Conservation Standards system for conservation project design and adaptive management. 
• Experience in projects funded by bilateral or multilateral donor organizations (e.g., UKAid, USAID, EU, etc.) an advantage 

ZSL is committed to conservation led by those who know their environments best. We work hand in hand with local communities and conservationists around the world, united in our mission to protect wildlife and power sustainable solutions globally.

We encourage applications from members of the communities we work with, and from those who share our passion for conservation and collaboration. At ZSL, we value respect, local knowledge, and shared purpose, together, we can make a real difference for wildlife,  people and planet.