Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager

Avalon-Capital-Group; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision

Health Savings Account

401(k) match up to 6%

Performance Incentive Plan

Employee Charitable Donation Match

Job summary

Waitt Institute in San Diego, CA is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager to lead MEL initiatives across diverse coastal programs. This full‑time role reports to the VP of Ocean Science and collaborates with governments, NGOs, and internal teams to design and implement practical MEL strategies that track ecological, fisheries, and socio-economic outcomes.

The position involves travel up to 30% and requires strong communication skills, program management capabilities, and the

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience with marine resources, fisheries, socioeconomics, or related topics, including MEL program design, refinement, and/or application.
• Demonstrated applied research experience in designing monitoring frameworks/strategies or related indicators, data collection and evaluation, and interpreting ecological, fisheries, socioeconomic, and/or governance data for management decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate highly technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines across a variety of projects.
• Bachelor’s degree required (Graduate degree preferred) in Environmental Studies, Marine Science, Oceanography, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally as needed.

Responsibilities

• In coordination with country partners and other WI staff, lead the continued development and implementation of country-specific MEL strategies, including establishing goals, objectives, indicators, monitoring approaches, and processes.
• In support of collaborative implementation of MEL strategies, lead MEL-focused coordination with government agencies, local communities, NGOs, technical experts, and international partners. This responsibility could include research design, data collection, analysis, synthesis, and presentation, as requested.
• Manage contractors and consultants, including work-planning, budgeting, and tracking deliverables.
• Organize and maintain program management systems, tracking tools, and internal documentation.
• Travel internationally to support in-country meetings, workshops, and implementation activities as needed.

Skills

MEL design

Monitoring frameworks

Data collection & eval

Technical communication

Project management

International travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Marine Science, Oceanography, Natural Resource Management, or related field

Graduate degree preferred

Job description

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager

Job Description

Location: San Diego, CA
Hours: Full-time
Compensation: $85,000 to $115,000 USD annually

The Waitt Institute is a team of international experts working around the globe to protect the world's oceans and support coastal communities in Blue Prosperity (BPC) programs. This position will report to the Vice President of Ocean Science and work closely with internal teams, partner governments, NGOs, and other pertinent monitoring programs to develop and implement monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) programs in BPC countries focused on ecosystems, fisheries, socio-economics, and governance. The goal is to support government partners in determining if marine spatial plans and relevant marine resource management measures are achieving their ecological, fisheries-related, and socio-economic goals. The intent is to be practical, decision-oriented, and sustainable over time. This position can involve significant international travel (up to 30%).

The Waitt Institute is working with seven national and territorial governments in the North Atlantic and the Western and Central Pacific Ocean to create and implement marine spatial plans to help improve local livelihoods and economies while safeguarding marine life and ecosystems. As a global team, the Waitt Institute is committed to diversity, cultural competence, and inclusivity, and we recognize that these core values enable our success. We seek to employ talented advocates for ocean and coastal communities, and we welcome all applicants.

Responsibilities

• In coordination with country partners and other WI staff, lead the continued development and implementation of country-specific MEL strategies, including establishing goals, objectives, indicators, monitoring approaches, and processes.
• In support of collaborative implementation of MEL strategies, lead MEL-focused coordination with government agencies, local communities, NGOs, technical experts, and international partners. This responsibility could include research design, data collection, analysis, synthesis, and presentation, as requested.
• Manage contractors and consultants, including work-planning, budgeting, and tracking deliverables.
• Organize and maintain program management systems, tracking tools, and internal documentation.
• Travel internationally to support in-country meetings, workshops, and implementation activities as needed.

Professional Qualifications

• At least 5 years of experience with marine resources, fisheries, socioeconomics, or related topics, including MEL program design, refinement, and/or application.
• Demonstrated applied research experience in designing monitoring frameworks/strategies or related indicators, data collection and evaluation, and interpreting ecological, fisheries, socioeconomic, and/or governance data for management decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate highly technical information to non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines across a variety of projects.
• Bachelor’s degree required (Graduate degree preferred) in Environmental Studies, Marine Science, Oceanography, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally as needed.

Personal Attributes

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to foster trust and facilitate both technical and non-technical discussions.
• Superb professional and pragmatic personal presence.
• Confidence in engagement with diverse stakeholders, including scientists, government resource managers, and the general public.
• Curious and motivated to approach complex topics pragmatically with a results-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work collaboratively across cultures and disciplines.
• Reliable, responsive, and comfortable working across time zones.
• Able to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a team.

Company Benefits

• Unlimited Paid Time Off
• Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision options
• Health Savings Account
• 401(k) match up to 6%
• Performance Incentive Plan
• Employee Charitable Donation Match Program