Specialist, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

Water Mission International; United States; Remote; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Water Mission, a Christian engineering nonprofit, is looking for a dedicated MEL Specialist to support its global programs. This role involves designing data-collection tools, collaborating with analysts, and training staff across various projects, ensuring evidence-based decision-making while maintaining a strong Christian witness. Ideal candidates should have a master’s degree and experience in evaluation and data management.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of MEL practice with hands-on responsibility.
• Expertise in designing qualitative and quantitative data-collection tools.
• Ability to travel internationally with 2-4 trips a year.

Responsibilities

• Convert monitoring and evaluation requirements into data-collection tools.
• Develop theories of change, results frameworks, and evaluation protocols.
• Train staff and conduct data-quality audits.

Skills

Data Analysis

Training and Coaching

Problem-Solving

Project Management

Communication

Education

Master’s degree in social science, public health, international development, statistics, or related field

Tools

KoboToolbox

ODK

SurveyCTO

Excel

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Specialist, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

United States

Job Description

Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Since 2001, Water Mission has served more than 8 million people in 60 countries, sharing safe water and the message of God’s love. Working at Water Mission is as much a calling as it is a career, and we are searching for people with the courage, passion, and drive to help us change the world. Read more about our Statement of Faith and Our Christian Mission.

What is the opportunity?

Reporting to the Global MEL Manager, the MEL Specialist for Global Programs converts internal and external monitoring and evaluation requirements into right-fit data-collection tools, analysis pathways, reporting products, and action-oriented learning processes. The role designs qualitative and quantitative instruments, builds basic QA/QC and descriptive-analysis workflows, and equips staff through training and ongoing support. Success hinges on strong collaboration, a customer-service mindset, and the ability to gather and adapt feedback so evidence drives better decisions across Water Mission’s WASH and faith-based programming. The position can be based remotely within the continental US.

A successful Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist will:

General:

• Maintain a strong Christian witness and model servant leadership to colleagues, partners, the communities we serve, and the public.
• Engage and participate in prayer before and after team meetings.
• Lead and participate in biblically based staff devotions.

Design and Data-Capture Strategy:

• Develop theories of change, results frameworks, evaluation protocols, and right-fit survey instruments that cover output, outcome, and impact indicators.
• Configure and maintain mobile data-collection platforms (KoboToolbox, ODK, SurveyCTO, etc.), including logic, translations, and built-in QA/QC checks.
• Produce clear data dictionaries, indicator reference sheets, and SOPs to standardize data capture across programs.

Data Analysis, Visualization, and Reporting:

• Work closely with Water Mission’s data analyst to ensure cleaned data, basic descriptive statistics, and dashboards (Excel, Power BI, Tableau) meet stakeholder needs.
• Possess sufficient analytic and visualization competency to specify requirements, troubleshoot first-line issues, and translate insights for a wide variety of internal and external audiences.

Learning & Documentation:

• Contribute to pause-and-reflect sessions and other learning events led by colleagues.
• Document lessons learned and package evidence for reports, opportunities, and presentations.

Training, Documentation, & Ongoing Support:

• Design training tools for effective uptake of new and existing programs and initiatives.
• Deliver training and support to the wider MEL team and other relevant stakeholders through workshops, small-group sessions, and one-to-one follow-ups.
• Conduct periodic data-quality audits and troubleshoot tool issues, refining instruments as programs evolve.
• Partner with program managers, analysts, and country staff to streamline MEL workflows and maintain transparency of results.
• Stay current on MEL best practices—particularly in WASH and faith-based impact measurement—and recommend innovations for Water Mission.

Other Duties:

• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the HQ MEL Manager.

What is required?

• Personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Alignment with Water Mission’s Statement of Faith and core values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in social science, public health, international development, statistics, or related field.
• English fluency required; Spanish proficiency highly preferred.
• 2–4 years of MEL practice with hands-on responsibility for MEL planning and the design & implementation of data-collection, analysis, and reporting tools.
• International development or humanitarian experience preferred; WASH and/or integral-mission familiarity a plus.
• Demonstrated experience delivering training and coaching to field teams (no direct line management required).
• Expertise in designing and deploying qualitative and quantitative data-collection tools in KoboToolbox, ODK, SurveyCTO, or similar platforms.
• Proficiency in designing QA/QC processes and performing data cleaning and descriptive analysis in Excel (Power Query) and/or R, Stata, SPSS.
• Working knowledge of dashboard tools (Excel, Power BI, Tableau) to collaborate effectively with data-visualization specialists.
• Familiarity with a broad spectrum of indicators (activity/output, process, outcome, impact) and evaluation approaches (process, program, formative, outcome).
• Results orientation—pursues clear goals with excellence.
• Initiative & problem-solving—acts proactively and adapts in fluid contexts.
• Project-management fluency—able to integrate MEL tasks into project management tools and speak the language of Project/Program Managers.
• Collaboration & customer service—collects, filters, and adapts feedback to deliver high-value tools for diverse stakeholders.
• Communication—translates technical concepts into accessible insights.
• Ability to travel internationally, with international trips being 2-4 times per year, 1-3 weeks in length.
• Ability to occasionally travel to Charleston for staff gatherings and/or retreats.
• Flexibility to work periodic nights and weekends as required for ministry operations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate ideas and provide constructive feedback.
• Home internet bandwidth is strong enough to support video conferencing and other job-related responsibilities.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.