Position Title:Senior Regional Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning ( MERL)

Position Location:Preference for Nairobi, Abidjan, Kampala, Accra, Kigali, or Addis Ababa

Reports To: Project Director

Contract Term: 1 year fixed term (renewable)

Languages Required: English (required); French (strong asset)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 30 January 2026

EXPECTED START DATE: March 1 2026 or sooner

Are you a seasoned leader in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning? WUSC is currently looking for a Senior Regional Manager to provide technical and strategic leadership for an exciting Phase II initiative in Africa

BACKGROUND

WUSC is a Canadian global development organization working to catalyze positive education and economic outcomes for young people. We bring together and collaborate with a diverse network of partners (including students, volunteers, schools, governments, not-for-profits, and businesses) who share this mission. Together, we influence systems change, and foster inclusive, youth-centered solutions that enable young people to thrive and belong. We work with all young people, with a focus on women and displaced populations. WUSC currently operates in 28 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in Canada, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $65 million. Our global team includes over 100 staff in Canada and more than 250 staff internationally, implementing a diverse portfolio of development projects in collaboration with numerous multilateral and bilateral donors, and philanthropic foundations.

Pending approval, WUSC is launching the second phase (2026-2031) of an exciting initiative, which aims to significantly expand efforts to help refugee, displaced, and host community (RDP) youth, particularly young women, secure dignified and fulfilling work and access education opportunities across Africa. Building on prior successes, this Phase II will deepen engagement in new geographies, strengthen local ecosystems, and equip partners with necessary knowledge and tools for lasting change. A core strategy is emphasizing the engagement and strengthening of Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) to provide sustainable, locally-led technical assistance.

Over the next five years, Phase II’s ambitious goals include indirectly enabling one million RDP youth to secure dignified work and 35,000 to access education through the provision of expert technical assistance to a broad ecosystem of actors. Key implementation strategies involve working closely with RLOs through three pathways: providing financial access via an RLO Opportunity Fund, strengthening their capacity to provide technical assistance to partners, and embedding them across Phase II’s functional areas. WUSC will serve as a network orchestrator, facilitating connections for scale and training partners and other stakeholders on RDP inclusion. The initiative will achieve its targets by increasing knowledge among partners, enhancing capacity to develop innovative programming, improving collaboration and inclusive policies, and strengthening the institutional ability of RLOs to design, implement, and sustain RDP solutions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Project Director, the Regional Senior Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) will oversee the MERL strategic response by offering leadership, and technical oversight across the project’s interventions. The Regional Senior Manager, MERL will be responsible for designing the MERL system in alignment with the country level frameworks.

The lead will:

MERL System Design and Management

Design and manage the program’s overall MERL standards and framework, ensuring data collection and reporting capabilities are robust and aligned with program goals and donor requirements.
Establish and oversee quality standards, ensuring adherence to the necessary level of MERL standards across the entire project portfolio.
Manage and mitigate the risk associated with challenges in maintaining quality MERL standards across a diverse set of partners.
Develop annual operating forecasts of MERL budgets, and the annual research, evaluation and learning agenda in close collaboration with the Project Director and team leads;
Oversee a team of five, including a Learning Manager, Research Manager and 3 MERL Officers, providing coaching and support to successfully deliver the initiative’s ambitious MERL agenda;
Provide coaching and support to the Technical Assistance Mechanism, Higher Education Inclusion, and RLO Opportunity Fund units to ensure that M&E practices are embedded in the teams’ daily work.

Learning and Knowledge Exchange

In close collaboration with the WUSC global MERL Manager, develop and oversee a strategic approach to learning and knowledge sharing within the project. This includes creating and implementing a project learning agenda aligned with WUSC’s institutional learning agenda and contributing learning results to the institutional knowledge hub.
Lead the development of a learning agenda to synthesize lessons learned and facilitate their incorporation into program design and implementation.
Oversee the process of assessments and thematic papers, research, analysis, interpretation and reporting of various data across all projects in the region to ensure the highest standards of intellectual honesty, research ethics, and academic convention;
Support network connections to promote knowledge exchange and strategic collaboration across geographies and partners, ensuring data and learning are leveraged for scaled impact.
Ensure learning and evidence are utilized to enhance the capacity of donor staff and partners to develop, test, and scale innovative programming.
Establish and manage working relationships and strategic engagement with external evaluation and research consultants and other partners, including relevant government bodies, researchers and other MERL stakeholders;

Refugee-led Organization Capacity Strengthening:

In close collaboration with the core pillar leads, develop and implement a tailored MERL training strategy for RLOs to effectively address gaps and improve their data collection and reporting capabilities.
Support RLOs in meeting project expectations and ensure they can maintain accountability and quality standards in their data and reporting.

Reporting and Systemic Change:

Track progress towards the ultimate program goals of enabling 1 million RDP youth to secure dignified work and 35,000 RDP youth to access education through technical assistance.
Provide evidence and data to inform the adaptation or redesign of interventions to address systemic barriers to education and economic opportunities for RDP youth.

Work environment

Promote and maintain an organizational culture that advances gender equality, reduces power abuse and inequalities, and fosters trust, respect and safety.  
Create a working environment is free from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH)
Ensure high standards of prevention and response measures for SEAH are in place consistent with the WUSC's safeguarding policies and WUSC's Code of Conduct.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

At minimum, a Bachelor’s degree in a related field (International Development, Public Policy, International Relations).

Experience & Competencies

Extensive experience (over ten years) designing, implementing, and managing complex MERL systems for large-scale, multi-country programs, preferably in the African context.
Demonstrated ability to provide technical assistance and capacity building in MERL to diverse partners, including community-based organizations and higher education institutions
Expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, data management, and the use of evidence for systemic change and policy influence.
Strong analytical and communication skills, with experience synthesizing complex data into clear learning products and reports.
Demonstrated commitment to social inclusion and knowledge of the specific constraints and realities of challenges faced by refugee and displaced groups;
Adherence to gender equality and social inclusion principles; proven knowledge of and commitment to the concept of gender equality and intersectionality within programming;
Strong planning, organization and problem-solving skills with ability to work hands-on, independently, and within team in a fast-paced work environment;
Commitment to WUSC’s mission of building a better world for all young people, particularly displaced and refugee youth.

Languages

Complete fluency in English is required.
Fluency (or professional competencies) in French is a strong asset.

WHY WORK WITH WUSC?

Join Us. Our work is important, cutting-edge, and rewarding. We encourage curiosity, innovation, and flexibility.

WUSC offers a dynamic international work environment with a diverse intercultural workforce. We offer employees exciting opportunities to apply their skills and gain experience all while making a difference in the lives of youth around the world. Employees at WUSC work hard to create lasting change in education, economic opportunities and empowerment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The headquarters of this initiative is located in Nairobi, Kenya; the MERL Head is expected to be based on the African continent, and must already possess the relevant work authorizations in the country they are/will be residing in.
The role will require frequent travel across the continent, and occasional international travel for conferences, workshops and meetings;
Ability to work a flexible schedule.

APPLICATIONS

WUSC’s activities seek to balance inequities and create sustainable development around the globe; the work ethic of our staff, volunteers, representatives and partners shall correspond to the values and mission of the organization. WUSC promotes responsibility, respect, honesty, and professional excellence and we will not tolerate harassment, coercion, sexual exploitation or abuse of any form.

Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process, or those needing job postings in an alternative format, may e-mail a request to [email protected].

WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and abilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Please note that only the candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.