Research Team Lead – IITA KENYA

Job Description

RESEARCH TEAM LEADER- M&E
IITA KENYA

THE ORGANIZATION

The Alliance of
Bioversity International delivers research-based solutions that harness
agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve
people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition,
climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.

The Alliance
works with local, national and multinational partners across Latin America and
the Caribbean, Asia and Africa, and with the public and private sectors. The
Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure
future, dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security,
and improving natural resources and ecosystem services.

THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE
(IITA)

The
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit
institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most
pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource
degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we
improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment,
and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global
agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Research Team Leader- M&E
role is established to provide hands-on technical and coordination support for
the monitoring, evaluation, learning, and performance management functions of
the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) Programme. The
Research Team Leader will support the design, implementation, coordination,
tracking, analysis, and reporting of TAAT results, ensuring that programme
activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts are systematically measured and
documented in line with the TAAT results framework and reporting requirements.

Given the breadth, complexity, and
multi-country nature of the TAAT portfolio, the role combines strong expertise
in monitoring and evaluation, data management and analysis, results
measurement, and performance reporting with effective programme coordination
and stakeholder engagement. The role will work closely with the TAAT Programme
Management Unit, Compacts, country teams, implementing partners, and other
stakeholders to strengthen the quality, timeliness, and use of programme data;
track progress against targets and key performance indicators; identify
implementation gaps and emerging risks; and facilitate evidence-based learning
and adaptive management.

The role will contribute to
ensuring that TAAT has credible, timely, and actionable evidence on programme
performance, including the adoption and scaling of agricultural technologies,
beneficiary reach, productivity and production outcomes, employment and livelihood
effects, gender and youth results, and other programme-level indicators. The
post holder will also support the preparation of high-quality M&E products,
dashboards, analytical reports, performance updates, and donor reports, helping
ensure coherence, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making across the
TAAT portfolio.

MAIN
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

STRATEGIC
PARTNERSHIPS AND PROGRAMME COORDINATION

The position will work across a
complex, multi-country and multi-partner portfolio, requiring close
coordination with the TAAT Programme Management Unit, TAAT Compacts,
implementing CGIAR Centers and non-CGIAR international agricultural
institutions, the TAAT Clearinghouse, National Agricultural Research and
Extension institutions, government agencies, private-sector partners, and other
implementing partners. The Research Team Leader - M&E will help ensure that
reliable and timely evidence on programme implementation, outputs, outcomes,
and impacts is generated, quality-assured, analyzed, and effectively used for
programme management and decision-making.

The role will:

• Lead the
  translation of TAAT results frameworks into actionable M&E plan and
  elaborate Performance Indicator Reference Sheets (PIRS) including indicator
  definitions, data sources, collection methods, reporting schedules,
  responsibilities, milestones, and verification requirements.

• Contribute to the
  implementation of TAAT's M&E system, applying appropriate M&E
  approaches, tools, methodologies, and digital data systems aligned with the
  TAAT Results Framework.

• Track programme
  performance across all TAAT Compacts and countries, monitoring progress against
  set baselines, targets, and milestones for the programme’s indicators.

• Coordinate the
  collection, compilation, validation, analysis, and reporting of data, ensuring
  that data submitted by Compacts and implementing partners are complete,
  accurate, consistent, timely, and adequately supported by evidence.

• Provide technical
  guidance on data quality assurance and verification processes, including
  consistency checks, field-level verification, and other appropriate data
  quality assessment mechanisms to strengthen the credibility and reliability of
  reported results.

• Maintain and
  continuously update TAAT performance tracking systems, databases, dashboards,
  and other M&E tools for real-time visibility of implementation progress.

• Prepare periodic
  performance reports on TAAT outputs and outcomes indicators and submit them
  within stipulated donor and programme timelines.

• Provide technical
  guidance to Compacts and implementing partners on M&E methodologies and
  tools, including indicator measurement, data collection, digital data
  management, sampling, surveys, outcome monitoring, technology adoption
  measurement, beneficiary tracking, and results reporting.

• Support the
  design and implementation of outcome case studies, impact assessments, and
  other M&E studies as required to generate credible evidence of TAAT's
  contribution to agricultural transformation.

• Contribute to
  programme reviews, learning events, supervision missions, and performance
  discussions, providing evidence and analytical insights to inform management
  decisions and adaptive implementation.

• Lead capacity
  strengthening of Compact and partner M&E teams, including development and
  use of M&E tools, indicator guidance, data collection protocols, reporting
  templates, data quality procedures, and results.

• Contribute to the
  coordinatiom of M&E activities of TAAT addendums and country engagement
  initiatives to ensure their alignment to TAAT’s Result Framework.

M&E
LEADERSHIP AND PROGRAMME COORDINATION

The
M&E Lead will serve as a key coordination and technical focal point for
monitoring, evaluation, learning, and results measurement across the TAAT
programme. The role will facilitate effective engagement and information flow
between the TAAT Programme Management Unit, Compacts, country teams,
implementing partners, technical institutions, the TAAT Clearinghouse, national
stakeholders, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure timely generation,
validation, use, and reporting of programme results.

The role will:

• Coordinate
  routine M&E engagement across TAAT Compacts and participating countries,
  ensuring that M&E requirements, reporting schedules, indicators, targets,
  and evidence requirements are clearly understood and consistently applied.

• Lead the flow of
  M&E information between implementing partners, Compacts, the TAAT PMU, the
  TAAT Clearinghouse, and other relevant stakeholders.

• Provide technical
  guidance and constructive feedback to implementing teams and partners on
  indicator measurement, data collection, reporting formats, evidence
  requirements, and compliance with the TAAT Results Framework.

• Support
  coordination with the TAAT Clearinghouse and relevant technical partners on the
  tracking and verification of technology dissemination, adoption, scaling,
  beneficiary reach, and other key TAAT results.

• Contribute to
  cross-Compact learning and knowledge exchange, facilitating sharing of M&E
  approaches, lessons, good practices, and innovative tools across compact teams
  and countries.

PROGRAMME
IMPLEMENTATION AND PERFORMANCE MONITORING

The M&E Lead will deliver timely, credible, and actionable
monitoring, evaluation, and performance information to support effective
implementation, accountability, learning, and evidence-based decision-making
across the TAAT programme.

The role will:

• Lead the consolidation and synthesis of routine M&E updates from
  TAAT Compacts, countries, and implementing partners, ensuring that progress
  against indicators, targets, milestones, and deliverables is accurately
  captured.

• Prepare and maintain programme performance dashboards, trackers,
  databases, and analytical tools that provide up-to-date information on TAAT
  implementation and results.

• Ensure the completeness, accuracy, consistency, and quality of
  reported results through systematic data validation, quality assurance,
  verification, and follow-up with Compacts and implementing partners.

• Lead the preparation of annual, quarterly, and other periodic reports,
  ensuring that results across all Compacts and countries are accurately
  consolidated.

• Document and synthesize lessons, good practices, innovations, and
  emerging evidence from programme implementation to support learning, knowledge
  management, and adaptive management.

• Provide timely M&E inputs for programme reviews, supervision
  missions, management meetings, donor engagements, and strategic planning
  processes.

• Maintain an organized and auditable repository of M&E data,
  reports, tools, supporting documentation, and evidence, ensuring that programme
  results can be readily verified and traced to their sources.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

• A Master’s degree in Monitoring and
  Evaluation, Agricultural Economics, Development Studies, Statistics, Data
  Science, Agricultural Sciences, Social Sciences, or a related field from a
  recognized university.At least eight years of progressively responsible
  experience coordinating agricultural research for development, extension,
  agribusiness, digital agriculture, innovation scaling, or related programs.

• At least 10 years of professional experience
  in monitoring, evaluation, learning, results measurement, performance
  management, data analysis, or related fields, preferably within agricultural
  development or international development programmes.

• Demonstrated experience in designing,
  implementing, and strengthening M&E systems and Results Measurement
  Frameworks.

• Proven experience in coordinating M&E
  functions for complex, multi-country and multi-partner projects or portfolios,
  involving multiple implementing institutions and diverse stakeholders.

• Strong experience in data collection,
  management, analysis, validation, quality assurance, and verification,
  including ensuring completeness, accuracy, consistency, and reliability of
  programme data and reported results.

• Experience in the design and implementation of
  baseline, midline, endline, outcome monitoring, evaluation, and other programme
  studies.

• Proven experience in technical writing,
  performance reporting, and synthesis of complex quantitative and qualitative
  information for programme management, development partners, donors, and other
  stakeholders.

• Demonstrated experience in developing and
  managing M&E databases, performance dashboards, digital data collection
  systems, trackers, and data visualization tools.

• Demonstrated experience in capacity
  strengthening and technical support to programme teams, implementing partners,
  and other stakeholders in M&E methodologies, data collection, indicator
  measurement, reporting, and use of data.

• Experience working with CGIAR Centers,
  international agricultural research institutions, national agricultural
  research and extension systems, development partners, or large-scale
  donor-funded programmes.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in
  multicultural, multidisciplinary, and geographically dispersed teams, while
  managing multiple priorities and delivering high-quality outputs within tight
  deadlines.

Technical
Competencies

• Strong technical expertise in monitoring,
  evaluation, results measurement, and performance management.

• Strong knowledge of Results-Based Management
  (RBM), Results Measurement Frameworks, Theory of Change, indicator development,
  and performance monitoring methodologies.

• Demonstrated ability to design, implement, and
  continuously improve M&E systems for complex, multi-country and
  multi-partner programmes.

• Strong data management and analytical skills.

• Proficiency in digital data collection, data
  management, visualization, and reporting tools, including platforms such as
  KoboToolbox/ODK, Excel, Power BI, Tableau, Stata, SPSS, R, GIS, or equivalent
  systems.

• Strong data quality assurance and verification
  skills

• Excellent programme coordination and
  organizational skills

• Excellent technical writing, synthesis,
  visualization, and presentation skills,

• Strong stakeholder engagement and
  interpersonal skills,

• Ability to work independently and take
  initiative while contributing effectively to a complex, multidisciplinary,
  multicultural, and geographically dispersed team.

• Excellent written and spoken English is
  required.

• Working knowledge of French is an added
  advantage

Expected
Deliverables

• Consolidated TAAT M&E performance tracker
  covering all Compacts, countries, indicators, targets, milestones, and
  reporting requirements.

• A functional Mpro results-tracking system
  aligned with the TAAT III Results Framework.

• Timely quarterly progress reports.

• Presentations, Analytical briefs and summaries
  translating M&E findings into actionable insights.

• M&E support to field missions, Outcome
  Case Studies, Impact Assessments, and Project Completion Reports, including
  documentation of findings and actions.

• M&E tools, templates, guidelines, and
  reporting protocols to strengthen consistency and efficiency.

• Documented lessons, good practices, and
  evidence of programme result across Compacts. Country level documentation of
  results, lessons, adaptations, implementation risks, and success stories.

Key
Performance Milestones

• Demonstrate
  effective coordination of routine M&E data collection, validation,
  consolidation, analysis, and reporting across Compacts and implementing
  partners, with clear evidence of improved timeliness and completeness of
  submissions.

• Continuously
  manage the TAAT MPRO performance dashboards to provide management with timely
  visibility of progress against TAAT indicators, targets, milestones, and
  results.

• Demonstrate
  measurable improvements in data quality, results tracking, reporting
  consistency, and evidence availability, supported by documented data-quality
  assessments, verification exercises, and corrective actions.

• By the end of the
  implementation period, coordinate the drafting of project completion reports by
  al compacts using the OECD-DAC criteria documenting results achieved against
  targets, key performance trends, lessons learned, good practices, implementation
  challenges, and recommendations for future programming.

• Provide timely
  technical support to Compacts and implementing partners, strengthen their
  M&E capacity, facilitate evidence-based learning, and ensure prompt
  follow-up and resolution of identified data, reporting, and performance issues.

Evaluation Criteria

• Relevance and depth of academic and
  professional qualifications

• Strength and relevance of technical M&E
  experience

• Demonstrated experience in designing,
  implementing, and strengthening M&E systems

• Demonstrated project and portfolio
  coordination experience

• Quality of technical analysis, writing,
  synthesis, and reporting,

• Experience in data quality assurance and
  verification

• Experience working across multiple
  countries, institutions, and stakeholder groups

• Demonstrated ability to manage complexity
  and competing priorities

• Proficiency in relevant M&E and data
  management tools

• Interpersonal and stakeholder management
  skills

• Demonstrated orientation
  towards results, learning, and continuous improvement

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This position is a National recruited position based
in Nairobi, Kenya. The initial contract will be for 1 (One) year subject to a probation period of 3
(three) months and is renewable depending on performance and availability
of resources.

This position is graded at BG09 level, in
a scale of BG01 to BG14 (BG14 being the highest level according to the Alliance
job classification framework policy). We offer a competitive salary and
excellent benefits.

The Alliance Bioversity-CIAT is committed to
fair, safe, and inclusive workplaces. We believe that diversity powers our
innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission.
Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that
reflects our global character is a priority. We encourage applicants from all
cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages,
disability statuses, sexual orientations, marital status, and gender
identities. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.