Duty Station: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Reports to: Director – Performance and Operations
Contract: Fixed Term for 3 Years
Background
Children in Crossfire is a registered charity in Ireland that facilitates International Development and Global Citizenship Education activities. Guided by the vision of a compassionate world where every child can reach his or her potential, the organisation works in partnership with local organisations in Tanzania and Ethiopia to improve the lives of disadvantaged young children through quality Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). By strengthening early childhood care and learning, Children in Crossfire empowers children and their communities to build brighter futures.
Main purpose of the role
CiC-TZ is delivering its 5-Year Country Strategy (2022–2026), which aims to improve school readiness and foundational learning through direct programming, systems strengthening and national advocacy. As CiC-TZ transitions toward its next strategic cycle (2027–2031), the organisation is prioritising stronger evidence systems, improved data quality and enhanced learning to inform programme innovation and policy influence. The MEL Manager will play a central role in driving these efforts by operationalising a robust country-level MEL system that supports quality programming, accountability, learning and strategic decision-making.
The MEL Manager provides hands-on leadership for the implementation, coordination and continuous improvement of CiC-TZ’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) systems. Reporting directly to the Director – Performance & Operations (D-PO), with technical line support from the CiC Head of Education & MEL, the postholder ensures timely, reliable and high-quality data generation and learning across all programme portfolios.
The role leads routine MEL operations, supports programme teams and partners to collect and use evidence, manages data systems and reporting and contributes to research, evaluation and learning initiatives that strengthen CiC-TZ’s impact and national influence. The MEL Manager also ensures that MEL practices reflect national standards, donor requirements, CiC’s global frameworks and ethical data protection principles.
Major Responsibilities
1. MER Systems Implementation & Quality Assurance: Lead the implementation, coordination and continuous improvement of CiC-TZ’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Research frameworks, tools, and standards.
2. Data Management, Analysis & Reporting: Manage MEL data systems and tools, ensure data quality and analysis and generate evidence and insights.
3. Research, Evaluation & Knowledge Generation: Coordinate the design and delivery of research studies, surveys and evaluations, ensuring credible evidence is generated to guide programme improvement and policy engagement.
4. Learning & Evidence Use: Facilitate organisational learning processes and ensure MEL evidence informs programme design, adaptation and advocacy.
5. Partner MEL Support & Compliance: Provide hands-on MEL capacity-building to implementing partners and local government.
For more information, read the FULL JOB DESCRIPTION HERE
This role is considered to present a high-rating of safeguarding risk. The role will include regular field work in schools and communities whereby the staff will be interacting directly with children and vulnerable adults.
All applicants are required to complete a Children in Crossfire Application Form.
To apply please CLICK HERE
This is a Fixed Term for 3 Years
Closing date for applications: end of day Sunday 18th January 2026.
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