Evidence and Learning Specialist

Position Title

Evidence and Learning Specialist

Supervised by
MEAL Manager

Reporting to
MEAL Manager

Duty Station
Abuja, frequent travel

Area of Operation
Nigeria

Employment Period
12 months

Type of Contract (Expat/National/Trainee)
National

Salary & Benefits
Non-Management G2

Introduction
The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profit-making, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Background
DRC has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015. DRC Nigeria is the largest DRC country mission in the West Africa region and one of the largest DRC country missions globally. Currently, DRC delivers life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including internally displaced persons, returnees, and host communities in the areas of armed violence reduction, humanitarian mine action, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter, and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in 30+ Local Government Areas (LGAs) across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in northeast Nigeria.

Duties and Responsibilities
DRC in Nigeria aims to strengthen its evidence, learning, and knowledge management capacity, transforming into a learning-driven organization. The Evidence and Learning Specialist will bring the expertise needed to support this goal. In collaboration with MEAL team and under the supervision of the MEAL Manager, the role will maximize strategic evidence generation and utilization across programs.

The candidate will provide technical leadership in evidence generation, research and studies, guided by a comprehensive learning activities, ensuring that evidence is effectively used for program improvement, learning, advocacy, communication, and resource mobilization. The role will also focus on facilitating the exchange of best practices in research, evaluation, and analysis of monitoring data, driving learning and course corrections across DRC Nigeria’s programming, while contributing to knowledge sharing and capacity strengthening efforts.

The main responsibilities and tasks of the Evidence and Learning Specialist:
Strategy and System Development

• Lead the development and implementation of an Evidence and Learning (E&L) strategy for DRC Nigeria, ensuring alignment with DRC’s Country Strategic Plan, Regional and Global MEAL priorities.
• Support project and program development processes, providing technical input into the development of logical frameworks and results frameworks to guide evidence-based decision-making.
• Collaborate with Technical Coordinators, Quality Assurance and Area Implementation, and, MEAL team as well as partners in the design and implementation of Evidence and Learning plans, including tracking and reporting on indicator performance across various projects.
• Lead the consolidation of data and findings from project implementation to form a coherent base for analysis, lessons learned, and evidence generation to inform program improvement and future designs.
• Provide strategic guidance to Implementation team, MEAL team in the Area level and partners, ensuring project commitments are translated into actionable implementation plan and monitoring systems.

Research and Evaluation

• Lead the planning and tracking of assessments, evaluations, studies and research keeping the Evaluation Tracker up to date. Ensure all evaluations and studies are well-planned, aligned with program timelines, and carried out efficiently for accurate measurement and reporting.
• Lead, facilitate and oversee the research, assessments and other study implementation activities, budget management, and coordinate work with Area Office teams, and ensures quality and smooth and efficient day-to-day operation of research and data collection activities, data quality assurance, data management, analysis and report writing and communicating results.
• Collaborate with IT and program staff to ensure evaluation data and information are properly stored, maintained, and made accessible for analysis and reporting.
• Support and guide Implementation and MEAL team in Areal level to effectively manage resources (e.g. budget, plans) for MEAL activities to ensure timely delivery of assessments, evaluations, and studies.

Knowledge Management, Evidence based learning and reflection

• Lead and foster a learning culture within DRC Nigeria, aligning with Country, Regional and Global project learning agendas.
• Lead the planning and oversight of learning and review activities ensuring the Learning and Action Tracker is consistently updated and followed up with actions.
• Actively collaborate and coordinate with DRC Regional, HQ MEAL counterparts and Global MEAL Network to ensure the Global Learning practices shared, communicated and used within country, where necessary.
• Provide technical support for thematic sector studies, regularly leading independent project reviews and making recommendations for necessary adjustments.
• Ensure that findings from assessments and evaluations are integrated into project design and reporting to enhance evidence-based decision-making.
• Lead the analysis and dissemination of programmatic learnings through document sharing, presentations, and other communication methods, ensuring lessons learned are widely accessible.
• Conduct Quarterly review workshops in collaboration with relevant staff and ensure that outcomes are captured in the Learning tracker, shared and used for decision-making purposes in the Country Office
• Provide regular technical supervision to Area MEAL and program staff through ongoing mentorship, field visits, and program reviews.
• Collaborate with technical and program staff to design and implement assessments, studies, and learning initiatives to inform program strategies and operational improvements.
• Strengthen the capacity of staff and partners in research, MEAL, ensuring alignment with DRC standards and best practices.
• Archiving all research, assessment and evaluation tools, reports and any other related documents on DRC SharePoint.

Qualifications
Required

• A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Statistics, Research, or related fields. A Master's degree is highly desirable.
• Proven experience (at least 3 years) in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) roles, with a focus on evidence and learning strategy development.
• Experience in managing research, assessments, studies, and evaluations in a humanitarian or development context.
• Strong track record of working with Logical Frameworks (Logframe) and Results Frameworks to guide evidence-based decision-making.
• Prior experience in capacity building and providing technical support to program teams on MEAL processes and tools.
• Ability to foster a learning culture and facilitate knowledge sharing within the organization.
• Familiarity with data management, data analysis, and using evidence to inform programmatic decisions.
• Proficiency in data analysis software (such as SPSS, STATA, R, or equivalent) and database management.
• Strong knowledge of digital data collection tools (such as KoBoToolbox, CommCare, or similar).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work in diverse teams.

Desirable:

• Good command of other local languages spoken and written in North Nigeria (Kanuri, Fulani, etc.)

General Regulations

• The employee shall follow DRC instructions on safety, confidentiality and ethical guidelines, including the Code of Conduct and the Humanitarian Accountability Framework
• Employee should not engage in any other paid activity during the DRC contract period without prior authorization
• Employee should not engage in any activity that could harm DRC or the implementation of any project during the DRC contract period
• Employee should not give interviews to the media or publish project-related photos or other material without prior authorization
• Employee shall return all borrowed equipment for the project to DRC after the end of the contract period or upon request

Required Skills & Qualities

• Core Competencies of DRC:
  • Striving for excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Taking the lead
  • Communication
  • Demonstrating Integrity
• Ability to work in a multinational and multicultural environment
• Proactivity, with a sound commitment to teamwork and with a spirit of genuine collaboration
• Excellent communication skills, as well as patience and politeness, are required
• Multi-tasking and Organizational skills is a must
• Adaptable and Flexible
• Proven analytical and critical thinking skills
• Exemplary sense of ethics in the workplace
• Team-oriented & good sense of humor

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position on line: DRC sites All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.

Applications close on the 26th of December at midnight (GMT-time).Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Department:

Location: Abuja, frequent travel