Head of Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Impact Assessment (MELIA) - (G-26-45)

The International Potato Center (CIP) seeks a strategic and accomplished Head of Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Impact Assessment (MELIA) to provide scientific and technical leadership for the generation, analysis, and use of evidence on the relevance, effectiveness, adoption, outcomes, and impact of CIP's research and innovation portfolio. The successful candidate will strengthen CIP's MELIA function by integrating economics, social science, statistics and data science, monitoring and evaluation, impact assessment, and organizational learning to document how research and innovation contribute to sustainable and inclusive development outcomes. The position will play a critical role in ensuring that evidence is systematically translated into learning, decision-making, program improvement, and organizational growth, in support of CIP2030. About the position: This is a global position based in CIP's Africa Region (Nairobi, Kenya, or another CIP country office in Africa). The Head of MELIA will report to the Director General, working closely with the Deputy Director General for Science and Innovation, Science Leaders, and Regional Directors. The role will develop and apply robust, up-to-date approaches for assessing research outputs, outcomes, and impact, and will strengthen MELIA frameworks and practices across CIP's programs and projects. Working across disciplines, programs, and regions, the Head of MELIA will build a coherent institutional approach to MELIA, support Senior Management in using evidence for decision-making, and contribute to CIP's Organizational Growth agenda. Key responsibilities: Technical Leadership · Provide technical leadership in the development and implementation of CIP's approaches to monitoring, evaluation, learning and impact assessment, ensuring alignment with institutional strategy (e.g. CIP2030), research priorities and relevant CGIAR frameworks. · Develop and promote appropriate methodologies, standards, tools and guidance for assessing research outputs, outcomes, adoption, and impact. · Strengthen the integration of MELIA into the design and implementation of research programs, projects and investment proposals so that pathways to impact, assumptions, indicators and evidence requirements are clearly articulated from inception. · Lead and contribute to the development of results frameworks, indicator frameworks and evaluation approaches for major programs and initiatives. · Advise research teams and management on appropriate methodologies for measuring outcomes and impact, including economic, social, nutritional, gender, inclusion, environmental and other relevant dimensions. · Promote the use of MELIA evidence as a management and learning tool, supporting adaptive management and evidence-informed decisions. Evidence Generation and Analysis • Lead the design and oversee the implementation of a robust and up-to-date Monitoring and Evaluation framework at CIP that captures the full scope of CIP science and innovation. • Identify and apply innovative analytical methods, digital technologies, data sources and research approaches that strengthen the quality, efficiency and relevance of MELIA. • Design and lead ex-ante and ex-post impact assessments and other evaluative studies using appropriate quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method approaches. • Contribute to proposal development by incorporating impact assessment, socio-economic approaches and MELIA components • Work across CIP's research programs, regions and corporate functions to embed MELIA approaches throughout the research and project lifecycle. Institutional Learning and Organizational Growth • Establish mechanisms for synthesizing MELIA findings to identify institutional-level risks and opportunities. • Translate evidence from monitoring, evaluations, impact assessments and research into actionable recommendations for scientists, program leaders and management. • Contribute to institutional learning processes, portfolio reviews and strategic discussions through customized analysis and presentation of evidence • Specifically, contribute to CIP’s Organizational Growth agenda in close collaboration with the Resource Mobilization, Digital and Data, and Communications teams • Contribute to institutional knowledge management by ensuring that MELIA findings, methodologies, datasets and lessons are appropriately documented, accessible and usable. Collaboration and Partnerships • Build and maintain effective research and MELIA partnerships with CGIAR entities, national agricultural research systems, universities, governments, development partners and other relevant organizations. • Represent CIP in relevant CGIAR and external technical networks, working groups and communities of practice related to MELIA, agricultural economics, impact assessment and evidence-based decision-making. • Build the capacity of CIP staff and partners in MELIA methodologies, impact assessment, evidence generation and the interpretation and use of findings. • Comply with national and international health and safety laws, regulations and standards. Requirements What are we looking for? Expertise and Specialization: • Ph.D. in Economics, Statistics, Data Science, or a related scientific discipline. Specialization in methodologies relevant to MELIA is desirable. • At least 8 years of experience in similar positions. • Significant relevant professional experience in agricultural research, international development, agricultural economics, impact assessment, and/or monitoring, evaluation, and learning. • Demonstrated experience designing and conducting rigorous impact assessments, evaluations, adoption studies, and socioeconomic research. • Demonstrated experience developing theories of change, results frameworks, indicators, and MELIA approaches for complex research or development programs. • Experience working in multidisciplinary and multicultural research environments and with international and national partners. • Experience with CGIAR, international agricultural research, or comparable research-for-development organizations is highly desirable. • Demonstrated experience contributing to successful research proposals and resource mobilization is highly desirable. • Strong quantitative analytical skills and experience with relevant statistical and econometric methodologies, with a demonstrated ability to integrate qualitative and mixed method approaches where appropriate. • Demonstrated record of scientific publication and of communicating research findings to technical and non-technical audiences. • Strong communication and networking skills. Leadership competencies: • Empowering & Coaching • Navigating & Driving change • Wellbeing & Inclusion • Vision & Strategic Thinking Languages: • Advanced written and oral communication skills in English. • Fluency in the official language of the country of assignment is desirable. Benefits What are we offering? • Great career opportunity in an international organization. • Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience. • 3-year term contract with the possibility of renewal. • Work in an equal and diverse workplace.