Вакансія: MEL Lead

KEY INFORMATION

Position: MEL Lead
Programme: Fiscal Governance for Local Reconstruction and Recovery (FG4R)
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine (with periodic travel to partner cities: Lviv, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Chernivtsi, Khmelnytskyi)
Reports to: Project Supervisor
Level of Effort: 100% (Full-time) 

1. Programme Background

The Fiscal Governance for Local Reconstruction and Recovery (FG4R) programme is a Swiss-funded initiative implemented by Cowater International to strengthen municipal fiscal resilience and support Ukraine’s local recovery. Operating in five partner cities (Lviv, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Chernivtsi, and Khmelnytskyi), FG4R works with national and local authorities to strengthen transparent and accountable public financial management systems that support recovery and attract investment. The programme is designed for a four-year implementation period (2025–2029).

FG4R is structured around four technical components:

1. Internal Control, Audit, and Transparency: Strengthening financial oversight and budget openness.
2. Local Revenue Mobilisation and Debt Management: Expanding municipal revenue bases and supporting responsible borrowing.
3. Strategic Resource Allocation and Public Investment Management: Ensuring budgets align with recovery priorities through medium-term and performance-based budgeting, gender- and climate-responsive budgeting, and improved investment management systems.
4. Learning, Peer Exchange, and Communication: Capturing, sharing, and scaling learning across municipalities.

2. Role Summary

The MEL Lead is responsible for leading the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the programme’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) system. The role ensures that programme progress, outcomes, and lessons learned are systematically measured, analysed, and used to inform decision-making and adaptive management across all components.

The MEL Lead works closely with the Team Lead and Component Leads to establish indicators, data collection tools, reporting processes, learning mechanisms, and quality assurance standards. The role supports Partner Cities and programme staff in applying MEL approaches, ensures compliance with SECO requirements, and promotes evidence-based decision-making and adaptive management across the programme.

3. Key Responsibilities

The MEL Lead will:

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the programme’s MEL framework in close coordination with the Team Lead and Component Leads.
• Develop and maintain methodologies, indicators, data collection tools, and reporting mechanisms aligned with SECO requirements and the FG4R Work Plan.
• Coordinate baseline and periodic data collection across Partner Cities, working closely with Regional Coordinators and Component Leads.
• Ensure systematic monitoring of programme progress and results, including aggregation and analysis of evidence from all components.
• Support adaptive management processes by providing timely insights, trend analysis, and recommendations to the Team Lead and Component Leads.
• Lead the design and facilitation of learning activities, including reflection sessions, after-action reviews, and cross-city learning synthesis.
• Ensure integration of cross-cutting priorities (GESI, climate considerations, Political Economy Analysis, and risk management) in MEL processes.
• Provide training, mentoring, and technical guidance to programme staff and Partner Cities on MEL tools and practices.
• Produce MEL sections of programme reports, including contributions to SECO reporting and internal management updates.
• Maintain high-quality data management processes, ensuring reliability, accuracy, and ethical handling of information.
• Participate in programme coordination, planning, and learning meetings led by the Team Lead.
• Collaborate with communication staff to support evidence-based storytelling, visibility materials, and knowledge products.
• Perform other programme-related tasks as assigned by the Project Supervisor and Team Lead.

4. Deliverables

The MEL Lead will deliver:

• A comprehensive MEL Framework, including indicators, methodologies, and result pathways, aligned with the approved Work Plan and validated with the Team Lead and Component Leads.
• Baseline and target indicator summaries for all programme components, including definitions, data sources, and measurement approaches.
• A Data Collection Plan (DCP), covering schedules, tools, responsibilities, and quality requirements across Partner Cities and components.
• MEL data collection tools (questionnaires, templates, checklists, scorecards) to support systematic evidence gathering.
• A MEL Protocols Package, including data quality assurance (DQA) protocol; data management and storage procedures; ethical guidelines for data handling; reporting standards and guidance for Component Leads and Regional Coordinators.
• Periodic monitoring reports and analytical MEL briefs for the Team Lead and SECO, capturing progress, bottlenecks, and recommendations.
• Technical MEL inputs for programme work planning, quarterly reports, annual reports, and other reporting requirements.
• Development, maintenance, and regular updating of MEL dashboards or tracking sheets consolidating data from all components and Partner Cities.
• Capacity-building materials and training sessions for programme staff and Partner Cities on MEL tools and processes.
• Review and quality assurance of monitoring data and evidence of MEL-related evidence submitted by Component Leads and Regional Coordinators.
• Active participation in coordination, planning, and programme learning processes led by the Team Lead.

5. Reporting

The MEL Lead reports to the Project Supervisor and collaborates closely with Team Lead, Component Leads, Regional Coordinators, the Communications team, and programme operations staff to ensure coherent implementation of MEL processes across the programme.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply by August 2, 2026 as soon as possible.

For your application to be considered, please submit your CV to email: [email protected] 

Cowater international strives to maintain a fair, transparent, and human centered recruitment process. As part of our commitment to responsible hiring practices and compliance with evolving recruitment regulations, we may use AI assisted tools to support limited aspects of our talent acquisition workflow, such as reviewing or shortlisting applications. These tools are used only to enhance efficiency and consistency in our processes. All assessments, interviews, and final hiring decisions are made exclusively by our human recruiting managers. Candidates may request additional information about the use of these tools or reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

ABOUT US

Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.