The Role
The Manager, Field Operations oversees all monitoring and evaluation field activities for Evidence Action’s programs across the West and Central Africa Sub-region, which includes Nigeria, Liberia, and Cameroon.
This role offers an engaging opportunity to manage program research and learning initiatives, facilitate MLE support for regional programs, and spearhead the creation and evaluation of monitoring frameworks. Additionally, the position entails providing assistance to research and learning projects while fostering collaboration between MLE teams, government stakeholders, and other key implementing partners as required.
Ensuring the quality of data for all Evidence Action sub-regional programs at the highest standard is a vital component of our success.
Please be aware that this is a one-year contract role.
Oversee daily operations to ensure seamless workflow and adherence to established protocols, while actively monitoring project progress and addressing any arising issues promptly. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align objectives and foster innovation, ensuring all activities comply with organizational policies and industry regulations. Develop and implement strategic initiatives to enhance efficiency, productivity, and overall performance, while maintaining meticulous documentation and reporting standards. Provide mentorship and guidance to team members to cultivate a high-performance culture and support professional growth. Ensure timely completion of deliverables by allocating resources effectively and prioritizing tasks according to organizational priorities and deadlines.
We oversee the planning and coordination of Machine Learning Engineering (MLE) support for programs operating within the designated sub-region, ensuring seamless integration and alignment with regional objectives.
Enhance and optimize machine learning engineering initiatives to ensure they are thorough, budget-conscious, and strategically designed in alignment with program objectives. Implement the most economical yet high-quality methodologies and approaches to effectively manage allocated resources.
Review and monitor program MLE outcomes, providing guidance on the analysis and utilization of these results to empower program teams within the sub-region to make informed, data-driven decisions.
Ensure that the MLE team is adequately represented in meetings involving program teams, partners, and government stakeholders, as needed and appropriate.
Work closely with the MLE Strategy and Delivery teams to align on the data requirements of sub-regional programs, guaranteeing the MLE team meets program deadlines efficiently.
Collaborate with state and national partners as well as government stakeholders to provide machine learning engineering support.
Conduct site visits to verify that MLE activities are being executed appropriately, align with the local context, and provide necessary support for their implementation as needed.
Build and oversee key collaborations with Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) vendors as necessary to meet program Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation (MLE) objectives.
Responsible for directing vendor sourcing efforts to fulfill MLE program requirements across the sub-region, while ensuring strict adherence to budgetary constraints, project timelines, and deliverable milestones.
The MLE Strategy team’s research and learning initiatives are supported through contributions to projects aimed at addressing identified knowledge gaps regarding programs in the sub-region, encompassing tasks such as developing survey designs (including methods and sampling frameworks), drafting and piloting surveys and survey protocols, creating analysis plans, executing data collection, performing data cleaning and analysis, and compiling reports.
Craft insightful content for the Machine Learning Engineering (MLE) newsletter, as well as sub-regional, regional, and global publications, both internal and external.
Data collection activities will be conducted for all Evidence Action programs within the specified sub-region.
Oversee country teams and allocate resources to successfully fulfill all data collection objectives, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative aspects, ensuring the acquisition of pertinent and dependable data for MLE (Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation) initiatives.
Collaborate with the program team to facilitate seamless communication and information sharing for data collection planning purposes, overseeing real-time information systems to provide immediate feedback, and disseminating relevant updates to the program team as needed.
We create streamlined logistical tools to empower field teams, establish foundational standards and optimal data collection methodologies, and perform rigorous back-checks and spot-checks while meticulously documenting all field activities.
Spearhead the design, implementation, and ongoing upkeep of essential databases to efficiently capture and organize program-related data.
Analyze the monitoring reports generated by the Data Learning team and deliver context-driven feedback, documenting and sharing key insights from these evaluations while tracking advancements in critical areas to guarantee that findings drive meaningful program enhancements.
Field Operations Team Leadership: Overseeing and directing the field operations team to ensure efficient execution of tasks, adherence to company standards, and alignment with strategic objectives. This role involves coordinating resources, managing performance, and fostering a collaborative environment to drive productivity and meet operational targets. Responsibilities include supervising team members, resolving field-related challenges, and implementing best practices to enhance operational effectiveness while maintaining compliance with industry regulations.
Oversee the development and implementation of the annual MLE (Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation) team work plans, ensuring alignment with the established scope of work and program priorities across the sub-region. Monitor progress against the work plan, verifying that all activities are executed as scheduled while meeting critical monitoring and reporting deadlines.
Draft annual program MLE budgets based on the scope of work outlined by the MLE Strategy Leads, ensuring accurate budgeting for planned MLE activities across all programs within the sub-region. Monitor MLE expenditures in alignment with approved budgets and conduct regular reviews to verify that actual spending remains within sustainable limits compared to allocated funds.
Collaborate with MLE leadership, the HR Manager, and relevant program team representatives to oversee the needs assessment, recruitment, and onboarding processes for MLE staff within the sub-region.
Oversee the country-level MLE (Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation) team to guarantee adherence to all M&E (Monitoring and Evaluation) activities and maintain high-quality execution, ensuring alignment with established deliverables.
Collaborating with Program and MLE teams, we assess opportunities for enhancing capacity, fostering professional growth, and building skills, then design targeted strategies to address identified areas for improvement within the MLE teams across the sub-region.
Develop and sustain well-defined reporting templates and structured timelines to fulfill both internal and external reporting requirements.
Support the advancement of machine learning engineering (MLE) best practices throughout the organization while fostering cross-geography collaboration and knowledge exchange across all Evidence Action locations.
Oversee the development and enhancement of advanced systems and tools designed to facilitate staff training, in accordance with the MLE staff training protocol.
Other:
Conduct any additional monitoring, evaluation, and learning tasks as instructed by the supervisor to advance the team’s collective goals.
Tracked and analyzed key performance indicators to evaluate operational efficiency, identify trends, and support data-driven decision-making across departments, ensuring alignment with strategic business objectives.
Surveys and other data collection initiatives are developed in partnership with the Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation Specialist (MLE-S).
Continuously refining and enhancing developed systems, protocols, and procedures is essential, along with providing pertinent feedback to bolster the quality of training.
Collaborating vendors are tasked with fulfilling data collection obligations in accordance with their contractual agreements.
Accurate and prompt gathering of monitoring data across all programs within the sub-region is essential.
All country programs are required to electronically collect and report data through designated systems, including CTO and DHIS2.
The role entails maintaining and enhancing the integrity and accuracy of data gathered for program monitoring and evaluation purposes.
Ensuring adherence to established standards and optimal practices throughout the entire survey lifecycle—from initial design through implementation, data collection, and final reporting—is essential.
Professional and meticulous administration of fiscal resources is required, ensuring full compliance with established financial policies and procedures. This role demands precise budgetary oversight and unwavering commitment to financial governance standards.
After conducting monitoring activities, learning resources are provided to the program team to facilitate review and support informed decision-making.
Each week, Monday serves as the deadline for submitting activity progress reports.
Demonstrated ongoing enhancement in team building, collaboration, and leadership capabilities, as reflected in consistent positive feedback from direct reports, supervisors, external stakeholders, and cross-functional support teams.
Annually, professional development objectives for Field Operations team members are established within reasonable parameters.
Field Operations teams are equipped with the necessary tools and materials to execute their responsibilities effectively, while ensuring meticulous accountability for all resources utilized.
The ideal candidate must fulfill the following qualifications: a minimum of three years of experience in a related field, proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, and strong interpersonal and communication skills. Additionally, the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment is essential. A bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant discipline is required, along with a proven track record of meeting deadlines. Familiarity with industry-specific software and the capacity to multitask in a fast-paced setting are also necessary. Demonstrated leadership qualities and problem-solving capabilities will be highly advantageous.
A master’s degree in a pertinent discipline, characterized by a robust foundation in public health, development economics, and statistical analysis, is required.
With a minimum of seven years of professional experience in Monitoring & Evaluation programs within West and Central Africa—including Nigeria, Liberia, and Cameroon—you bring specialized expertise to deliver impactful results.
Experienced professionals with robust technical proficiency and a proven track record of at least four years in leading and collaborating with extensive teams to establish and execute data collection methodologies are sought.
Proficiency in both written and verbal communication, with the ability to articulate ideas clearly and effectively, is required.
Fluency in both French and English is essential for this position. Candidates with strong French-speaking abilities are particularly encouraged to apply, given the direct applicability of these language skills to the role’s core functions and duties.
Professional experience collaborating with international teams to execute surveys, facilitate program implementation, and manage various data collection initiatives is required.
Proficiency in electronic data collection platforms, with a focus on Survey CTO, is required for this role.
Exceptional ability to convey ideas clearly and interact effectively with others, fostering productive professional relationships.
Able to travel with little advance notice, manage multiple tasks simultaneously, operate effectively amid uncertainty, and adhere to directives from various stakeholders.
Detail-oriented and naturally inquisitive, along with a strong sense of curiosity, you demonstrate exceptional organizational skills and an unwavering commitment to precision.
Driven by Evidence Action’s commitment to scaling proven interventions and transforming the lives of millions,
Working conditions:
This role will involve close collaboration with Monitoring & Evaluation team members across the West and Central Africa region, as well as global offices, necessitating effective coordination despite varying time zones, languages, and professional cultures.
It also involves nationwide travel to various country programs.
No physical requirements are necessary for this position.
Direct reports to this role include supervisory personnel and key contributors responsible for overseeing departmental functions, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives, and driving team performance through clear delegation and mentorship. The position requires collaborating with these individuals to foster a culture of accountability, professional development, and operational excellence while maintaining open lines of communication to address challenges and optimize workflows.
Country Field Operations Leads, spanning roles from Senior Associates to Associate Managers and including MLE and Field Operations positions, oversee critical regional functions. These professionals drive operational excellence, ensure adherence to company standards, and manage cross-functional teams to execute strategic initiatives. Their responsibilities include optimizing field performance, resolving escalated issues, and fostering collaboration between headquarters and local teams to enhance productivity and compliance. Additionally, they play a key role in talent development, performance tracking, and driving continuous improvement within their respective regions.
Position Location:
A position in this role is available in one of the WPA countries—specifically Nigeria or Cameroon—with the final location determined by the candidate’s nationality and current work authorization status.
We regret to inform you that we are currently unable to provide support for or assume responsibility for any employment visa sponsorship. Candidates must possess the legal authorization to work in Nigeria or Cameroon, depending on the specific location of the role.
go to method of application
To submit your application, kindly utilize the provided link(s) to access the company’s official website.
Qualifications
BA/BSc/HND
