Specialist – MEL, CARES Projects, Center for Applied Research on the Environment and Sustainability, Grant Position

Overview

Specialist – MEL, CARES Projects, Center for Applied Research on the Environment and Sustainability, Grant Position Jobs in New Cairo, Cairo, Egypt at The American University in Cairo

Title: Specialist – MEL, CARES Projects, Center for Applied Research on the Environment and Sustainability, Grant Position

Company: The American University in Cairo

Location: New Cairo, Cairo, Egypt

Job Purpose: The specialist designs, implements, and administers the full monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) function for the project. This role ensures that project performance is rigorously tracked, evidence-based insights are generated, and adaptive learning is embedded across all cohorts delivered in Egypt and two African countries. The job holder produces the high-quality data and analysis that underpin quarterly progress reports, donor accountability obligations, and continuous improvement of the training program throughout the project engagement period.

Core Responsibilities:

MEL Framework Development and Data Management:

• Design and implement the project’s MEL framework, including results frameworks, indicators, and data collection methodologies, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and multi-country project needs
• Oversee data collection tools, assessments, surveys, and quality assurance procedures to maintain accurate, reliable, and consistent project data

Performance Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting:

• Analyze quantitative and qualitative project data to assess progress against indicators, identify trends, and support evidence-based project improvements
• Prepare MEL inputs for donor progress and final reports, while maintaining comprehensive documentation to support compliance, audits, and evaluations
• Lead training quality assessments, including pre- and post-training evaluations, and provide recommendations for curriculum and digital learning improvements

Capacity Building, Knowledge Management and Communications:

• Facilitate learning and reflection sessions with project teams and provide guidance to partner institutions on MEL processes and reporting requirements
• Contribute MEL findings to outreach activities, publications, dissemination events, and project platforms, while documenting lessons learned and best practices to support organizational learning and future initiatives

General Support:

• Perform other essential duties as required

Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, statistics, development studies, environmental sciences, or a related field is required
• Minimum of four years of experience in MEL roles, preferably within donor-funded international development or capacity-building projects
• Prior experience working on climate change, sustainability, or training program evaluation is an advantage
• Familiarity with international donor reporting requirements is preferred
• Experience working within an academic or research institution is an advantage

Skills:

MEL Design and Data Analysis:

• Familiarity with evaluation tasks or donor-funded projects is an asset
• Strong ability to execute established data collection plans, administer surveys, and manage routine data quality tracking

Reporting and Documentation:

• Competent in drafting initial narrative summaries, compiling field data points, and maintaining neat baseline evidence portfolios to support audits

Communication:

• Solid professional communication skills to share data updates clearly with local project teams and help coordinate data-sharing timelines

Capacity Building:

• Capable of onboarding field staff on standardized survey instruments and explaining data entry procedures clearly

Organizational and Analytical Skills:

• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the analytical skill needed to spot data entry errors and keep multi-cohort files meticulously organized

Working Conditions:

• Willingness to travel frequently (20 to 30%) to regional training sites to support data collection and partner capacity building

This position is open until July 16 2026.

Placement is based on the candidate’s experience and skills. Only candidates who make it to the short list will be contacted.

"The American University in Cairo is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply."

“We thank all individuals who have expressed interest in working at The American University in Cairo.”