Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Global Technical Advisor

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. We are driven by a vision of a better world: A world where across every society all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably. To make this vision a reality, we need transformations in vital agri-food, energy, and water systems. SNV contributes by strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships in these sectors. We help strengthen institutions and governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises (SNV themes).    
  
Building on 60 years of experience we support our partners with technical and process expertise and methodological rigour. We do this in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia with a team of approximately 1,600 colleagues. By being adaptable and tailoring our approaches to these different contexts, we can contribute to impact at scale, resulting in more equitable lives for all.   

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion are fundamental to who we are and what we do. This is reflected in our vision, mission, and strategy, which set out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.  

Our CARE principles—Committed to Impact, Adaptive to Context, Respecting Differences, and Expertise in Practice—are at the heart of who we are and the work we do. These principles are embedded in our vision, mission, and strategy, which serve as our compass guiding us towards 2030.  

For more information on SNV, please refer to our website: www.snv.org   

We are currently looking for a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Global Technical Advisor

• 1 year initial national contract with potential to extend
• The Hague, Netherlands or Nairobi, Kenya 

Note: For this role you need to be eligible to work in the Netherlands or in Kenya. SNV cannot sponsor for a work visa for these countries. 

Who you are    
SNV is looking for a Senior MEL Specialist to measure impact in a sector increasingly shaped by private sector engagement, value chain development, impact-driven finance, and climate, where the questions are often evolving more rapidly than the methods. You are a strong facilitator and strategic thinker who can synthesise evidence into clear analysis, translate findings for non-technical audiences, and build trusted partnerships with country MEL teams. You will not be running regressions; you will be shaping the questions, the approach, and the story, embedded within a team leading on measurement frameworks that are not yet textbook, from SROI for impact-finance partners to portfolio-level evidence syntheses that tell SNV what is actually working and why. If you are energised by methodological innovation and comfortable with unsettled answers, please read on. 

Job Description 
The Global MEL Advisor plays a strategic role in strengthening SNV’s ability to generate, synthesise, and apply evidence to inform programme quality, organisational decision-making, and external positioning. As part of a small, high-impact global team, the role exists to shift MEL from a compliance function to a strategic partner—co-designing programmes from the outset, advancing methodological innovation (including in private sector and impact-finance contexts), and translating evidence into actionable insight.  

Over the first 12–36 months, the role is expected to contribute to portfolio-level intelligence, improved project design and delivery, strengthened learning systems, and enhanced positioning of SNV as a results-driven organisation. The role requires strong facilitation, strategic thinking, and methodological depth, and operates in close partnership with country teams, sector leads, and business development colleagues across a decentralised network. The position reports to the Global Head of MEL and contributes across SNV’s four domains of technical expertise: partnerships and BD, project and people support, learning and innovation, and influencing and positioning. 

Key responsibilities 

• Lead the generation and use of strategic evidence across SNV’s portfolio, including commissioning and synthesising evaluations, facilitating structured learning processes, and producing decision-ready insights to inform programme adaptation and organisational priorities.  

• Own MEL input into priority proposals and programme inception processes, ensuring robust theories of change, measurable results frameworks, and coherent evidence strategies are embedded from the outset.  

• Develop and operationalise innovative measurement approaches in selected focus areas (e.g. SROI, ESG, systems transformation), translating them into practical tools, guidance, and tested applications across projects.  

• Act as a strategic sparring partner to country and sector leadership, providing targeted advice on MEL design choices, evidence use, and trade-offs in complex or high-priority programmes.  

• Strengthen MEL practice across countries and sectors by combining targeted coaching with the rollout of practical standards and criteria, tools and guidance, ensuring consistent quality while enabling contextual adaptation and improved use of data for decision-making.  

• Shape SNV’s MEL contribution to external engagement and partnerships, supporting the articulation of evidence-based value propositions and collaboration with donors, knowledge partners, and private sector actors.  

• Steward priority MEL initiatives and cross-cutting workstreams, ensuring delivery of agreed outputs (e.g. learning agenda, evidence products, guidance) in line with organisational priorities and available resources. 

​​​​​​To be considered for this role, you bring: 

• Advanced degree in international development, social sciences, research methods, or a related field, or equivalent applied experience. 

• Minimum 8 years of proven experience in MEL within international development, including work across project, country, or portfolio levels in multi-country contexts. 

• Proven experience designing and leading evaluations, evidence syntheses, or learning processes that have informed programme or organisational decisions. 

• Demonstrated methodological expertise in qualitative and mixed-methods approaches, including Theory of Change design, outcome harvesting and the ability to quality-assure quantitative analysis. 

• Strong facilitation and collaboration skills, with a track record of working effectively with diverse stakeholders (e.g. country teams, technical experts, business development colleagues) to co-design and strengthen MEL practice. 

• Proven ability to translate complex evidence into clear, actionable insights and communication products for non-technical and senior audiences. 

Additionally, we value (not required): 

• Experience in emerging measurement areas, such as private sector engagement, impact finance, ESG, or Social Return on Investment (SROI). 

• Experience working with or supporting business development processes, including early-stage proposal design and donor engagement. 

• Familiarity with digital MEL systems and data platforms (e.g. Power BI, KoboToolbox, LogAlto) or experience applying data for decision-making. 

• Professional working proficiency in French and experience in West Africa, the Sahel, or other SNV regions. 

• A proactive, adaptive mindset, with curiosity about new methods and comfort working in evolving and ambiguous contexts. 

• Contract Type: Full time (40 hours per week) 
• Contract Duration: one year initial contract with potential to extend 
• Expected Start Date: September 2026   
• Information Duty Station: This role can be based in Nairobi, Kenya or The Hague, the Netherlands, depending on the candidate’s location.  
• The position is offered as a national contract and SNV is unable to support visa or work permit applications. Candidates must therefore already have the legal eligibility to work in the chosen duty station. 

Working at SNV  
At SNV we challenge and inspire and offer continuous growth. We offer meaningful opportunities to shape the future, expand your skills, and collaborate with a vibrant, global network of experts. At SNV your contribution matter, and your development is our priority. 
 
We are home to 57 cultures working in 22 countries, with about 95% of our team members holding the nationality of the respective countries we work in. We promote international career development. Our workforce consists of a mix of both people with longstanding tenure, willing to share their institutional knowledge, as well as people with local expertise and knowledge. All with an inquisitive view and united in ‘ONE SNV’ working towards our purpose. 

Together, we are committed to the effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximising positive, lasting impacts. Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience, technical knowledge, evidence and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside. 

SNV is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment and make recruitment decisions based on merit, competence, and organisational needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, nationality, marital status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Women, persons with disabilities, and candidates from under-represented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. 

How to apply  

If you meet the key requirements and feel inspired by this opportunity, we warmly welcome your application. Please submit your CV and motivation letter by 2nd August 2026. 

To ensure a focused and respectful recruitment process, we kindly ask that you apply only if you meet the essential qualifications and are available to work in the specified location. 

If this role isn’t the right fit but you’re interested in joining SNV in the future, we invite you to follow us on LinkedIn and our career page Vacancies | SNV to stay updated on new opportunities that match your profile. 

Reference and vetting check 
At SNV, our belief in the CARE principles — Commitment to impact, Adaptive to Context, Respecting Difference and Expertise in Practice — shapes how we work with each other and every interaction we have with our colleagues, partners, and the communities we serve. These values guide how we welcome new team members, ensuring our workplace remains a place of trust, safety, and dignity for all. 

As part of our commitment to a safe, inclusive, and respectful workplace, we carry out reference and background checks for all determined positions, with particular attention to safeguarding. You will be invited to provide the contact details of [two] referees, and we will only approach them once you have given your permission. We handle this process with care, empathy, and strict confidentiality, using the information solely for purposes related to your application and the role you have applied for. 

SNV is committed to safeguarding and to protecting children and adults from all forms of harm, with zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, or any other form of misconduct. As part of creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive working environment, all staff, consultants, and partners are expected to uphold SNV’s safeguarding, child protection, ethical standards, and CARE principles. In line with these commitments — and as a participant in the Inter‑Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS) — SNV will request a Statement of Conduct from your previous employer(s), covering any substantiated findings of misconduct, to ensure a recruitment process that safeguards and protect the communities we serve.