The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities.
Job Description
Strategic Leadership and Innovation
- Lead the evolution from MEAL to METAL, embedding technology and innovation at the core of IRC Kenya’s evidence and learning systems.
- Ensure the country program’s measurement and learning agenda aligns with IRC’s Strategy100 and Kenya’s Strategic Action Plan (SAP).
- Champion the use of data-driven and technology-enabled decision-making, ensuring that insights from data are translated into adaptive programming.
- Champion client centered design approaches into our sectoral strategies and critical proposals
- Lead and enhance outcome level analysis for the purposes of evidence driven programming throughout the strategic plan cycle
- Lead independent research, learning and evaluation to position IRC as a thought leader in its core sectors
- Cultivate and manage strategic research and learning partnerships with universities, research institutions, and innovation labs to enhance evidence generation and thought leadership.
- Represent IRC Kenya in national and regional research, M&E, and innovation forums.
- Embed client accountability, inclusivity, and data ethics across all technology and learning initiatives.
Technological Leadership and Data Systems
- Lead the design and deployment of digital data systems and ensure interoperability across programs and platforms.
- Promote advanced analytics and data visualization (using Power BI, Tableau, and GIS) to strengthen strategic insights, outcome-level analysis, and operational efficiency.
- Integrate AI and automation tools into data collection, cleaning, and interpretation processes where appropriate and ethical.
- Oversee data quality assurance and lead data audits to ensure validity, reliability, and compliance with IRC standards.
- Strengthen the use of digital feedback and client-responsive systems to ensure accountability and real-time program adaptation.
Research, Evidence, and Learning
- Lead the country program’s research and learning agenda, ensuring all studies and evaluations meet high methodological standards.
- Commission and manage independent and collaborative studies that assess program outcomes and explore emerging humanitarian and development questions.
- Translate research and evaluation findings into strategic recommendations, publications, and advocacy products.
- Facilitate learning events, brown-bag discussions, and peer-to-peer exchanges to ensure knowledge sharing and institutional learning.
- Ensure evidence is systematically used to inform proposal development, strategy updates, and innovation design.
Capacity Strengthening and Team Leadership
- Provide strategic direction and mentorship to the national MEAL teams, fostering a culture of curiosity, innovation, and excellence.
- Conduct regular capacity assessments and develop learning pathways for IRC and partner MEAL staff.
- Build technical capacity in digital data systems, statistical analysis, AI-supported analytics, and visualization.
- Lead recruitment, supervision, and professional development of METAL team members, ensuring a diverse and high-performing unit.
Key Working Relationships
- Reports to: Deputy Director for Grants and Accountability (DDGA)
- Direct Supervision: MEAL Technology Manager, Client Responsiveness Manager
- Internal: Program Coordinators and Managers, Regional Measurement Advisors, Grants, Finance, and Technical Coordinators
- External: Universities, research institutions, government counterparts, partner NGOs, and innovation collaborators
Qualifications and Experience
- Advanced degree in data science, statistics, public health, social sciences, information systems, or a related field.
- Minimum 6–8 years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning in humanitarian or development contexts, including at least 3 years in a leadership capacity.
- Demonstrated experience in research design, implementation, and dissemination, including collaboration with academic or research institutions.
- Proven expertise in data management systems, mobile data collection platforms (CommCare, ODK), and data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau).
- Understanding and experience with AI, machine learning, or digital transformation tools applied to M&E, learning, or operational efficiency is highly desirable.
- Strong understanding of client accountability mechanisms and participatory approaches.
- Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and cross-sector collaboration.
- Ability and willingness to travel to field locations as needed.
- Fluency in English required; Kiswahili proficiency is an asset.
Method of Application
Meet the Qualifications? Apply now at International Rescue Committee on theirc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com