MEAL Manager - Forest Carbon Projects

About the role

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Manager is the technical lead for MEAL and MRV (Monitoring, Reporting and Verification) activities supporting forest carbon projects in Kenya. The role oversees integrated systems that deliver high-quality data on carbon, social and biodiversity outcomes, builds transparent and auditable monitoring frameworks compliant with international carbon standards and social safeguards, and works with project teams, local leadership and technical partners to drive adaptive management and accountability in the Olokeri Landscape Project. The position is full-time, based in Entasekera, Loita Ward, Narok County, on a hybrid basis.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and implement MEAL and MRV systems integrating field, geospatial and remote-sensing data, keeping carbon and co-benefit results audit-ready.
• Set up data governance frameworks with clear ownership, traceability and version control, and oversee data collection, verification and QA/QC.
• Analyse monitoring data to find trends and lessons, share best practices and support continuous learning.
• Maintain audit-ready documentation (monitoring plans, SOPs, data dictionaries, evidence logs, community engagement records) and coordinate validation and verification with third-party auditors.
• Advise on MRV methodologies, sample design, carbon pool selection and remote sensing, and oversee quality control of carbon data.
• Integrate community feedback and social safeguards, documenting stakeholder participation such as FPIC.
• Manage MEAL/MRV budgets and resources, and recruit, train and lead a team.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in forestry, environmental science, natural resource management, ecology, geography, climate science, statistics or a related field.
• At least 5 years of progressive experience in environmental monitoring, carbon projects or data systems management, including 2-3 years in a supervisory or team leadership role in MEAL.
• Solid experience with forest conservation or carbon project MRV, ideally with third-party validation or verification (e.g. VCS/CCB).
• Fluency in English; Kiswahili and/or Maa is a strong asset.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Kenya; visa sponsorship is not available.

Required skills

• Forest carbon MRV and FLR/ARR methodologies.
• Data governance, QA/QC and audit readiness.
• GIS, remote sensing or mapping tools (EarthRanger and Ecoscope familiarity is an advantage).
• MS Office.