WHO WE ARE
At Trees for the Future (TREES), we believe farmers have the power to transform the world. For over 30 years, we’ve been a global leader in agroforestry training, partnering with farming families to build vibrant economies, sustainable food systems, and thriving ecosystems. Through our signature Forest Garden Approach—a proven nature-based solution—farmers restore their land, plant thousands of trees, and grow diverse crops, breaking cycles of climate change and generational poverty. By reclaiming their agency, farmers are creating new possibilities for their families, communities, and the environment. Active in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, TREES has planted over 350 million trees to date. Joining our passionate, collaborative team means empowering farmers to lead lasting change for people and the planet.
In Kenya, we are transforming landscapes and livelihoods across the Lake Victoria Watershed in three key regions. With over 160 staff working on the ground, we collaborate with more than 20,000 farmers to implement the Forest Garden Approach. Farmers actively shape changes to the climate through their regenerative agricultural practices such as carbon sequestration, improved biodiversity and better soil health. The MEL department facilitates high-quality project data management in TaroWorks, Salesforce and ESRI ArcGIS Online for real-time data analysis. Our work in Kenya is funded through a carbon financing agreement and was recently validated by Verra.
Learn more at trees.org/lvcarbon.
THE ROLE
The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Director will lead the transformation of TREES Kenya’s MEL systems to ensure data is accurate, verifiable, audit-ready, and actively used to strengthen program implementation. This role sits at the center of an organizational shift. As TREES Kenya scales and operates fully under carbon financing, the MEL Director will guide the transition toward rigorous data quality standards and an evidence-based culture across regions.
The MEL Director will directly manage a distributed team currently composed of one MEL Officer, one GIS Officer, and four regional MEL Assistants across Homa Bay, Kisumu, and Migori, with planned expansion in 2027 and beyond. The role reports directly to the Kenya Country Director, with technical (dotted-line) reporting to the Central Office Senior MEL Director.
This is an active leadership role requiring approximately 20% field travel. The Director is expected to personally observe data collection processes, shadow MEL staff, identify quality gaps, and work alongside field teams to strengthen implementation. The MEL Director will collaborate closely with Central Office leadership as a thought partner in the design and refinement of global MEL systems, with Kenya serving as a primary pilot country for new tools and processes.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Lead Kenya’s MEL Systems Transformation
- Oversee the overhaul and strengthening of Kenya’s MEL systems to ensure data accuracy, integrity, and verifiability in alignment with carbon reporting requirements.
- Partner with Central Office to implement and refine global MEL tools, systems, and QA/QC protocols.
- Identify system gaps in data quality, documentation, and audit trails and drive practical improvements in coordination with Central Office.
- Ensure reliable tracking of farm-level data, including spatial data and farmer identification systems, in alignment with evolving organizational standards.
- Support preparation for carbon validation, monitoring, and verification processes, and confidently represent Kenya MEL systems during investor and auditor site visits.
Build and Lead a High-Performing Distributed MEL Team
- Directly supervise the MEL Officer, GIS Officer, and have secondary oversight of regional MEL Assistants across three regions, with anticipated team expansion.
- Strengthen team capacity in data quality assurance, problem-solving, and adaptive management practices.
- Establish clear quality standards, accountability mechanisms, and documentation expectations across the MEL function.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and professional development of MEL staff.
- Foster strong collaboration between MEL and Program leadership, particularly the Director of Field Programs and Program Managers.
Drive Country-Wide Transition Toward Evidence-Based Adaptive Management
- Lead an country-wide transition toward evidence-based adaptive management, ensuring data is understood and used as a tool for program improvement rather than performance policing.
- Design and facilitate practical learning loops that translate monitoring data into actionable program adjustments.
- Strengthen understanding among field staff, Lead Farmers, and managers regarding the purpose, standards, and value of high-quality data collection.
- Promote a culture of data integrity, transparency, and continuous improvement across regions.
Ensure Field-Embedded Quality Assurance
- Conduct regular field visits (approximately 20%) to directly observe field implementation, data collection, shadow MEL Assistants, and identify quality risks.
- Review and strengthen data quality assurance protocols, including spot checks, verification procedures, and documentation practices.
- Work hands-on with field teams to correct inconsistencies and reinforce standards.
- Ensure monthly and quarterly reporting processes are timely, accurate, and aligned with internal and carbon-related requirements.
Contribute to Global MEL Strategy and System Design
- Serve as a senior thought partner to Central Office MEL leadership during TREES’ global MEL systems redesign.
- Provide structured feedback on pilots and iterations of Salesforce, TaroWorks, GIS integrations, and reporting frameworks.
- Help ensure that new global systems are practical, field-ready, and scalable across country programs.
A bachelor’s
WHO YOU ARE
- A systems-level MEL leader: You have led large-scale monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems in complex, multi-site programs. You understand what strong data architecture looks like — from field collection protocols to quality assurance processes to reporting pipelines — and you have strengthened or rebuilt systems before. You are comfortable operating where data systems require reform and structure.
- A hands-on transformation leader: You do not lead exclusively from behind a desk. You engage directly with implementation realities, spending time in the field to observe data collection, identify quality risks, and work alongside teams to improve standards. You balance strategic vision with operational execution, leveraging strong analytical skills and the ability to translate data into actionable insights.
- A builder of distributed teams: You have successfully led and developed dispersed technical teams across multiple regions. You know how to set expectations, establish accountability, mentor staff, and align MEL teams with program leadership.
- A cross-functional collaborator: You work effectively with Program Directors and operational leadership to integrate MEL into implementation. You are able to influence senior stakeholders and position data as a tool for learning and improvement rather than compliance alone.
- A driver of evidence-based culture: You have experience leading or contributing to an organizational shift toward evidence-based adaptive management. You promote data integrity, transparency, and continuous improvement, and have strong knowledge of data quality assurance and control processes.
- A credible technical representative: You can clearly explain MEL systems, quality controls, and reporting standards to donors, investors, and third-party auditors during site visits. You are confident discussing verification processes and data safeguards, and can interpret and support the implementation of external reporting or verification standards.
REQUIREMENTS
Education
- Master’s degree in Statistics, Demography, Economics, International Development, Environmental Sciences, or a related field preferred.
- A bachelor’s degree with substantial additional professional experience may be considered.
Professional Experience
- Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning within large-scale NGO, development, or environmental programs.
- Demonstrated experience as the senior MEL lead across multiple regions or dispersed field operations.
- Proven experience strengthening or reforming MEL systems, including data quality assurance, documentation standards, and reporting workflows.
- Experience collaborating across functions (e.g., Program, Training, GIS, IT) to improve data systems and drive implementation improvements.
- Experience supervising and developing technical MEL staff.
- Experience engaging donors, investors, or auditors on technical data systems and reporting standards.
- Experience in agriculture, environmental, climate, or natural resource programs preferred, but not required.
- Experience with carbon-related standards is an asset, but not required.
- Experience working with digital data collection systems and web-based databases (e.g., Salesforce, TaroWorks, or similar platforms).
- Working understanding of GIS systems and spatial data management.
Other Requirements
- Willingness and ability to travel approximately 20% of the time, including to remote field locations.
- Fluency in written and spoken English; Kiswahili proficiency preferred.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND BENEFITS
TREES is an International Organization that strives to be the best home for staff wanting to make an impact on the farmers we serve. We believe that the diversity of our staff contributes to excellence. TREES values collaboration and teamwork that fosters increased engagement and innovation for professional growth.
We offer a multicultural, collegial work environment with a competitive salary, comprehensive medical insurance, workers' compensation, and substantial paid time off, including annual leave and sick leave.
APPLY
If this opportunity speaks to you, please apply with 1) a cover letter that explains why TREES’ work excites you and why this role is a fit for you; and 2) your resume. Submit this by 16 March 2026. Ensure both documents are shared as PDF documents. We review applications on a rolling basis.
Trees for the Future is an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, or other characteristics or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
We embrace and value diverse skill sets and backgrounds. We are a community of leaders who are proud to represent many different national, racial, ethnic, socio-economic, religious, gender, and other identities. Our diversity as a community is our strength, driving our ability to be empathetic, visionary, and effective leaders.
Due to the high volume of applications received, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
