MERLA Specialist Full Time

About CBM

CBM (registered as CBM Christoffel-Blindenmission Christian Blind Mission e.V.) is an international development organisation committed to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities in the persons communities of the world. Based on our Christian values and more than 100 years of professional expertise, we address poverty as a cause and a consequence of disability. We work in partnership to create an inclusive society for all

About the role:
As the MERLA Specialist, you will play a key role in strengthening CBM’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning and Adaptation (MERLA) function. You will support CBM teams to implement MERLA activities and practices that drive programme improvement. You will develop and manage MERLA-related workstreams, provide professional advice within your area of expertise, and help ensure that evidence and learning are used to improve programme quality and impact.
You’ll also assess how well our programmes, systems, and processes are working, and recommend practical ways to make them more effective, accountable, and results-driven.

This position is only filled locally in one of CBM’s Permanently established entities: (ex: Berlin or Bensheim (Germany), the UK (Cambridge or remote), Lusaka (Zambia), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Guatemala City, Kampala (Uganda), Niamey (Niger), etc.

Local contractual conditions of the respective country will apply. Expatriation is not intended.

You will:

• Support CBM teams to implement high-quality MERLA practices that enhance programme quality and learning.
• Strengthen the capacity of country and initiative staff to implement MERLA activities through mentoring, workshops, and tailored technical support.
• Review and provide feedback on evaluation Terms of Reference and reports to ensure quality, relevance, and practical application of findings.
• Provide technical assistance to country and initiative staff to enable them to identify knowledge gaps and generate new evidence to address programmatic barriers.
• Collaborate with project teams and the MERLA Unit to capture lessons learned and promote adaptive management.
• Facilitate cross-country learning through Pause and Reflect sessions, Global Learning Forums, peer exchanges, and the MERLA Community of Practice.
• Periodically review CBM’s indicators and MERLA tools to ensure alignment with strategic priorities and decision-making needs.
• Support teams in collecting, analysing, and using high-quality data for programme improvement and evidence-based decisions.
• Contribute to project design by integrating MERLA components such as theories of change, indicators, and monitoring plans.
• Represent CBM in relevant international meetings, forums, and learning networks, and contribute to key knowledge products.
• Travel periodically to CBM country offices to support learning exchange and partner engagement.

These are your qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. International Development, Public Health, Social Sciences, Statistics) and at least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, learning, and/or adaptation.
• Strong understanding of MERLA principles, frameworks, and best practices.
• Proven experience designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems, including indicator development, data collection, analysis (quantitative and/or qualitative), synthesis, and reporting for programme use.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating learning and adaptive management processes.
• Experience in capacity strengthening through training, coaching, and mentoring.
• Independent, agile, and adaptable working style with strong problem-solving ability.
• Excellent collaboration skills and ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Professional proficiency in English (spoken and written); proficiency in French preferred; additional languages an asset.
• Identification with Christian values and the mandate of the CBM.

Tagged as: Cameroon, Christian Blind Mission, Ethiopia