LIT TRAIN Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Manager

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity. Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. We connect. We inspire. LIT TRAIN Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Manager Important Information: Contract Duration: Fixed term contract ending June 2030 Gross salary: UGX 6 626 556 Locations: Kampala, Uganda Closing Date: Applications will close on 14 June 2026 at 22:59 UK Time/ 23:59 South Africa Time Rights to work: You must have the legal right to work in the country at the time of application. Mobility / relocation / visa sponsoring support will not be provided. Hybrid model: Mandatory 3 days in the office each week The Role: To lead the design, implementation, quality assurance and continuous improvement of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) systems for the British Council-led TRAIN Pillar of the Leaders in Teaching (LiT) Programme in Uganda. The role will ensure credible evidence generation, data quality, adaptive learning, donor accountability and continuous improvement of teacher professional development interventions, including competency-based curriculum delivery, inclusive and gender-responsive pedagogy, digital learning reinforcement, school-based CPD and Communities of Practice. Main accountabilities but not limited to the following: Strategic MERL planning and system design * Lead the development and roll-out of MERL systems aligned to the TRAIN Pillar Theory of Change, Results Framework, British Council Results and Evidence Framework (REF), Mastercard Foundation MEL Standards and consortium reporting requirements. * Develop and maintain the TRAIN Pillar MERL plan, learning agenda, indicator reference sheets, data collection protocols, reporting calendar and evidence-use mechanisms. * Ensure MERL activities are planned, resourced and budgeted, including digital data collection tools, field verification, external technical support and human capacity for routine monitoring. Data quality assurance, verification and evidence management * Develop and implement a TRAIN Pillar data quality assurance system covering data collection, verification, cleaning, storage, version control, analysis and reporting. * Ensure participant-level, trainer-level, school-level, district-level and partner-level data are traceable, validated, disaggregated and audit-ready. * Conduct routine data quality assessments, spot checks and verification visits during training, school-based CPD, Communities of Practice and partner implementation activities Outcome measurement and learning for teacher professional development * Lead the design and implementation of tools to measure changes in teacher knowledge, attitudes, confidence and classroom practice following TRAIN Pillar interventions. * Design or adapt pre/post assessment tools, classroom observation tools, reflective practice tools, CPD functionality checks, training quality assurance tools and qualitative learning methods. * Track evidence of CBC-aligned teaching, learner-centred practice, gender-responsive and inclusive pedagogy, digital reinforcement, school-based CPD functionality and Community of Practice participation. Partner MERL coordination and donor reporting * Coordinate MERL inputs from British Council and TRAIN Pillar partners, ensuring consistency of indicators, definitions, tools, templates, timelines, disaggregation and evidence standards. * Support the consolidation of TRAIN Pillar monthly, quarterly, annual and ad hoc reports, ensuring reported achievements are backed by credible evidence, analysis, learning and risk updates. * Provide technical review of partner reports and data submissions, identifying gaps, inconsistencies, quality issues and corrective actions before programme-level submission. Knowledge management, research and learning products * Lead the design and implementation of knowledge management systems to capture lessons from CBC delivery, teacher training, CPD structures, digital innovation, gender-responsive pedagogy and partner implementation. * Coordinate the documentation of success stories, challenges, innovations and emerging practice from field activities, teacher trainers, schools, partners and Ministry engagements. * Produce and quality assure case studies, impact stories, learning briefs, research notes, quarterly learning summaries and annual learning products for internal and external audiences. MERL capacity strengthening, safeguarding and inclusion * Identify MERL capacity gaps and deliver practical capacity strengthening for British Council staff, partners, trainers, CPD Committee members and relevant field teams. * Provide guidance on ethical data collection, informed consent, safe evidence generation, safeguarding referrals, confidentiality and responsible use of photographs or personal data. * Ensure MERL tools and analysis integrate Equality, Diversity and Inclusion considerations, including gender, disability, school type, geography and other relevant disaggregation. Requirements of the role: * At least seven years’ progressive experience in monitoring, evaluation, research and learning, including at least three years in a senior MERL role on donor-funded programmes. Where the candidate has five to six years’ experience, this must include demonstrable leadership of a complex MERL system. * Experience designing, implementing and improving MERL systems across the full project lifecycle, including baseline, routine monitoring, data quality assurance, evaluation and learning processes. * Experience working on education, teacher professional development, school improvement, skills development, youth, or systems-strengthening programmes. * Experience coordinating MERL inputs from multiple partners and consolidating reports for donor, consortium or governance-level submission. * Experience designing data collection tools, managing field data collection, conducting data verification and producing analytical reports that inform implementation decisions. * Experience developing case studies, impact stories, learning briefs or knowledge products from programme evidence. * Experience working with government, civil society, donor-funded programmes or multi-stakeholder implementation arrangements. * A first degree in monitoring and evaluation, education, social sciences, statistics, economics, development studies, public policy, research methods or a related field is required. * A postgraduate degree in monitoring and evaluation, education, social sciences, statistics, development studies, research methods or a related field is desirable. Desirable: * Prior MERL experience in education or teacher training programmes in Uganda or a similar context. * Experience with Mastercard Foundation, British Council, FCDO, USAID, EU, World Bank, UNICEF or other major donor reporting and evidence standards. * Experience measuring teacher practice, classroom-level change, CPD effectiveness, gender-responsive pedagogy or inclusive education outcomes. * Experience with digital learning, chatbot-supported learning, Communities of Practice or school-based professional development structures. * Membership in an Evaluation Society, VOPE or relevant professional network * Professional qualifications in monitoring, evaluation, research methods, data analytics, project management, education measurement, or membership in an Evaluation Society / VOPE A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities. Safeguarding Statement The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children. If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org