What We Can Achieve Together:
The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) & Safeguards (ESS) Specialist will be responsible for designing and operationalizing the MEL framework and supporting the development of MEL plans for both the program and its grants. This role ensures alignment with the organizational strategy and compliance with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and donor requirements. The position plays a pivotal role in leveraging data insights to inform evidence-based decision-making, adaptive management, and cost-effective program design and implementation. This role serves to the Legacy Landscape and in addition to Business Unit: Onon-Balj National Park (LLF-OBNP) program, supporting safeguard integration across all conservation initiatives. In that case, this role integrates rigorous MEL methodologies with TNC’s updated commitment to equitable conservation, human rights, and gender equity, as collaborates with the Conservation Director at the BU and the MEL Coordinator and the Human Rights and Safeguards sub-team of the Asia-Pacific Regional Office to ensure conservation actions of conservation projects at the Mongolia BU are evidence-based, measurable, adaptive, and aligned with TNC’s Respecting Human Rights Policy and the Voice, Choice, and Action framework. It also supports accountability, knowledge management, and learning initiatives across the program. In addition, the role will lead the implementation and advancement of Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS), ensuring full compliance with organizational and donor standards. The MEL & Safeguard Specialist will champion professional excellence, provide thought leadership, and routinely assess and strengthen MEL capacity across the extended team, including implementing partners.
We’re Looking for You:
We’re looking for a passionate, dedicated person to lead our Chapter and work within our Program. Technical expertise, creativity, and the ability to influence without authority are key in this role. Come join TNC and apply today!
MEL Planning and implementation
- Provide strategic oversight and ensure effective implementation of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Framework in close collaboration with WWF, the primary co-implementor of the LLF program.
- Oversee the approved set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and where necessary, design and establish additional KPIs aimed at achieving project outcomes, with a particular focus on protected area financial sustainability, revenue generation, efficiency and cost-effectiveness, community and ecosystem-based financing.
- Integrate KPIs into the broader MEL framework to ensure alignment with desired program outcomes.
- Facilitate participatory workshops with relevant stakeholders to consolidate KPIs and foster a shared understanding of performance metrics and goals.
- Engage with Mongolian Nature’s Legacy Foundation (MNLF), PFP team, PCU and regional and global teams to ensure alignment under Mongolia PFP.
Environmental and Social Safeguards Integration
- Collaborate closely with the Regional Safeguards Manager and MEL Coordinator to integrate the Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) into the annual monitoring plan.
- Implement and streamline the Environmental and Social Safeguard Action Plan (ESAP) within project activities and reporting.
- Design and implement a program-level Grievance Redress Mechanism and facilitate reporting.
- Collaborate with the Conservation Director at the BU and the MEL Coordinator and the Human Rights and Safeguards sub-team at the Regional Office to embed safeguards and compliance across all BU projects.
- Integrate human rights and gender equity safeguards into MEL systems and conservation planning.
Data Management & Analysis
- Manage the collection, collation, and analysis of high-quality data to inform program progress and adaptive management.
- Ensure the use of TNC’s MEL solution for data management and reporting, in compliance with TNC and donor policies.
- Responsible for data management of TNC and Donor’s monitoring platforms.
- Guide the review of collected data to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and relevance for decision-making.
Evaluation & Learning
- Manage evaluations and reviews conducted by the program team, advising on appropriate methodologies and approaches.
- Monitor the implementation of recommendations from evaluation and learning review reports.
- Ensure adherence to MEL-specific policies, standards, and protocols at regional, global, and country levels.
Reporting & Communication
- Lead internal and external reporting efforts, including technical reports, impact reports, donor reports, and ESAP reports.
- Synthesize and consolidate reporting outputs to ensure consistency and clarity.
- Conduct data insertion and evidence collection on the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework of the LL-OBNP program across TNC and donor dashboards.
Capacity Building & Leadership
- Develop and implement MEL capacity enhancement initiatives for staff and partners.
- Ensure MEL, project management, and data analytics capabilities meet TNC and donor standards.
- Champion professional excellence and provide thought leadership in MEL and ESS domains.
Other
- Execute additional responsibilities as assigned by the Program Lead, in accordance with project documentation and organizational policies.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- This position requires up to 30% travel to the program area.
- This is a two-year fixed-term role, with the possibility of extension based on funding availability, performance, and the outcomes of the work.
What You’ll Bring:
- Bachelor's degree in natural resource management, environmental studies, conservation management, land management, social sciences or relevant development studies, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation.
- Minimum 3 years of proven experience in MEL work, project cycle management, Quality Assurance, Data analysis and report writing.
- Experience of working with a variety of partners, i.e., international organizations, government officials, technical teams.
- Experience of performing or supporting safeguard related activities.
- Experience completing tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
- Experience with communication via written, spoken and graphical means in English and Mongolian languages.
- Experience in training and curriculum design.
Who We Are:
The Nature Conservancy’s mission is to protect the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that we can create a world in which people and nature thrive. We’re rooted in our mission and guided by our values, which include respect for all people, communities, and cultures. Whether it’s career development, flexible schedules, or a rewarding mission, there’s many reasons to love life inside TNC. Want a better insight to TNC? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.
One goal is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that all our colleagues around the globe feel a sense of belonging and that their unique contributions to our mission are valued. In addition to the requirements in our job postings, we recognize that people come with talent and experiences outside of a job and consider each applicant’s unique experience. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and stay for the people.”
What We Bring:
Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!
TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our Benefits and Perks here.
We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.
Our recruiting process includes a rolling interview process to ensure we engage applicants in a timely manner. This means we may review applications in the order in which they are received. Once a strong candidate pool is identified, the role will be unposted. The timeline may vary depending on the expressed interest in the role, so we highly encourage candidates to apply as soon as possible.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to equal employment opportunity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization is a priority, and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.
The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy's background screening process.
Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!
TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.
