Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & Quality Lead (MELQ Lead) job at Mbuya Graduate Transition Centre

1. Organizational Context

Mbuya Graduate Transition Centre (MGTC) is a specialized Business Development Services (BDS) institution based in Mbuya, Kampala. MGTC provides competency-based transition support that enables graduates from secondary, TVET, tertiary and university pathways to move into employment, entrepreneurship or enterprise growth.

The Centre’s programme combines an intensive 8-week full-time immersive track and a 20–24 week hybrid track, supported by a common learning architecture, Peer Accountability Groups, career pathways and sector-based Innovation Labs. The programme is built around a common learning architecture, Peer Accountability Groups, and five sector-based Innovation Labs, and is designed to align with Uganda’s National BDS Standards.

MGTC’s Quality Assurance Framework commits the Centre to evidence-based delivery, with baseline assessments, formative and end-of-programme evaluation, and 12-month graduate tracer studies. Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & Quality (MELQ) Lead exists because none of this happens automatically. The incumbent will be responsible for designing the MEL system, ensure data is collected accurately across five Innovation Labs and multiple cohorts, and turn that data into decisions beyond paperwork. The role addresses the risk that MGTC’s stated outcomes remain unverifiable claims instead of demonstrated results, and it is central to MGTC’s credibility with donors, government and the National BDS Standards framework.

2. Job Purpose 

The MELQ Lead is responsible for establishing and managing MGTC’s monitoring, evaluation, learning and quality systems and ensuring that programme decisions are informed by reliable evidence. The role tracks participant progress and programme outcomes from recruitment through post-programme follow-up, leads data quality and analysis, coordinates quality-assurance processes and translates findings into practical improvements in programme design and delivery.

The MELQ Lead also supports MGTC’s compliance with Uganda’s National BDS Standards and provides credible evidence of programme performance and impact to management, the Board and relevant external stakeholders.

3.Key Duties and Responsibilities

3.1 Monitoring, Evaluation and Data Management

• Design and maintain MGTC’s MEL framework, tools, indicators and reporting systems.
• Ensure timely and accurate collection, management and analysis of participant and programme data across cohorts and Innovation Labs.
• Track key programme indicators from participant recruitment through completion.
• Maintain appropriate data quality, confidentiality and documentation standards.

3.2 Learning and Quality Assurance

• Analyse programme data, participant feedback and assessment results and quality-assurance findings to identify trends, gaps and areas for improvement, and generate practical insights to inform curriculum, facilitation and programme-management decisions.
• Coordinate quality-assurance processes for curriculum delivery, facilitation and participant experience, and monitor compliance with agreed programme quality standards.
• Independently verify, through observation, data and quality-assurance findings, that facilitator delivery meets the approved curriculum and quality standard — flagging any deviation to the Programmes Manager, who owns corrective action. 
• Facilitate learning reviews and track implementation of agreed quality-improvement measures to closure.
• Promote a culture of evidence-based decision-making within MGTC.

3.5 Outcome and Impact Tracking

• Track employment, entrepreneurship, enterprise growth and other relevant graduate outcomes.
• Ensure evidence is disaggregated appropriately to assess gender and other equity dimensions.
• Design and implement graduate tracer studies at agreed intervals, including the 90-day and 12-month follow-up points.

3.6 Reporting and BDS Compliance

• Produce timely, accurate and decision-useful MEL and quality reports for management, the Board and external stakeholders.
• Support reporting against MGTC’s strategic and programme performance indicators.
• Maintain evidence required for Uganda’s National BDS Standards compliance and reporting.
• Contribute to donor, partner and institutional reporting as required.

4. Required Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor’s degree in monitoring and evaluation, statistics, economics, development studies, social sciences, education or a related field.

Desirable

• Master’s degree in monitoring and evaluation, development studies, statistics, public policy or related discipline.
• Professional training or certification in monitoring and evaluation, data analysis or quality assurance.

5. Professional Experience

• At least 5–7 years of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation, programme quality, research or performance management.
• Demonstrated experience designing and managing MEL systems for programmes or organisations.
• Experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Proficiency in quantitative tools including the use of mobile data apps, qualitative guides and other statistical tools.
• Experience conducting assessments, evaluations and/or tracer studies.
• Experience translating evidence into programme improvements.
• Experience in education, employability, skills development, entrepreneurship, enterprise development, BDS or a related field is desirable.
• Knowledge of Uganda’s National BDS Standards or comparable quality-assurance frameworks is an advantage.

6. Core Competencies

• Monitoring, evaluation and learning
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Quality assurance
• Research and assessment
• Results-based management
• Data quality and information management
• Learning and adaptive programming
• Report writing and evidence communication
• Programme improvement
• Knowledge of BDS/skills-development programmes

7. Working Conditions

• Full-time position based at the MGTC, Mbuya campus, with regular presence across Innovation Labs and cohort delivery sites for data collection and quality observation. 
• Regular local travel for field data collection, tracer-study follow-up and facilitator/session observation.
• Occasional evening and weekend commitments for cohort milestones, Demo Day and Board-reporting cycles.
• The appointment is subject to a six (6)-month probationary period, with confirmation contingent on a satisfactory performance review, followed by a notice period as specified in the employment contract and MGTC HR Policy.

Jobs