Mon. May 25th, 2026
Spread the love

Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Coordinator 1
Location:Lagos
Reports to: Senior MERL Coordinator
Job Type: [Full-Time)
Department: Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning

LEAP Africa is a non-profit organization focused on raising dynamic, innovative, and principled
leaders who will drive positive transformation in Africa. We provide relevant and tailored
interventions that support effective youth transitions in the area of education, entrepreneurship & employability, civic participation and social mobility for young Africans.
We are on a strategic journey towards building a world-class institution that will be an
ecosystem builder, a thought leader, and a development hub for young people. We are seeking to hire a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Coordinator to support the organization by supporting the MERL unit in actualizing all set goals.

Job Summary:

The MERL Coordinator will support the monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning activities of the organization, ensuring that programs and projects are effectively assessed, learning is integrated into decision-making, and quality data is collected and analyzed for continuousimprovement.

This position will play a key role in ensuring that MERL systems align with
organizational goals and contribute to the strategic development of programs and impact
measurement.

Key Responsibilities:

● Coordinate the design, development, and implementation of all the MERL functions
to ensure organizational effectiveness for LEAP Africa.
● Conduct rigorous research, and write and publish research papers on local and
international platforms to mainstream the thought leadership strategy arm of the
organization.
● Coordinate the harvest of stories of change and develop evaluation, impact, and
research reports and products, including policy briefs, info-graphics, articles, and
Op-ed
● Work with the programmes team and partner in the conceptualization, design, and
development of impact measurement frameworks, indicators, and monitoring plans
for all assigned project(s).
● Support the harmonization of all data sources into one central database and
develop robust data pipelines for efficient extraction and innovative usage.
● Coordinate the development of the annual impact assessment and report reach to
gauge organizational and program effectiveness.
● Engage in knowledge building and sharing with regard to data management and
analytics for the
organization, including documentation of lessons learned/ best practices and
contributing to LEAP Africa’s knowledge management initiatives.
● Coordinate the process of curriculum development, and review and the mapping of
best practices research for the LEAP Africa’s curriculum and pedagogy.
● Coordinate and carry out fundraising efforts in seeking and applying for funding,
relevant research grants, and partnerships (both local and international) to support
MERL initiatives and LEAP programmes.
● Carry out writing activities – white papers, concept notes, evaluation reports,
Infographics, peer reviews and articles, editing, etc.
● Carry out rigorous analyses of data, including visualization of project data and
dashboard designs to display project impact, synthesize insights, and clearly

communicate findings with actionable recommendations.
● Develop systems-level advocacy materials in line with the organization’s strategic
pillars and lead Incentivizing learning, agile project, and stakeholder management
and lead knowledge sharing
● Collapse research findings and evaluation learnings into policy briefs and advocacy
statements for the organization.
● Coordinate community building, and create and maintain partnerships with other
relevant local and international NGOs.
● Support to manage the budget for assigned projects/programmes and ensure the
transparent and efficient use of the organization’s funds.
● Carry out all other tasks assigned by your supervisor(s).’

Key Performance Indicators

● 2 research papers published on local and international platforms.
● 5 thought leadership pieces (articles, op-eds, infographics) produced and
published.
● Timely completion of 3 evaluation, impact, and research reports.
● 2-3 projects managed from end-to-end
● 2-3 partnerships secured and managed annually.
● 1 policy briefs, info-graphics, and articles developed from stories of change.
● 3 impact measurement frameworks and indicators.
● 2 development plans for direct reports annually.
● 1 Peer reviews and feedback received on publications and reports.
● 100% adherence to data governance standards and compliance with regulations.
● 100% compliance with financial process

Behavioral and Leadership

● Provide supervision and guidance to the Officers, Associates, and Interns under your
supervision.
● Support to drive and communicate LEAP Africa’s vision and mission
● Model and collaborate to ensure the team embraces our core values and inspires

others to align their actions and behaviors accordingly
● Provide strategic direction and guidance in the development and execution of
initiatives that promote a culture in line with LEAP Africa’s values of Audacity,
Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Synergy, and Excellence, leading to a better
organizational culture.
● Support to empower and support team members at all levels by fostering a culture of
trust, collaboration, and accountability, encouraging individuals on collective
ownership of organizational values and goals.
● Facilitate and support change management processes in organizational transitions
and cultural transformation.
● As a supervisor, demonstrate effective conflict resolution skills in addressing
interpersonal conflicts or disagreements related to values alignment, promoting open
dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation; escalate persisting issues to P&C.
● Serve as a role model for ethical leadership, demonstrating integrity, authenticity,
and transparency in all interactions and decisions and holding oneself and others
accountable to high ethical standards.
● Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging feedback, learning, and
adaptation, leveraging insights to refine leadership strategies and practices in
alignment with organizational goals and values.

1. Educational Background

● A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field
2. Experience
● Experience in monitoring and evaluation (typically 5 years or more).
● Experience in program implementation, research, or data management, especially in the
development sector.
● Strong knowledge of data analysis, survey design, and evaluation methodologies.
● Hands-on experience with M&E tools, frameworks, and platforms.

3. Technical Skills
● Data collection and analysis: Proficiency in software tools like SPSS, Stata, Excel, or other
data management systems.
● Survey design and conducting needs assessments.
● Understanding of data quality management and statistical methods.
● Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods.
4. Project Management Skills
● Ability to manage and coordinate various stakeholders and teams.
● Planning, organizing, and overseeing project activities.
● Familiarity with donor reporting requirements and knowledge of project management
frameworks (such as logical frameworks or results-based management).
5. Communication and Reporting
● Strong written and verbal communication skills.
● Ability to effectively share data insights and recommendations to stakeholders and team
members.
● Ability to train and mentor members
6. Soft Skills
● Strong problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
● Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
● Adaptability to changing project needs and circumstances.
● Teamwork and the ability to work across different cultures and contexts.

Method of Apply

Interested and Qualified to apply, please submit your CV , portfolio and cover letter to careers@leapafrica.org

The post Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Coordinator 1 at Leap Africa appeared first on Advert By Dotifi .Com Domains for Advert By Dotifi .Com Domains for almajiri.com.ng Hausa Music Blog, Entertainment ,News and Gossips .

By 9jabook

You missed

From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5 The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Article .From Tramadol to Canadian to Exol-5: The New Drug Destroying Nigerian Youths An Investigative Report on the Shifting Landscape of Substance Abuse in Nigeria Nigeria faces a severe and evolving drug crisis, particularly among its youth. What began with the widespread abuse of Tramadol has progressed through mixtures like “Canadian” to newer pharmaceutical diversions such as Exol-5. This shift reflects deeper issues: easy access to prescription drugs, weak regulation, socioeconomic pressures, and aggressive street-level marketing. NDLEA operations and health studies reveal a public health emergency that threatens an entire generation. Phase 1: The Tramadol Epidemic (2010s–Early 2020s) Tramadol, a synthetic opioid prescribed for moderate to severe pain, became Nigeria’s most notorious street drug. Cheap, potent, and widely smuggled (often from India and other Asian countries), it offered users energy, euphoria, and pain relief — appealing to commercial drivers, laborers, students, and young men seeking confidence or stamina. Scale of the Problem: Millions of tablets seized annually by NDLEA. High prevalence among young males aged 15–35. Linked to increased crime, sexual violence, organ damage (kidney failure, seizures), and mental health breakdowns. Contributed to broader opioid misuse alongside codeine cough syrups. Government responses included tighter import controls and public awareness campaigns, but these only displaced demand to other substances rather than eliminating it. Phase 2: The Rise of “Canadian” (Mid-2020s) “Canadian” or “Canadian Loud” emerged as a popular code for high-grade cannabis (often indica-dominant strains) or cannabis mixed with other synthetics. It gained traction as users sought alternatives or combinations to Tramadol’s effects. This phase marked a move toward imported or locally cultivated premium weed, sometimes laced with stronger chemicals. Youths in urban centers like Lagos, Kano, Jos, and Onitsha embraced it for its perceived “cleaner” high compared to opioids. However, it fueled polydrug use — combining cannabis with opioids, sedatives, or alcohol — amplifying health risks. Phase 3: Exol-5 – The Current Threat (2024–2026) Exol-5 (Benzhexol Hydrochloride / Trihexyphenidyl 5mg), originally a prescription medication for Parkinson’s disease and drug-induced movement disorders, has become the latest pharmaceutical being heavily abused. Why Exol-5? Euphoric Effects: Users report intense euphoria, hallucinations, and a sense of detachment — making it attractive as a cheap “upper” or escape. Accessibility: Sold over-the-counter or on the black market despite being a controlled prescription drug. NDLEA has seized millions of pills in single operations (e.g., 3.1 million pills in Kano in late 2024, and over 5.6 million combined with Tramadol in other busts). Street Names: Exol, Artane, Benzhexol, “Farin Mallam” (in Northern Nigeria). Demographics: Prevalent among youths, laborers, and even psychiatric patients who divert prescriptions. Studies show abuse rates as high as 25% among certain outpatient groups. Health Consequences: Anticholinergic toxicity: Confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, and in high doses — delirium, psychosis, seizures, and heart issues. Long-term: Cognitive impairment, addiction, exacerbated mental health disorders. Often mixed with Tramadol, codeine, or cannabis, creating dangerous synergies. In cities like Jos, Exol-5 sits alongside diazepam, Rohypnol, and Tramadol on street markets, easily available to teenagers and young adults. Why This Evolution Continues Supply-Side Failures: Porous borders, corrupt officials, and overproduction of pharmaceuticals enable diversion. Demand Drivers: Unemployment, poverty, peer pressure, trauma, and the pursuit of performance enhancement (e.g., for “hustle” culture). Weak Regulation: Many pharmacies sell restricted drugs without prescriptions. Online and street vendors fill gaps. Displacement Effect: Cracking down on one substance (Tramadol/codeine) pushes users and dealers toward the next available option. NDLEA reports ongoing large seizures, but the problem persists due to high profitability and low risk for mid-level distributors. Broader Impacts on Nigerian Youths Education: Increased dropout rates and poor academic performance. Mental Health: Rising cases of psychosis and depression. Economy: Lost productivity among the working-age population. Crime and Violence: Drug-fueled robberies, cultism, and family breakdowns. Public Health System Strain: Overburdened hospitals treating overdoses and chronic complications. Young people aged 15–39 remain the hardest hit, with national surveys showing drug use prevalence significantly above global averages. What Must Be Done Stronger Enforcement: Consistent prosecution of corrupt enablers and large-scale traffickers. Regulation: Crackdown on rogue pharmacies and better tracking of prescription drugs. Prevention & Rehabilitation: School programs, community outreach, and expanded treatment centers (currently woefully inadequate). Economic Alternatives: Address root causes like youth unemployment. Public Awareness: Honest campaigns highlighting real dangers of “Exol-5” and similar drugs. Conclusion From Tramadol’s opioid grip to “Canadian” cannabis culture and now Exol-5’s anticholinergic highs, Nigeria’s drug crisis is mutating faster than responses can contain it. Exol-5 represents the dangerous new frontier — a legitimate medicine turned youth destroyer due to misuse and greed. Without urgent, multi-layered intervention — combining supply disruption, demand reduction, and socioeconomic support — an entire generation risks being lost to addiction. The time for half-measures is over. Nigeria’s future depends on winning this fight.