Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer

The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), in partnership with the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC), has established the Just Transition Finance Mechanism (JTFM) to mobilise and channel finance towards inclusive, locally owned and scalable just transition initiatives across South Africa. The JTFM is intended to address financing barriers that limit the implementation of just transition priorities at local, provincial and national levels. Through the mobilisation of public, private and concessional finance, the mechanism seeks to support projects that create sustainable livelihoods, strengthen community resilience, promote social ownership and participation, and advance South Africa's transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy. Supported through funding from the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the programme is being implemented jointly by DBSA and the PCC. The initiative focuses on strengthening stakeholder participation, supporting local and provincial just transition planning, developing a pipeline of investable projects, mobilising transition finance, and establishing a sustainable institutional platform for long-term implementation.

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer is responsible for designing and managing a comprehensive programme-level Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system for the Just Transition Finance Mechanism (JTFM), ensuring performance tracking, evidence-based learning, and adaptive management. Through capturing lessons and driving continuous improvement, the role strengthens project design, stakeholder engagement, investment readiness, and delivery effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities

Key Performance Areas

• Programme Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Collaborate with the Project Officer, Investment Officers, community engagement teams, and technical partners to analyse progress and translate monitoring data into learning insights.
  • Support integrated delivery across SORE and PIM pipeline activities
  • Establish monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track progress and recommend adjustments to ensure the achievement of programme deliverables.
  • Lead the development and application of the MEL framework and monitoring indicators aligned with programme outputs
  • Track overall programme progress and performance against programme objectives across Outputs I–V
  • Provide targeted recommendations to strengthen alignment with donor requirements and programme milestones
  • Design governance and inclusion metrics that strengthen institutional accountability and transparency, ensuring alignment with just transition principles.
  • Facilitate evaluation activities, including mid-term and final assessments and embed monitoring and evaluation across programme structures.
  • Conduct research on development initiatives and keep abreast of developments in the field of MEL.

• Learning and Adaptive Management Support
  • Facilitate learning processes that support continuous improvement and adaptive
  • Capture lessons emerging from SORE project preparation
  • Document lessons learned from project implementation, including stakeholder engagement, pipeline development, and financing structures.
  • Produce learning briefs and recommendations to improve programme

• Reporting and Data Analytics
  • Gather evidence systematically from site identification, screening, and business case preparation
  • Verify data accuracy and maintain strong quality assurance processes
  • Analyse findings to improve pipeline readiness and design
  • Prepare inputs for MEL reporting and periodic submissions to IKI and DBSA
  • Produce evidence-based recommendations that strengthen programme delivery and accountability
  • Prepare MEL reports for donor and stakeholder compliance
  • Maintain donor compliance and accountability through accurate, timely submissions
  • Prepare submissions to management and board committees in collaboration with key units, supporting assessment of targets and initiatives.
  • Develop templates and processes to standardise reporting and improve administrative efficiency
  • Present data analysis on trends and projections in training sessions, equipping stakeholders (business partners, divisional committees, board committees, executive committee) with decision-making tools and reports.

• Stakeholder Engagement
  • Develop a stakeholder engagement strategy that maps key players and decision-makers, establish approaches that support inclusive participation in all stakeholder consultations.
  • Facilitate and support learning, thought leadership and knowledge sharing on MEL with partner organisations and other industry players.
  • Build networks and partnerships to share knowledge and resources
  • Build partnerships with organisations, government and non-government agencies, and other stakeholders to foster collaboration on MEL best practice.

Key Measurements of Outputs

• Accurate and presentable reports consolidated and submitted within agreed timelines, meeting donor and stakeholder requirements.

• Data collected and analysed with accuracy and integrated into reporting frameworks

• Monitoring indicators developed and applied across all outputs within agreed timelines

• Programme performance tracked and reported with clear evidence of inclusive participation

• Actionable recommendations delivered to enhance inclusive milestone achievement

• Stakeholder satisfaction with advisory support, financing solutions, and transaction execution

• Clean audit outcomes and effective resolution of audit findings.

Expertise & Technical Competencies

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Environmental Studies, Public Policy, or a related field.

Minimum Experience

• A minimum of 5 years experience in MEL implementation within development, climate, or infrastructure programmes.

• Demonstrated experience in data collection, verification, and results-based reporting.

• Good understanding of the development finance environment both locally and regionally.

• Demonstration of a strong understanding of public and private sectors, and the interfaces in social development.

• Experience in leading and implementing projects and programmes.

• Expertise in results-based monitoring and evaluation.

• Ability to analyse qualitative and quantitative and qualitative data.

Desirable Requirements

• Postgraduate qualification in MEL, Climate Finance, or Renewable Energy development.

• Experience supporting project pipeline development or business case preparation.

• Experience with donor-funded programmes (IKI, GCF, EU).

• Familiarity with just transition or climate governance.

• Knowledge of legislation, regulations, policies, processes and procedures governing the development finance and public sector procurement in South Africa (e.g. PFMA).

Technical Competencies

• Strong expertise in results-based monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Ability to manage and analyse qualitative and quantitative data.
• Knowledge of renewable energy, climate resilience, or just transition programming is advantageous.
• Strong report writing skills and donor compliance experience.

Required Personal Attributes

Behavioral Competencies

• Strong organisational and coordination skills.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• High attention to detail and commitment to data quality.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet reporting deadlines.

Core Values

• Commitment to inclusive and sustainable development.
• Integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• Commitment to evidence-based learning and continuous improvement.