Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

Organization Background

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a US non-profit, tax-exempt, private organization established in 1895 that saves wildlife and wild places by understanding critical issues, crafting science based solutions, and taking conservation actions that benefit nature and humanity. With more than a century of experience, long-term commitments in dozens of landscapes, presence in more than 60 nations, and experience helping to establish over 150 protected areas across the globe, WCS has amassed the biological knowledge, cultural understanding, and partnerships to ensure that vibrant, wild places and wildlife thrive alongside local communities. Working with local communities and organizations, that knowledge is applied to address species, habitat, and ecosystem management issues critical to improving the quality of life of vulnerable communities whose livelihoods depend on the direct utilization of natural resources.

Program Background

WCS's office for the Southeast Asia and the Pacific (SEAP) region is responsible for WCS conservation programs in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Solomon Islands. The SEAP region contains the third largest expanse of tropical rainforests and the majority of the Coral Triangle, the global center of marine biodiversity. The region includes over 25,000 islands and comprises the world's second, third, and sixth-largest islands (New Guinea, Borneo and Sumatra). In the Philippines, WCS has recently opened a branch office and, leveraging its historical project-based legacy, is now, together with local partners, designing a conservation program that will complement the many ongoing terrestrial and marine efforts in the Philippines. We are implementing an ambitious site-based conservation program, along with government, civil society, and NGO partners, and building out a knowledge base to inform WCS's broader conservation strategy and approach in the Philippines.

Our work in the Philippines is situated within the globally significant Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape, one of the most biodiverse marine regions in the world, where small-scale fisheries and coastal ecosystems are central to both ecological integrity and community well-being.

Our initial focus is on the marine protected areas (MPAs) and small-scale fisheries of the Bohol Sea and Siquijor, adopting a ridge-to-reef and ecosystem-based approach that enhances the protection of endangered, threatened, and protected species. This work is undertaken in partnership with local communities, peoples' organizations, NGOs, and academic institutions, and implemented in close coordination with government agencies. Complementing this, WCS is also working in the small island ecosystems and fisheries of Tawi-Tawi, where improved coastal and marine management provides an integration site for applying lessons from national marine and coastal policy and planning. Across these sites, WCS contributes to national government commitments to evidence-based, inclusive, equitable, and effective area-based conservation.

Job Purpose

WCS Philippines is seeking a motivated individual with strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills and demonstrated experience in project monitoring and evaluation.

The MEL Specialist will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining systems to monitor, evaluate, and learning system. The position ensures that data on performance indicators and outcomes are tracked, systematically collected, analysed. The MEL Specialist will focus on measuring results, generating evidence, and embedding learning cycles into marine program implementation

Key Technical Areas

• Analytical thinking and problem-solving.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.
• Ability to translate complex data into clear messages for decision-making.
• Adaptability and flexibility to shifting project priorities.
• Commitment to integrity, transparency, and accountability.

Major Responsibilities:

1. Monitoring and Tracking

• Develop and maintain monitoring and logical frameworks and results chains aligned with the marine program's work plan, milestones, and targets.
• Regularly update progress against indicators (e.g., outputs, activities, means of verification, and deliverable timelines).
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of data across all program components.
• Monitor risks and flag delays or gaps in delivery.

2. Evaluation

• Design and oversee data collection methodologies, tools and systems (baseline, midline and endline surveys, field monitoring, participatory assessments)
• Ensure alignment with donor reporting requirements, national frameworks, and organizational standards.
• Produce evidence-based performance reports
• Prepare evidence-based recommendations for program improvement.

3. Learning and Adaptive Management-Facilitate periodic reflection and learning sessions with project teams, partners, and stakeholders.

• Identify emerging trends, successes, and gaps to inform adaptive strategies and improve project outcomes.
• Support the integration of lessons learned into project design, proposal development, and organizational strategies.

4. Capacity Building and Technical Support

• Contribute to high-quality donor reports, ensuring output and milestones are backed by evidence.
• Support the integration of monitoring data into organizational learning products (reports, presentations, briefs).
• Provide technical input to communication strategies and activity reports to highlight results and impact.
• Train staff, partners, and community stakeholders in MEL approaches, data collection methods, and use of evidence.
• Provide technical advice on integrating gender, equity, and inclusion into MEL processes.

5. Accountability and Data Quality

• Establish data quality assurance mechanisms to ensure accuracy, reliability, and timeliness of information.
• Ensure compliance with safeguarding and ethical standards in data collection and reporting.

Minimum Requirements and Job Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Statistics, Environmental Science, or related field
• At least 3-5 years experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, or project management.
• Strong skills in data collection, analysis and visualization (Excel, Power BI, or similar).
• Excellent writing, documentation, and presentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with multidisciplinary teams and local partners.

Preferred requirements:

• Master's degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Statistics, Environmental Science, or related field
• Experience working with international NGOs or similar organisations for conservation, environment, or development sectors.
• Strong understanding of Filipino cultures and Indigenous Peoples, and experience working with an international team.
• Experience with logical frameworks, results-based management, and donor reporting (for Europe, US, or international NGOs preferred).
• Experience mainstream gender equity and social inclusion
• Track record of working with teams to facilitate significant conservation achievements.
• Producing technical reports and publications in scientific journals.

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging in a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share the same values. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories.

It is everyone's responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person's membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities.

The organization complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS's employment policies.

Job Type: Full-time

Experience:

• project monitoring, evaluation, and research: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: In person