MEL Project Manager

Position: MEL Project Manager

Location: Almaty or Astana, Kazakhstan (largely remote working from home)

Contract type: Service-provider/consultancy contract

The monthly consultancy fee for this post is KZT 372,500 paid in local currency, based on a part-time position (50% role, 18.75 hours per week or calculated monthly).

Consultants are responsible for providing a tax registration number/statement issued by the tax authorities for individual entrepreneurs where applicable and are responsible for paying any taxes and Social Fund payments due.

*Consultancy contract will be offered until 31 March 2026*

Applicants must fully meet the minimum qualification requirements. Applicants should submit a covering letter outlining why they are suited for the role and motivation for the role and curriculum vitae (CV) by Sunday 11 May 2025, with the subject ‘AELLCA MEL Manager recruitment’ in the title. The British Council does not consider CVs without a covering letter and only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

About the programme

The project Accelerating English Language Learning in Central Asia focuses on the improvement of the quality of Initial English Language Teacher Education (IELTE) across the region, the modernisation of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) policies and practices, and promotion of inclusive educational practices and policies across the education system. The aim of the project is for English language teachers in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan, to become more effective in teaching English at all levels. This should ultimately boost student attainment and result in more inclusive educational systems, driving improved student attainment and contributing significantly to the development of human capital and economic growth in Central Asian countries.

MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING

Working closely with the Wider Europe Regional MEL manager, the management team and project partners and contractors – on the AELLCA project, the MEL Manager will be responsible for the programme monitoring and ensuring high quality and timely MEL inputs and outputs. She/he will ensure that the project maintains its strategic vision and that its activities result in the achievement of its intended outputs in a cost effective and timely manner.

SCOPE OF WORK

Reference to the programme Theory of Change and Result Framework

This assignment contributes to the programme intermediate outcomes across the work streams, with details specified within project proposal, Result Framework and MEL approach.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

The British Council’s WE Regional MEL Manager and AELLCA MEL Manager are responsible for the implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning across the programme, according to the broad division of responsibilities below (as outlined in the project)

The MEL Coordinator is accountable and responsible for:

• Developing and maintaining an effective monitoring system that responds to information needs of the Client and the British Council;
• Maintaining and managing the MEL database and providing timely, accurate and updated information on the programme indicators for monthly, quarterly and other internal and Client reporting;
• Supporting evidence informed programme decision making and providing regular feedback to the project management team;

• Coordinate with programme partners, contractors and management team on all MEL related activities and deliverables;

• Monitoring and reviewing all project activities and overall progress towards achieving the programme outputs and outcomes against the indicators in the Result Framework and in line with the Theory of Change;
• Participating in periodical reflection events, annual programme reviews and planning workshops and assist the Project Management team in preparing relevant reports;
• Supplying and instructing the project team on using and distributing MEL instruments;
• Providing support to contractors and grantees in developing/strengthening their monitoring, evaluation and reporting function, ensuring that minimum data quality is met;
• Developing and strengthening monitoring, evaluation and learning procedures;
• Ensuring that key British Council’s MEL standards and procedures are in place and embedded in the programme;
• Providing input and updating information related to programme outputs for relevant marketing and communication opportunities;

REQUIREMENTS

Experience and Education:

• Degree level or higher qualification or equivalent experience in specialist area relevant to job.
• Excellent English writing and presentation skills
• Minimum 4 years' relevant experience of managing and delivering complex MEL activities
• Experience in managing MEL within a large and complex organisation.
• Demonstrable experience in providing expert advice and guidance on MEL
• Experience of working with teams across the region
• Advanced Excel skills are essential
• Proven ability to work with and analyse both qualitative and quantitative data
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with diverse team and partners

Desirable:

• Experience of working in a global organisation
• Experience of managing MEL for large-scale donor funded programmes (e.g. Foreign and Commonwealth Office, EU).
• A good knowledge of the English teaching landscape across the Central Asia

Language and skills: Excellent English writing and presentation skills (C1 or higher). Any knowledge of local languages would be an advantage.