MEL Officer

Front Line Defenders is seeking expressions of interest from exceptional candidates for the post of MEL Officer. This permanent role will be based in either the Dublin or Brussels office and will report to the MEL Manager.OverviewThe Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team at Front Line Defenders supports the organisation in planning, monitoring, reporting on, evaluating, and learning from its work by developing and implementing MEL systems, frameworks, and processes. The team works closely with program, regional, and development teams to support data collection, analysis, and learning, and contributes to the development and monitoring of the organisational Strategic Plan.The MEL Officer supports the operations of Front Line Defenders’ MEL system by implementing MEL frameworks, supporting regional and program teams in the application of monitoring tools and processes, conducting data analysis to inform reporting and learning, and contributing to evaluation and learning processes. The role works closely with the Database Administrator and the MEL Manager.BackgroundFront Line Defenders is an international organisation based in Ireland that works exclusively for the protection of human rights defenders at risk. Human rights defenders are people who are persecuted because of their peaceful work for the rights of others. Front Line Defenders provides practical help through protection grants, physical and digital protection training, lobbying, advocacy and campaigning.Role responsibilities* Support the implementation of regional, program, and donor MEL frameworks * Develop monitoring and tracking tools and sheets aligned with program, regional, and donor MEL frameworks – in coordination with MEL Manager, program and regional teams, and the development team * Work closely with program and regional teams to support the systematic collection of monitoring data * Contribute to the preparation of narrative reports by analysing compiled information and data from regions, programs, and partners * Conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis of monitoring data to inform reporting and program reflection * Produce data summaries and visualisations to support internal reporting, reviews and evaluations, and donor reporting * Work closely with the research team to ensure monitoring data supports research reports, providing clean, structured and analysed datasets * Support the consolidation of monitoring findings, lessons learned, and programmatic insights across regions and programs * Contribute to the documentation of case studies, stories of change, and othe qualitative evidence of impact * Support planning for and documenting the outputs of internal learning workshops and reflection processes * Provide support to external consultants conducting evaluations or learning paper including facilitating connections with internal and external respondents * Contribute to the compilation and organisation of monitoring data and documentation required for evaluationsSalary & Benefits* €36,241 - €66,700 per annum * 26 annual leave days * Pension * Paid Health Insurance * Income Protection & Life Assurance * Employee Assistance Scheme (EAP) * Monthly Well-Being ProvisionsRequirementsInterested applicants must have:* At least 3 years of professional experience in MEL within human rights, humanitarian, development, or philanthropy sectors. * Advanced university degree in human rights, social sciences, development or humanitarian studies, or a related field. * Demonstrated experience supporting the design and implementation of MEL frameworks, indicators, and monitoring tools * Strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills, including the use of data analysis tools or software * Ability to develop and use monitoring tools such as surveys, evaluation forms, and tracking sheets * Experience in compiling and analysing monitoring data for internal reporting and donor reports * Knowledge of intersectional approaches in human rights programming, monitoring, and reporting * Familiarity with the HRDs protection ecosystem and the key issues affecting human rights defendersFor further information, please view https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/sites/default/files/jd.melofficer.final_.march_2026.pdfHOW TO APPLYApplicants must submit their applications (CV & cover letter) by midnight (local Irish time) on Sunday, 19th April 2026 via the ‘Apply Now’ button as per FLD vacancies page: https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/recruitment-volunteering