Job Description

Digital Green is hiring an MEL & Research Manager in Nairobi to support research, monitoring, evaluation and learning.

The role focuses on FarmerChat, its AI-powered agricultural advisory platform, across Kenya and Nigeria. It suits a researcher with strong quantitative and qualitative skills who can connect farmer research with digital product data.

The position also offers exposure to emerging AI-enabled research methods and opportunities to take increasing ownership of evaluation work.

About the Role

This is a hands-on research and analytics position at the intersection of agriculture, technology and AI. The successful candidate will investigate how farmers use FarmerChat and whether its advice influences decisions and outcomes.

Much of the work involves designing studies, analysing survey and product data, coordinating field research and translating findings into practical recommendations. The role reports to the Director of MEL and works across program, product, user research and technology teams.

Key Responsibilities

The role covers five main areas:

• Design MEL studies, surveys, qualitative research and evaluation approaches.
• Analyse survey, program and FarmerChat usage data using appropriate statistical methods.
• Coordinate field research, enumerators, sampling and data-quality processes.
• Convert research findings into recommendations for products, programs and strategic decisions.
• Maintain rigorous research documentation, datasets, codebooks and reproducible analytical workflows.
• Test emerging approaches such as voice-based research and AI-enabled MEL.
• Protect participant privacy and ensure research is conducted ethically.

Who This Job Is For

This role is well suited to an applied researcher or MEL professional with strong analytical foundations. Candidates should be comfortable working with quantitative data while also understanding qualitative research methods.

The strongest profiles will combine statistical ability with practical research judgment. Experience working across program, product and technology teams would be useful. Candidates interested in agriculture, digital advisory services and AI-enabled research may find the role particularly relevant.

The position is less suitable for candidates without hands-on research experience or without the ability to analyse datasets independently.

Requirements

Essential

• Bachelor's degree in economics, statistics, public policy, development studies, project management, agricultural economics, social sciences or another relevant field.
• Approximately 3–5 years of relevant MEL, applied research or evaluation experience; or a relevant Master's degree with approximately 1–3 years of experience.
• Experience designing quantitative surveys and research instruments.
• Strong Excel skills and working proficiency in Stata and/or R or related software.
• Understanding of applied statistics, including significance testing and hypothesis testing.
• Knowledge of sampling methods and sample-size calculations.
• Experience cleaning, managing and analysing research or program datasets.
• Experience supporting qualitative research.
• Strong data-quality and research-documentation skills.
• Ability to communicate research findings clearly to non-research audiences.
• Ability to collaborate across program, product and data or technology teams.
• Strong written and spoken English plus a local language.
• Curiosity and willingness to learn independently.
• Ability to travel for fieldwork.

Preferred

• Agriculture or smallholder-farmer experience in Kenya or East Africa.
• Experience with digital products, AI-enabled tools or technology-for-development programs.
• Experience combining survey data with digital usage or transactional data.
• Experience using SurveyCTO, KoboToolbox, ODK or similar platforms.
• Experience with randomized evaluations, A/B testing or quasi-experimental research.
• Experience with voice-based research or conversational surveys.
• Experience managing enumerators or external research firms.
• Knowledge of Kenya's agricultural sector and smallholder farming context.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary: Not disclosed in the vacancy.

The source does not specify bonuses, health benefits, retirement benefits, paid leave, relocation support or visa sponsorship. Candidates should verify these details with Digital Green before applying.

Location and Work Arrangement

Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Work arrangement: Not specified
Field travel: Required

The vacancy indicates that the role involves field travel. However, it does not specify a fixed number of travel days per month.

Why This Opportunity May Be Worth Considering

This role offers an unusual combination of MEL, applied research, agriculture, digital products and AI. It also provides opportunities to experiment with newer approaches to data collection and evaluation.

The position could suit researchers who want to move beyond conventional surveys and contribute directly to product and program decisions. It also offers room to take greater ownership of research and evaluation activities.

What to Check Before Applying

Review the qualification and experience requirements carefully before applying. Your application should demonstrate both research capability and practical data-analysis experience.

Candidates should also assess their willingness to travel for field research. Experience with digital platforms, agricultural programs or emerging research methods can strengthen an application, although these are listed as preferred rather than required qualifications.

How to Apply

The supplied vacancy text does not include a specific application URL, email address or application deadline.

Candidates should therefore use Digital Green's official recruitment channel and confirm the current application instructions before submitting their materials.

About the Employer

Digital Green is a global non-profit focused on helping smallholder farmers develop more prosperous and resilient livelihoods. Its work combines agricultural extension experience with digital technology and AI.

Its FarmerChat platform provides multilingual agricultural advice covering areas such as climate-resilient practices, pest management, inputs and market access. The platform operates across India, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Brazil and supports multiple local languages.

AscendurePro Application Notes

Before you apply:

• Make your MEL or applied research experience immediately visible.
• Highlight survey design and research-instrument development.
• Show evidence of quantitative data analysis.
• List your proficiency in Excel, Stata and/or R clearly.
• Demonstrate experience with qualitative research where applicable.
• Highlight sampling, data-quality and evaluation experience.
• Include examples where research findings influenced decisions.
• Emphasize experience working across program, product or technology teams.
• Mention relevant agriculture or digital-development experience.
• Prepare examples showing curiosity, independent learning and methodological judgment.

CV focus: Prioritize measurable research outcomes, analytical methods, datasets handled, study designs, fieldwork responsibilities and recommendations that influenced programs or products.