[Hiring] Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Director @The Global FoodBanking Network

Role Description

The MERL Director serves as both a hands-on leader and strategic visionary, integrating and advancing best practices in monitoring, evaluation, analytics, research, and learning. The position leads the strategy and execution of data collection, analysis, evaluation of program effectiveness, and reporting. The role develops and advances integrated data systems to optimize the Global FoodBanking Network’s (GFN’s) ability to assess, demonstrate, and deliver impact.

The MERL Director collaborates with colleagues across the organization to ensure GFN is measuring what matters and enabling the organization and its partners to understand and communicate GFN’s impact with clarity and confidence. This position is also responsible for producing original research relevant to the food banking model, synthesizing relevant external research, and strengthening the evidence base that informs program strategy, advocacy, and partner engagement.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Executes the organization-wide program impact measurement framework, in alignment with GFN’s strategy, ensuring that programs include clear MERL goals, targets, and metrics to measure the success and impact of GFN programs and initiatives.
• Leads the development of programmatic Results Frameworks and supports the development of associated work plans.
• Monitors and evaluates progress against targets across the programmatic portfolio.
• Strengthens MERL and digital data management, and guides change management processes related to MERL, including harmonization of data collection modalities and ensuring clarity for data collection and analysis systems, roles, and tools to effectively capture and report on key metrics.
• Generates evidence-based insights of the global impact and value of food banking, across hunger, nutrition, environmental outcomes, and community resilience, including assessment of social and financial return on investment to support strategic, policy, and partner decision-making.
• Develops, validates and quality-checks analytical outputs, and effectively uses data management and visualization tools (including Power BI and Salesforce) to produce reliable, decision-ready insights for internal and external stakeholders.
• Identifies insights about the prioritized programmatic areas of which GFN is focusing; transforms data into actionable intelligence that informs strategic planning to nourish and feed people, reduce food loss and waste, increase food donations, and support operational resilience.
• Produces relevant data products, including:
  • Quarterly insight (GFN- and Network-facing);
  • State of Global Food Banking (annual) with trends (Network, system actors);
  • State of Global Food Donation & business insights (private sector audience);
  • Updated Social Return on Investment.
• Produces original research of the food bank model and synthesizes external research of food insecurity and food systems.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with food banks, corporate partners, multilaterals, NGOs, and other stakeholders, while representing GFN externally at events and forums, sharing insights and developments, and cultivating a broad network of influencers to advance the organization’s mission, visibility, and partnerships.
• Supports business development efforts, including:
  • Informing the design of programs that advance Network food banks’ effectiveness and can attract and maintain external funding, integrating innovative, scalable approaches to food security, reduced food loss and waste, and food bank sustainability;
  • Modeling, evaluating, and articulating program impact.
• Contributes to compelling, impactful messaging across all communications channels and materials.
• Collaborates with other leaders to promote a cohesive and collaborative culture to drive the organization forward.
• Provides effective leadership and management to staff, ensuring clear communication, goal setting, and performance management.
• Stays updated on industry trends, best practices, and technological advancements. Leads innovation and change initiatives, encouraging creative solutions, scaling successful approaches, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Company Description