Consultant: Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

Consultant: Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) | Dubai | Confidential SearchWe are supporting a government-backed research, development and innovation (RDI) grant programme in Dubai to appoint a MEL Consultant.The programme funds work across the full innovation value chain, from talent discovery through to industrialisation and scaling. It aims to become the most trusted, outcome-driven RDI hub in the region by 2030. You will build the programme’s results and monitoring foundations from the ground up.What you will doCo-design a multi-level Theory of Change covering all grant instruments, from discovery and translation grants to challenge funds and rapid innovation funds. It will map the pathway from inputs to impact across Dubai’s priority innovation sectors.Develop a master logframe with SMART indicators, baselines, data sources and targets. Build a results framework tracking Emirati researcher participation, IP generation, private-sector co-investment, publications and spinouts.Define requirements for a real-time dashboard for leadership and external stakeholders. This covers the KPI taxonomy, data flows, reporting cadence, milestone-based tranche tracking and a Data Management Plan.Design grantee reporting templates, mid-term and end-of-grant evaluation protocols, and a semi-annual Learning Series.Train programme staff in MEL and produce a MEL Handbook for the team.What you bringA Master’s degree in international development, public policy, evaluation or a related field.At least 7 years in MEL roles. Experience in R&D programmes or innovation ecosystems is strongly preferred.Expertise in Theory of Change, logframes, results-based management and outcome harvesting.Proven skill in designing quantitative and qualitative indicators, setting baselines and targets, and assessing data quality.Experience specifying dashboards and reporting systems, with familiarity with Power BI, Tableau or similar tools.Knowledge of research funding, TRL frameworks and innovation value chains.Experience with developmental evaluation, contribution analysis and portfolio-level impact assessment.Strong facilitation skills for workshops with academics, government, industry and funders, and the ability to turn complex data into clear insight for leaders and the public.Engagement: One year contract