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Position Description: MERL Officer

Location: Remote in the U.S.
Type: Full Time, Exempt
Salary: $65,000-$75,000 annually
Application Window: April 21, 2025

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION

The MERL Officer is a dynamic position that supports the effective design, implementation, and refinement of LWOB’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning strategies across multiple USG-funded and other grant-funded programs. This versatile position will stretch beyond the scope of traditional monitoring and evaluation work; they may conduct background research for project design, document and develop learning outcomes, conduct rigorous analysis of program data, and contribute to the development of various communications materials, such as impact reports and success stories. Working closely with program leads and partners, the MERL Officer will also backstop routine program management and business development tasks, ensuring that projects are evidence-informed and responsive to stakeholder needs.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Develop and implement MERL plans, theories of change, log frames, and data collection tools in line with donor and organization requirements

  • Analyze qualitative and quantitative data for internal learning and external reporting

  • Track and report on performance indicators across multiple projects

  • Synthesize and present program data for varying audiences, ranging from highly technical to general public

  • Contribute to the development of evaluation and donor reports, impact reports to volunteer teams, success stories, and learning briefs

  • Support project leads with work planning and adaptive management informed by data

  • Assist in managing field data collection as needed

  • Contribute to proposal development, particularly MEL sections and indicator design

  • Coordinate with partners to ensure harmonized data practices and reporting

  • Provide light administrative and project support (e.g., reporting schedules, event and travel logistics)

  • Maintain secure and organized MERL records, dashboards, and documentation systems

It is expected that this position will spend approximately 50% time on MERL-related tasks, 25% time on project management, and 25% time on business development.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree in international development, public policy, statistics, or related field preferred

  • 3–5 years of experience in MERL roles, preferably on USG-funded or international development programs

  • Experience designing MEL frameworks and using data to inform programming

  • Strong background in academic research, ability to situate program activities in academic literature and draw citations when relevant

  • Demonstratable experience producing impact reports and success stories

  • Ability to produce learning materials based on program data

  • Strong knowledge of USG indicators, data quality standards, and reporting tools

  • Proficiency in Excel, data visualization tools, and statistical analysis

  • Excellent organizational and communication skills

  • Demonstrated ability to multitask and manage multiple deadlines across diverse teams

  • Experience working in legal, justice, or human rights sectors strongly preferred

  • Fluency in English required; other languages a plus

  • Willingness to travel internationally up to 10–15% of the time

COMPENSATION

Salary for this role is $65,000 - $75,000 annually, along with benefits including paid time off and health plan options.

TO APPLY

Submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@lwob.org.

Lawyers Without Borders is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to and consider all applicants for all positions without regard to color, ethnic background, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, or disability status.

Internships

LWOB offers unpaid internships to law students and undergraduate students during the following periods: January, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Gap Term or Gap Year (flexible).

Responsibilities

Interns work closely with LWOB attorneys and staff, as well as other interns, to advance LWOB’s rule of law programming. Tasks may include, but are not limited to: 

  • Conducting legal and non-legal research and writing on topics such as human trafficking, child labor, forced labor, wildlife crime, counterterrorism, and election law 

  • Creating and editing educational materials, such as PowerPoints, infographics, videos, and resource documents 

  • Inputting and analyzing data 

  • Assisting with logistics necessary for running our programs

Our summer internship deadline has passed. Please check back soon for our call for Fall 2025 interns.

Volunteer

Volunteers are vital to the functioning of Lawyers Without Borders. We rely on the help of talented individuals dedicated to promoting the rule of law across the world. We accept United States and international volunteers. A law degree is not an essential requirement for a volunteer position with LWOB.

Volunteer opportunities vary based on our current projects and activities but are generally limited. We occasionally have the need for assistance on administrative or research projects. Volunteers with language skills such as Arabic, Dari, Spanish, or Kiswahili, could be a key group. We do not generally send volunteers to do projects in the field.

Your interest in our work is very much appreciated, and we encourage you to support us through a donation!