About WWF-Mongolia

WWF-Mongolia is one of the leading conservation organizations operating in Mongolia, dedicated to protecting the country's unique and diverse ecosystems — from the vast steppes and boreal forests to the Altai Mountains and the Gobi Desert. With over two decades of presence in the country, WWF-Mongolia works closely with local communities, government agencies, international partners, and herder cooperatives to address critical environmental challenges including biodiversity loss, climate change impacts, unsustainable mining practices, and threats to endangered species such as the snow leopard, saiga antelope, and argali sheep.

Our mission is to stop the degradation of Mongolia's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. We achieve this through science-based conservation programs, policy advocacy, community engagement, and sustainable livelihood initiatives that balance ecological preservation with socioeconomic development.

Role Overview

WWF-Mongolia is seeking an experienced and strategic Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (PMEL) Manager to lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of planning and monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems across all programmatic areas. This is a senior-level management position reporting directly to the Conservation Director and working closely with program managers, field teams, and the WWF Network's broader PMEL community.

The PMEL Manager will play a pivotal role in ensuring that WWF-Mongolia's conservation programs are evidence-based, results-oriented, and adaptive. You will be responsible for building robust frameworks that track progress toward conservation outcomes, facilitating organizational learning, and ensuring accountability to donors, partners, and the communities we serve. This position requires a deep understanding of conservation and development contexts, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Design and oversee the implementation of comprehensive PMEL frameworks, theories of change, and results frameworks for all WWF-Mongolia conservation programs, ensuring alignment with the WWF Network's global standards and Mongolia's national biodiversity strategies.
Lead the development and management of a centralized project portfolio monitoring system using tools such as MS Project, Power BI, Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud, or similar platforms to track milestones, deliverables, and budget utilization across multiple concurrent projects.
Conduct and manage baseline studies, mid-term evaluations, and end-of-project evaluations for major conservation initiatives, including wildlife protection programs, community-based natural resource management projects, and climate resilience interventions.
Develop and administer data collection methodologies — both quantitative and qualitative — including household surveys, biodiversity assessments, remote sensing analysis, and participatory rural appraisal techniques appropriate to Mongolia's nomadic and rural contexts.
Build and strengthen the capacity of program staff and field teams in PMEL best practices, data quality assurance, ethical research protocols, and the use of digital data collection tools such as KoboToolbox, ODK, SurveyCTO, or CommCare.
Prepare high-quality progress reports, donor reports, impact briefs, and learning documents on a quarterly and annual basis, ensuring timely submission to donors including SIDA, USAID, GEF, EU, the Government of the Netherlands, and other institutional partners.
Facilitate regular learning workshops, reflection sessions, and adaptive management processes with program teams to ensure that monitoring data and evaluation findings directly inform program design adjustments and strategic decision-making.
Represent WWF-Mongolia in national and international PMEL forums, working groups, and conferences, contributing to the broader conservation evidence base and staying current with emerging trends in environmental monitoring and impact evaluation.
Manage and mentor a team of PMEL officers and data analysts, providing technical guidance, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities to build a high-performing PMEL unit.
Ensure compliance with WWF Network policies on safeguarding, data protection, gender mainstreaming, and indigenous rights in all PMEL activities, with particular attention to the rights and knowledge of Mongolia's nomadic herder communities.

Work Environment & Culture

WWF-Mongolia offers a collaborative, mission-driven work environment where professional growth is encouraged and diverse perspectives are valued. Our Ulaanbaatar office provides a modern, open workspace with flexible working arrangements, including hybrid remote options for certain work periods. The organization fosters a culture of continuous learning, mutual respect, and innovation. You will work alongside passionate conservationists, scientists, community development specialists, and policy advocates who are deeply committed to protecting Mongolia's natural heritage. Occasional travel to field sites across Mongolia — including remote areas of Khövsgöl, Ömnögovi, and Dornod provinces — is an integral and rewarding part of this role, offering firsthand exposure to Mongolia's extraordinary landscapes and wildlife.

Requirements

Master's degree or higher in Environmental Science, Conservation Biology, International Development, Statistics, Social Sciences, Public Policy, or a closely related field.
Minimum of 7 years of progressive professional experience in planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning, with at least 3 years in a managerial or team-lead capacity within the conservation, international development, or natural resource management sector.
Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing PMEL systems for complex, multi-stakeholder programs funded by major institutional donors (e.g., SIDA, USAID, EU, GEF, World Bank, GIZ).
Strong proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including experimental and quasi-experimental evaluation designs, mixed-methods approaches, and participatory evaluation techniques.
Advanced skills in data analysis and visualization using tools such as R, Python (Pandas, NumPy), SPSS, Stata, Power BI, Tableau, or ArcGIS for spatial analysis and mapping.
Experience with project management platforms and M&E databases, including MS Project, Asana, Jira, Salesforce, KoboToolbox, ODK, or similar tools.
Proven track record of producing high-quality evaluation reports, donor reports, and knowledge products that meet international standards.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required. Proficiency in Mongolian language is strongly preferred and considered a significant advantage.
Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with government officials, international donors, academic researchers, local community leaders, and herder cooperatives.
Deep understanding of Mongolia's environmental context, biodiversity conservation challenges, and the socioeconomic dynamics of rural and nomadic communities is highly desirable.
Ability to travel frequently to remote field locations, sometimes under challenging conditions, for extended periods.

Technical Skills

The ideal candidate will bring hands-on experience with the following tools and methodologies: Results-Based Management (RBM), Theory of Change development, Logical Framework Approach (Logframe), SMART indicators, GIS and remote sensing (ArcGIS, QGIS, Google Earth Engine), statistical analysis (R, Python, SPSS, Stata), survey design and digital data collection (KoboToolbox, ODK, SurveyCTO), data visualization (Power BI, Tableau), project management software (MS Project, Asana, Jira), and knowledge management platforms (SharePoint, Confluence).

Benefits & Compensation

WWF-Mongolia offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits include comprehensive health insurance (including dental and vision coverage), generous annual leave policy, professional development budget for conferences and training, provident fund contributions, and a supportive work-life balance culture. The organization also provides field travel allowances, communication support, and relocation assistance for candidates moving to Ulaanbaatar from other provinces or internationally.

Career Growth

This role offers significant opportunities for career advancement within WWF-Mongolia and the broader WWF International Network, which operates in over 100 countries. The PMEL Manager will gain exposure to high-level strategic planning, international donor engagement, and cross-regional knowledge exchange. There are clear pathways to senior leadership roles such as Deputy Country Director, Regional PMEL Coordinator, or Global Programme positions within the WWF Network.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application through the official application link: https://lnkd.in/dUk5QpGP. Applications should include a comprehensive CV, a cover letter detailing relevant PMEL experience and motivation for the role, and contact information for three professional references. The application deadline is 30 June 2026, 6:00 PM Ulaanbaatar time. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews, which will include a technical assessment exercise and a panel interview with senior management. WWF-Mongolia is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and candidates from underrepresented communities.