Role Overview
We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join us as a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Lead. The role oversees the development and implementation of a global MEL framework, including advancing data digitization initiatives, building robust systems for data analysis and insight generation, and supporting both compliance and impact measurement. The position will work closely with origin sustainability teams and the global sustainability team. This role offers strong long-term development potential for an individual eager to apply their expertise within a leading organization in the coffee trading industry.
Business Overview
Volcafe Ltd is one of the world’s leading international green coffee trading companies, operating in over 20 countries globally. Our expertise spans green coffee procurement and preparation, sustainability, blending, quality control, risk management and export as well as importing and distribution. We supply the world’s major coffee roasters and retail distributors with their green coffee requirements, with significant strategic growth ambitions for the future. We are part of ED&F Man Commodities, a world leading trader of agricultural products including coffee, sugar, molasses and animal feed.
Volcafe works across the whole green coffee supply chain to make coffee business better, together with our partners and employees. We have built and operate sustainable coffee supply chains across all our origins, addressing key economic, social and environmental issues in coffee farming communities. Our Volcafe Way farmer support programme engages with thousands of coffee farmers and provides a holistic response to the challenges they face.
This position can be located flexibly from any of our global offices, with a preference on LATAM, Amsterdam or Madrid.
Key Accountabilities
- Implementing the global MEL roadmap in close collaboration with origin sustainability teams across all regions.
- Developing and maintaining tools and systems to analyse sustainability data, generate insights and support continuous learning.
- Driving the digitisation of first-mile data collection by designing and delivering a comprehensive global strategy and roadmap.
- Supporting the development of technology-enabled systems to consolidate sustainability reporting across origins.
- Building and enhancing systems that leverage sustainability data to strengthen compliance and maximise impact.
- Collaborating closely with commercial and research teams to ensure effective data sharing and cross-functional use of insights.
- Embedding harmonised MEL practices across all origins, ensuring consistency and alignment with organisational objectives.
- Designing and deploying automated tools, workflows and reporting systems to support internal and external reporting requirements, including Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).
- Driving innovation in MEL through advanced data analysis, generating actionable insights to inform decision-making.
- Strengthening organisational understanding of sustainability impact through clear, data-driven communication and reporting.
- Supporting commercial activities by contributing sustainability data, reporting and intelligence to client-facing services.
- Advancing the overall digitisation of sustainability and MEL processes across global operations.
Skills and Experience
- Degree educated in economics, agronomy, statistics, international development or a related field, or equivalent professional experience in MEL, data analysis or sustainability programmes.
- Minimum of 5 years’ relevant professional experience, with a demonstrated track record of delivering results in data-driven or sustainability-focused roles.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel; basic programming skills in Python R and/or SQL would be considered a strong advantage.
- Experience working with Geographic Information Systems and spatial data analysis is highly desirable.
- Strong analytical capabilities, with proven experience managing, structuring and interpreting large and complex datasets.
- Sound business acumen combined with a proactive, self-starting mindset and the ability to work independently.
- Good balance of analytical and on-the-ground operational considerations in diverse environments.
- High attention to detail, paired with the ability to think strategically and holistically across systems and processes.
- Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders and drive alignment across teams.
- Proven ability to work cross-functionally and manage stakeholders in an international and multicultural context.
- Skilled in structuring information clearly and translating complex analysis into actionable insights.
- Fluency in English required, additional language skills in Spanish, Portuguese or French would be a strong advantage.
We recognise that talent comes in many forms, and we value potential just as much as experience. If this role excites you but you don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.
Our Offer
We provide a fast-paced, stimulating and truly global environment, which will stretch your abilities and channel your talents. We also offer competitive salary and benefits combined with outstanding career development opportunities in one of the global leaders in soft commodity trading.
Our Values
Respect, Integrity, Meritocracy, Client Focus, Entrepreneurship
Our values define who we are. They are the fundamental beliefs that determine our actions and guide our behaviour. They influence the way we communicate and collaborate, and define the way we engage with our clients, partners, and communities. Our values are underpinned by a set of essential behaviours, which form part of our performance management approach. Delivering on our objectives is very much about ‘what’ we do, but these essential behaviours also provide a guide and measure for ‘how’ we do things. Our performance essentials are Take Initiative, Self‐Management, Deliver Results and Collaboration.
Our Commitment
We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive and diverse work environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment and are focussed on actively building and developing diverse teams. All qualified applicants will receive equal treatment without regard to race, colour, sex, gender, age, religion or belief, ethnic or national origin, marital or civil partner status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment (identity, gender expression), genetic information or any characteristic protected by local law.
