MELI Manager

Key Responsibilities

1.     Design and Implementation of MELI Systems

• Develop, refine, and
  maintain fit -for -purpose monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MELI)
  frameworks and tools that align with SmartStart’s strategic goals and
  learning priorities.
  
• Collaborate with IT
  and data teams to ensure MELI systems are robust, flexible, and support
  real -time data collection, analysis, and reporting.
  

Establish and update key performance indicators (KPIs) and feedback
mechanisms to track programme progress and impact

2. Data -Driven Learning and Adaptive Management

• Enable teams and
  stakeholders to collect, interpret, and use data for programme improvement
  and strategic decision -making.
  
• Build capacity
  across the organisation to engage with performance data, identify gaps,
  and take corrective action.
  
• Facilitate regular
  review sessions and learning loops to synthesise insights, drive programme
  adaptation, and foster continuous improvement.
  

3. Experimentation, Evaluation, and Knowledge Management

• Lead the design and
  execution of rapid -cycle experiments and developmental evaluations to test
  and adapt programme models.
  
• Manage MELI
  projects, including scope, schedule, finance, risk, and quality, ensuring
  effective resource allocation and team performance.
  
• Support the
  dissemination and integration of evaluation findings and experimental
  insights into programme planning and development cycles.
  

4. Strategic Alignment and Systems Thinking

• Synthesise data and
  insights to support leadership in sense -making, decision -making, and
  strategic coherence.
  
• Promote alignment
  between MELI activities, organisational strategy, and funder requirements.
  
• Ensure SmartStart’s
  Theory of Change is embedded in decision -making and programme design.
  

5. Reporting and Communication

• Coordinate with
  programme and data teams to produce accurate, timely, and insightful
  monitoring and evaluation reports for internal and external stakeholders.
  
• Develop and maintain
  standardised reporting templates and guidelines to ensure consistency and
  compliance with donor and internal requirements.
  
• Present data
  insights and recommendations to senior management and key stakeholders.
  

6. Capacity Building and Change Management

• Develop and deliver
  training on MELI methodologies, data interpretation, and adaptive
  management to staff and partners.
  
• Support teams and
  partners in adopting MELI tools, frameworks, and practices, fostering a
  culture of disciplined innovation and structured experimentation.
  

7. Continuous Improvement and Innovation

• Facilitate the
  interpretation and sense -making of data to derive actionable insights and
  recommendations.
  
• Promote a culture of
  continuous improvement by encouraging data -driven decision -making and
  innovation across the organisation.
  
• Develop and
  implement feedback mechanisms to capture lessons learned and best
  practices from ongoing projects.
  

8. People Management

• Manage and support
  direct reports, facilitating their growth and development through
  coaching, training, and capacity -building.
  

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

·       Master’s
(or working towards) degree in MELI or related field

·       At
least 4 years’ relevant experience

·       Demonstrated
expertise in at least three technical MELI areas, such as building M&E
systems, evaluation design, impact studies, research, designing and
facilitating M&E training, and providing technical assistance

·       Proficiency
in mixed -methods research approaches; quantitative approaches, advantage

·       Experience
managing multiple M&E -related projects and external contractors

·       Proven
experience in technical writing and presentation/facilitation

·       Deep
understanding of at least one area of the development sector (education,
health, early childhood development, youth skills, etc.)

·       Experience
managing fieldwork advantageous

·       Work
experience in funder reporting is advantageous

Benefits