Monitoring & Evaluation Manager

SUMMARY:

The Monitoring Evaluation Manager is responsible for shaping and driving SEF impact measurement strategy, ensuring that data is not only credible and timely, but genuinely drives learning, decision-making, and value creation.

The Monitoring Evaluation Manager is responsible for shaping and driving SEF impact measurement strategy, ensuring that data is not only credible and timely, but genuinely drives learning, decision-making, and value creation.

This role provides both strategic direction and technical leadership. It oversees the design and implementation of fit-for-purpose indicators, data collection tools, and impact frameworks that capture SEF contribution across programmes.

Working closely with the SEF Account Managers and Strategic Implementing Partners (SIPs), the ME Manager ensures that monitoring and reporting are integrated into daily operations, while adding team capacity. The role also ensures alignment with the IDC’s overall ESG standards, development scorecard and SEF overall strategy.

Whilst the focus of the role will be on SEF (at least 80%), the incumbent will be expected to provide cross-functional support to the other programmes within Partnership Programmes. This cross-functional support will include guidance on developing similar guidelines and frameworks for other partnership programme funds.

Strategy, frameworks and governance

• Lead the consolidation, implementation, and continuous evolution of SEF impact measurement.
• Develop and implement an Impact Measurement Management (IMM) framework across all SIP work programmes.
• Define and institutionalise impact metrics, methodologies, and data standards.
• Ensure alignment with international impact measurement standards and IDC internal reporting priorities.
• Establish governance protocols to ensure data consistency, traceability, auditability, and compliance with funder and regulatory requirements.
• Identify and manage measurement‑related risks and ensure ethical, legal, and responsible data use and protection.

Data architecture and systems management

• Lead the design, governance, and optimisation of a single source of truth for all SEF data, including CRM systems, databases, dashboards, and reporting tools.
• Partner with Operations and Project Management teams to integrate data capture into programme delivery workflows, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and relevance at the point of collection.

Insights, reporting and learning

• Produce high‑quality quarterly, annual, and ad hoc impact reports, including donor submissions and investor‑facing insights.
• Translate performance and impact data into clear, actionable insights for leadership, funders, and delivery teams to support decision‑making, strategy refinement, and resource allocation.

Technical leadership and capacity building

• Provide technical guidance to SEF Account Managers and partners on impact measurement methodologies, data tools, and performance reporting.
• Promote a culture of learning, reflection, and continuous improvement across all SEF functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Development Studies, Statistics, Public Policy, Data Science, or a related field.
• Relevant qualification in Monitoring and Evaluation or a related discipline (preferred).
• Postgraduate qualification (Master’s degree) preferred but not essential.
• Relevant professional certifications (e.g. Results‑Based Management, Impact Evaluation, Lean Data, Power BI, or other analytics or ME credentials) are advantageous.

Knowledge and experience

• 8–10 years’ experience in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), Impact Measurement and Management (IMM), or data‑driven programme management.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing impact frameworks, theories of change, indicator hierarchies, and data collection methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage data systems, including CRM or ERP platforms, databases, analytics dashboards, and reporting workflows.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, including survey design, sampling methodologies, and results validation.
• Proven experience producing high‑quality reports and presentations for donors, investors, and ecosystem partners.
• Experience managing, mentoring, or providing technical oversight, with a focus on quality and delivery discipline.
• Proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets and at least one analytics or visualisation tool (e.g. Power BI, Tableau).
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable insights for non‑technical audiences.
• Highly organised and systems‑oriented, with strong attention to data integrity and quality assurance.

Technical and functional competencies

• Familiarity with ME performance metrics, job creation modelling, and catalytic capital effectiveness measurement.
• Knowledge of Southern African civil society ecosystems and related impact measurement approaches.
• Strong commitment to inclusive economic growth and impact‑driven programmes in the region.

Behavioural competencies

• Collaborative and communicative, with the ability to build trust across technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Analytical and rigorous, maintaining high standards of accuracy, traceability, and data ethics.
• Outcome‑focused, consistently translating data into insight, learning, and performance improvement.
• Integrity‑driven, upholding transparency, accountability, and respect in all measurement and reporting practices.
• Adaptive and resourceful, able to thrive in dynamic, multi‑country and multi‑stakeholder environments.