About Spark
Spark Microgrants believes in a world where everyone lives with dignity and determines their own positive future. Decades of prescriptive aid have sidelined the poor from the very programs meant to uplift them. We believe in local solutions and catalyzing rural villages facing poverty into action.
At the heart of Spark’s model, the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP), are ‘town-hall’ style weekly meetings, in which women, men, young, old, plan together for their community’s future. Each village elects a leadership committee, establishes a village savings account, and launches a project of their choice. Members receive training on financial management, transparency, leadership, village planning, and advocacy.
Spark trains partner organizations and works with governments to scale the FCAP as the model of choice to advance social and economic development, improve lives, and secure lasting change. Spark is now active in 500+ villages in 6 countries, improving the lives of over 500,000 people.
In Malawi, Spark is working and has a memorandum of Understanding with 4 partner organizations (FOCCAD, SOFF, AfES and SPRODETA) to implement the FCAP in 96 villages in the Central, Southern and Northern parts of the country.
As a team, we share a set of common values that shape how we work. These are:
- Facilitators. We don’t impose; we enable others to generate impact.
- Community-driven. We are motivated by what is best for the community.
- Process-centered. The how of what we do is just as important as the what.
- Authentic. Our vision and values live in everything we do.
- Dynamic. We seek opportunities and are willing to take risks to serve our community partners better
APPENDIX B: JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Monitoring & Evaluation Officer
Direct Report:
Monitoring & Evaluation Manager
Location: Malawi (Lilongwe, Kasungu, or Zomba)
ABOUT THE ROLE
Under the overall supervision of the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, the M&E officer is in charge of ensuring that all Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning processes in the countries of operation and their oversight are delivered in a timely manner and with high quality. He/she is responsible for driving the data use agenda by all Spark and implementing partners for decision-making.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:
- Employing statistically sound methodologies to analyze Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning data to facilitate decision making for teams and partners in their countries of operation.
- Working with partners to design MEL plans and ensuring that partners deliver on the commitments within their respective MEL plans.
- Ensure timely collection of continuous monitoring, evaluation, and learning data from all communities of operation in the countries under their oversight including Community monitoring data, Facilitator monitoring data, Project Monitoring data, Community evaluation data, and bespoke research data by CBFs, Partner trainers, and externally hired enumerators.
- Conducting capacity building of Partner trainers and M&E teams on analysis and utilization of data to formulate action plans.
- Supporting the design and execution of internal evaluations, including questionnaire design, enumerator recruitment and training, data quality assurance, and reporting.
- Supporting the documentation of learnings and communities to ensure that they are compiled on time.
- Ensure that all implementing partners in the country of assignment implement the data quality assurance strategy.
- Compile quarterly country/partner progress reports of FCAP projects in the countries under their oversight and present the findings of the reports in appropriate formats to relevant audiences.
- Working closely with in-country Spark program teams to help them understand/interpret Monitoring and Evaluation data and design strategies to improve performance.
- Following up with in-country Spark program teams on the designed strategies to ensure that they are implemented.
- Supervise and build the capacity of M&E Assistants.
REQUIREMENTS
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Statistics, Public Health, Development Studies, or related field.
Experience
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in an M&E role in an NGO or development sector.
- Demonstrated experience in designing data collection tools, analyzing data, and reporting.
- Previous experience managing teams of data collectors/enumerators.
Skills
- Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., Excel, SPSS, STATA, or R).
- Experience in programming data collection tools into mobile versions using ODK, Kobo Collect, SurveyCTO, CommCare, etc.
- Knowledge of M&E frameworks and logical/results frameworks (logframes, TOCs).
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent writing and reporting skills.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
- Experience in capacity building and training staff on M&E-related processes/tools.
Other
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Willingness to travel frequently to project sites.
WHY WORK WITH US?
- You will be joining a dynamic team that hails from ten countries around the world and is committed to our vision.
- You will have the freedom and autonomy to make your role your own. We want to hear your innovative ideas, your vision for the future, and your critical questions.
- We respect and value work-life balance and your need for downtime, vacation, and reflection.
- You will join a dynamic and growing organization with a clear pathway to learning and career advancement.
OTHER INFORMATION:
- Location will be Lilongwe, Kusungu, or Zomba Districts, with ~50% travel within the communities where Spark operates.
- We will agree on learning and performance objectives for an initial probation period lasting three months from onboarding.
- Application end date:
On a rolling basis, we reserve the right to close this recruitment process at any time. - Expected Start Date: 1st December 2025
- In addition to salary, Spark offers other benefits, including generous paid time off and family leave, monthly communications, and professional development stipends.
- Follow the link to apply: https://sparkmicrogrants.bamboohr.com/careers/150
Equal Opportunity
Spark Microgrants provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals. Employment decisions at Spark are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Spark does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by the law. Spark will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in undue hardship to daily operations.
