ABOUT SPARK MICROGRANTS
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.
JOB DESCRIPTION
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:
- Apply statistically sound methods to analyse monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) data, generating actionable insights to support evidence-based decision-making by programme teams and partners.
- Collaborate with implementing partners to develop comprehensive MEL plans and monitor their implementation to ensure compliance with agreed indicators, milestones, and reporting requirements.
- Coordinate the timely collection, validation, and management of routine monitoring, evaluation, and learning data across all programme communities, including community monitoring, facilitator monitoring, project monitoring, community evaluations, and specialised research conducted by Community-Based Facilitators (CBFs), partner trainers, and contracted enumerators.
- Build the capacity of partner trainers, M&E staff, and other stakeholders in data collection, analysis, interpretation, visualisation, and the use of evidence to inform programme planning and decision-making.
- Support the design, implementation, and management of internal evaluations, including the development of survey instruments, sampling strategies, enumerator recruitment and training, field supervision, data quality assurance, data analysis, and report writing.
- Facilitate the documentation, synthesis, and dissemination of programme learning, best practices, success stories, and lessons learned to strengthen organisational learning and programme improvement.
- Ensure that all implementing partners adhere to established data quality assurance (DQA) standards and protocols, conducting routine data quality assessments and providing technical support where necessary.
- Prepare and consolidate quarterly and annual country and partner performance reports, presenting findings through clear reports, dashboards, presentations, and other appropriate communication products for internal and external stakeholders.
- Work closely with country programme teams to interpret monitoring and evaluation findings, identify performance gaps, and develop practical recommendations to improve programme quality and impact.
- Monitor the implementation of agreed action plans arising from monitoring findings, evaluations, and learning reviews, ensuring timely follow-up and continuous programme improvement.
- Supervise, mentor, and build the technical capacity of M&E Assistants, fostering high standards of performance, accountability, and professional development.
- Support the design, maintenance, and continuous improvement of digital data collection systems, databases, dashboards, and reporting tools to enhance data accuracy, accessibility, and timely reporting.
- Ensure compliance with organisational policies on research ethics, data protection, confidentiality, and safeguarding throughout all monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities.
- Contribute to research studies, impact evaluations, proposal development, and donor reporting by providing high-quality data, analysis, and technical input.
REQUIREMENTS
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Data Science, or a related field.
Experience
- Minimum of three (3) years of progressive experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, or data management within an NGO, government, or international development organisation.
- Demonstrated experience in designing quantitative and qualitative data collection tools, survey implementation, data management, statistical analysis, and report writing.
- Proven experience coordinating field data collection activities, including recruitment, training, supervision, and management of enumerators and field teams.
- Experience supporting programme evaluations, assessments, research studies, or impact evaluations.
- Experience implementing data quality assurance (DQA) processes and ensuring data accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
- Experience working with implementing partners and providing technical support on monitoring and evaluation systems is an added advantage.
Skills
- Proficiency in statistical and data analysis software such as Stata, SPSS, R, or Excel.
- Experience designing and programming mobile data collection tools using platforms such as ODK, KoboToolbox, SurveyCTO, CommCare, Survey Solutions, or similar applications.
- Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) principles, logical frameworks (LogFrames), theories of change, results frameworks, indicators, and performance measurement.
- Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data and generate actionable insights.
- Excellent report writing, presentation, and data visualisation skills.
- Strong organisational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate training, mentor staff, and build the capacity of partners and programme teams on M&E systems and tools.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- High level of integrity, attention to detail, and commitment to data quality, confidentiality, and ethical research practices.
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 District, 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: ASAP
- 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/174
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.
