Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Manager, MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program

We're transforming Africa through innovative scientific training, technical advances and breakthrough discoveries!

The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS, www.nexteinstein.org) is a pan-African network of centres of excellence for postgraduate training, research and outreach in mathematical sciences. Its mission is to enable Africa's brightest students to flourish as independent thinkers, problem solvers and innovators capable of propelling Africa's future scientific, educational and economic self-sufficiency. The first AIMS centre opened in Cape Town, South Africa in 2003; since 2011, AIMS has opened additional centres in Senegal, Ghana, Cameroon and Tanzania. The goal of the AIMS Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS-NEI) is to build a pan-African network of 15 centres of excellence across the continent by 2023.

 

The MasterCard Foundation (MCF) Scholars Program at AIMS is a new, five year, US $25 million program that will increase the number of African Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) scholars, particularly women, leading technological innovations that can address development challenges and drive wealth creation in Africa. The MCF Scholars Program is a ten-year, $500 million education initiative that will provide over 17,000 academically talented yet economically disadvantaged young people from developing countries – particularly from Africa – with access to quality and relevant secondary and university education.

 

If you bring a collaborative spirit with a passion to affect change, consider this new opportunity as our…

 

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Manager,

MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program

 

As the MEL Manager and led by the Director, MEL at the AIMS-NEI Secretariat, your overall responsibility with the MCF Scholars Program is to lead and support the performance measurement and knowledge management functions of the Program, including the planning, design and implementation of MEL activities. In this start up role, you well establish and operationalize a rigorous MEL system for the Program to ensure timely collection, analysis and dissemination of data and information, to enable continuous learning and improvement.

 

As a seasoned MEL professional, you bring well honed planning skills to set realstic targets together with the know-how to design and implement a variety of data collection tools and/or resources to accurately track and measure meaningful, quality data. Your analytical savvy will stand you in good stead to make sense of both qualatative and quantatitive information, while your approachable style will guide your efforts to build awareness of and insight to key points of learning to ultimately enhance and advance the work of AIMS.

 

This is a full-time, 3-year contract, based out of the Secretariat office in Cape Town, South Africa.

 

Do you have what we need?

• A minimum of a Master's degree in international development; project management or related social sciences;
• Minimum of 8 years professional experience with at least 5 years hands-on experience managing and/or conducting evaluations or research;
• Demonstrated ability to apply evaluation tools and techniques in diverse situations and scenarios;
• Experience providing program development and implementation technical advice and assistance;
• Expert data management skills, both qualitative and quantitative including using Excel, SPSS, SAS or other related data management and analysis software;
• Effective facilitation and communication skills in English, both oral and written; French an added advantage
• Superior report writing skills;
• Proven ability to set and achieve clear objectives and deadlines; Ability to develop and implement training resources in MEL;
• A good understanding of the key trends and emerging issues in the fields of education, especially Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and youth development in Africa;
• Ability and willingness to travel, both within and outside of Africa;
• Ability to provide solutions and inspire teams to learn and improve;
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively work in multicultural teams.

Are you ready to be a part of the transformation?

 

Submit your letter of motivation, including salary expectations and a detailed CV, together with the names of at least three references to: careers@nexteinstein.org (Please quote "MEL Manager, MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program" in the subject line). Applications will be accepted until December 19, 2014.

 

Should no feedback be received from AIMS-NEI within four weeks of your submission, kindly accept that your application will not be further pursued. AIMS-NEI reserves the right not to make an appointment at its sole discretion.

 

AIMS-NEI is an equal opportunity employer.