Job Description

Posted on October 20, 2020

The Education Finance (EduFinance) group of Opportunity International is a nimble, fast-moving, and rapidly expanding core function of Opportunitys global footprint. EduFinance aims to get more children into better quality schools. It does this by increasing access to capital for affordable private schools and parents, and by boosting the capacity of school leaders and teachers in low- and middle-income countries. It does this in 24 countries and is growing rapidly.

SUMMARY

Under the guidance of the Director of Operations, and in close collaboration with the Education Quality Manager, the Associate is responsible for implementing and adapting the global EduQuality M&E strategy, technical oversight, and capacity building of the global M&E data collection team, tool development and adaptation, and data quality control. The Associate will ensure a strong M&E Framework is supporting the EduFinance results-based framework, informing program optimization and expansion, and is in alignment with EduFinance learning objectives.

The Associate has the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the EduFinance mission in our current stage in growth, implementing the EduQuality M&E strategy that collects the data necessary to assess the impact and optimize the program around evidence-based drivers of change in education quality at affordable private schools. Operating from Zambia, the Associate will have the opportunity to travel regionally and internationally, requiring a strong work ethic, appreciation of fast-paced work, and a results-driven attitude.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

M&E Strategy Implementation

Coordinate and oversee the full implementation of the EduQuality program M&E strategy.
Maintain, update, and execute the M&E strategic work plan in a timely fashion, refine tool protocols, and report on progress against activities and timeline.
Act as a focal point to organize and manage monitoring reviews, evaluations, and/or After-Action Reviews (AARs).
M&E Team Management

Recruit, onboard, and oversee a global team of local, contract data collectors.
Provide ongoing capacity building to ensure the team is supported to properly execute all M&E tools (traveling internationally and locally for in-person enumerator training as required).
Create and monitor data collector work plans, timelines, invoices, and contract renewals.
Design and implement quality assurance measures and carry out quality assurance of data collector fieldwork.
M&E Tool Development & Adaptation

Review and adapt existing M&E tools based on feedback, ensuring localization for each EduQuality country of operation.
Develop new data collection tools to capture additional data needed to execute M&E strategy.
Data Quality Control & Analysis

Quality assurance on all data collected (timeliness, accuracy, validity, reliability, integrity, completeness), in coordination with EduFinance Data & Business Intelligence team.
Support Data & Business Intelligence team on data analysis needs, including but not limited to qualitative data coding and qualitative data analysis.
Prepare quantitative and qualitative data analysis reports and presentations for internal and external audiences.
Oversee the alignment of M&E activities with a results-based framework and provide recommendations to strengthen the framework, as needed.
Maintain high technical competency in EduFinance digital data collection application (Atlans Collect) and coordinate with Data & Business Intelligence team to solve user issues with digital tools.
Other Activities

Support fulfillment of donor requirements and reporting against grant outcomes.
Liaise with EduFinance external learning partners contracted for specific third-party studies.
Given the strong growth in the EduFinance business, the Associate will be given a lot of responsibility to deliver significant projects in short periods of time.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Graduate degree required with an emphasis on social science research; degree in international education, development economics, or other relevant social science fields
3-5 years of experience in M&E field management work in low- and middle-income country contexts
Experience managing or working on international academic research projects, institutional donor projects or grants preferred, but not required
Formal M&E certification preferred, but not required
SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

Fluency in English is required; additional local language fluency required
Field management and training of data collectors/enumerators
Digital literacy and willingness to learn new digital data collection tools
Strong Word, Excel, PowerPoint and general writing skills with the ability to present findings and translate data into a coherent presentation
Experience managing and coordinating activities of a global team remotely; ability to manage regular communications via multiple channels (email, WhatsApp, Slack, conference calls, in-person)
Ability to act and operate independently with minimal daily direction from line-manager to accomplish objectives
Good stakeholder management, ability to work across departments
A clear commitment to the values of the organization commitment, humility, respect, integrity, stewardship, and transformation
COMPETENCIES

Interest in the education sector and/or mission of EduFinance
Professional demeanor, with ability to work in fast-paced, results-driven organizational culture
Self-motivated and reliable, taking full accountability for work and follow-through
Strong attention to detail and professional outputs
Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and strategic thinking skills
CONTRACT TYPE

Full-Time contract; 1 year, with the option to extend
LOCATION

Lusaka, Zambia
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Team of data collectors (short-term contractors)
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Up to 40% required annually
Must be able to travel with minimal notice and maximum flexibility; must be able to obtain a visa to travel to EduQuality countries of operation
Must be willing to travel independently and without escort or administrative planning support to low- and middle-income country contexts