MEL Officer

Johannesburg, South Africa Posted on 02/06/2026

SmartStart is a successful national network of NGOs and partners that is realising quality, affordable early learning for all children aged three to five. We are achieving this by scaling a network of and building a platform for providers, achieving specific ecosystem transformations with governments and partners, and promoting early learning as a priority societal cause.

• Support the Manager in developing and updating data collection tools by providing input and feedback based on day-to-day use.
• Assist in maintaining the M&E systems by regularly collecting data and ensuring consistency and integrity of data within the platforms.
• Support in the monitoring of activities and outputs by collecting and analyzing data against performance indicators.
• Assist in organizing and delivering MEL training to team members and stakeholders as required.
• Contribute to data quality assurance efforts by regularly reviewing and verifying collected data.

• Provide support in reviewing MEL methodologies by offering insights and suggestions from the ground-level application.
• Assist in the implementation of system changes by helping to test and provide feedback on new systems and processes.
• Support programme implementation by ensuring that day-to-day M&E activities align with the overall plan and funder requirements.
• Assist in the development of dashboards by gathering and compiling necessary data and feedback for the Manager's review.
• Contribute to the development of operating templates by supporting the refinement of processes based on daily operational needs.

• Assist in research and literature reviews by conducting initial data gathering and compiling relevant information for special studies.
• Support fieldwork for special research topics by coordinating logistics and ensuring that data collection aligns with study objectives.
• Provide day-to-day management support by overseeing specific M&E activities and ensuring that project tasks are completed on time.
• Contribute to knowledge-sharing activities by identifying and documenting lessons learned, and assisting in organizing events and discussions.
• Support institutional learning by helping to curate and share best practices and insights with the wider team.

• Assist in data analysis and reporting by producing initial drafts of monitoring reports and presentations for the Manager's review.
• Support the preparation of reports by gathering, compiling, and formatting data according to standardized templates.
• Contribute to the dissemination of findings by helping to prepare materials and coordinate communication with stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with reporting requirements by maintaining accurate records and adhering to established guidelines.
• Assist in Lean Impact study activities by collecting and analysing data, and supporting the implementation of study designs.
• Support the interpretation of data by preparing preliminary insights and identifying trends for the Manager to review.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts by providing regular feedback on current processes and suggesting incremental changes.
• Assist in organizing and participating in review sessions to discuss findings and share learnings with the team.
• Support feedback mechanisms by helping to capture and document lessons learned from ongoing projects.

• Manage and support direct reports, facilitating their growth and development through coaching, training, and capacity-building.

• Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation or related field, Honors is advantageous
• At least three years' experience in Monitoring and Evaluation
• Proficient experience in Microsoft Office; Excel, PowerPoint, MS Word
• Technical Knowledge & Understanding and/or Skills & Abilities