Senior Associate - Reporting, Data and Analytics (Acumen East Or West Africa) at Acumen

Description

• We are seeking a detail-oriented and organised Senior Associate with at least 5 years of work experience in MEL data systems in an international development context, strong technical skills across data management and visualisation platforms, and a growing interest in AI-powered solutions. for a transformative business and economic empowerment programme across Africa, with a strong focus on young women, leadership, and organisational growth and development.

About the Role

• Reporting to the Impact Manager: Data, Systems and Reporting, the Senior Associate will play a hands-on role in implementing and maintaining the technology solutions that underpin the programme & the MEL framework. 
• This includes maintaining data collection and management systems, producing routine reports and dashboards, and building the data capacity of partners and team members across the region.
• The ideal candidate will have at least five years of experience in MEL data systems in an international development context, strong technical skills across data management and visualisation platforms, and a growing interest in AI-powered solutions.

Accountabilities Include

MEL Technology and Reporting:

• Support the implementation and ongoing maintenance of the programmatic MEL technology platform (including Salesforce, Power BI, Airtable, or equivalent tools) to enable efficient data collection, management and reporting
• Contribute to the development of quarterly reporting processes and produce routine reports and dashboards on key metrics and KPIs, including financial KPIs, for a range of stakeholders
• Carry out data analysis to support insight generation, working closely with the Impact Manager: MEL
• Develop infographics and data visualisations using appropriate software and tools
• Support close collaboration with Finance to quality assure and integrate financial data with impact data, including reporting on Impact Linked Finance initiatives
• Advise on AI solutions to support MEL activities.

Programme Data Management:

• Ensure data is collected, stored and managed in line with best practices and programme standards
• Liaise with the Compliance and Legal team to ensure adherence to data consent, use, retention, protection and security requirements
• Integrate data from multiple sources to produce consolidated reports (e.g. through Power BI or similar)
• Support the Impact Manager as a point of contact for impact data requests from internal and external stakeholders.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Support the set-up and maintenance of the programmes internal knowledge management system
• Work closely with the Programme Insights team to ensure lessons are captured and qualitative data is managed in line with best practices
• Support programmatic evaluations by ensuring all data needs are met in a timely manner.

Capacity Building — Team and Partners:

• Build the capacity of team members to use technology for MEL implementation
• Support partners to engage with programme technology and reporting systems, including developing training materials and delivering training sessions
• Assist lower-capacity partner organisations to develop their own internal reporting systems in line with programmatic requirements
• Conduct site visits to monitor partner data management and reporting systems
• Contribute to quarterly reporting on data quality from partners.

Requirements

Essential Criteria:

• Candidates must be able to demonstrate at least five years of relevant experience, including:
• Practical experience in project or programme monitoring and evaluation
• Experience working across multiple countries in an international development context
• Knowledge of and experience with a range of MEL database tools and systems
• Experience using IT to support MEL objectives in country and field locations
• Experience developing or maintaining IT products or tools to support data collection, management, analysis and reporting
• Experience building and using Salesforce for data management and reporting
• Experience in data analysis, analytics and data visualisation
• Experience with mobile data collection approaches
• Experience setting up routine reporting (actuals vs. targets) for quarterly and annual reporting cycles
• Experience advising organisations or teams on best practices in data management and reporting
• Experience working with Compliance teams on data management best practices
• Understanding of AI tools, agents and solutions.

Desirable Criteria:

• Formal training in MEL methodologies, data analysis or project evaluation
• Experience on Impact Linked Finance initiatives, Value for Money approaches, SROI or benefit-cost analyses
• Project management qualification
• Experience working in a multi-country programme
• Experience working in gender and youth-inclusive programmes, or with private sector businesses seeking to grow and scale
• Experience working in a matrix-managed environment with multiple reporting lines and cross-functional teams
• Familiarity with Power BI, Airtable, Salesforce or similar platforms.