Monitoring & Evaluation Manager

Position:M&E Manager

Location:Amsterdam

Application Deadline: 12 August 2014

Duration: 32-40 hours per week for 1 year (with possibility of extension)

SPARK develops higher education and entrepreneurship, so that young ambitious people are empowered to lead their conflict-affected society into prosperity.

SPARK is a dynamic and growing not-for-profit development organization with 80 staff members that helps young entrepreneurs to start or grow their own businesses.SPARK is achieving its mission by organizing business plan competitions, business skills training, SME coaching and mentoring, business incubation, SME financing, intensive higher vocational summer courses, curriculum development and quality assurance at universities and higher vocational education institutions.

SPARK is determined to increase the number of sustainable jobs and economic prospects for youth in post-conflict regions through the improvement of higher education and the development of the local private sector. Founded in 1993, SPARK is an independent international development organisation with about 80 staff members in offices in South-east Europe, Middle-East and Africa. SPARK focuses on youth, between 18-35 years, equipping them with knowledge, tools and motivation that allow them to play a unique role in leading their conflict affected societies into prosperity.

SPARK is currently looking to fill the position of:

Monitoring & Evaluation Manager

The M&E Manager leads the development and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation systems and structure for SPARK’s SME development and youth entrepreneurship programmes in conflict affected states. The M&E Manager works together closely with Programme Managers, Country Managers, and with external experts and brings his/her own expertise and knowledge to this process. In developing and implementing the M&E systems, the M&E Manager provides training and coaching to other staff members involved in M&E, including local partners.

Overall, the M&E Manager contributes to learning processes in SPARK and its local partners and has an important role in results-based planning of new programmes and a technical advisory role in their design. The M&E manager reports to the Directors and is supported (part-time) by an M&E Officer.

Tasks and Responsibilities

·  Manage the implementation of the M&E systems of SPARK programmes, and continuously strengthen them and their components

·  Develop M&E systems for new programmes, and incorporate these in the overall programme Management Information System

·  Ensure consistency of indicator definitions and data collection across programmes, and increase accuracy and timeliness of data-collection

·  Ensure timely and consistent availability of programme results data to SPARK’s business development and communications units

·  Incorporate the M&E systems into SPARK's ISO quality management system and IATI

·  Design and manage mid-term reviews and end-of-programme evaluations

·  Contribute to and link M&E to learning in SPARK

·  Consult with external experts

·  Further institutionalize M&E capacities at HQ, in the field offices and with partners

Requirements and skills

· Advanced degree in Economics, Business, Social Sciences or related field

· Proven multi-year experience in M&E of large, multi-activity, international projects in the fields of SME development, entrepreneurship, youth employment, or local economic development

· 5-10 years experience in SME development programming, entrepreneurship, youth employment, or local economic development

· Good knowledge of basic research methods and statistics; experience with (quasi-)experimental impact evaluations

· Experience in M&E of lobby and advocacy programmes is a distinct advantage

· Experience working in developing countries essential, with experience in (post) conflict countries is a distinct advantage

· Flexibility to travel and work across different countries

· Good verbal and written language skills in English and Dutch. Knowledge of French or Arabic is an advantage

· Experience with providing training is an advantage

· Good communication and social skills and ability to (net)work in multicultural settings

· Good team worker while able to work independently

· Work permit for the Netherlands

SPARK offers

· Contract for 32-40 hours a week, 12 months

· Remuneration depending on education and experience between 3800 and 4500 euro gross a month for a 40 hrs working week

· International and challenging environment

· Dynamic working experience

· Training opportunities

How to apply:

For more information, please visit the SPARK website: http://www.spark-online.org/. If interested, please send your letter of motivation and your CV to vacancy@spark-online.org before August 12th 2014. Reference: Vacancy M&E Manager. For questions please contact Karen Blanken atmailto:k.blanken@spark-online.org or call +.31.20.7530311.