Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Consultant

About NetOne Foundation

The NetOne Foundation, as the implementing partner for Intervention 2 of the Smart Africa Markets for All (SAMA) Programme in Zambia, is spearheading a transformative four-year initiative under the Smart Africa Alliance, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The programme is designed to improve the livelihoods of at least 32,000 young people, 20,000 women in the informal economy through the AISHA programme, and 12,000 ICT-trained youth through the NALA programme, with a strong focus on empowering young women, who represent at least 70% of the beneficiaries.

SAMA seeks to expand access to inclusive digital markets, entrepreneurship opportunities, and dignified employment by strengthening digital skills, promoting financial inclusion, and enhancing market access for economically disadvantaged youth. Through the programme, informal traders are equipped with practical digital and business skills to grow and sustain their enterprises, while ICT-trained unemployed youth receive industry-relevant digital training and professional certifications across data science, cybersecurity, AI, and cloud computing to increase their employability and participation in the digital economy.

Role Profile

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing the Foundation's Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning framework across all programmes and projects. The role ensures effective monitoring of programme performance, collection and analysis of high-quality data, timely reporting, and the generation of evidence-based insights to support programme improvement, accountability, and informed decision-making. The incumbent will also ensure compliance with the Foundation's data protection standards and contribute to organizational learning.

Key Responsibilities ​

• Review and/or design, implement, and manage the MEL framework for Netone Foundation and across SAMA projects
• Track and report on programme KPIs
• Lead beneficiary data collection, analysis, and reporting across all cohorts
• Support quarterly and annual reporting requirements
• Coordinate with implementing partners on field-level data collection
• Maintain MEL data systems and ensure data quality and integrity
• Contribute to programme learning, adaptation, and documentation
• Ensure data protection is adhered to as per the Foundation's Data Protection Policy

Qualifications and Requirements

·        Bachelor's degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Public Health, Information Management, or a related field.

·        Minimum 5 years of M&E experience in donor-funded development Projects or programmes

·        Experience with similar international donor MEL frameworks preferred

·        Proficiency in data management tools and MEL software (KoboToolbox, ODK, DHIS2, or equivalent)

·        Strong analytical and report-writing skills in English

·        Experience working in Zambia or Sub-Saharan Africa preferred.