SM: MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning)

Job Classification

145372 - Busi Radebe 

Job Post End Date: 08 April 2026

Job Family

Marketing, Communication and Research

Career Stream

Leadership Pipeline

Manage Others (MO)

Job Purpose

To implement and continuously improve MEL systems and practices across the Social Impact Unit (SIU). This role is a senior technical specialist position focused on enterprise monitoring, strategic insights, evidence generation, and learning. To be effective, the role requires financial acumen; operations management; analytical and strategic competencies as well strong thought and people leadership capabilities. 

Job Responsibilities

MEL Strategy & Framework Development

• Drive the development, review, and effective use of Theories of Change and programme logical frameworks, ensuring alignment with proposals and core programme documentation.
• Enable the design, execution, and regular review of strategic plans, MEL frameworks, methodologies, and annual plans in partnership with unit leadership, staff, and external partners.
• Encourage broad participation and collective ownership of strategic planning and MEL processes across the Social Impact Unit and its stakeholders.
• Strengthen MEL practice through the ongoing enhancement of methodologies, tools, and systems, aligned to the Social Impact Unit's strategic priorities.
• Lead the establishment and continuous refinement of portfolio-level MEL frameworks to support consistent performance measurement and learning.
• Offer technical guidance, coaching, and advisory support to Portfolio Leads to enhance evidence use, delivery performance, and role readiness. 
  Support the advancement of a high-performing results and learning function that enables adaptive management and informed strategic decisions.

Portfolio-Level MEL

• Oversee the design and execution of monitoring systems, ensuring data quality, relevance, and consistency across funded initiatives
• Lead or commission evaluations (baseline, midline, endline, impact evaluations) and synthesize findings for strategic use
• Support reporting against ESG, SDG, and social impact commitments, ensuring credibility and audit readiness
• Apply both quantitative and qualitative methodologies

Learning, Insight & Adaptive Management

• Drive a strong learning culture, ensuring evidence is actively used to improve programme design, implementation, and investment decisions
• Produce insight-driven products (dashboards, briefs, learning papers, reflection sessions) that translate data into action
• Facilitate learning moments with internal teams and partners, supporting adaptive management and continuous improvement

Partner & Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide technical support and guidance to implementation partners
• Act as a subject-matter expert representing the organization in industry forums and communities of practice

Governance, Quality & Risk

• Ensure MEL processes comply with governance, data ethics, risk, and compliance standards
• Identify impact-related risks and emerging trends, providing evidence-based recommendations to leadership
• Maintain high standards of data integrity, documentation, and methodological rigour
  Other duties as assigned 

People Specification

Essential Qualifications - NQF Level

Preferred Qualification

Qualification: Professional Qualification/ Honours Degree
Field of Study (e.g. BCom Accounting): Business Management, Finance and Social Development
Certifications: Social Development 

Minimum Experience Level

Total number of years of experience: 7 - 10 years
Management experience as part of the above years: 1 - 2 years
Type of experience: Public Affairs, Community development 

Technical Skills

• Stakeholder Relationship Management
• Client Centred/ Design Thinking
• Digital Media tools
• Project Management skills
• Digital skills
• Analytical skills
• Communication skills
• Leadership Skills
• Creativity and Innovation

Behavioural Competencies

• Business Acumen
• Communication  
• Connected decision making
• Establish strategic direction
• Innovation
• Driving Execution
• Creating demand through insight