Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Impact Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Impact Assistant is a foundational support role crucial to an organization's ability to measure, understand, and communicate its social and environmental impact. This position works closely with the Impact Manager or a broader program team to execute the entire data lifecycle—from collection and cleaning to preliminary analysis and reporting. The role holder is a detail-oriented and analytical individual who helps transform raw data into compelling narratives and actionable insights. This person is the engine room of the impact team, ensuring that the data infrastructure is sound, reporting is accurate, and the organization is equipped to make evidence-based decisions to maximize its mission.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Program or Administrative Assistant in a non-profit setting
Research Assistant at a university or research institution
Intern in a CSR, ESG, or Social Impact team

Advancement To:

Impact Analyst or Senior Impact Analyst
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Officer
Program Manager with a focus on data and learning

Lateral Moves:

Data Analyst (in a different functional area)
Communications Coordinator (specializing in impact storytelling)
Grants and Reporting Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Assist in the systematic collection, aggregation, and cleaning of quantitative and qualitative data from various programs, partners, and initiatives to ensure its accuracy, reliability, and readiness for analysis.
Maintain and meticulously update central impact databases, CRM systems (like Salesforce), and performance dashboards, guaranteeing data integrity and accessibility for internal stakeholders.
Support the deployment and management of data collection instruments, including surveys (using tools like SurveyMonkey or Typeform), interview protocols, and focus group discussion guides.
Act as a key liaison with program staff and external partners to facilitate the timely and consistent submission of data, providing support and clarification on reporting protocols as needed.
Conduct preliminary descriptive and exploratory analysis of impact data using spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets) to identify initial trends, patterns, anomalies, and key takeaways.
Contribute significantly to the drafting and preparation of internal and external impact reports, presentations, and one-pagers for diverse audiences, including funders, board members, and the public.
Develop compelling data visualizations, such as charts, graphs, and infographics, using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Canva to communicate complex impact findings clearly and effectively.
Assist in crafting compelling impact narratives and in-depth case studies that blend quantitative data with qualitative stories to showcase the holistic impact of the organization's work.
Support the team in benchmarking the organization's performance against established internal targets, historical trends, and relevant industry standards.
Conduct thorough desk research on emerging trends, best practices, and new methodologies in impact measurement and management (IMM) and relevant thematic areas (e.g., climate tech, education equity).
Prepare concise summaries and literature reviews from academic papers, industry reports, and competitor analyses to inform the team’s strategic direction and programmatic approach.
Provide essential administrative and logistical support to the Impact team, which includes scheduling stakeholder meetings, capturing detailed minutes, and maintaining organized digital file systems.
Assist in the coordination of field-level monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities, helping to organize logistics for site visits, data audits, and stakeholder feedback sessions.
Support the grants management process by compiling and verifying necessary impact data and narrative content required for funder proposals and compliance reports.
Help manage relationships with third-party consultants, evaluators, or technology vendors by coordinating communications, tracking deliverables, and facilitating contract administration.
Contribute to the development and refinement of core M&E frameworks, including Theories of Change, Logic Models, and indicator matrices, ensuring they remain relevant and practical.
Uphold rigorous data governance standards by ensuring all impact-related documentation is well-organized, version-controlled, and archived in a central knowledge management repository.
Support the internal dissemination of impact insights and key learnings across the organization to foster a culture of continuous improvement and data-informed decision-making.
Prepare training materials and provide logistical support for workshops aimed at building the data literacy and M&E capacity of internal staff and external partners.
Respond to ad-hoc data requests from leadership and other departments, pulling and structuring data to answer specific strategic questions.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with the communications team to translate impact data into accessible content for websites, annual reports, and social media.
Participate in cross-functional team meetings and planning sessions, representing the impact and data perspective.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced Spreadsheet Proficiency: Mastery of Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets, including pivot tables, complex formulas (e.g., VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH), and data validation for cleaning and manipulation.
Data Visualization: Experience creating clear and compelling charts, graphs, and dashboards using tools like Tableau, Power BI, Google Data Studio, or even advanced Excel features.
Survey & Data Collection Tools: Hands-on experience designing and administering surveys through platforms such as SurveyMonkey, Google Forms, Typeform, or similar software.
Database Management: Foundational understanding of database principles and practical experience working with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) or other relational databases for data entry and retrieval.
Quantitative & Qualitative Analysis: Basic knowledge of both quantitative (descriptive statistics) and qualitative (thematic analysis, coding) data analysis methods.
Impact Frameworks: Familiarity with key concepts and frameworks in the impact space, such as Theory of Change, Logic Models, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), or IRIS+.

Soft Skills

Meticulous Attention to Detail: An exceptional eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy, particularly when handling large datasets and preparing reports.
Analytical & Critical Thinking: The ability to look at data and processes critically, identify patterns, ask probing questions, and troubleshoot problems effectively.
Clear & Concise Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to distill complex information into clear, accessible summaries for non-technical audiences.
Superior Organization & Time Management: Proven ability to juggle multiple projects, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Collaborative Spirit: A proactive and resourceful team player who enjoys working with others and is eager to contribute to shared goals and learn from colleagues.
Inherent Curiosity: A genuine passion for and curiosity about social or environmental issues and a strong desire to use data to contribute to a mission-driven organization.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent professional experience in a relevant role.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in a field that provides a strong analytical and/or social science foundation.

Relevant Fields of Study:

International Development, Public Policy, or Public Administration
Social Sciences (e.g., Economics, Sociology, Political Science)
Environmental Science or Sustainability Studies
Data Science, Statistics, or Information Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1-3 years of relevant professional experience, including internships or volunteer roles.

Preferred:

Prior experience in a non-profit, social enterprise, foundation, or a corporate social responsibility (CSR) / ESG department is highly advantageous. Direct, hands-on experience supporting monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities, including data collection, data entry, and report preparation, is strongly preferred.