Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Impact Evaluator

🎯 Role Definition

As an Impact Evaluator, you will be the cornerstone of our commitment to evidence-based programming and accountability. You will spearhead the design and execution of rigorous evaluations to measure the real-world effects of our initiatives. Your insights will not only prove our impact to stakeholders but also provide the critical learnings needed to refine our strategies, improve program delivery, and maximize our social return on investment. This is a highly strategic role for a data-savvy professional who is passionate about translating complex data into actionable narratives of change.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Officer
Research Analyst / Associate
Data Analyst (with a focus on social science or public policy)
Program Associate

Advancement To:

Director of Impact & Learning
Head of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
Senior Advisor, Evidence & Strategy
Chief Impact Officer

Lateral Moves:

Senior Program Manager
Data Scientist (Social Impact)
Strategy & Operations Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead the conceptualization and development of comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) frameworks and systems for new and existing projects.
Design and implement rigorous impact evaluations using a variety of experimental and quasi-experimental methods, such as Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), Difference-in-Differences (DiD), and Regression Discontinuity (RD).
Develop and refine Theories of Change and logical frameworks to map the causal pathways from program activities to intended long-term outcomes.
Manage the entire data lifecycle for evaluations, including survey instrument design, sampling strategy development, data collection protocols, and ethical data management.
Conduct advanced quantitative data analysis using statistical software (e.g., Stata, R, Python) to assess program effectiveness, identify causal links, and generate robust evidence.
Perform in-depth qualitative data analysis from interviews, focus groups, and case studies to provide context, understand mechanisms of change, and capture nuanced participant experiences.
Author high-quality, insightful evaluation reports, policy briefs, and academic papers that clearly communicate findings to diverse audiences, including donors, partners, and the public.
Translate complex statistical findings into compelling data visualizations, dashboards, and presentations for non-technical stakeholders to facilitate evidence-based decision-making.
Oversee and manage data collection activities in the field, including the hiring, training, and supervision of enumerators and local research partners to ensure data quality.
Develop and manage project-level evaluation budgets, timelines, and work plans in coordination with program management and finance teams.
Provide technical guidance and capacity building to program staff and partners on MEL best practices, data literacy, and the use of evidence.
Champion a culture of learning and continuous improvement by facilitating workshops and feedback sessions to integrate evaluation findings into program design and implementation.
Conduct comprehensive literature reviews and evidence syntheses to inform evaluation design and position new research within the existing body of knowledge.
Ensure all evaluation activities adhere to the highest ethical standards, including obtaining informed consent and protecting the confidentiality and well-being of research participants.
Collaborate with fundraising and communications teams to effectively articulate program impact and contribute evidence-based content for proposals and reports.
Manage relationships with external evaluation consultants, academic partners, and research institutions to ensure the timely delivery of high-quality work.
Present evaluation methodologies and findings at professional conferences, academic forums, and donor meetings to contribute to the broader sector's knowledge base.
Lead the process of defining key performance indicators (KPIs) and impact metrics that are aligned with both organizational strategy and industry standards.
Develop and maintain robust data quality assurance and validation systems to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and integrity of all collected data.
Stay abreast of innovative evaluation methodologies, measurement techniques, and emerging trends in the impact and evidence field to continuously improve our approach.
Synthesize evidence from multiple evaluations to identify cross-cutting themes, lessons learned, and strategic recommendations for the organization at large.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer emerging strategic questions.
Contribute to the organization's broader data strategy and the development of data governance policies.
Collaborate with program and business units to translate operational data needs into technical requirements for our data systems.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within cross-functional project teams.
Mentor junior M&E staff, fellows, and interns, fostering their professional growth in the field of impact evaluation.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced Quantitative Analysis: Mastery of econometric and statistical methods for causal inference (e.g., OLS, logistic regression, fixed/random effects models, instrumental variables).
Evaluation Design: Deep expertise in designing and implementing experimental (RCTs) and quasi-experimental evaluation methodologies.
Statistical Software Proficiency: High level of proficiency in at least one major statistical package, such as Stata, R, or Python (with pandas, statsmodels, scikit-learn).
Qualitative Data Analysis: Experience with qualitative methods and software (e.g., NVivo, Dedoose) for analyzing interview and focus group data.
Survey & Instrument Design: Proven ability to design effective and culturally sensitive surveys and other data collection tools using platforms like SurveyCTO, ODK, or KoboToolbox.
Data Visualization & BI Tools: Skill in creating compelling data visualizations and dashboards using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or R Shiny to communicate findings.
MEL Framework Development: Expertise in developing Theories of Change, Logical Frameworks, and comprehensive MEL plans.
Database Management: Familiarity with SQL and relational database concepts for data extraction and management.

Soft Skills

Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Ability to dissect complex problems, identify causal mechanisms, and develop rigorous analytical approaches.
Communication & Storytelling: Exceptional ability to communicate complex technical concepts and data-driven stories clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences, both in writing and verbally.
Stakeholder Management: Adept at building and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with internal teams, external partners, donors, and research participants.
Project Management: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously, from conception to completion, on time and within budget.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to data analysis, reporting, and quality control to ensure the integrity and credibility of findings.
Adaptability: Flexibility to work effectively in dynamic and sometimes ambiguous environments, including field settings with logistical constraints.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with substantial professional experience in impact evaluation.

Preferred Education:

A Master’s degree or Ph.D. in a quantitative social science discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Economics / Development Economics
Public Policy / Public Administration
International Development / Global Affairs
Statistics / Biostatistics
Sociology or Political Science (with a quantitative focus)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5-8 years of direct, hands-on experience in designing, managing, and implementing impact evaluations of social programs, preferably in a developing country context.

Preferred:

Significant field experience managing large-scale data collection efforts.
A track record of publications, including peer-reviewed articles, evaluation reports, and policy briefs.
Experience working directly with key donors and institutional funders (e.g., USAID, FCDO, World Bank, Gates Foundation).