Principal: MEL Technical Expert Position at Genesis Analytics

COMPANY DESCRIPTION:

Genesis Analytics is a global advisory firm focused on the developing world. Genesis provides advice and solutions in the fields of development and management consulting to multinational corporations, governments, international development agencies, and global foundations.

Genesis has offices in Johannesburg, London, Cape Town, Nairobi, Lagos, Abidjan and Addis Ababa. Genesis has worked on more than 4,000 assignments in 89 countries.

Genesis’ purpose as a firm is to unlock value in Africa and the developing world. Our 240+ consultants look at the developing world as an opportunity for massive positive social, economic and environmental progress. Our mission is to unlock that value, whether it is found in the private, social or public sector, through sound advice and workable solutions.

Genesis has practice areas in strategy, monitoring, evaluation and learning, youth economic opportunities, climate change and just transition; ESG, shared value and impact; the digital economy; public health; behavioural economics; human development; competition and regulatory economics.

PRACTICE AREA DESCRIPTION:

In the E4D practice, we work in close partnership with our clients to uncover evidence that yields insights for improved decision-making. In this way, our services are focused on unlocking value through programme and policy improvements that will contribute towards meaningful improvements in social impact and economic prosperity. We break down the allure of one-size-fits-all strategies by demonstrating the value that context-appropriate African-led solutions can unlock. We apply this approach across everything we do – from strategy development, to programme design and implementation, to research and evaluation.

E4D is a values-driven practice. Guided by Genesis’s values, our work is courageous and creative, withstands scrutiny and builds people and communities. Our practice currently consists of 23 team members, and growing! We are a dispersed team that has embraced hybrid in-person and virtual working arrangements. This has allowed us to find inclusive ways of working that promotes a sense of belonging for all who join E4D. We believe that our team culture enables a unique, individualised professional experience for each of our team members. Our collective culture also enables improved collaboration with our clients.

E4D’s work is focused on two interrelated areas (1) Monitoring Evaluation and Learning and (2) Economic Opportunity. 

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) 

Genesis’s E4D team is a trusted provider of monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) services we combine our deeply rooted understanding of the African context with our extensive experience in qualitative and quantitative monitoring and evaluation (M&E) methods to assess progress, measure value creation, and facilitate internal and external learning. We provide three service lines:

1. Programme evaluation and impact evaluation
2. Monitoring and results management (MRM) systems design
3. Learning partnerships and integrated MEL

Economic Opportunity

In pursuit of expanded and more inclusive economic opportunities, we seek solutions that improve market functioning, enable innovation and technological progress and promote investment. We use expert economic analysis, laser-focused problem-solving techniques and intersectional knowledge and experience to uncover the root causes of market failure. We work with our clients and partners to jointly discover and develop market-based solutions that enable expanded and more inclusive economic opportunities.

ROLE DESCRIPTION:

We are looking for a Principal Consultant to join our team, as an MEL Expert with deep technical specialist skills in using evaluative thinking and practice to promote learning, adaptation and programme and policy improvements. Candidates should have experience in at least one of the following themes: gender, agri-food systems, migration, environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, and workforce development. Experience working in Africa and MENA is preferred.

Principals in E4D are:

• Excellent analytical thinkers and technically proficient
• Capable and creative problem solvers
• Adept at collaborating with and advising executives in client organisations
• Effective and empathetic people managers with experience in leading high performing teams
• Commercially astute and innovative business originators
• Strong relationship managers

KEY REQUIREMENTS & ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES:

Consulting tasks

Lead the design, implementation and management of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning projects on behalf of clients

• Develop and implement MERL plans that assess programme performance and impact and guide clients’ decision-making so as to course correct and adapt as necessary.
• Design and implement qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods evaluations. Diverse expertise (e.g. ranging from participatory techniques to storytelling methods and quasi-experimental and experimental methods, inter alia) is advantageous.
• Manage efficient, inclusive, and high quality qualitative and quantitative data collection processes, including across multiple countries
• Undertake rigorous analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, and provide guidance to junior staff to effectively complete tasks
• Plan, prepare and revise high quality reports in digestible and effective formats, suited to client audiences
• Independently identify and overcome data and conceptual problems that emerge during the analysis
• Lead and manage client interactions, including presenting and discussing project findings and recommendations
• Introduce new and innovative methodologies to deliver tasks, including the use of data visualisation techniques and MERLTech

Business tasks

• Prepare considered and logically composed documents using both Microsoft Suite and Google Suite applications
• Lead business origination, including proposal development and project budget preparation
• Nurture, train and mentor junior consultants for technical development as well as with strong cross-cutting consulting and communication skills
• Play a leading role in practice-wide portfolio efforts, for instance in people management, operational management, technical excellence and business development
• Contribute towards industry developments and communities of practice

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL COMPETENCIES:

• Strong academic background – a Masters degree or PhD in an analytical field of study is required.
• Experience in research, monitoring and evaluation with at least 10 years of relevant experience
• Experience in consulting or related environments is required
• Strong research, analytical and lateral thought processes
• Tolerance for complexity, ambiguity and change, and ability to adapt to changing demands
• Excellent English communication and writing skills – ability to communicate at all levels
• Proactive and assertive self-starter
• Ability to work as part of a multicultural team, as well as independently
• Excellent attention to detail
• Highly numerate
• Strong relationship management skills and experience advising executives and organisational leaderships
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with ability to prioritise
• Confident networker
• Ability to work under pressure to tight deadlines
• Sound problem solving and judgement skills
• Professional and confidential approach to dealing with sensitive information
• Advanced PC literacy with excellent proficiency working with MS Office suite and Google Suite
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally

HOW TO APPLY:

• Please follow the online application process on the career portal of the Genesis website
• We use an automated applicant tracking system in order to receive and manage all applications in one central point, and for this reason, we also do not accept any e-mailed CVs or applications
• Once you have applied via our career portal, you will receive a confirmation e-mail that your application was received, and your application will be reviewed within a few days of receipt
• NOTE: Please be advised that uploaded documents/attachments cannot be bigger than 4MB in total, as the system will not accept your application if the uploaded documents exceed 4MB
• Applications can only be made online – no other means of application will be accepted

DISCLAIMER:

• Relevant previous experience is essential
• Communication will be with short-listed candidates only – if you do not receive any feedback on your application within 3 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful
• Genesis Analytics reserves the right not to proceed with an appointment of any advertised role
• All appointments will be made in line with Genesis Analytics’ Employment Equity Plan and Policies
• All applications will be treated confidentially