Johannesburg, South Africa | Posted on 02/06/2026 SmartStart is a successful national network of NGOs and partners that is realising quality, affordable early learning for all children aged three to five. We are achieving this by scaling a network of and building a platform for providers, achieving specific ecosystem transformations with governments and partners, and promoting early learning as a priority societal cause. Job Description MEL Technical Activities Support the Manager in developing and updating data collection tools by providing input and feedback based on day-to-day use. Assist in maintaining the M&E systems by regularly collecting data and ensuring consistency and integrity of data within the platforms. Support in the monitoring of activities and outputs by collecting and analyzing data against performance indicators. Assist in organizing and delivering MEL training to team members and stakeholders as required. Contribute to data quality assurance efforts by regularly reviewing and verifying collected data. Management and Planning Provide support in reviewing MEL methodologies by offering insights and suggestions from the ground-level application. Assist in the implementation of system changes by helping to test and provide feedback on new systems and processes. Support programme implementation by ensuring that day-to-day M&E activities align with the overall plan and funder requirements. Assist in the development of dashboards by gathering and compiling necessary data and feedback for the Manager’s review. Contribute to the development of operating templates by supporting the refinement of processes based on daily operational needs. Special Studies and Knowledge Management Assist in research and literature reviews by conducting initial data gathering and compiling relevant information for special studies. Support fieldwork for special research topics by coordinating logistics and ensuring that data collection aligns with study objectives. Provide day-to-day management support by overseeing specific M&E activities and ensuring that project tasks are completed on time. Contribute to knowledge-sharing activities by identifying and documenting lessons learned, and assisting in organizing events and discussions. Support institutional learning by helping to curate and share best practices and insights with the wider team. Reporting Assist in data analysis and reporting by producing initial drafts of monitoring reports and presentations for the Manager’s review. Support the preparation of reports by gathering, compiling, and formatting data according to standardized templates. Contribute to the dissemination of findings by helping to prepare materials and coordinate communication with stakeholders. Ensure compliance with reporting requirements by maintaining accurate records and adhering to established guidelines. Assist in Lean Impact study activities by collecting and analysing data, and supporting the implementation of study designs. Support the interpretation of data by preparing preliminary insights and identifying trends for the Manager to review. Contribute to continuous improvement efforts by providing regular feedback on current processes and suggesting incremental changes. Assist in organizing and participating in review sessions to discuss findings and share learnings with the team. Support feedback mechanisms by helping to capture and document lessons learned from ongoing projects. 8. People Management Manage and support direct reports, facilitating their growth and development through coaching, training, and capacity-building. Requirements Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation or related field, Honors is advantageous At least three years’ experience in Monitoring and Evaluation Proficient experience in Microsoft Office; Excel, PowerPoint, MS Word Technical Knowledge & Understanding and/or Skills & Abilities #J-18808-Ljbffr