Analyst – Evidence, Measurement & Evaluation at Childrens Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)

Job Description

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The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) is an independent philanthropic organisation headquartered in London with offices in Nairobi, New Delhi, and in Ethiopia. CIFF works with a wide range of partners seeking to transform and empower the lives of poor and vulnerable children in developing countries, with the ultimate goal of solving seemingly intractable challenges to ensure all children have the chance to survive and thrive. CIFF aims to play a catalytic role as a funder and influencer to deliver urgent and systemic change at scale.

Main purpose of the role

This is an exciting opportunity for a professional passionate about driving development to be more effective, equitable, and efficient through evidence and identifying best practice to join CIFF and help shape and drive Evidence, Measurement and Evaluation (EME) of its portfolios. The role is to provide high quality programme management, administrative, and research support to the EME team to enable the efficient and effective delivery of its philanthropic programmes. This will primarily include programme management of investments that generate and utilise evidence to shift national policies on, funding for, and delivery at-scale of practices that improve the health and wellbeing of children. As a knowledgeable and career level professional in EME you will take the lead in ensuring that CIFF’s investments are informed by a robust evidence base, are designed to achieve tangible impact consistent with CIFF’s vision and have effective measurement and evaluation systems. The role holder will work closely with the sector teams.

Role Responsibilities

Strategy & planning

Take the lead (with minimal supervision) to collate and/or conduct complex analysis and research on specific projects and sector trends, as required, to support the EME Senior Management Team (SMT) in determining future strategic priorities and setting operational plans. Before making new investments, ensuring that CIFF conducts robust appraisals of the evidence base, cost-effectiveness and impact potential of any investment, and sets up a rigorous measurement and evaluation framework. Contribute to and support the development of cutting-edge approaches to monitor and evaluate the impact of CIFF’s investments. Provide and communicate global, regional, national and sectoral insights both verbally and in writing, which contribute to the strategy and planning process. Produce world class updates, ad-hoc briefings and materials for the Chief Impact Officer (CIO), Board level and EME team using effective written or verbal communication skills to effectively brief internal or external audiences. Support the Executive Director (ED) and SMT in the organisation, coordination, documentation and professional presentation of outputs from the strategy and planning process.

Programme development, delivery & performance

Lead the end-to-end administration of the grants management process (from concept formation through to final payment), suggesting improvements where appropriate, to enable the team to deliver and monitor its philanthropic activity efficiently and effectively. Undertake large and complex EME activities with minimal supervision. Throughout the lifecycle of investments, ensuring timely and relevant monitoring and evaluation data is available and is proactively used by partners and CIFF to make adjustments and / or course-corrections. Build strong working relationships with key partners across CIFF and externally to support proactive monitoring of performance and effectiveness, advising, guiding and developing solutions and interventions to address any issues. Lead the preparation and dissemination of regular and ad hoc reporting on sector/portfolio/programme performance, to ensure colleagues and partners (as required) have access to accurate and relevant management information. Provide advice, guidance to support other members of the team to meet requirements. Work closely with members of the Finance team to coordinate the forecasting of grant payments, to enable effective cash flow management and reporting within the organisation. Act as ‘Super-User’ for a range of IT systems and databases for the team, ensuring they are deployed appropriately to optimise the efficiency and effectiveness of its work, and trouble- shooting issues if they arise. Take the lead in preparing high quality summary reports, board reports and portfolio investment reports, to ensure these are produced in a timely fashion. Work closely with the Evidence Measurement and Evaluation (EME) team to identify and embed appropriate monitoring and evaluation processes for all proposals and programmes, to contract evaluations and analyse programme data on a regular basis. In collaboration with partners, conduct regular reviews of programme performance to identify problems and delays and implement effective solutions.

Sector knowledge and profile-building

Build and maintain a range of relevant knowledge and information resources, to enable the EME team to access high quality intelligence, analysis and data to inform current and future programme activity, always seeking to add value and connecting interrelated pieces. Undertake other specific research projects required, as identified or directed by members of the team. Provide support to assist in the production and presentation of high-quality thought leadership, PR and marketing materials for the team, ensuring compliance with corporate branding and communications guidelines. Take the initiative to continuously develop and deepen knowledge, through courses, reading and networking, in EME and across CIFF to ensure that CIFF stays current with best practice in EME modalities and developments within its portfolio areas.

Stakeholder and partner management

In accordance with corporate guidelines and requirements, maintain accurate and up-to-date records and systems on behalf of the team, to ensure CIFF can take a coordinated and professional approach to managing stakeholders and partners. Act as the first point of contact for external enquiries about the work for the sector or requests to partner with CIFF and ensure these are dealt with a professional and timely way. Build a strong network of effective relationships with colleagues, senior implementation and evaluation partners (organisations and consultants) and grantees to represent CIFF in a supportive and pragmatic way. Collate research and information on potential and current partners/stakeholders as required, to support the effective development of relationships and opportunities by the team. Coordinating the contracting and day-to-day management of external evaluation and operational research organisations to effectively monitor and evaluate the investments and strategies. Co-ordinate logistics for CIFF programme visits and ensure that all parties are adequately briefed.

Membership of the team

This role does not hold line management responsibility, but we expect all employees to demonstrate good leadership behaviours; this includes adopting a coaching approach with colleagues to help build skills, confidence and capability in particular areas, processes or procedures. As capacity allows, lead and contribute to internal working groups relating to EME and APR process. Manage internal and external resourcing of the projects, including relationships with external consultants supporting the working groups, drafting new guidelines, seek and review staff input and feedback and present to working groups as appropriate. As required, support on the planning and coordination of inductions for new joiners to the team. We operate a matrix structure so reporting lines can vary between specific aspects of the role.

Requirements

Skills & Experience

Understanding of relevant programming in CIFF’s priority impact areas. Demonstrates professional, sound judgement; can think critically, objectively and strategically. IT proficiency (most specifically in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and a strong background in using a statistical package such as R, Stata, or similar software. Previous analysis / research work experience in the private sector, public sector or an international development context. A strong quantitative background, with demonstrable expertise in supporting evaluations and research – from collaborating with monitoring & evaluation providers to managing activities and relationships with them. An established track record in the measurement and evaluation of international development programmes, with in-country experience desirable. In-depth understanding of data systems and analytics, study design and implementation, including quantitative and qualitative approaches, sampling, and statistical analysis. Experience in supporting capacity building for evidence collection and use, system development, and communication, including of programmatic staff and/or national stakeholders and government ministries desirable. Strong interpersonal skills – engages with others to get the best out of them and works well as part of a team. Effective organisational and project management skills; able to be flexible as priorities and needs change, and works well under pressure. English is CIFF’s business language – we expect all of our people to display outstanding verbal and written communication skills across all aspects of their role. Capacity to work in a range of cultural and socio-economic contexts, adapting style and approach appropriately and in a culturally sensitive manner to maximise effectiveness. Ability to work well independently; a motivated self-starter, with good initiative and problem-solving skills.