Assignment Objective

SPARK is seeking an experienced Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor to lead the design and establishment of the programme’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system during the inception phase.

The assignment will be delivered in two complementary phases:

Step 1: Design and establish the programme-wide MEL system by developing the overall MEL Framework, results measurement architecture, monitoring methodologies, baseline approach, learning agenda, data quality assurance procedures, and the tools and guidance required to support programme implementation, adaptive management and donor reporting.

Step 2: Building on the programme-wide framework, facilitate the co-design and refinement of partner-level MEL systems together with the in-country partners. Through a participatory and capacity-strengthening approach, the Advisor will ensure that partner systems are context-specific, aligned with the programme’s overall MEL framework, and enable partners to generate, analyse and use evidence for continuous learning, adaptive management and accountability.

Working closely with SPARK’s programme team, in-country partners and other technical advisors, the Advisor will strengthen local ownership of the MEL system while ensuring consistency, quality and alignment with programme objectives and donor requirements.

Scope of Work

The Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor will provide strategic and technical leadership in designing and establishing the programme’s MEL system during the inception phase. Working closely with SPARK, in-country partners and other technical advisors, the consultant will:

• Facilitate the co-design and refinement of the programme’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system with in-country partners, ensuring local ownership, contextual relevance, accountability and alignment with the programme’s Theory of Change and donor requirements.
• Develop the programme’s MEL Framework, Results Measurement Framework and monitoring tools in collaboration with partners, including indicators, data collection methodologies and reporting systems that capture organisational strengthening, entrepreneurship support services, ecosystem development and women’s economic empowerment outcomes.
• Work alongside in-country partners to establish practical and participatory monitoring, reflection and learning mechanisms, including continuous feedback loops, outcome harvesting, quarterly reflection sessions, peer exchanges and the Women Advisory Group, ensuring that women entrepreneurs and partner organisations actively contribute to programme learning.
• Design practical systems for data collection, management, quality assurance and reporting that strengthen partners’ ability to generate, analyse and use evidence for programme management, accountability and donor reporting.
• Develop the programme’s Learning Agenda and adaptive management approach, enabling SPARK and its partners to regularly analyse evidence, reflect on progress, identify emerging challenges and opportunities, and jointly adapt programme strategies and interventions.
• Support the design and implementation of the baseline study and provide technical guidance for external evaluations, ensuring that findings are integrated into programme planning and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen the MEL capacities of SPARK staff and in-country partners by developing practical guidance, tools and coaching approaches that enable partners to progressively own, implement and sustain the MEL system beyond the inception phase.
• Support donor reporting and knowledge management by ensuring that programme evidence is translated into high-quality reports, learning products and recommendations that strengthen accountability, cross-country learning and strategic decision-making.
• Support the continuous strengthening of SPARK’s overall partnership approach by contributing practical guidance on participatory monitoring, partner-owned MEL systems, adaptive management and organisational learning across SPARK’s programmes.

Expected Deliverables and Outputs

The consultant will be expected to produce the following deliverables:

• Inception Work Plan, including the proposed methodology, work plan, timeline and stakeholder consultation approach.
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Framework, establishing the overall framework for programme monitoring, evaluation, learning and adaptive management.
• Results Measurement Framework, including programme indicators, results matrix and measurement approach aligned with the programme’s Theory of Change and Logical Framework.
• Indicator Reference Sheets, providing detailed definitions, methodologies, data sources, calculation methods and reporting frequency for all programme indicators.
• Baseline Methodology, including the proposed approach, tools and guidance for baseline data collection and analysis.
• Data Collection Toolkit, comprising monitoring templates, data collection instruments, reporting formats and practical guidance for programme partners.
• Data Quality Assurance Protocol, outlining procedures for data verification, validation, quality control and reporting.
• Learning Agenda, establishing the framework and mechanisms for programme learning, reflection and adaptive management throughout implementation.
• MEL Capacity Building Package, including practical guidance, training materials, facilitation guides and coaching resources for SPARK staff and programme partners.
• Final Consultancy Report, summarising activities undertaken, deliverables completed, key findings, recommendations and proposed next steps for programme implementation.

Requirements and Qualifications

The successful candidate should possess:

• A Master’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Development Studies, Economics, Statistics, Public Policy, Social Sciences or another relevant discipline.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning within international development programmes.
• Experience working with local NGOs and other actors on designing and delivering MEL, including their capacity building.
• Demonstrated experience designing Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Frameworks and Results Measurement Frameworks.
• Proven experience designing monitoring systems for entrepreneurship, MSME development, private sector development or economic inclusion programmes.
• Experience designing and facilitating organisational capacity strengthening initiatives.
• Experience working with international donors, preferably the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union or comparable bilateral or multilateral organisations.
• Experience in Morocco, Tunisia or the wider Northern Africa region is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical, quantitative and qualitative research skills.
• Demonstrated experience supporting adaptive management and evidence-based decision-making.
• Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of French and/or Arabic is considered a strong asset.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to apply through SPARK’s online recruitment platform at: https://vacancy.spark-online.org/

As part of the online application, candidates will be requested to upload:

• A motivation letter outlining their suitability for the assignment;
• An updated Curriculum Vitae;

Application deadline: 07 August 2026

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Equal Opportunity

SPARK is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse working environment. We welcome applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Women and candidates from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.