Evaluation Officer/ Program Officer (III)

Seattle, Washington (Remote)

About Sankofa:

Sankofa Consulting is a boutique consulting firm that provides monitoring and evaluation (M&E) technical assistance and management support to philanthropic and not-for-profit entities. As a small business, Sankofa leverages a global network of partners to provide tailored expertise and effectively implement projects of various sizes and scopes around the world. Sankofa has deep evaluation expertise, and experience working with major foundations on new initiatives and development projects that span agriculture, economic development, and global health. We translate learnings and themes into tangible products for grantees and other partners. Sankofa does this work with a mission to reduce inequities and advance social justice for the poor and marginalized at the local, national, and global levels. Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is reflected in how we approach our work with clients and in our internal culture and management practices.

Sankofa’s high caliber client support focuses on maximizing data to inform strategy development, business process improvement, project development and management. Sankofa specifically helps clients to:

  • Identify, develop, and “right-size” internal M&E infrastructure/systems

  • Problem-solve, coordinate, and manage implementation of M&E projects

  • Mentor and guide M&E staff to build/upgrade their M&E skills, capacities, and systems

  • Conduct systematic reviews and ex-ante analytics to inform strategy/program design

  • Provide thought partnership and support on M&E, knowledge management, and learning

  • Diagnose M&E needs, develop scopes of work/RFPs, and provide technical oversight and quality control for large evaluations and studies.

Position Summary

Our growing organization seeks an Evaluation Officer/Program Officer (III) to join the team. This role will primarily be responsible for leading monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) projects as part of a new initiative in the education sector in Washington state. The Evaluation Officer/Program Officer (III) will be responsible for managing the full range of technical tasks and activities involved in the design and implementation of MEL capacity building and support for grantee and partner organizations of the initiative. This position will manage a portfolio of client-facing projects, monitoring developments in key issue areas, actively identifying new business opportunities, and synthesizing a high volume of complex information to make connections.

The ideal candidate will lead projects independently and collaborate effectively with the portfolio manager and internal project support staff, as well as external partners that include funders, public institutions, and non-profit organizations. This role requires comfort with ambiguity and an evolving scope, creative problem solving, and working in a fast-paced environment.

In addition, the EO/PO will work as part of Sankofa’s project teams to contribute to the development of proposals in response to solicitations from potential clients and will work with the managing director and other senior experts to manage external communications with clients and partners, ensuring that discrete tasks and activities of Sankofa’s programs, learnings, and results are broadly shared to relevant stakeholders.

This exempt, full-time position will report to Sankofa’s Portfolio Manager. This role is available on a fully remote basis, with occasional travel to client and partner locations. The candidate should be based in Washington, with preference for the greater Seattle area.

Major Responsibilities

  • Manage a portfolio of client-facing projects, including managing client relationships, tracking project deliverables against deadlines, and coordinating project components

  • Analyze and synthesize a high volume of information to construct frameworks, distill themes, evaluate programs, identify successes and lessons learned, and develop recommendations

  • Own and create actionable deliverables and knowledge products (e.g., reports, rubrics, slide decks)

Key Functions

  • Conduct tasks and activities in support of the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation projects, including conducting background research, literature reviews, key informant interviews, reviews of secondary data, and text analysis

  • Prepare written products, including reports and presentations

  • Contribute to reviews, analysis and preparation of written responses to requests for proposals

  • Manage, facilitate, and coordinate meetings, including client meetings, Sankofa team calls, trainings, and seminars as needed

  • Assist with a range of other project management and project coordination related tasks

  • Travel on behalf of Sankofa business to deliver services under existing contract or for other business purposes.

Required Experience and Education

  • 7+ years of relevant experience that includes experience in client or stakeholder management such as consulting, program management, project management, or related role

  • Experience in monitoring and evaluation or related function (research, data analysis)

  • Experience working with foundations, community organizations, public sector entities, or NGOs

  • Demonstrated analytical skills and the ability to write and present results

  • Familiarity with data analysis software (e.g., SPSS or equivalent), and/or data visualization software an asset

  • Master’s degree in public administration, public policy, education, public health, or related

Competencies

  • Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, start-up environment, with an emphasis on high performance, teamwork, collaboration, accountability, and results.

  • Excellent organization, facilitation, and communication skills. Ability to work effectively and with sensitivity across diverse communities and stakeholders at all levels

  • Ability to successfully work in ambiguous situations across a board range of projects and topic areas. Ability to respond and problem solve to emerging needs

  • Natural ability to synergize, integrate and coordinate across a system comprised of different activities. Orientation towards learning and sharing knowledge.

  • Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty, and desire to be of service.

Salary & Benefits:

The starting salary range for this position is $90,000-$110,000 (depending on experience). Benefits also include medical coverage, a 401(k) plan, and generous paid time off. This position is 100% remote, with occasional travel to client and partner locations.

To apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to Selena Fraser s.fraser@sankofaconsulting.com by 5:00pm PT on Friday August 25th, 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.