Role Description
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Officer
Play it Forward Zambia works with over 2,500 young people each year through education, health, and sport programmes. Our focus is on delivering practical and measurable impact - from improving school attendance and digital skills to supporting wellbeing and pathways into employment. As we grow, we are strengthening how we measure, evidence, and communicate impact to improve programme quality and meet donor requirements.
The MEAL Officer will lead the development and day-to-day implementation of simple, effective MEAL systems across all programmes. This is a hands-on role focused on ensuring data is accurate, useful, and actively used to improve delivery and demonstrate impact.
About Us
Our mission is to empower young people in Zambia to develop sustainable livelihoods through education, health, and football programmes.
We work with young people from disadvantaged communities, delivering initiatives including health education, digital skills, and pathways into further education and employment - helping them build the skills and confidence to succeed in life.
UK Charity Registration Number 1108821
Zambia Non-Profit Registration No. 120170010072
Job Details
Location: Play it Forward Office, Livingstone, Zambia
Type:Full-time
Contract:One year (minimum), subject to a 3-month probation
Salary:Competitive
Reports to: Head of Programmes
Essential skills and experience
- Degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Social Sciences, Project Management, or a related field.
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in MEAL within the development sector (Sport for Development desirable).
- Proven experience designing and implementing practical, field-ready MEAL systems.
- Strong skills in data collection, analysis (quantitative & qualitative), and reporting.
- Experience conducting assessments/surveys and meeting donor reporting requirements.
- Excellent communication skills and confident use of data tools (e.g. Excel, Kobo, Google Forms).
Main duties and responsibilities
1. Monitoring & Data Systems
Key Output: Reliable, consistent, and user-friendly data systems used across all programmes.
- Design and implement simple, practical data collection tools (e.g. attendance tracking, outcome indicators, surveys) that can be easily used by programme staff
- Ensure all programmes are consistently tracking clear, relevant indicators aligned to organisational priorities and donor requirements
- Maintain a centralised, simple, and well-organised MEAL system (e.g. Google Drive, Kobo, Excel), ensuring data is accurate, up to date, and accessible
- Establish and carry out regular data quality checks to verify accuracy, completeness, and consistency across programmes
- Support the transition from ad hoc data collection to standardised systems and processes across the organisation
2. Reporting & Analysis
Key Output: Clear, insight-driven reporting that demonstrates impact and supports decision-making.
- Lead the preparation of high-quality donor reports (e.g. FIFA Foundation, DOT), ensuring accuracy, clarity, and timely submission
- Analyse programme data to identify key trends, outcomes, and insights (not just raw data)
- Translate data into clear, concise insights, reports and presentations for internal teams, management, and external stakeholders
- Work closely with programme staff to ensure data collected is relevant, complete, and aligned with reporting requirements
- Support the development of impact summaries, case studies, and success stories for fundraising and communications
3. Field Monitoring
Key Output: Regular field insights that improve programme quality and ensure data reflects reality
- Conduct regular visits to programme sites (schools, pitches, community sessions) to observe delivery and verify data accuracy
- Work alongside programme staff during visits to check data collection tools are being used correctly and consistently
- Document findings from visits, including strengths, challenges, and areas for improvement
- Provide practical, actionable feedback to programme teams to strengthen delivery and data quality
- Ensure safeguarding, attendance, and programme data reported aligns with what is observed in the field
4. Accountability & Feedback
Key Output: Effective feedback systems that strengthen accountability and improve programme quality.
- Design and implement simple, accessible feedback mechanisms (e.g. surveys, suggestion boxes, focus groups) for participants and communities
- Ensure feedback systems are safe, inclusive, and aligned with safeguarding standards
- Regularly collect, review, and analyse feedback to identify trends, concerns, and opportunities for improvement
- Work with programme teams to ensure feedback is acted on and informs programme delivery
- Maintain clear documentation of feedback and responses to support accountability to participants and donors
5. Learning & Improvement
Key Output: Clear evidence of learning being used to improve programme quality and impact.
- Lead regular reflection sessions (e.g. quarterly) with programme staff to review data, outcomes, and key learnings
- Support teams to identify and apply practical improvements based on data and field insights
- Document lessons learned, best practices, and challenges across programmes
- Contribute to the development of case studies, impact stories, and internal learning briefs
- Promote a culture of continuous learning and evidence-based decision making across the organisation
6. Capacity Building
Key Output: Confident staff who can effectively collect, understand, and use data.
- Train programme staff on data collection tools, basic MEAL principles, and reporting requirements
- Provide ongoing, hands-on support to ensure staff can accurately and consistently collect data
- Develop simple guidance and templates to support standardised MEAL practices across programmes
- Mentor staff to improve their ability to use data for planning and decision-making
- Identify capacity gaps and support continuous improvement in MEAL across the team
To learn more about the work we do visit our website:
https://play-itforward.org/
How to apply
We welcome applications from people of all ages (over 18) and backgrounds who have the skills and experience to help strengthen our team.
Please submit your CV along with a cover letter of no more than one A4 page outlining your suitability for the role to workwithus@play-itforward.org
Due to the high number of applications received, only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
The Application deadline is Monday 4th May 2026.
To learn more about the work we do visit our website: www.play-itforward.org
Play it Forward is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children, young people and adults at risk (vulnerable groups) that are in our care or attending our premises. Applicants must be willing to undergo background checks appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers. The Employee must ensure a positive commitment towards equality and diversity by treating others fairly and not committing any form of direct or indirect discrimination, victimisation or harassment of any description and to promote positive working relations amongst Employees and beneficiaries.
