How to apply for Director of MEAL

About Imagine Worldwide

Imagine Worldwide is a California-based nonprofit that provides tablet-based adaptive learning to improve literacy and numeracy for children in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its programs use the onebillion application and have been evaluated in nine randomized controlled trials across multiple countries. The organization operates in seven Sub-Saharan African countries and reports learning gains at less than $7 per child per year.

About the role

The Director of MEAL leads Imagine Worldwide's monitoring, evaluation, and learning strategy. This includes building high-performing MEAL teams and ensuring data systems support the scale-up of tablet-based learning programs. The role is remote and full-time.

A typical day

A typical day might involve meeting with MEAL team members across different countries to review data collection progress, analyzing assessment data from tablet-based learning programs, and collaborating with program staff to use findings for improvement. You might also spend time developing or refining MEAL tools and reports, and preparing for upcoming evaluations or RCTs.

Who Imagine Worldwide is looking for

• Experience designing and managing monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems for education programs in low-resource settings, preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Familiarity with randomized controlled trials and other rigorous evaluation methods, given Imagine's use of nine RCTs to demonstrate impact.
• Ability to lead and build MEAL teams, including hiring, training, and managing staff across multiple countries.
• Knowledge of literacy and numeracy assessment tools and adaptive learning technology, such as the onebillion application.

Tips for this application

• Highlight any experience with MEAL in Sub-Saharan Africa or similar contexts, and specify countries or regions where you have worked.
• Reference Imagine Worldwide's use of randomized controlled trials and the onebillion application to show you understand their evidence base and approach.
• Describe your experience building or managing MEAL teams, including team size, locations, and how you developed staff capacity.
• Explain how you have used data to inform program scale-up or improvement, especially in education technology or nonprofit settings.
• Mention your familiarity with low-cost, scalable data collection methods, as Imagine emphasizes affordability at less than $7 per child per year.

What to cover in your cover letter

In your cover letter, focus on: (1) your direct experience with MEAL in Sub-Saharan Africa or comparable low-resource settings; (2) your understanding of Imagine Worldwide's model, including the onebillion application and RCT evidence; (3) your approach to building and leading MEAL teams across multiple countries; and (4) how you have used monitoring and evaluation data to improve program outcomes or support scale-up.

Research before applying

• Read the nine randomized controlled trials conducted on Imagine Worldwide's programs to understand the evidence base and evaluation methods used.
• Learn about the onebillion application and how it delivers adaptive learning for literacy and numeracy.
• Research the seven Sub-Saharan African countries where Imagine Worldwide operates to understand the contexts and potential MEAL challenges.
• Review Imagine Worldwide's website and any published reports to understand their implementation model, toolkits, and systems.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you design a MEAL strategy for a tablet-based learning program that operates in seven Sub-Saharan African countries?
• Describe your experience with randomized controlled trials and how you would use RCT findings to inform program improvements.
• How would you build and manage a high-performing MEAL team across different countries and time zones?
• What indicators would you track to measure literacy and numeracy gains in children using the onebillion application?
• How would you ensure data quality and cost-efficiency in MEAL activities, given the target of less than $7 per child per year?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Avoid generic statements about MEAL without linking them to education technology or Sub-Saharan Africa contexts.
• Do not ignore the RCT evidence; failing to mention or show familiarity with Imagine's evaluation history can suggest a lack of preparation.
• Avoid focusing only on data collection without addressing team leadership and capacity building, as the role explicitly includes building high-performing MEAL teams.