Application Guide
How to Apply for Director of MEAL
at Imagine Worldwide
🏢 About Imagine Worldwide
Imagine Worldwide is unique as a nonprofit that combines education technology with scalable solutions for literacy and numeracy in Sub-Saharan Africa, using tablet-based learning to empower millions of children. Working here offers the chance to directly impact educational outcomes through innovative partnerships with governments and communities, making learning accessible and effective in underserved regions.
About This Role
As Director of MEAL, you'll lead the monitoring, evaluation, and learning strategy across multiple countries, building high-performing teams and driving data-driven decisions for program implementation. This role is impactful because it ensures that Imagine Worldwide's tablet-based learning initiatives are effectively measured, optimized, and aligned with the organization's Theory of Change, directly contributing to scalable educational impact.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve reviewing data from tablet-based learning programs in multiple countries, collaborating with country teams to refine MEAL indicators, and developing dashboards to track progress against impact goals. You could also be leading virtual meetings to mentor MEAL staff, analyzing insights to recommend program adjustments, and preparing reports for leadership or funders on key outcomes.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Imagine Worldwide Is Looking For
- Has 10+ years in data roles with 5 years at a senior level leading enterprise data management, ideally in the nonprofit or social sector, and can demonstrate experience with MEAL frameworks in international development contexts.
- Holds an Honours Degree or Post Graduate Diploma in Data Science, MEAL, or related fields (Master's preferred), with proven proficiency in data analysis, cleaning, and governance for ethical decision-making.
- Can develop dashboards, performance reports, and analytic models that translate complex data into clear narratives for diverse audiences, including country teams, leadership, and funders.
- Is adept at building and overseeing MEAL teams in multiple countries, ensuring alignment with organizational impact goals and fostering a culture of data-driven learning.
📝 Tips for Applying to Imagine Worldwide
Highlight specific experience with MEAL in Sub-Saharan Africa or similar contexts, emphasizing how you've used data to improve educational or social programs.
Tailor your resume to showcase leadership in enterprise data management interventions, using metrics to demonstrate impact on program outcomes or organizational goals.
Research Imagine Worldwide's Theory of Change and mention how your MEAL strategy would align with it, showing you understand their approach to scalable learning.
Include examples of developing dashboards or reports for nonprofits, focusing on how you communicated insights to stakeholders like funders or country teams.
If you have experience with tablet-based or edtech solutions, detail how you've measured their effectiveness in low-resource settings.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Explain your passion for education technology and nonprofit work, linking it to Imagine Worldwide's mission of empowering children in Sub-Saharan Africa.", 'Describe a past success in leading MEAL strategies that drove data-driven decisions, preferably in international development or similar sectors.', "Outline how you would build and manage MEAL teams across countries, ensuring data governance and ethical practices align with Imagine's goals.", 'Mention your ability to translate data into actionable insights for diverse audiences, such as through dashboards or reports that influenced program improvements.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Explore Imagine Worldwide's current programs and partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa, noting any specific countries or initiatives mentioned in their materials.
- → Review their Theory of Change and annual reports to understand their impact goals and how MEAL currently supports them.
- → Look into the edtech landscape for literacy and numeracy in low-resource settings, focusing on challenges and successes in tablet-based learning.
- → Investigate their funders or collaborators to gauge stakeholder expectations and how data might be used for reporting or advocacy.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with a generic resume that doesn't highlight senior-level data management or MEAL experience in the nonprofit sector.
- Failing to mention specific tools or methodologies for data analysis and dashboard development relevant to international development.
- Overlooking the remote and cross-cultural aspects of the role, such as not addressing how you'd manage teams in different time zones or cultural contexts.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Imagine Worldwide!