Application Guide

How to Apply for Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Manager

at Rising Academies

🏢 About Rising Academies

Rising Academies is a social enterprise that operates a network of low-cost private schools in West Africa, aiming to deliver high-quality education to underserved communities. The organization emphasizes evidence-based practices and continuous improvement, making it a compelling place for professionals passionate about using data to drive educational equity and impact.

About This Role

As the MERL Manager, you will lead the design of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess program effectiveness, manage data collection and analysis, and build staff capacity. This role is critical for informing strategic decisions and ensuring that Rising Academies' interventions are data-driven and impactful in improving learning outcomes for thousands of students.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing data dashboards to track program indicators, meeting with field teams to troubleshoot data collection issues, and analyzing recent survey results to draft a report for senior leadership. You might also lead a virtual training session for partner staff on using mobile data collection tools, and collaborate with the research team to design a study on a new intervention.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Rising Academies Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years of MERL experience in education or international development, with a track record of designing and implementing M&E frameworks for complex programs.
  • Possesses strong quantitative and qualitative research skills, including proficiency in data analysis tools like SPSS, Stata, or R, and can translate data into actionable insights.
  • Experienced in building MERL capacity among diverse stakeholders, including training staff and partners in data collection and use.
  • Excellent communicator who can present findings to non-technical audiences and foster a culture of learning and adaptation.

📝 Tips for Applying to Rising Academies

1

Highlight experience with education-focused MERL, especially in low-resource settings, and quantify your impact (e.g., improved learning outcomes by X%).

2

Mention familiarity with data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI to demonstrate ability to communicate insights effectively.

3

Showcase any experience with participatory evaluation or community-based research methods, as Rising Academies values local context.

4

Tailor your resume to emphasize leadership in building MERL systems from scratch or scaling them across multiple sites.

5

Include examples of how you've used data to inform programmatic decisions and drive improvements, not just report on indicators.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Emphasize your passion for using data to improve educational outcomes in underserved communities, aligning with Rising Academies' mission.", 'Describe a specific MERL framework you designed and how it led to measurable program improvements.', 'Highlight your experience working in cross-cultural contexts and with diverse teams, as the role is remote and likely involves West African partners.', 'Mention your ability to balance rigorous research with practical, context-appropriate methods.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review Rising Academies' published reports or blog posts on their website to understand their current MERL approach and impact metrics.
  • → Read about the education landscape in West Africa, particularly Sierra Leone and Liberia where they operate, to contextualize challenges.
  • → Look into their 'Rising Learning' model and how they measure student achievement and teacher effectiveness.
  • → Check their LinkedIn or Glassdoor for employee insights on culture and remote work practices.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design an M&E framework for a new educational program in a low-income country with limited data infrastructure?
2 Describe a time you used data to change a program's strategy. What was the outcome?
3 How do you ensure data quality when working with remote teams or partners with varying capacity?
4 What is your experience with randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental designs in education?
5 How would you foster a culture of learning among staff who are not familiar with MERL practices?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't reference Rising Academies' specific programs or context.
  • Overemphasizing technical jargon without showing how you've applied MERL in practical, impact-oriented ways.
  • Failing to mention experience with capacity building or stakeholder management, which is key for this role.

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Rising Academies!

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