EduSpots is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and knowledgable consultant to review and advance our monitoring, evaluation and learning systems.

The ideal candidate will bring:

1.  A strong track record in reviewing, redeveloping and implementing effective and practical organisation-wide MEL systems, in the context of low-cost, impact-driven and community-led models of education change in Ghana or wider Africa.

2. A strong understanding of how MEL strategies relate to the large trusts and foundations fundraising context for this work, alongside our internal learning and monitoring needs.

About EduSpots

EduSpots is an innovative, dynamic, and community-orientated UK and Ghanaian registered charity which connects, trains, and equips grassroots voluntary educators (named ‘Catalysts’) to drive community-led change through education spaces named ‘Spots’. Our vision is of a world in which communities unite to create the futures they want to see, through education.

Since 2016, through collaborating with over 400 local voluntary community educators and actors – named ‘Catalysts’ – who take a central leadership role in the development of the network, we have supported 50 communities in creating and running community-led and owned education spaces named ‘Spots’’. Together, we are developing a model for a community-led education space with accompanying network engagement that could have global relevance. Read our model of change document here.

Our Ghana-based team creates collaborative learning opportunities through three leadership programmes for Catalysts which are increasingly facilitated by the EduSpots app: the Ignite, Catalyse and Inspire Mentoring Programmes. These enable the Catalysts to lead EduKidz (early years education), DigLit (digital literacy), EcoSTEM (STEM and environmental education) and Ignite Equity (gender equity) clubs for learners typically aged 3-16, alongside locally designed education projects, reaching over 10,000 learners of all ages annually. Read our 2023 Annual Report here and our recent independent evaluation here.

We are in an exciting period of our development, having more than doubled our income, programme breadth and reach in the two years, with a recent independent evaluation by Expectation State offering further evidence in support of our model’s outcomes. We have been recently selected for two accelerator programmes, who are supporting us as we consider the scaling potential of our model.

We won the Tes International Award in 2018 and the Big Give Supporters’ Choice Award in 2022, and we were recently selected as a finalist for the 2023 Their World Scale-Up Innovation Prize. In 2021, our Founder was a Finalist in UNESCO-backed The Varkey Foundation’s $1 million Global Teacher Prize.

We are excited by our future. Do visit www.eduspots.org for further information.

Current Context: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning in EduSpots

EduSpots is deeply committed to ensuring that we have the right MEL systems in place to monitor, evaluate and learn from our work to maximise our future impact; our working approach is critically reflective, informed and fast-paced.

• Since 2021, alongside developed and responsive programme tracking systems, we have led a number of longitudinal quantitive studies regarding our programmes involving both learners and Catalysts using ImpactEd’s system and validated surveys, also adapting our own surveys to meet our needs, alongside qualitative surveys.
• We have also used the Most Significant Change methodology to explore how Catalysts and learners perceive the most important changes resulting from the Spot model and associated programmes, alongside regular focus group and 1-1 interview discussions, and team check-ins both through quarterly in-person visits, and remotely.
• We collect quarterly data from Spots across Spot users, opening hours, book borrowing, local fundraising, activities, committee meetings, and more. In 2024, we launched the EduSpots app, which enables live input and tracking of Spots’ activities across the network, with potential for further functionality to inform our MEL processes.
• In 2024, we worked with Expectation State to commission our first independent study involving 10 Spot communities – the report is found here. Find our summary 2025 impact report here which draws from all our tools.

In 2025, we have considerably increased our income from medium and large trusts and foundations; as such we are looking to ensure that our MEL strategy captures the significant impact EduSpots is creating, and ensure that we have the evidence base we need to improve and adapt our approach to know which methods are most effective.

The MEL strategy will need to take into consideration our relatively low budget for our scale of delivery, a nationwide spread of Spots, a remote model of delivery and the community-led nature of our model, with no staff present in or near Spot communities. Catalysts are used to engaging remotely, and using digital tools, such as the app, with tablets and wifi kits provided to all Spots.

Theory of Change

Our Theory of Change aims for educational outcomes that focus on civic action, leadership, empathy and a lifelong love of learning, rather than considering traditional examination results or school attendance statistics, although we are open to considering the measures that may best reflect the multiple layers of change we are creating.

Scope of work 

The MEL consultant will work with the CEO and the Heads of Programmes and Heads of Operations based in Ghana to to review the existing programmes structure, theory of change, MEL systems, app and evaluative evidence, considering the future strategy, including reflection on how this intersects with the fundraising plan.

The consultant will develop a comprehensive MEL strategy relating to all programme aims for 2026-2028, determining the indicators and tools to be used across the following strands of EduSpots’ work, which are all led by local volunteers ‘Catalysts’:

• EduKidz (Early years education clubs, with learners aged 3-8)
• DigiLit (Digital and literacy skills clubs, with learners aged 8-12)
• EcoSTEM (STEM & environmental education, with learners aged 11-16)
• Ignite Equity (gender equity, with learners ages 12-16)
• Keeping Spots Safe (all ages)
• Ignite Programme (with Catalysts)
• Catalyse Leadership Programme (with Catalysts)
• Peer Mentoring Programme (with Peer Mentors)
• Accelerate Leadership Programme (with staff)

All of the above areas feed into EduSpots’ overall ‘Spot Model’, with community-based Catalysts working together to lead programmes based on their assets, needs and interests, promoting and celebrating a level of diversity in outcomes.

The consultant will also determine key indicators for measuring EduSpots’ overall success in line with the theory of change, and our aim of enabling communities to unite to create the futures they want to see through education.

Expected Deliverables

1. A review of the ToC and MEL capacities and needs across EduSpots’ diverse programmes.
2. Finalising an organisation-wide MEL Plan for 2026 (working with CEO / Heads of Programmes), including a strategy to effectively gather this information within our capacity (written report).
3. Develop the necessary tools, process, datasets, etc. needed to operationalise the MEL plan (MEL tools & suggested platforms).
4. Train EduSpots’ staff and peer mentors in the effective implementation of this plan.

Duration and Timing

We anticipate the initial evaluation taking place over 3 months in total (taking into account time for EduSpots to review plans and drafts), to be completed by the end of November 2025 to enable us to complete baseline surveys in December 2025 – January 2026.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in economics, political science, data engineering or other related field is required.
• Minimum five years of experience in MEL, preferably including education programmes funded by large trusts and foundations.
• Experience in designing organisational MEL frameworks, Theory of Change review and dashboard development.
• Experience with and knowledge of developing and evaluating impact-oriented projects is preferred.
• Understanding of formal and informal education systems, including community-based and NGO-led interventions.
• Expertise in evaluative approaches to citizenship education and leadership capacity building programmes.
• Experience in evaluating safeguarding, wellbeing, or child protection initiatives
• Developing indicators, log-frames, and data collection tools (qualitative and quantitative) for use by volunteers.
• Experience of participatory MEL approaches involving learners, parents, teachers, and local leaders.
• Familiarity with Ghana Education Service (GES) structures, policies, and curricula would be ideal.
• Strategic insight and strong understanding of organisational systems, fundraising and planning.
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills
• Strong IT skills, with familiarity working in an online space (we are a fully remote team, using Google workspace and Zoom).
• Ability to work collaboratively with team members from different backgrounds and cultures.
• Experience working to and meeting clear deadlines.
• A strong understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures, with an awareness of, and strong commitment to ethical approaches .
• Strong understanding of data protection laws and procedures.

Application Process

To apply, please submit the following to recruitment@eduspots.org by Friday 1st August.

• A brief proposal outlining your suitability for the assignment (concise, maximum 2 pages)
• Proposed budget (day rate, including no of days anticipated for completion), considering EduSpots’ annual budget is less than £300,000 in total.
• Your CV
• Examples of past work

All further information on our work is found at www.eduspots.org