Director, Impact Intelligence

Save the Children, a global humanitarian organization dedicated to advancing children’s rights and wellbeing, is seeking a senior leader to head its Impact Intelligence function. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, this role sits at the intersection of data, research, and program strategy, driving evidence‑informed decision‑making across the movement.

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What You'll Do

In this position you will shape the way Save the Children gathers, analyses, and applies evidence to maximize impact.

• Define and steer a unified evidence and learning agenda that brings together Insights, MEAL, research, ethics, and economic evaluation, aligning it with the organization’s global theory of change.
• Set up clear governance structures and role definitions so that evidence use becomes a core organisational capability rather than an optional add‑on.
• Promote a culture where impact intelligence is expected, resourced and rewarded, linking performance incentives and career pathways to evidence‑driven outcomes.
• Design and roll out streamlined data and learning systems that cut duplication, improve data quality and deliver timely insights to country offices and global teams.
• Ensure that monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) standards are consistent across all Save the Children entities and integrated with global indicator frameworks and digital platforms.
• Collaborate with IT, data science and external partners to build user‑friendly tools such as dashboards, shared repositories and lightweight reporting solutions that enhance data literacy.
• Prioritise evidence collection around the most critical decisions, adopting lean designs and proportional baselines to reduce unnecessary reporting burdens.
• Translate findings from monitoring, evaluations, research and economic analyses into actionable recommendations for program design, adaptation and scale‑up.
• Act as the central hub that links evidence, data and learning across programmes, operations, governance and funding streams, breaking down silos and fostering cross‑unit collaboration.
• Lead the Insights and Learning unit to turn raw data into clear, decision‑ready insights for field teams and senior leadership.
• Oversee capacity‑building initiatives that strengthen MEAL, research and cost‑informed programming skills among country offices and local partners.
• Guide the Research and Evaluation team in delivering high‑quality studies that answer strategic learning questions and fill evidence gaps.
• Maintain rigorous ethical standards for all data collection and research activities, ensuring compliance with safeguarding and data protection requirements.
• Direct the Economic Evaluation unit to embed cost‑effectiveness analysis into program decisions and present findings in accessible language for non‑technical stakeholders.

What We're Looking For

The ideal candidate combines deep academic credentials with extensive hands‑on experience in evidence‑driven program management.

• An advanced degree such as an MBA, MSc, MA, PhD or a recognised fellowship in a relevant discipline.
• At least ten years of senior‑level experience leading evidence, monitoring, evaluation, research or economic analysis functions within large international NGOs or development agencies.
• Proven ability to design and implement organization‑wide learning strategies that influence policy, programming and resource mobilisation.
• Strong track record of establishing governance frameworks that embed evidence use into daily operations.
• Expertise in developing and harmonising MEAL systems, global indicator sets and digital data platforms.
• Demonstrated skill in building and nurturing cross‑functional collaborations, breaking down silos between programme, operations and finance units.
• Excellent communication and storytelling abilities, capable of converting complex analytical results into clear, actionable messages for diverse audiences.
• Solid understanding of ethical research practices, data protection regulations and safeguarding standards.
• Experience in cost‑effectiveness, value‑for‑money or economic evaluation methods applied to humanitarian or development programmes.
• Leadership style that fosters learning cultures, encourages after‑action reviews, experimentation and continuous improvement.

Qualified professionals who are passionate about leveraging data to improve children’s lives are invited to submit their application through CareerLink Africa.