Private Sector Development Managing Consultant (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning)

About the job

As a Managing Consultant, you will work within a multi-disciplinary team to develop, manage and deliver a portfolio of projects, largely in monitoring, evaluation and learning, across different thematic areas, such as agriculture, agribusiness, private sector development, market systems development, and food security. Our MEL work also encompasses cross-cutting themes of gender equality and social inclusion, and climate change. The services provided will encompass economic analyses, design and delivery of monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) assignments, research and policy analysis.

The portfolio of Triple Line’s work is wide-ranging, and includes economic analyses (e.g. to inform business cases and/or the design of investment-ready programmes); development and implementation of MEL/impact measurement frameworks and design of impact measurement indicators, external evaluations (process, formative, summative, and impact evaluations), developing and contributing to the delivery of learning agendas, capacity building and technical assistance etc. You’ll be providing technical expertise across one or more of these areas, as well as providing oversight for our teams of internal and external experts.

The role will also contribute to growing Triple Line’s portfolio in the private sector development sector, which currently includes work focused on agriculture/agribusiness, enterprise development, access to finance, and employment creation more generally. This will include identifying new markets and clients, and leading/supporting the pursuit of both follow on work and new opportunities, managing the development of proposals, and working within teams to deliver excellent technical work. You will also coordinate with our network of external consultants and experts and work closely with the rest of the Triple Line team, who are based in our offices in Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Manila.

Roles and responsibilities and the specific tasks you will undertake:

Specific tasks are expected to include, but are not limited to:

Technical delivery (75%)

Core team member on consultancies in the private sector development area, especially around agriculture, rural livelihoods, access to finance, and enterprise development. This includes designing and undertaking sectoral studies and value chain analyses, programme and intervention design, theory of change and results framework design & implementation; development of learning and research agendas; data gathering tool design and testing; collection of quantitative and qualitative data; data synthesis and analysis; and generation of findings and recommendations. Apply innovative approaches and good problem-solving skills across all these tasks.
Lead and support the preparation, design and facilitation of workshops and learning events with the client and delivery partners e.g. to develop theory of change, facilitate learning and reflection, co-create recommendations, explore and share learning; engage stakeholders in evaluation processes.
Present analysis, findings and research clearly both in writing, visually and orally, through case studies, reports and presentations for the client and other stakeholders, to support uptake and sharing of findings.
Act as a project manager on key projects and programmes within your areas of expertise, coordinating project teams and project partners and acting as a key company interface with clients on the projects you are involved in. Ensure that projects you manage are delivered on time, on budget, to an outstanding level of quality, and in compliance with key company and client policies and procedures with major risks to project success properly mitigated.

Business development (20%)

Responsibilities vary but the following are typical:

Act as point of engagement for clients and partners in developing our business, proactively develop client relationships and look for opportunities for follow-up work with existing clients. Establish and sustain senior level client relationships.
Contribute to business development across the full cycle, from early capture to tender submission. This includes seeking and tracking opportunities, positioning Triple Line within consortia, building suitable project delivery teams, managing the bidding process and co-ordinating inputs, preparing technical and financial inputs for expressions of interest and full tenders, working closely with colleagues across Triple Line.
Ensure quality standards are met on all submissions under your direction.
Ensure all prospects are managed in line with internal procedures and duty of care guidelines and meet internal financial targets.
Use MIS tools to monitor, analyse and manage BD pipeline.
Actively develop a network of external consultants to support in-house teams.
Contribute to increasing the visibility of Triple Line through attending conferences, raising profile and networking, producing lesson learning materials and/or publications, and supporting Triple Line hosted events, etc. to develop reputation and attract new clients.

Practice development (5%)

Producing thought leadership outputs (i.e. blog posts or short reports) which are in-line with our key service offerings, predominately through project delivery geared work.
Actively share own knowledge by sharing experiences and information in both a structured, and less formal manner.
Engage in cross-organisational dialogue to combine expertise and services with colleagues operating out of our offices.

About you

We are looking for someone who is passionate about private sector development, and the impact it can have on improving the incomes and livelihoods of marginalised communities. You have significant experience working on donor-funded projects either in a consulting company or non-government/civil society organisation.

You are thoughtful, excel at problem solving and have the confidence to contribute new ideas and challenge those around you, while remaining a committed team player. You have outstanding analytical and writing skills.

You will have strong technical experience in your area of specialisation and will have a good understanding of our other focus areas. Experience working on market systems development and/or adaptive programmes would be a significant advantage.

You’ll have experience working with a range of stakeholders, including donors, local and international companies, government institutions, SMEs, and partners.
You’ll have managed a team before and will be comfortable coordinating with others across time-zones and geographies.

Essential candidate attributes:

Advanced degree in economics, agriculture, development studies, or related fields (or additional work experience)
7+ years post-qualification experience and strong technical knowledge in two or more of the following sectors: private sector development, market systems development, trade, agriculture, food security, access to finance, enterprise development, and rural livelihoods
Track record and demonstrated, applied knowledge of design and delivery of qualitative and quantitative evaluation and research methods (e.g. theory-based evaluation, impact assessments, market systems development approach, market analysis etc.)
Established consultancy skills with experience of successful delivery in the international development sector, able to adapt to changing priorities, manage competing deadlines, talk confidently to clients, and able to work under pressure
Experience working in lower income countries
Demonstrable project management skills and experience (resource, budget, and work scheduling and management; team co-ordination; meeting tight deadlines)
Experience in conducting business development activities including identifying opportunities, writing and managing tenders, developing methodological responses to terms of reference, and / or providing technical and written inputs to bid preparation
Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate findings and recommendations clearly in plain English to a range of audiences and in a variety of formats
Right to live and work in the UK
Willingness to undertake project related travel outside of the UK (up to 20%)

Desirable candidate attributes:

Qualifications in research methodologies, for example quantitative data analysis (e.g. Cost Benefit Analysis) or the DCED Standard for Results Measurement
Experience working with development finance institutions, impact investor and/or philanthropic foundations
Experience with quantitative evaluation and research methods (e.g. cost-benefit analysis, correlational studies, survey design)
Experience of successfully managing complex programmes and/or multiple concurrent assignments
Working proficiency of French or Swahili

About us

For over 25 years, Triple Line has worked with governments, financial institutions, the private sector, foundations and civil society to deliver an expanding portfolio of development assistance in countries across Africa, Asia and the rest of the world.

Climate change, loss of biodiversity, growing povert, entranched inequality, unemployment, access to decent work and shifting demographics – these are just some of the complex problems standing in the way of the global sustainable development goals. We are helping to address many of them at both a policy level and on the ground. By combining innovative thinking with practical solutions, we aim to help meet today's challenges and prepare for tomorrow's opportunities.

Our ultimate goal is to create opportunities for people, protect the environment and generate prosperity in responsible ways that create lasting value, unleash innovation and build inclusion and equity.

We work across two teams (Inclusive Growth and Resilience and Evaluation, Policy Analysis and Learning) to deliver 7 services to our clients:

GDPR declaration

By applying for this position, you are confirming that you allow Triple Line to retain your CV and personal details on record, unless you explicitly ask for them to be removed. In turn, we acknowledge that the team will not use your details for any purpose beyond the recruitment of this position and will not share your CV with any third party without your permission.

Recruitment process

Interested candidates should submit an up-to-date CV and covering letter to 3L@tripleline.com referencing the title of the position in the subject line. The cover letter (max 2 pages) should include an explanation of how your experience and qualifications qualify you for this position, reference to availability, and any additional information related to your application that you would like us to consider.  

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The recruitment process will include two rounds of interviews, a practical assessment or case study, and two reference checks.  

Triple Line is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We have a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination within our recruitment process and actively encourage applications from a range of backgrounds.   

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