Chief of Data and Research (Volunteer)

Description

Chief of Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) (Volunteer)

PromiseMeasure Division

Organization: Mentor A Promise (MAP)

Reports To: CEO / Executive Director

Location: Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed

Type: Volunteer

About Mentor A Promise

Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a NYC-based nonprofit serving children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, creative expression, publishing, housing innovation, and community-based programs. MAP is committed to ensuring its work is not only compassionate and ethical, but also evidence-informed, accountable, and continuously improving.

About the PromiseMeasure Division

The PromiseMeasure Division leads MAP’s monitoring, evaluation, learning, and accountability efforts across all programs and divisions. PromiseMeasure ensures that MAP understands what works, why it works, and how programs can improve over time—without compromising dignity, privacy, or trust.

The division prioritizes trauma-informed, consent-based, and equity-centered MEL practices, ensuring data and learning serve children and families rather than extract from them.

Role Overview

The Chief of Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) is the senior leader responsible for setting and stewarding MAP’s organization-wide MEL strategy through the PromiseMeasure Division. This role oversees monitoring systems, evaluation frameworks, learning processes, and impact reporting to ensure MAP uses evidence responsibly to guide decision-making and improvement.

The Chief of MEL works closely with the CEO / Executive Director and collaborates with PromiseLearning, PromiseHousing, Promise of Giving, Partnerships, Operations, Legal, and Content & Storytelling leadership to embed learning and accountability across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and lead MAP’s organization-wide monitoring, evaluation, and learning strategy through PromiseMeasure
• Design and oversee evaluation frameworks across education, mentoring, housing, and community programs
• Establish standards for ethical data collection, consent, privacy, and responsible use
• Ensure MEL practices are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and equity-centered
• Coordinate internal and external evaluation and research partnerships
• Translate findings into actionable insights for leadership and program teams
• Support continuous learning, reflection, and improvement across divisions
• Oversee impact measurement and reporting for internal use, funders, and public accountability
• Partner with Legal and Privacy leadership to ensure compliance with data protection requirements
• Advise executive leadership on outcomes, risks, and evidence-informed strategy

Qualifications

• Senior experience in monitoring, evaluation, learning, research, or impact leadership
• Strong understanding of quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods
• Experience designing MEL frameworks in nonprofit, education, housing, or social-impact settings
• Ability to balance rigor with compassion and real-world program realities
• Strong analytical, communication, and systems-thinking skills
• Alignment with MAP’s mission and dignity-centered values

Preferred Skills

• Experience in youth-serving, education, housing, or community-based organizations
• Familiarity with trauma-informed research and ethical evaluation practices
• Experience supporting grants reporting and funder accountability
• Background in data governance, privacy, or applied research
• Experience leading cross-functional MEL or learning teams

Commitment

• Volunteer executive leadership role
• Approximately 5–10 hours per week
• Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
• Fully remote with optional NYC-based collaboration

What You’ll Gain

• Executive-level leadership experience shaping organization-wide learning and accountability
• Direct influence on how MAP measures impact and improves programs
• Collaboration with senior leadership and cross-division partners
• Professional references and letters of recommendation
• The opportunity to build ethical, mission-first MEL systems

How to Apply

Interested candidates should apply directly through Idealist.

Help ensure MAP’s work is guided by learning, grounded in evidence, and accountable to the communities it serves.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.