Jason Symons Impact Monitoring Data Consultant

Recent Projects | About Me | Professional History

» Recent Projects

Language Use Data Platform (CLEAR Global)

A flagship product for CLEAR Global, the Language Use Data Platform provides open, up-to-date and accessible data about the languages used across the world through automated data pipelines, an API and visualisation platform. Delivered using Python, Tableau, PostgreSQL and PostGIS.

Project Impact Dashboards (Amnesty International Human Rights Education)

Interactive dashboards of data from Amnesty’s Human Rights Education (HRE) projects worldwide to provide insights on operations and impact and inform the annual HRE Progress Reports. Delivered using PowerBI, Python and Survey Monkey.

“…the Power BI ….is an absolute thing of beauty!!! Honestly, I can’t believe it exists! Thank you so much!!…Honestly, completely game changing!”

Human Rights Education Advisor, Projects and Impact

A bespoke data warehouse and business intelligence system to realise the potential of SSE’s data for evidencing its impact and managing its work. The project also included an overhaul of the organisation’s programme monitoring processes and tools, support for external evaluations, ad-hoc analyses and reporting for Annual Reports. Delivered using PowerBI, Google Cloud Services, Azure and Survey Monkey.

“…radically improved our data management…transformed our impact measurement…”

SSE Trustees Annual Report 2019/20

“…very excited to be getting my hands on the data… It is a total game-changer to see everything presented so clearly”

Head of Communications, SSE

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» About Me

A data scientist and monitoring and evaluation specialist with over 15 years experience in the public and NGO sector. An expert in helping organisations use data to effectively monitor, evaluate and understand their impact through:

Design and implementation of bespoke monitoring data systems to collect, manage, analyse and report on impact data.
Data analysis on impact and operational data for discrete projects such as analysis for evaluations or research, or regular on-going reporting for organisational learning and accountability.
Advice and consultancy on any aspect of impact monitoring, including development of monitoring frameworks, measurement methodologies and business processes for projects and programmes or at an organisational level.

Specific tools and skills include:

Python, SQL for data analysis and management
Tableau, PowerBI, Plotly Dash, Apache Superset, Looker for data visualisation and dashboards
ArcGIS, QGIS, GeoPandas, PostGIS for geographic analysis and mapping
Google Cloud Service, Azure for data warehousing and business intelligence
Kobo Toolbox, ODK, Survey Monkey for data collection
Docker, Git, AzureDevOps for app development and management

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» Professional History

Full resume (pdf)

CLEAR Global: Data Solutions Manager September 2021 – Present

Covering a wide portfolio of research, data and MEAL functions at CLEAR Global (formerly Translators without Borders), an international NGO supporting more effective two-way communication for speakers of marginalised languages in humanitarian and development contexts
Managed teams, projects, budgets, external relationships and strategy for our on-going programme of work of mapping and insights on language use in humanitarian and development contexts. This included coordination of large multi-partner funding proposals and building awareness and relationships through presentations, talks and workshops at numerous conferences, events and meetings.

Monitoring and Impact Data Consultant March 2019 – Present

Freelance consultancy covering monitoring and evaluation data systems and analysis
Clients include: Amnesty International Human Rights Education, Impact Hub Athens, The School for Social Entrepreneurs

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Senior Data and Reporting Analyst / Business Lead – Reporting / Monitoring & Results Advisor (Data & Statistics) October 2013 – March 2019

Strategic leadership and management of the data, statistics and reporting function for the New Zealand Aid Programme
Management and development of the Aid Programme’s business intelligence system and database
Advising on New Zealand’s contribution to developing statistical capacity in the Pacific and contributing international development data and transparency processes such as the SDGs and the International Aid Transparency Initiative, including representing New Zealand at the OECD in Paris
Advised and trained staff and partners on the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks

Managed reporting functions for data on grants and contracts with social sector NGO and community providers
Coordinated planning and accountability processes for delivery of programmes
Designed systems and methodologies for reporting on outcomes measures and Results Based Accountability