Kgotso Kobo

Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), Education and Strategy Consultant with over 15 years of experience delivering complex education, skills development, youth development and organisational transformation programmes across South Africa and the African continent. Extensive experience designing and leading mixed-methods evaluations, education system assessments, programme verification, policy research, organisational strategy, and evidence-based advisory services for government, State-Owned Entities, development agencies, corporate foundations and international organisations. Recognised for translating rigorous research and evaluation findings into practical policy recommendations that strengthen education systems, improve programme performance and maximise developmental impact.

Demonstrated expertise in stakeholder engagement, programme design, Theory of Change development, Results-Based Management, business development, proposal writing, and managing multidisciplinary consulting teams. Currently completing a Doctor of Business Leadership (DBL) specialising in Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Leadership, complementing a Master of Management from the University of the Witwatersrand Business School.

Senior Project Manager | Strategy & MEL Consultant at Bonutrim Consulting (2024-02 – Present)

Lead education, monitoring and evaluation, organisational strategy, and socio-economic development consulting assignments for corporate, government and development sector clients.

• Design and lead mixed-methods programme evaluations.
• Develop Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) frameworks and results measurement systems.
• Develop Theories of Change, Logical Frameworks and evaluation methodologies.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative research.
• Lead programme verification and impact assessments.
• Manage multidisciplinary consulting teams and project delivery.
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations, workshops and validation sessions.
• Prepare technical reports, executive summaries and policy recommendations.
• Support proposal development and business development initiatives.

Education Portfolio Evaluation at Sasol Foundation

Directed the independent verification and evaluation of Sasol Foundation's education portfolio comprising over 20 education programmes, including: Early Childhood Development (ECD), Teacher Development, STEM Education, TVET Support, University Bursaries, National Research Foundation Scholarships, Digital Learning, Teacher Assistant Programme, Work Integrated Learning, Curriculum Development, Education Infrastructure, Labour Market Transition Programmes

• Led mixed-methods evaluations across the education portfolio.
• Conducted beneficiary verification across schools, TVET colleges and universities.
• Evaluated programmes benefiting thousands of learners, educators and students.
• Assessed programme relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and impact.
• Conducted stakeholder consultations with DBE, universities, TVET colleges, implementing partners and beneficiaries.
• Produced strategic recommendations to improve programme performance and long-term educational outcomes.

Senior Manager: Strategy, Research & Policy at National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) (2018-01 – 2024-08)

Provided strategic leadership across organisational strategy, research, monitoring and evaluation, policy development and performance management.

• Developed organisational strategy and Annual Performance Plans.
• Led organisational monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Managed strategic research and policy initiatives.
• Coordinated programme evaluations.
• Developed Board and Executive Committee reports.
• Facilitated strategic planning workshops.
• Managed multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strengthened organisational performance management systems.
• Improved governance and strategic reporting.
• Led organisation-wide strategy implementation.
• Enhanced evidence-based decision-making.

Management Consultant at Venture Optimisation Partners (2016-03 – 2018-08)

Provided consulting services in organisational strategy, workforce planning and public sector transformation.

• Workforce analysis and forecasting.
• Strategic workforce planning.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Executive reporting.
• Organisational strategy.
• Quantitative workforce analysis.

Trade & Economic Advisor at British Chamber of Business in Southern Africa (2014 – 2016)

• Policy analysis.
• Research.
• Executive stakeholder engagement.
• Trade and investment facilitation.
• Economic development initiatives.

Trade Advisor & Marketing Manager at South African-German Chamber of Commerce (2013 – 2014)

• Bilateral trade programmes.
• Stakeholder engagement.
• Business development.
• Investment promotion.

Management Consultant at Impact Strategy Consulting (2012 – 2013)

• Organisational strategy.
• Performance management.
• Governance reviews.
• Policy advisory.

Analyst at LGC Capital (2009 – 2011)

• Market research.
• Financial analysis.
• Due diligence.
• Investment research.

Trade Policy Intern at USAID Botswana / SADC Secretariat (2008 – 2009)

• Trade policy research.
• Regional economic analysis.
• Stakeholder consultations.
• Programme coordination.

Doctor of Business Leadership in Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Leadership – Da Vinci Institute

Master of Management – University of the Witwatersrand Business School (2024)

Certificate in Policy, Monitoring & Evaluation – Africa Intelligence Institute (2019)

Social Entrepreneurship Executive Programme – Gordon Institute of Business Science (2017)

Leadership & International Trade Programme – GIZ Germany

Certificate in Investment & Finance – University of the Witwatersrand

BA Honours in International Relations – University of the Witwatersrand

BA in Economics & International Relations – University of the Witwatersrand