Nyitott
Tranzit Hungary Közhasznú Egyesület
Building a measurement and controlling system for programme impact
Help Lehetőségek Tere (Space of Opportunities) define the short- and long-term impacts of its programmes together, and then build a simple measurement, data collection and reporting system for them that is sustainable in day-to-day operations.
Lehetőségek Tere (Space of Opportunities) is a non-formal learning and cultural programme and community space of the Tranzit Hungary Public Benefit Association in Práter Street, Budapest. The venue does not work as a traditional community space, but as a creative and thinking workshop, exhibition space and programme venue shaped together with its participants. Its methodological approaches draw on participatory art, philosophical practice and critical pedagogy. At the heart of its programmes are experiential learning, dialogue, thinking together, collaboration and creation, with the aim of helping participants discover new perspectives, experience the power of community, and relate to themselves and their social environment more consciously and critically.
What kind of pro bono support are we looking for?
We are looking for an expert experienced in building controlling or management information systems who will work with the Lehetőségek Tere team to think through what short- and longer-term changes they want to achieve with their programmes, and then build a simple, workable measurement and reporting system for them. We are not looking for a classic civil society impact measurement or research expert, and the aim is not to create a complicated data model, statistical methodology or research system. The emphasis is on system building: which impacts are worth tracking, which indicators give useful signals for them, where the data should come from, when and by whom it should be collected, how it should go into a shared structure, how often the team should review it, and how all this should support decisions, programme development and communication with supporters. The expert’s task is not to impose a ready-made list of indicators on the organisation, but to build, through joint thinking, a control system that fits the way Lehetőségek Tere works and its capacity.
Application requirements and participation details
What professional knowledge is required?
Controlling and management information systems, designing KPI and indicator systems, mapping operational processes and data sources, reporting logic, defining measurement points and responsibilities, a simple dashboard or management report structure, regular feedback and review processes. Advanced data science or statistical modelling skills are not required.
What level of expertise is expected?
Experienced – We are looking for a controlling expert who has already built indicator, reporting or management control systems, and who can work with the team to find measurement points that are truly useful for management even in a service- or programme-based operation that is harder to quantify. It is important that they think not only in terms of Excel or dashboard solutions, but in terms of the whole operating system: goals, indicators, data sources, owners, frequency and use in decisions.
What experience is an advantage?
Controlling in service, education, cultural or project-based organisations; designing non-financial KPIs; management reports and dashboards; process controlling; linking strategic and operational indicators; working with nonprofit or social-purpose organisations; environments where performance and results cannot be measured by financial indicators alone.
What soft skills are needed?
Systems thinking, business and operational thinking, good questioning technique, facilitation, simplification, an analytical mindset, clear communication, pragmatism, and the ability to build a usable management measurement system from professional goals that are hard to pin down.
How many people are needed?
1 person
Conditions and expectations
One staff member from the organisation can dedicate 2–4 hours per week to supporting the project over 2–3 months, and the whole team can be involved at key decision points. The joint work can take place online or in person in Budapest. The aim of the project is not a full scientific impact assessment, complex research, a statistical analysis system or a data warehouse. The aim is a simple controlling system that is usable from a management and operational perspective, in which the team itself can track the short- and longer-term results of its programmes. The expert does not need to know every social impact in advance: they need to articulate these together with the organisation and turn them into a measurable, manageable structure.
What tasks do we need pro bono help with?
A short review of Lehetőségek Tere’s main programme types, goals, current operational data and existing reports. In a joint workshop, defining what short-term results and longer-term changes they want to see in participants and the community. Organising impacts and results into a simple results chain or logic model. Selecting a limited number of KPIs and qualitative measurement points that are truly useful for management. For each indicator, recording what it signals, how it can be calculated or assessed, where the data comes from, who is responsible for it and how often it should be updated. Reviewing existing data collection and programme processes so as to avoid unnecessary new administration wherever possible. Creating simple data collection tools and a unified data structure, with short feedback questions or qualitative observation points where needed. Designing the logic of an easy-to-maintain management report or dashboard that shows activity, short-term results and signs of longer-term impact at the same time. Establishing a monthly/quarterly reporting and review rhythm: who prepares it, who reviews it, and what questions guide decisions. Defining how the same data can be used for programme development, internal management decisions and communication with companies and supporters. Setting a 3–6-month test period and review point, after which the system can be simplified or developed further.
Our ideal candidate
A controlling, business controlling or management reporting expert who likes building systems and is not put off by the fact that some of the results to be measured are non-financial or not immediately quantifiable. The ideal candidate can think together with the organisation about what counts as short- and long-term success, and then turn this into simple indicators, responsibilities, data flows and regular management reporting. We are not looking for a data scientist or researcher, but a practical system builder.
Why does this matter?
The value of Lehetőségek Tere’s programmes often shows up in changes such as new perspectives, participation, connection, learning or community activity. These are hard to fit into a traditional corporate KPI system, yet the organisation needs consistent management information that shows what works, where changes are worthwhile, and what results it can credibly present to its partners. A good controlling system does not mean more data, but better structure and more regular decision support.
What does this role offer?
The chance to use your controlling and system-building expertise to create a usable management system in an organisation where success cannot be measured by financial figures alone. Your work can help connect professional goals, everyday data collection and management decision-making, while the system you build also gives a more credible basis for communication with supporters and companies.
The organiser of the Pro Bono programme
Scale Impact connects impact organisations that are able and willing to grow with companies that are keen to support good causes. Funded in part by this corporate support, the nonprofit or social enterprise takes part in a development process that leaves it more resilient and with a clear picture of how to multiply its positive impact.
Our mission is to amplify the social and environmental impact that impact organisations create. We believe in systemic change, built on collaboration between all participants.
If you have any further questions about the programme, feel free to contact us!