Join our IMM CoP Action Meeting on June 25 at 1:00 PM EST as we explore one of the most common—and most challenging—impact outcomes in investing and development: decent jobs.

At the heart of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) is a simple but important question: when does a job represent meaningful impact? While investors, funders, and development organizations frequently report the number of jobs created, there is growing recognition that quantity alone tells only part of the story. Increasingly, practitioners are asking how to account for job quality, worker well-being, inclusion, stability, and economic opportunity. 

This session will feature two practitioners working directly on these challenges. Emily Waters, Senior Advisor, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning at the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment, will share lessons from supporting youth employment programs across multiple countries, including how the Fund approaches job creation, job improvement, and the measurement of decent work outcomes. Olufemi Balogun, Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning at the Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund, will discuss how an impact investment fund focused on supporting African SMEs and entrepreneurs approaches employment outcomes, with a particular focus on creating dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for young people and women.

Together, we'll explore questions such as: What distinguishes job creation from decent work? When does employment become a meaningful impact outcome? How should investors think about job quality, additionality, gender equity, and local context? And what information beyond "number of jobs created" is needed to understand whether positive change is actually occurring?

Following the presentations, participants will have an opportunity to discuss how these questions show up in their own work and where there may be opportunities to strengthen employment outcomes through investment, program design, and impact management practices.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!