Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager (MELM) 13 views2 applications

Organization Background

Since its establishment in 1997, Willows International (WI) has developed and perfected a client management system that improves the performance of community-level health care providers and results in women receiving customized, timely information, services, referrals, and follow-ups for health care. Willows International has specifically focused on applying its client management system, the Willows Box System, for the betterment of women’s reproductive choices and services. Through its programs during the past two decades, Willows empowered over two million women and their partners to develop informed opinions, attitudes, and motivations, and utilize existing family planning and sexual reproductive health (FP/SRH) services that meet their individual needs, situations, and preferences. Our mission is to help women realize their reproductive health goals.

In Ethiopia, Willows International (WI) is collaborating with the Ministry of Health (MoH) to implement a project aimed at optimizing the Health Extension Workers (HEWs) program to improve family planning and reproductive health outcomes. The initiative focuses on strengthening client management and follow-up systems and enhancing the effectiveness of HEWs in the three targeted regions: Oromia, Amhara, and Sidama. WI’s support involves standardizing, customizing, and institutionalizing the Willows Box System within the MoH framework to ensure delivery of tailored information, education, and counseling to clients. This approach will reinforce positive behavior changes, promote systematic client follow-up, and strengthen referral linkages between the community and health facilities.

Position Summary

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager (MELM) will provide strategic leadership and technical oversight for the design, implementation, digitalization, and continuous improvement of monitoring, evaluation, learning, and knowledge management systems for Willows International Ethiopia. The position holder will lead the development and management of robust data systems, dashboards, reporting platforms, and performance monitoring mechanisms to support evidence-based decision-making, adaptive management, accountability, and program learning.

Working under the direction of the Country Director and in close collaboration with Willows International Headquarters, the MELM will support the contextualization, digitalization, and integration of the Willows Box System (WBS) within Ethiopia’s Primary Health Care (PHC) system and the Ministry of Health’s digital Health Extension Program platform. The role requires close collaboration with Ministry of Health (MoH) digitalization teams, Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs), district health offices, implementing partners, and other stakeholders to strengthen data systems interoperability, institutional ownership, and sustainability.

The MELM will oversee routine monitoring, data quality assurance, assessments, supportive supervision, operational learning, performance reviews, and evidence generation activities to improve family planning and reproductive health program implementation and outcomes. The position holder will also contribute to donor reporting, technical documentation, knowledge management, and dissemination of lessons learned and best practices.

In addition, the MELM will lead capacity strengthening initiatives for project staff, government counterparts, and implementing partners in monitoring and evaluation systems, digital tools, data analysis, interpretation, visualization, and use of program improvement and policy dialogue.

The position is based in Addis Ababa with frequent travel, up to 60–70% level of effort, to project implementation areas. The MELM will report directly to the Country Director while maintaining close collaboration with technical teams at Willows International Headquarters.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

MEL System Design, Digitalization, and Data Management

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous strengthening of the Willows
• International Ethiopia MEL system, working closely with the WI Computer Programmer and Database specialist, including performance monitoring frameworks, indicator
• tracking systems, reporting tools, dashboards, and learning agendas.
• Lead the development, adaptation, and management of databases and digital reporting systems to support the timely collection, analysis, visualization, and use of program data.
• Oversee adaptation and enhancement of the Willows Information Managemen
• Information System (WIMIS) and related reporting tools to align with Ethiopia’s PHC and community health systems.
• Support integration of community-based FP/SRH data collection tools into digital systems in collaboration with HQ, Project Officers, M&E staff, and government partners
• Ensure data quality, integrity, confidentiality, consistency, and security across all program databases and digital systems.
• Coordinate routine data verification, data quality assessments (DQAs), and supportive supervision activities to strengthen reporting accuracy and completeness.
• Develop and maintain user-friendly dashboards and data visualization products to support program performance tracking and strategic decision-making.
• Willows Box System (WBS) Digitalization and Integratio
• Lead the digitalization and contextual adaptation of the Willows Box System (WBS
• within Ethiopia’s health system. Working closely with the WI Computer Programmer and Database Manager:
• Collaborate closely with MoH digitalization specialists and technical teams to integrate WBS components into the Health Extension Worker (HEW) digital platform and related national systems
• Facilitate interoperability and alignment between WBS tools and existing government digital health architecture.
• Develop technical guidance, SOPs, and user manuals for digital WBS implementation.
• Support pilot, troubleshooting, refinement, and scale-up of digital WBS applications and reporting systems.
• Build the capacity of government trainers, supervisors, and HEWs on digital WBS tools and data use for decision-making.

Monitoring, Data Analysis, Reporting, and Learning

• Oversee routine data collection, management, validation, analysis, interpretation, and reporting processes.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis to assess project performance, identify implementation gaps, and inform adaptive management.
• Lead preparation of monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, annual, and donor reports in collaboration with program and technical teams.
• Produce analytical summaries, learning briefs, presentations, dashboards, infographics, and evidence products for internal and external audiences.
• Support documentation and dissemination of best practices, success stories, innovations, and lessons learned.
• Promote a culture of data use, learning, accountability, and continuous program improvement across project teams and stakeholders.
• Support strategic review meetings, quarterly performance reviews, and data review platforms with MoH and partners.

Performance Monitoring, Assessments, and Evaluation

• Coordinate baseline assessments, routine monitoring activities, supportive supervision visits, data quality audits, and periodic evaluations.
• Track program progress against indicators, targets, and workplans and provide recommendations for corrective action and performance improvement.
• Lead or support operational research, assessments, and learning activities to strengthen implementation effectiveness and generate evidence for scale-up.
• Support development of evaluation frameworks, data collection tools, and learning agendas.
• Analyze trends and synthesize findings to inform strategic planning, program adaptation, and stakeholder engagement.

Capacity Building and Technical Assistance

• Strengthen the capacity of WI Ethiopia staff, MoH counterparts, district teams, and implementing partners in MEL systems, data quality assurance, digital reporting tools, analysis, visualization, and data use.
• Develop and facilitate training materials, mentorship plans, workshops, and on-site coaching sessions related to MEL and digital systems
• Provide ongoing technical assistance and supportive supervision to government trainers, supervisors, and program team
• Promote institutionalization of data-driven decision-making and continuous quality improvement practices.

Collaboration, Coordination, and Stakeholder Engagement

• Foster strong collaboration and working relationships with MoH, RHBs, district health offices, implementing partners, and other stakeholders.
• Participate in technical working groups, review meetings, coordination platforms, and stakeholder consultations related to FP/RH, digital health, and MEL.
• Collaborate with the Senior Program Manager and technical teams to support strategic planning, donor engagement, and performance review processes.
• Represent Willows International Ethiopia in relevant MEL, digital health, and program learning platforms as assigned.

Other Responsibilities

• Support organization and coordination of training, workshops, review meetings, learning events, and field visits.
• Perform additional duties assigned by the Country Director to support effective project implementation, learning, and reporting.

Job Description: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager (MELM)

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Reports to: Country Director, Willows International Ethiopia

Travel: Up to 60% travel to program sites

Job Type: Full Time

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in public health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Demography, Monitoring & Evaluation, Statistics, Social Sciences, or related field.
• Minimum of 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience in monitoring, evaluation, learning, research, and digital health systems within Family Planning
• Reproductive Health, and related RMNCAH programs.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing, and managing MEL systems
• databases, dashboards, reporting systems, and performance monitoring frameworks for Family Planning and Reproductive Health programs.
• Strong experience in digitalization of health programs, integration of MEL systems into national or organizational digital platforms, and use of digital data collection, management, and visualization tools.
• Proven experience in data analysis, interpretation, reporting, evidence synthesis, learning documentation, and adaptive management to support evidence-based decision-making and program improvement.
• Experience working with the Ministry of Health, Regional Health Bureaus, development partners, and local implementing partners in Ethiopia.
• Strong understanding of Ethiopia’s Primary Health Care system, Health Extension
• Program, and community-based health interventions. Experience in family planning
• reproductive health, maternal and child health, adolescent and youth health, or related public health programs is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity strengthening, mentoring, and facilitation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation, and technical writing skills
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct in data management and reporting.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong knowledge of data analysis and visualization software such as SPSS, STATA, R, Power BI, DHIS2, Kobo, Comcare, or related platforms.
• Experience using dashboards and digital reporting systems for program performance monitoring.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and coordination skills.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of Amharic and other local languages is an advantage.

Required Competencies

• Strategic thinking and adaptive management
• Monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems strengtheni
• Digital health systems and data integration
• Data analysis and evidence use
• Stakeholder engagement and partnership management
• Capacity building, mentorship, and facilitation
• Technical writing and presentation skills
• Attention to detail and commitment to data quality
• Strong interpersonal and communication skill
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities