Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Director 99 views

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Director for a potential five-year USAID/Eliminating Tuberculosis in Ethiopia (ETBE) project in Ethiopia, which is aiming with overall purpose of reducing the TB incidence in Ethiopia through building the planning, implementation and monitoring and evaluation capacity of the health care system which will lead to self-reliance.

This position is subject to project award and funding.

International Allowances are not available.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Director will be in charge of the monitoring, evaluation, learning, and research components of this project. S/he will develop monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) systems and research. The MEL system will include appropriate indicators, baseline data, and implementation results. The MERL Director will be responsible for designing the M&E system in alignment with the FMoH HMIS system, lead the project data collection, data analysis to inform the project implementation and to produce timely, accurate and complete reporting. S/he will be responsible for the overall management of monitoring and evaluation and research system for the project.

S/he will ensure the smooth operation and quality performance of technical efforts and field activities by coordinating and overseeing quality programmatic reporting, quality of data management and strategic information. S/he is responsible for leading the development and implementation of a plan to monitor progress, evaluate effectiveness, and disseminate results, as well as overseeing operations research and other data based analysis to facilitate evidence-based improvements in project performance and expand understanding and lessons learned. S/he will ensure adherence to monitoring of project activities using developed tools and indicators. S/he will plan and lead efforts to generate local evidence, mainly focusing on implementation, operational and epidemiological research. S/he will help NTP to define and follow Ethiopia’s TB research roadmap. Integrate CLA best practices into all aspects of operations and programming to achieve better development results. This involves strategic collaboration, systematic and continuous learning, and adaptive management.

1. Provide in-country technical leadership and support for monitoring and evaluation.
2. Ensure the integration of M&E activities into all project components.
3. Lead the design and implementation of operational research.
4. Collect and analyze information and report on project activities.
5. Conduct a gender assessment and ensure that where possible collect, compile gender disaggregated data.
6. Assist NTP, project director and other implementing partners to use data for decision-making and program adjustments.
7. Ensure that the project responds to new information generated by the M&E system.
8. Design and implement strategies to collect data on key affected and vulnerable populations (prisoners, children, urban poor, migrant workers, PLWHA, miners and others)
9. Ensure timely and complete reporting from in-country executing partners in accordance with approved reporting formats, especially supported health facilities reporting into the national health database and reporting into USAID reporting formats
10. Monitor and evaluate progress towards annual work plans, expected outputs, including selecting and monitoring progress in meeting indicators.
11. Assist the project director in the preparation of work plans/selection of indicators and annual implementation plans in line with the project’s M&E requirements.
12. Coordinate the preparation of all quarterly progress reports, annual project report, inception report, ad-hoc technical reports, and success stories for USAID funding in line with the required formats.
13. Collect data for annual M&E plan and use those data to improve project performance.
14. Adapt and implement tools and techniques to improve the quality and use of data for decision-making.
15. Assist the project director with decision-making on resource allocation based on project priorities and performance.
16. Participate on behalf of the project in appropriate technical meetings and conferences.
17. Provide support to institutional and human capacity building activities at the national, regional, zonal, woreda and community levels.
18. Lead the write up of operation research finding and routine M&E data for peer reviewed journals publication
19. Assist the project director in organizing national annual learning review meetings to bring all actors on TB for sharing research and program tic findings.
20. Carry out any such duties as may be assigned by the Project Director.

1. PhD or Master’s degree epidemiology, biostatistics, research methods or related field. An MD degree is a plus
2. At least 8 years of relevant work experience in monitoring and evaluation and research in large health projects preferably in TB and HIV/AIDS
3. Published a minimum of five original articles as primary author in well recognized peer reviewed journals
4. Demonstrating progressively increasing level of responsibility
5. Excellent analytic skills coupled with proven ability in using visuals like graphs, chart, maps, and GIS
6. Excellent ability in using data systems like EPI-Info, SPSS, SAS, DHIS2 or other softwares for reporting or analysis
7. Must have extensive knowledge in collaboration, learning and adapting concepts to health projects
8. Demonstrated decision making ability operating in a management culture built on consensus and results. Ability to work as part of a team and as an individual.
9. Experience working in USG supported projects
10. Knowledge of and experience in training and capacity building.
11. Experience establishing data quality assurance systems.
12. Experience in TB projects is an advantage
13. Fluency in written and spoken English and demonstrated capacity to effectively communicate and document, including the writing of quality reports and detailed analysis of strategic information

Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global health nonprofit organization, uses proven approaches developed over 40 years to help leaders, health managers, and communities in developing nations build stronger health systems for greater health impact. We work to save lives by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. Since its founding in 1971, MSH has worked in over 150 countries with policy makers, health professionals, and health care consumers to improve the quality, availability and affordability of health services. Working with governments, donors, non governmental organizations, the private sector, and health agencies, MSH responds to priority health problems such as HIV & AIDS; tuberculosis; malaria; maternal, newborn and child health; family planning and reproductive health; and chronic non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and lung and heart disease. Through strengthening capacity, investing in health systems innovation, building the evidence base, and advocating for sound public health policy, MSH is committed to making a lasting difference in global health.

Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or veteran status.
Project Director