MEL Manager

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager provides senior technical support and day-to-day management for assigned monitoring, evaluation, research, data quality, analytics, learning, milestone verification, sustainability monitoring, and evidence-use workstreams across the integrated America First Global Health Strategy (AFGHS) and Supply Chain Strengthening (SCS) projects. The position leads project or functional MEL workstreams of moderate complexity using established approaches, approves methods and deliverables within assigned areas of responsibility, and escalates matters beyond the team’s scope to the Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Innovation (MELI) or other project leadership as appropriate. S/he is responsible for ensuring that assigned monitoring systems and MEL processes generate high-quality, reliable, timely, and decision-oriented evidence that supports near-term project delivery, program management, and achievement of project objectives and milestones. Working closely with project leadership, technical teams, government counterparts, and partners, the Monitoring, and Evaluation and Learning Manager helps ensure the timely availability and use of high-quality data for evidence-based decision-making and continuous performance improvement throughout the project lifecycle.

SPECIFIC RESPONCIBILITIES

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of project monitoring systems, performance measurement frameworks, milestone tracking systems, and reporting processes.
• Develop and update MEL Plans, Performance Monitoring Plans (PMPs), milestone verification protocols, PIRS, reporting tools, and performance measurement methodologies.
• Support routine performance reviews and provide technical guidance on milestone achievement, implementation risks, performance trends, and corrective actions.
• Ensure monitoring and milestone verification systems are transparent, auditable, defensible, and compliant with award requirements
• Lead the design and implementation of evaluations, implementation research, operational research, assessments, baseline studies, surveys, and strategic learning activities.
• Develop and apply rigorous methodologies, analytical frameworks, and data collection tools using appropriate quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, geospatial, and implementation science approaches.
• Generate, synthesize, and disseminate evidence, lessons learned, and recommendations to strengthen program effectiveness, efficiency, accountability, sustainability, and adaptive management.
• Lead Learning Agendas and evidence-use initiatives to address priority learning questions, knowledge gaps, and emerging programmatic challenges.
• Oversee adherence to human subjects’ protection requirements, ethical standards, IRB and ethical review processes, research governance requirements, and data protection protocols throughout the research and evaluation lifecycle.
• Lead implementation and continuous improvement of project data quality assurance and verification systems.
• Conduct Data Quality Assessments (DQAs), data verification, validation, reconciliation, audits, spot checks, and follow-up improvement actions.
• Develop and strengthen data quality protocols, SOPs, quality assurance tools, and corrective action tracking systems.
• Promote data integrity, accountability, and compliance with donor, organizational, and project standards.
• Lead analysis of performance, milestone, evaluation, research, and assessment data across the TB and Supply Chain portfolios.
• Apply statistical, geospatial, predictive, contribution, bottleneck, root cause, and performance improvement analyses to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and drivers of results.
• Translate findings into actionable insights, strategic recommendations, dashboards, analytical products, and decision-support tools for project leadership and stakeholders.
• Promote the use of data, analytics, innovation, and artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen learning, adaptive management, reporting efficiency, and evidence-informed decision-making while ensuring appropriate human oversight and ethical safeguards
• Lead the development and implementation of sustainability, transition, institutionalization, and government ownership monitoring frameworks and indicators.
• Monitor implementation of transition plans and organizational strengthening initiatives, assess sustainability risks and capacity gaps, and recommend corrective actions.
• Document and report sustainability achievements, institutionalization outcomes, transition milestones, and progress toward government ownership.
• Strengthen the capacity of project staff, partners, and government counterparts in monitoring and evaluation, learning, data quality, performance monitoring, and evidence use.
• Design and deliver training, mentoring, coaching, technical assistance, and knowledge-sharing interventions to improve individual and institutional performance.
• Develop practical tools, guidance, and technical resources that support implementation, institutionalization, and continuous improvement of M&E systems.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION/TRAINING:

• Master's degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Data Science, Health Informatics, Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Supply Chain Management, or another closely related field. A doctoral degree and advanced training in evaluation, implementation research, analytics, or health systems strengthening is an added advantage.

REQUIRED MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in monitoring and evaluation, analytics, implementation research, or health systems strengthening or closely related area.
• Experience managing the day-to-day implementation of M&E workstreams for large donor-funded health or health-systems programs.
• Experience designing, implementing, and strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems for large donor-funded health programs.
• Experience developing and managing performance monitoring frameworks, MEL Plans, PMPs, PIRS, milestone verification systems, and reporting processes.
• Experience conducting or providing senior technical oversight for evaluations, assessments, implementation research, operational research, and data quality assurance activities.
• Experience designing and implementing data-quality assurance and verification processes, including Data Quality Assessments, validation, reconciliation, audits, and corrective-action monitoring.
• Experience conducting or overseeing quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods, geospatial, or other fit-for-purpose analyses and translating findings into reports, dashboards, and recommendations for project decision-making.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or providing technical oversight to M&E staff and coordinating contributions across multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong experience in data collection tool preparation, data analysis, data visualization, performance measurement, reporting, and evidence-based decision-making.
• Experience in training and building capacity of staff on the indicators, electronic data collection system, analysis and information use.
• Experience in supporting the monitoring and evaluate part of the local partners (e.g ODA, ADA & REACH-Ethiopia,) and monitor the results achieved by the project partners against agreed upon targets and track overall progress.
• Experience in quarterly and annual project data management and report production to DOS. S
• Familiarity with U.S. Government and other donor monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and accountability requirements.
• Experience with milestone-based programs, Fixed Amount Awards, or performance-based funding mechanisms is preferred.
• Experience working with MOH, EPSS, RHBs, and other government institutions in public health, supply chain, TB, TB/HIV, health information systems, or health systems strengthening is preferred.
• Experience using data collection, analysis, visualization, and reporting tools such as DHIS2, Power BI, SurveyCTO, Kobo Toolbox, REDCap, R or STATA, GIS applications, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel, and related digital platforms.
• Excellent analytical, technical writing, presentation, facilitation, communication and reporting skills.
• Written and spoken fluency in English required; proficiency in Amharic required.
• Willingness to travel within Ethiopia as required.

C) KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Strong knowledge of monitoring and evaluation systems, performance measurement, and data quality assurance.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and evidence interpretation skills.
• Experience with evaluation, implementation research, and advanced data analysis.
• Proficiency in DHIS2, Power BI, SurveyCTO, Kobo Toolbox, Microsoft Excel, and related analytical tools.
• Knowledge of AI-enabled analytics and digital health information systems.
• Excellent technical writing, presentation, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Strong interpersonal, mentoring, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to work independently and effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities.
• Commitment to integrity, accountability, and responsible data stewardship.

MSH is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. MSH complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, as amended, and all related applicable regulations.

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