Job Description
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Specialist
Reports to: Chief of Party
Location: Nairobi
The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist will be responsible for leading the design and implementation of the program monitoring and evaluation framework and information system to track delivery against targets, outcomes and impacts for an upcoming USAID tuberculous (TB) program that aims to reduce TB incidence and mortality in Kenya. S/he will lead the analysis of data collected for assessment of progress and areas of improvement, and overall data management. S/he will guide reporting processes amongst technical staff and consolidate program reports, and promote learning and knowledge sharing of best practices and lessons learned. S/he will support all the technical staff in MEL functions and will manage any MEL related staff in the program.
The project is expected to operate over a five-year period.
This position is contingent upon award from USAID. Kenyan nationals are strongly encouraged to apply
Responsibilities:
• Provide leadership and direction on MEL to ensure the project achieves the goals and corresponding objectives and targets
• Oversee the development and implementation of the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) to capture project performance and results, including routine service delivery data reporting, baseline and end line assessments, and all monitoring for process and outcome evaluations
• Lead the Development and overseeing data flow pattern for the project that will ensure timely data collection and reporting
• Lead results reporting to USAID by providing written documentation on M&E activities and indicator results for progress and annual reports, as appropriate.
• Ensure high-quality implementation, consistent with Kenya national monitoring and evaluation guidelines, protocols, information and reporting systems
• Champion holistic approaches to collaboration, learning and adaptation (CLA), including design and implementation of an action-oriented project research and learning agenda, routine analysis of available health sector data sources, and application of best practices in research and knowledge management
• Lead strategic collaboration activities with key stakeholders to learn from project data and adapt interventions as appropriate
• Ensure data quality assurance: quality of data through data verification procedures, including routine data quality audits and that these are routinely carried out during the project lifecycle
• Ensure data use for driven decision-making and project planning at all levels
• Oversee and/or conduct targeted evaluations and operations research, including design, data collection, management and analysis
• Cultivate strategic MEL relationships and alliances with other USAID projects and represent MEL activities in public and professional circles through meetings, conferences, and presentations
• Ensure relevant data is entered into USAID reporting system and well documented internal reporting system to capture, analyze, and disseminate project data
• Lead project activities providing technical assistance to the Ministry of Health in strengthening the national HMIS at all levels, including community level, as well as optimizing use of routine HMIS data for decision-making and program improvements
• Promote and support the dissemination of project information among the project team
• Work with project and financial staff to prepare and track progress of project and activity budgets
• Supervise a team of MEL professionals
• Coordinate all MEL capacity-building activities with project staff, implementing partners and facility staff (Consortium and sub grantees)
• Support the designated national and international Internal Review Boards (IRB) requirements are fulfilled
• Ensure data security and sharing policies are followed
Required Qualifications:
• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as mathematics, statistics, informatics, biostatistics, information systems, epidemiology or a related field with knowledge/skills of Geographical Information Systems and information technology.
• At least ten years of experience implementing monitoring and evaluating activities for complex programs in developing countries.
• Demonstrated experience in providing technical support, setting up and managing M&E systems that track performance as per the objectives of this activity (e.g. performance against each result area) and in the application of statistical methods and database management.
• At least 4 years experience working on US-government funded project with experience working on USAID-funded projects preferred
• Proven expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies, operational research, health management information systems, reporting, data quality assessments, data analysis and presentation
• Demonstrated strong management, coordination, teamwork and planning skills with proven ability to function effectively with multiple host-country counterparts in both the public and private sectors
• MEL experience in TB case finding, diagnostics, treatment, adherence and/or prevention
• Familiarity with Kenya health management information system and other national M&E systems
• Strong technical skills, including ability to process and analyze data using one or more statistical software packages, including at least one of the following: SPSS, Epi-Info, Stata, MS Access
• Experience supervising personnel and ensuring they acquire the necessary training and skills to meet evolving program needs
• Excellent diplomacy skills and a proven ability to establish and maintain interpersonal and professional relationships with USAID, MOH and counterparts and representatives from other key stakeholders such as NGOs, CSOs, and the private sector
• Demonstrated outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, organizational, team-building, and representational skills
• Expertise in research to practice—identifying and adapting best practices to specific project contexts
• Excellent skills in facilitation, team building, and coordination
• Excellent verbal, written interpersonal and presentation skills in English
• Ability to coach, mentor and develop technical capacity in regional and national programs and technical staff
• Proficiency in word processing and Microsoft Office 365
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally 40 % of time