Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Director

Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION
MEL DIRECTOR

Sierra Leone Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA)

Position Overview

Project HOPE seeks an experienced Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Director for the anticipated upcoming Sierra Leone Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA). The 5-year Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA)’s goal is to contribute to the Government of Sierra Leone’s overarching goal of improving the health of adolescents, pregnant and postpartum women, and children less than five years old. SIHSA’s objectives are 1) improve the quality of family planning, maternal newborn child and adolescent health, and malaria services sustainably; 2) promote adoption of crucial health behaviors, and 3) strengthen the stewardship and governance of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, both at central and district levels, so it is better prepared to plan, budget, allocate resources and monitor health programs. SIHSA seeks to promote the integration of health services, including malaria services, to rapidly scale-up evidence-based interventions to address preventable causes of maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent morbidities and mortality. 

SIHSA seeks to demonstrate innovative models to catalyze community-driven solutions and show models to promote private sector engagement. SIHSA seeks to build upon past and current U.S Government investments and leverage other development partner investments for improved health, including the World Bank, FCDO, and Global Fund investments.

This position will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone. This position is contingent upon award from USAID. Sierra Leonean Nationals are encouraged to apply.

Code of Conduct 

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment.  Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability and transparency. 

Position Summary:

The MEL Director will provide leadership and technical guidance to the program team on all monitoring, evaluation, and learning -related issues. Under the direction of the Chief of Party and in close collaboration with the technical leads, the MEL Director will be responsible for the design, implementation and quality of all monitoring, evaluation, and learning components of the project. This includes leading and supervising the activity learning agenda, data management systems, data quality, data dissemination and use as well as any technical assistance and capacity development. S/he will provide strategic direction for a robust learning agenda for continuous learning, collaboration, and adaptation during the life of the project. S/he will serve as the primary point of contact for establishing and managing an evaluation and monitoring system responsive to USAID reporting and learning requirements.

Essential Job Functions/ Main Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Lead the design and implementation of the project’s monitoring and reporting activities, including development of the project’s results framework and Performance Monitoring Plan; development and monitoring of project indicators; oversight of routine data collection and data management; data quality assessments (DQA); synthesis and analyses of data and presentation of project lessons and results; and reporting, both internally and externally as required/needed.
• Lead the design and implementation of the project’s evaluation activities (as applicable), including periodic reviews, performance evaluations (baseline, midline, endline), outcome and impact evaluations.
• Guide and maintain relevant protocols, SOPs, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials and reports pertaining to monitoring, evaluation, and learning; ensure that these all adhere to Project HOPE and international policies and standards; and ensure that they remain technically and ethically sound.
• Oversee a team of M&E staff for the project and ensure clear roles and responsibilities and lines of communication are maintained amongst the team members. This includes conducting performance management and professional development of direct reports and of the entire Strategic Information (SI) team, i.e. provision of constructive feedback, ongoing coaching, and career support, as needed and appropriate.
• Develop and oversee implementation of strategies for capacity strengthening (as needed) of staff, implementing partners, government counterparts, and other stakeholders in M&E systems/tools, data management, health informatics, data analysis and use for program planning and improvements, and other priority areas/skills.
• Ensure the quality and timely preparation and submission of workplans, data sets, progress reports, and papers summarizing project results and evidence, and other deliverables, as required. This includes ensuring effective data analysis/interpretation and data use to inform management decision-making and to support quality improvement efforts.
• Ensure the quality of data collected to measure project performance and results, through proper ongoing data management, SOPs for data flow and Quality Assurance, periodic Data Quality Audits (DQAs), and adequate orientation/training of staff, partners and beneficiaries at all levels of the project.

Minimum Requirements and Desired Qualifications: 

• A bachelor’s degree in public health evaluation or Social Sciences, Statistics, or any related field. Master’s degree highly preferred.
• Minimum of eleven (11) years of experience working on MEL for donor-funded health projects, preferably those involving health systems strengthening, capacity strengthening and/or RMNCH.
• Strong familiarity with USAID health and capacity strengthening programming.
• Knowledgeable on reporting procedures, best practices, guidelines, and tools for M&E of health projects.
• Strong writing and organizational skills for monitoring and reporting on program and study results.
• Strong communication abilities, including communication with both technical and non-technical audiences. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Experience using quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods, mixed methods, and M&E practices to answer program leaning and evaluation questions and to inform adaptive management.
• Proven experience working with and building the capacity of Ministries of Health (MoH) and understanding of MoH systems at national and sub-national levels.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and the ability to work collaboratively with IPs, donors and host country partners and stakeholders.
• Working knowledge of and experience with USG-funded program management, policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Experience in Africa and preferably in Sierra Leone

Work environment:  

• Typical office environment with exposure to a minimal noise level.  
• Emergency deployments may be in resource-deprived environments with austere living conditions.
• Travel for extended periods may be by air and/or other modes of transportation. 
• While international travel is not a regular part of every job, programmatic needs may require it intermittently. 
• Project HOPE employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship.”

Vacancy link: https://www.projecthope.org/job/monitoring-evaluation-and-learning-mel-director-sierra-leone-strengthening-integrated-health-services-activity-sihsa/