Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Director

JD Version Date (last revision date): 13 May 2024
TITLE: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Director
WORK LOCATION: Abuja, Nigeria
PROGRAM(S) / DEPARTMENT(S): Programs
COST CENTER CODE(S):
REPORTS TO (Title Only): Chief of Party
SALARY BANDING LEVEL:
SALARY RANGE:

COMPANY SUMMARY:
EngenderHealth envisions a gender-equal world where all people achieve their sexual and reproductive health and rights. We believe this is essential for ensuring all people can achieve their full potential. To achieve this vision, we implement high-quality, gender-equitable programs that advance sexual and reproductive health and rights.

EngenderHealth is a global health non-profit organization with expertise in family planning, sexual and reproductive health, maternal health, gender equality, and gender-based violence prevention and response. We partner with host country governments to expand access to high-quality health services for their populations and support data-driven policy decisions. We collaborate with local civil society organizations to prioritize health, reproductive rights, and inclusive systems and services. We bring more than 50 years of experience working in some of the most disadvantaged and underserved communities across more than 100 countries. Today, we have a presence in 11 countries in Africa and Asia.

EngenderHealth Nigeria is an NGO working to improve the lives of individuals by making reproductive health services safe, available, and sustainable. Our programs are designed to transform harmful gender norms, increase meaningful youth participation, and support health systems strengthening. We provide technical assistance, training, and information, with a focus on practical solutions that improve services where resources are scarce. We believe that individuals have the right to make informed decisions about their reproductive health and to receive care that meets their needs. We work in partnership with the government, institutions, and healthcare professionals to make this right a reality.
EngenderHealth is recruiting qualified candidates for an anticipated USAID-funded quality improvement program in Nigeria. Through a consortium of partners led by EngenderHealth, this program will expand access to and utilization of quality primary health services, which may include family planning (FP), maternal health, nutrition, immunization, and malaria services.
This position is contingent upon award and may be subject to approval by USAID.

JOB SUMMARY:
Working under the supervision of the Chief of Party (COP), the MEL Director will provide technical leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for all MEL activities. The MEL Director will be responsible for the development and implementation of all MEL activities, including regular performance monitoring and reporting, the development of the Project Management Plan (PMP), and any special studies or operational research. The MEL Director will be responsible for monitoring sub-awardees’ progress toward agreed milestones and providing MEL capacity-strengthening support. The MEL Director will also serve a key role in guiding the host country government, regional bodies, and implementing partners through the process of using evidence to inform policy decisions and practice guidelines and strengthening MEL capacities. Further, the MEL Director will be responsible for documenting and disseminating activity successes and challenges to USAID and other key stakeholders and (where practical and feasible) facilitating learning events.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the design and implementation of the activity’s MEL activities, consistent with activity goals and objectives and USAID requirements.
• Serve in a key role in guiding host country government and regional bodies through the process of using evidence to inform policy decisions and best practices.
• (Provide monitoring oversight to sub-grantees/sub-awardees
• Provide capacity-strengthening assistance in MEL to local sub-grantees/sub-awardees, other health system actors, regional bodies, and/or host country government.
• Leverage existing platforms, support and advance country-wide knowledge sharing and policy coordination.
• Lead the project team to develop and implement the activity’s PMP in coordination with the COP, DCOP, other technical staff, partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Lead the project team in preparing quarterly and annual reports for submission to USAID.
• Lead the development of any special studies or operational research in accordance with international standards and EngenderHealth’s Standard Operating Procedures.
• Support routine annual work planning and oversee target-setting.
• Ensure that reporting on all program indicators is carried out accurately and in a timely manner.
• Use data to inform adaptive management and decision-making for the activity.
• Where practical and feasible, facilitate learning events with host country government, regional bodies, and external partners.
• Promote and disseminate program results, lessons learned, and success stories through various fora (e.g., national and international conferences, technical briefs, peer-reviewed publications).

REQUIREMENTS:
Must possess the following requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Master’s degree (or higher) in public health, demography, epidemiology, biostatistics, social science, or related field.
• Minimum of 7 years experience performing MEL and knowledge management functions for international health projects.
• Demonstrated experience working with complex, large-scale USAID programs, including knowledge of USAID’s reporting requirements.
• Proven expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies, data analysis, and report writing.
• Strong technical and analytical skills, including the ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative data using one or more statistical software packages (e.g., SPSS, Stata, SAS).
• Familiarity with coordination and knowledge-sharing platforms in Nigeria and/or the greater West Africa region.
• Excellent analytical skills coupled with proven ability to display data as appropriate for different audiences.
• Excellent diplomacy skills and a proven ability to establish and maintain interpersonal and professional relationships with USAID, host country governments, program partners, and representatives from other key stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience with PMP development and implementation.

ESSENTIAL SOFT SKILLS:

• Committed to EngenderHealth’s core organizational values of reflection, inclusion, integrity, respect, and transformation.
• Ability to coach, mentor, and develop the capacity of MEL staff.
• Excellent skills in facilitation, team building, strategic thinking, and coordination.
• Excellent communication and writing skills, as well as negotiation and management skills.
• Proven ability to multi-task, work independently, and maintain professional flexibility and adaptability.
• Fluency in English.

PREFERRED SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS:

• Relevant experience in West and Central Africa, especially Nigeria
• Able to work and travel within the activity implementation regions (up to 30% time).

DISCLAIMER
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person(s) assigned to this job. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities as needed and assigned.
EngenderHealth provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, creed, ancestry, citizenship, religion, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, political belief, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a survivor of domestic violence, marital status, pregnancy status, disability or any other protected characteristic or status under applicable federal, state and local laws.
EngenderHealth complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in the United States in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
EngenderHealth is committed to safeguarding all people, particularly children, vulnerable adults, and beneficiaries of assistance from any harm that may be caused due to contact with EngenderHealth. This includes harm arising from the conduct of staff, associates, and partners, and the design and implementation of programs and activities.