MERL Advisor at Jhpiego

Responsibilities

 M&E Plan and Systems Support

• Lead the development of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (MERL) Plan, results/logic framework, and support the development of M&E work plan, indicators and setting of targets.
• Support the development of an M&E system to capture relevant and timely data for programmatic decision-making.
• Develop M&E data collection and reporting tools,
• Design and maintain an aggregate database with support from RISE global team.
• Develop Standard Operating guides (SOPs) and Quick Reference Guides to guide implementation of M&E activities.
• Develop and implement routing QA & QC toolkit using quality improvement methodology
• Orientate, train and mentor subcontractors/partners and NDOH secondees on all aspects of data collection, data collation, data cleaning/ (QA/QC), data storage (upload of supporting source documents on SharePoint) and data reporting.
• Put measures in place to ensure governance and compliance by the RISE M&E teams
• Facilitate coordination between the M&E/SI Unit with the technical leads of other departments to ensure that data is used for decision-making that will translate into programme improvements
• Conduct M&E site support visits to RISE implementing partners
• Lead and provide support to provincial teams in preparing for USAID SI visits
• Provide ongoing telephonic/e-mail support, training, and technical assistance on M&E to partners/programmes, including revision/design of data management tools

Reporting to stakeholders

• Communicate reporting deadlines and changing reporting requirements from USAID SI team with RISE teams to ensure operationalization
• Submit data reports on the USAID platform and respond to queries timeously
• Respond to reasonable and relevant requests for data by RISE partners, USAID, and other stakeholders.
• Disseminate monthly/quarterly reports back to relevant partners/ programmes upon finalization
• Ensure submission of monthly/quarterly reports by RISE sub-contractors/ partners
• Review consolidated narrative reports for submission to M&E/SI Manager.
• Participate in bi-weekly, monthly, and quarterly progress update meetings with stakeholders including sub-contractors/partners and USAID.

Data Quality Assurance

• Conduct internal verification checks of monthly/quarterly reports of sub-contractors/ partners against supporting source documents and ensure queries raised are addressed timeously.
• Contribute to the analysis of data and data visualizations (dashboards) to facilitate data use for programme decision-making.
• Ensure submission of monthly reports by RISE partners/ programmes, within 1 month, or within USAID reporting deadline for end-of-quarter months.
• Conduct internal verification checks of monthly/quarterly reports of partners, within 1 week of submission date, or within USAID reporting deadlines for end-of-quarter months.
• Obtain corrections upon identification of data quality issues, within 1 week of submission of queries, or within USAID reporting deadlines for end-of-quarter months.

Build capacity to develop, manage and operationalize M&E systems and knowledge management

• Facilitate trainings on all aspects of MERL tool development, data collection, data collation, data cleaning, data packaging and data reporting. Support and coordinate the activities of the M&E team responsible for the development of the QA/QC processes, data Visualization presentations, training, and mentoring, etc.
• Ensure the M&E/SI team is skilled and ensure professional growth and development

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree qualification in health, public health, social sciences, behavioral sciences, or related field
• Background in research, monitoring and evaluation and/or other data management field
• Post graduate degree an added advantage
• 5 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation of public health with 3 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation of infectious diseases programs of similar scope and size, and experience in resource-limited settings
• Experience working with key stakeholders and partners, e.g. NDOH, NICD, SAHPRA
• Experience on USAID program monitoring and evaluation
• Experience implementing Quality Assurance and Improvement Methodology

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and DHIS2
• Demonstrated ability to train and build the capacity of others on M&E processes
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written), problem-solving orientation, and decisiveness.
• Good at planning, structuring, prioritising, and executing work, with effective personal and team time management.
• Strong attention to detail, logical and analytical thinker, proactive and innovative
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills
• Negotiation skills and the ability to manage interpersonal relationships and workplace conflicts.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to travel (nationally 10% to 20%)
• Valid driver’s license.