Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor
Ngo & Social Services Jobs
Job Description
SAfAIDS is a non-profit human and social development focused organization; based in Zimbabwe. It has over 26 years of experience in the HIV, TB, SRHR, gender equality, social inclusion and human rights sectors; through implementing localized multiplex programs which respond to the development, well-being and health needs of children, adolescents and young people (in and out-of-school), women and men, key populations, PLHIV and other vulnerable and marginalized populations at national, district and community levels. SAfAIDS programs in Zimbabwe involve a multi-partner and sectoral composition of CSOs, community assets, development agencies, policy-making structures and social science/academic bodies; supported by an array of funding partners including Global Fund, EU, UNAIDS, UNESCO, UNFPA, PSI, Save the Children, Sweden, SDC and previously by USAID/PEPFAR. Its interventions support Ministry of Health and Child Care, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and NAC at national and local level.
SAfAIDS is seeking suitable candidates for key positions within an anticipated USAID/PEPFAR program in Zimbabwe. The program focus will be on prevention of new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW); through applying the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-Free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) approach. The position are contingent upon USAID funding and approval. The positions are for: Chief of Party (COP); Technical Director; Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor; and Finance Management and Operations Manager. Recruitment of all the key positions is contingent on the successful award of the program; and the selection of final candidates is subject to approval by USAID, before and after the award.
Position Summary:
The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor will be responsible for designing and implementing systems to ensure appropriate tracking and assessment of all project activities. S/he will have primary responsibility of reporting on project outputs and outcomes and for ensuring quality of interventions. The MEL Advisor will lead the development of holistic approaches to collaboration, learning, and adaption; as well as promoting quality data collection, analysis and use to assess progress, identify service delivery gaps, and development of interventions for program improvement and/or adaptation. S/he will ensure a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to enhance the collection, management and analysis of program data; and to track and report progress towards achieving PEPFAR targets. S/he will also support program staff to promote learning and knowledge management; as well as manage M&E staff in the program.
Duties and Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
• Provide technical leadership in strategic information and evaluation for the program
o Provide leadership in the development of Performance Monitoring Plans (PMP) in line with the MOHCC frameworks and USAID guidance.
o Lead the conceptualization and development of all SIE systems to support and strengthen program implementation.
o Lead the development of the SIE budget for all activities in the PMP and monitor the budget to ensure delivery of outputs in a cost-efficient manner.
o Develop and implement performance standards and performance management/monitoring tools for SIE staff and efficiently manage the SIE function to deliver the required outputs.
o Lead the development and implementation of SIE capacity building plans to improve capacity on malaria surveillance.
• Strategic Information and Evaluation Systems development and support
o Lead the program in the review, development and implementation of all strategic information and evaluation systems and processes to strengthen program implementation at all levels of the healthcare system
o Lead in data collection, management, analysis, and visualization software use, including MS Excel, DHIS2, Open Data Kit and SPSS
o Apply quantitative or mixed-method and analytical skills and ability to articulate technical information effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences
o Work with the MOHCC, USAID and other partners to champion the development of tools to support community and site-level accurate documentation, aggregation, entry, reporting and utilization of data from primary data sources in line with the MOHCC HMIS guidelines.
o Lead the program in developing and deploying internal electronic SIE systems (DHSI2, other), and developing the support package for electronic systems deployed within the MOHCC health system to ensure efficient collection, aggregation and dissemination of information.
o Lead the program to develop systems for strengthening review, analysis, and use of malaria surveillance and other routine program data for evidence-based program planning and implementation at all levels of the health system.
• Program Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation
o Lead the production of all SIE reports on program performance, and on data processes, systems, and quality to support implementation at all levels of the health system
o Ensure timely collection, cleaning, verification and uploading of program data in prescribed databases; including DATIM
o Ensure timely and complete submission of routine reports, data requests, and responses to donor requests on performance, through managing internal timelines
o Lead the development and implementation of the data analysis plan and drive continuous critical sub-analyses, and ‘data mining’, of routine program indicators at all levels of the health system to identify key trends and bottlenecks in programs.
o Lead the development and implementation of tools to synthesize and visualize performance trends and key conclusions for audiences at all levels of the healthcare system, including SAfAIDS senior management and USAID
• Knowledge Management, Learning and Adaptation
o Participate in strategic partnerships to integrate data sources and rigorously evaluate the impact and attribution of the program within the healthcare system
o Lead the generation of program evidence through structured deep dives, operations research, and implementation research within the program
o Lead and initiate the packaging of evidence for a range of stakeholders and showcasing of knowledge outputs in collaboration with MOHCC
Qualifications and Experience
Qualifications and Experience required:
At a minimum, the MEL Advisor must have the following qualifications and experience:
• Master’s degree or higher in monitoring and evaluation, public health, epidemiology, statistics or related field.
• Experience in using research and monitoring information for decision-making and program adaptations
• At least 10 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation of HIV/AIDS programs, preferably in Zimbabwe
• Demonstrated experience in developing and managing data collection systems.
• Ability to develop and implement quality assurance systems
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders and familiarity with USAID indicators and reporting mechanisms and requirements, is preferred
• Experience in engaging with the Zimbabwean public sector health system, as well as local NGOs and CBOs
How to Apply
Submit a CV and one page Cover Motivational Letter to florence@safaids.net copy pamela@safaids.net by 1159pm on 6th May 2021.
