Overview

Reporting to the Project Lead, the MERL Advisor will provide strategic leadership in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) activities for USAID’s MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership (MCGL) in Kenya. S/he will lead the MERL function of the project in the development of the M&E framework, the MERL section of the project work plan, monitoring of project implementation, and reporting of the key project indicators, and will spearhead, supervise, and coordinate all research and learning activities of the project. S/he will lead M&E capacity building for project staff, technical reporting, data quality assurance, and building the capacity for the implementation of an effective M&E and HMIS system. S/he will provide technical support and strategic direction for all MERL components of family planning, and reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health, primary health care, nutrition, and menstrual hygiene management activities and will work closely with the Ministry of Health at the national and county levels. The MERL Advisor will provide leadership during the preparation of the various project reports, including their presentation to USAID and will be the custodian of knowledge management for the project.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to strategic planning, implementation and monitoring of the MERL activities of the project.
• Develop and lead the implementation of the project MERL plan.
• Develop tools and strategies to improve evidence-based programming.
• Compile and analyze data for performance monitoring and evaluation to allow the project team to have a good overview of project performance.
• Provide leadership and direction for MEL activities, including project management and supervision of staff towards achieving technical goals and financial integrity for project objectives and targets.
• Work with the project team, including finance to prepare work plans and budgets, and track progress of project activities and budgets.
• Establish a functional performance monitoring system for the project with safeguards for the prudent and efficient use of the project’s and organizational MERL resources.
• Collaborate with other project staff to establish a functional FP compliance plan that monitors and documents this plan.
• Document and share project performance and results through data for routine service delivery and supplemental data collection.
• Liaise with other Jhpiego projects to identify opportunities for synergy and prudent use of resources.
• Collaborate with or serve as principal investigator for implementation research activities, including protocol and tool development, managing local ethical reviews, data management and analysis and management of consultants and/or research firms.
• Foster a culture of data use for decision-making both internally for the supported project teams and with project stakeholders.
• Lead data quality assurance and improvement activities through data verification procedures, including routine data quality audits and the development and use of precise standard operating procedures.
• Lead activities for compliance with Jhpiego data quality standards, donor’s operational policies and regulations, and international and national research ethical standards and adherence to the Kenya Data Protection Act and other relevant legislative and policy provisions.
• Coordinate all MERL capacity-strengthening activities with the MERL department, project staff, implementing partners, and facility staff, including mentorship for continuous improvement.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with government and other stakeholders, including private sector players and implementing partners to create synergy and avoid duplication of effort.
• Lead timely submission of project reports and other deliverables as specified in the result tracker, and log frame.
• Present the project achievements and lessons learned to donors, and key stakeholders through diverse forums.
• Work closely with Jhpiego and project staff to ensure effective, timely and coordinated implementation of MERL activities.
• Coordinate the timely and accurate entering of data into the relevant Jhpiego performance management system.
• Develop and maintain a system for archiving project guidelines, tools, data files, analysis files, reports, abstracts, success stories, and presentations in line with donor and organizational requirements.
• Manage the development of IRB submissions to local and international bodies, protocol implementation and preparing IRB progress reports, process ethical applications, renewals, and IRB closeouts.
• Perform other programmatic, technical, and other duties assigned.

NOTE: All staff members of Jhpiego, regardless of the level of their responsibilities are expected to:

• Model the mission and values stated above;
• Participate in the business development process;
• Contribute to the knowledge-sharing and transfer process;
• Make responsible decisions that result in time and cost containment and clear accountability;
• Participate in multiple teams, adopt team spirit, take responsibility for action items assigned and provide feedback as needed;
• Multitask, be able to manage competing priorities and be able to prioritize to meet program and/or organizational objectives.

Required Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, statistics, or a related field – a PhD in any of these fields and a clinical background will be an added advantage.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in monitoring and evaluating public health projects.
• Excellent understanding and management of USAID FP/RMNCAHN programs and indicators and familiarity with national and global health indicators
• Evidence of extensive experience in monitoring and evaluation and health information management systems, including knowledge of DHIS2 and developing dashboards.
• Experience in programmatic, administrative, and financial skills, managing and motivating teams and addressing performance challenges.
• Proven computer skills in Word Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and SPSS.
• Excellent analytical, oral and report-writing skills.
• Evidence of hands-on experience in the use of data visualization tools.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Required Abilities/Skills: (Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks, short deadlines and intense pressure to perform

• Ability and willingness to learn
• Excellent communication, presentation and writing skills
• Excellent skills in facilitation, team building and coordination
• Experience in public speaking and professional presentations
• Field-oriented and comfortable with a team approach to programming
• Ability to manage several major activities simultaneously