Learning, Monitoring and Evaluation lead

Position Title: Learning, Monitoring and Evaluation lead

Level: TBD

Reports to: EL Director (CO)

Based in: Addis Ababa

Required number: 3

Provides supervision to 3 departments (HIV/NCD, WASH, SRH)

Vacancy type: Internal and External

Duration of contract: Indefinite based on performance and availability of funds.

Remuneration: As per organization pay scale plus other PSI/Ethiopia staff benefits.

Application Deadline: May 21, 2024

Who we are?

Were Population Services International (PSI), the worlds leading nonprofit social marketing organization. We work to make it easier for people in the developing world to lead healthier lives and plan the families they desire by marketing affordable products and services that range from mosquito nets to contraceptives to HIV testing. We are a $560m enterprise based in Washington, DC, operating in the private and public sectors in more than 65 countries.

Join us!

There are over 9,000 PSIers around the world. Its a diverse group of entrepreneurs and professionals with an unusually wide range of backgrounds - from the medical industry to the music business - all with unique skills we bring to the job.

PSI/Ethiopia wants to reimagine healthcare, put the consumer at the center, and whenever possible, bring quality care to the front door. We achieve health impact in Ethiopia by working with both government and private partners and harvesting technology innovation to bring quality care closer to communities, schools, and homes. We empower consumers by including them in the design of healthcare solutions, offering them more healthcare choices, and helping them to have a voice in influencing national priorities. We work with all market actors in the health system to understand their needs, designing and delivering solutions so that market systems can sustainably serve consumers for the long term, helping to support the Government of Ethiopia in achieving Universal Health Coverage.

PSI Ethiopia is seeking a dynamic Learning, Monitoring and Evaluation (LME) Lead to ensure data quality, coordinate data entry, report, and provide capacity-building. The role will involve working with regional health bureaus, incorporating project metrics, and designing dashboards to track project performance. The LME lead will implement data quality assurance systems and cascade PSI/E MEL systems to the regional level.

Key responsibilities:

The LME lead provides strategic guidance, vision, and management for successful monitoring, evaluation and learning of the SRH, WASH and MULU programs. This individual also supervises LME staff and ensures the strategic and functional integration of all LME activities as well as active collaboration with sub-awardees and donors. The LME lead oversees all MEL activities, provides technical direction and support, ensures the accurate and compelling reporting of results for program activities, and ensures the program aligns with Project quality standards for LME in close coordination with Project teams based global Health Team. The specific duties to be carried out by the successful candidate are listed below:

1. Developing M&E Frameworks:

Design and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess program effectiveness and impact.

Develop indicators, data collection tools, and methodologies aligned with program objectives.

Manage the day-to-day operations of the M&E work package with respect to its scientific profile, budget submission, allocation and monitoring, personnel planning, and implementation of administrative policies.

Oversee the development and maintenance of a comprehensive project database and ensure accurate and timely storage of electronic files.

Responsible for computing and reporting of standard and custom indicators through paper and electronic data bases available.

Lead the design and implementation of the projects LME system in collaboration with Project Team. S/he will develop and implement a framework for project results measurement, develop key performance indicators, targets, tools, and appropriate LME responsibilities across the project.

Develop LME plan and update it on annual basis per donor requirement.

Work closely with Technical Leads as part of the project team to determine and support the project's strategic objectives.

2. Data Collection and Analysis:

Lead /Oversee data collection, analysis, storage, and interpretation processes to track program outcomes and performance, and reporting to ensure the accuracy and reliability of results.

Conduct statistical analysis and data visualization to identify trends, patterns, and insights.

Responsible for the data analysis, writing, and review of the results and learning sections of program reports in collaboration with program staff, before submission to donor and ensure consortium partners compliance with internal data quality requirements and timely submissions for reporting.

3. Reporting and Communication:

Prepare comprehensive M&E reports and dashboards for internal and external stakeholders.

Communicate findings, recommendations, and lessons learned to support evidence-based decision-making.

Develop/adapt and disseminate relevant M&E tools, formats and lead the provision of M&E specific technical trainings.

4. Capacity Building:

Provide training and guidance to program staff on M&E processes, tools, and best practices.

Foster a culture of learning and accountability within the organization through M&E initiatives.

Guide program people on strategic programme development and project-based fundraising and ensure the quality of project outputs and adherence to internal policies and guidelines.

Facilitate knowledge-sharing across work packages and programmes to build capacity and promote the adoption of best practices using implementation evidence, convening, capacity strengthening.

Promote diversity, inclusivity, gender equality and gender mainstreaming throughout the project work.

Strengthen staff and partners capacity in qualitative and quantitative monitoring and evaluation techniques through comprehensive staff training, mentoring, and/or coaching.

Train, supervise, and mentor a team of M&E staff and oversee consortium partners compliance with LME system.

Ensure appropriate training and supportive supervision of all partners in monitoring and evaluation procedures, data collection tools, and data management practices in alignment with the LME plan.

Work closely with partners to establish their internal LME systems, M&E plans, and data quality management.

5. Quality Assurance:

Ensure data quality, integrity, and compliance with ethical standards in M&E activities.

Conduct regular evaluations to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of M&E systems and processes.

Conduct and manage Routine Data Quality Assessments (RDQA); ensuring implementation of corrective actions to improve data quality and accountability of staff and partners.

6. Program learning and documentation:

Design learning methodologies, conduct surveys, interviews, and focus groups, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data.

Oversee/conduct research, knowledge management/knowledge product, and dissemination of program learning.

Lead and coordinate the design and conduct of baseline, mid-term and endline assessments/ evaluations of the project and ensure processes are of high quality and results are disseminated to donor, government, and relevant stakeholders.

Create a learning agenda and implement a system designed to identify lessons learned and disseminate timely information.

Commitment to applied learning and adaptation based on data: Lead the program team on routine reviews and interpretation of data for learning and adaptation; package and disseminate timely findings in a meaningful way, and make suggestions for adaption, using collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) approaches, tools, and strategies.

Publish learning evidence together with other researchers, program people, partner, and beyond, in international peer-reviewed journals and other similar publications.

Produce learning products and thought leadership pieces relevant to the project intervention, present in local conferences or on webinars regarding projects LME successes.

AOB as assigned by supervisor.

Relationships

This role will be closely working with the WASH, SRH and MULU Technical Leads across the regional support. S/he will also work closely with country office E&L team. In addition, this role will liaise with regional health office, ministry of health, business partners, and other stakeholders as necessary.

Job requirement:

At least eight (8) years experience with masters degree or ten (10) years of progressive experience with first degree in the following related fields: social science, international development, public health, monitoring and evaluation, statistics, or economics.

Progressive experience in designing, managing, and implementing results-based LME activities, with preference given for health programming.

At least four (4) years of supervisory/managerial experience.

Demonstrated relevant technical skills in analyzing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data and packaging the findings.

Ability to work well on a team and with various government officials, civil society leaders, community leaders, and program beneficiaries.

Progressively responsible experience in monitoring and evaluation of health programs such as maternal, newborn, and child health; adolescent health, family planning; nutrition, HIV, NCD, WASH, Market base sanitation.

Experience in utilizing gender and social inclusion sensitive indicators and measures.

Extensive knowledge of reporting procedures, best practices, guidelines, and tools for monitoring, evaluation, and learning, including impact evaluation.

Demonstrated experience in synthesizing and analyzing various data sources for learning and recommendations for programming adaptations.

Experience training other organizations in LME topics and methods.

Strong writing and verbal communication skills for report writing, sharing findings, presenting complex data to different stakeholders, and stakeholder engagement.

Proficiency in data management software (e.g., Excel, SPSS, Stata, or Python) and M&E software for data collection, analysis etc .

Excellent organizational as well as English oral and written communication skills

Experience with USAID, BMGF, CIF, funded health projects.

Experience with DHIS2, PowerBI and CommCare platforms and mobile data collection software.

Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with complexity-aware measurement approaches, such as Outcome Harvesting, context analysis, Outcome Mapping, and Most Significant Change.

Experience is building relationships with internal and external stakeholders, understanding their needs, and effectively communicating and sharing M&E results.