Job Summary Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP) is seeking a Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Director (MEL Director) for the anticipated United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Empowered Communities Activity in Ethiopia. The purpose of the five year Activity is to achieve better health and nutrition outcomes through evidence-based community engagement and empowerment, ownership of health and strengthened social accountability systems, and local capacity-building interventions. The position will operate under the leadership of the Chief of Party and will be responsible for in-country technical leadership and program oversight for all program monitoring, evaluation, research and learning, per CCP policies. The MEL Advisor will establish quality monitoring and evaluation systems and guidance for the central office and subcontractors, ensure data quality standards are met, and fulfill research and reporting expectations for program staff, donors and stakeholders in a timely manner. This position will oversee all research conducted including ethical compliance, protocol development, data collection tools development, data analysis and report writing. The MEL Advisor will take the lead in preparing high-quality research reports and journal publications. The MEL Advisor will report to the Chief of Party.

The MEL Advisor will build the MEL capacity of local staff and subcontractors. This position will directly supervise CCP staff. This position is contingent upon the award. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance by designing, developing and implementing the project’s MEL strategy and creating MEL systems and procedures. This includes establishing all components of an MEL system for rigorous data collection, comprehensive analysis, and timely reporting on key output, outcome and impact indicators for the project.

• Oversee the completion of MEL activities including: development of tools, materials, reports, papers and intervention-linked research; guidance on information systems for quality assurance; and, best practices for documentation and reporting. 

• Conduct data analysis, using products and mechanisms to promote evidence based programming and timely feedback in relation to identification and resolution of gaps. 

• Build capacity in country to develop, manage and operationalize MEL systems and plans that are aligned to program strategy and permit quality reporting on a global level. 

• Work closely with the program team to ensure compatibility and coordination within the existing CCP MEL framework and donor requirements. 

• Represent the research interests of the program with government officials, partners, international donors, non-state actors, and commercial sector representatives 

• Manage and supervise the in-country research team and oversee specific subcontracted agencies and consultants, including research agencies, and other agencies that relate to the deliverables. 

Johns Hopkins University is committed to equal opportunity for its faculty, staff, and students.

To that end, the University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other legally protected characteristic. The University is committed to providing qualified individuals access to all academic and employment programs, benefits and activities on the basis of demonstrated ability, performance and merit without regard to personal factors that are irrelevant to the program involved.

The Johns Hopkins University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, national, or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria.

Required no: 1 (one)

Duration of Employment: 1 year with possible extension

Job Requirements

Language Skills Must be fluent in English and Amharic. EEO Statement: 

Desired qualifications and attributes

• Master's degree (M.A.) or equivalent in statistics, program evaluation, public health, communication, social sciences or related area with a minimum of 6-8 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Minimum 5 years' experience developing and implementing MEL systems, research and deliverables for health programs and working with government counterparts. 

• Must have USAID project experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning. 

• Expert understanding in approaches to monitoring and evaluating project performance and outcomes for community-based programs. 

• Experience conducting MEL trainings for diverse audiences. 

• Must have advanced proficiency in statistical software packages.

• Must be able to travel to districts regularly. 

• Ability to work in a fast-paced dynamic environment with multiple partners. 

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage difficulty, timely, and complex issues with diplomacy and tact while holding steadfast to principles and ethical compliance with staff, partners, and funders. 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, able to communicate and conduct meetings and synthesize large amounts of data to produce research reports and presentations in both English and Amharic. 

• Ability to uphold applicable donor rules and regulations and local in-country laws.

How to Apply

Candidates with the required Knowledge, skills proven experiences are invited to submit a resume and brief cover letter via e-mail, to ccpeth-hr@jh.edu