About Integrated Health Systems Strengthening (Hss) Project

Integrated Health System Strengthening Project is a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) investment co-designed with Amref Health Africa and MOH to support the design and implementation of a platform mechanism/s for health systems strengthening for primary health care (PHC) in Ethiopia. The focus of this investment is primarily at the subnational level (regional and district) with links to national efforts. The design will focus on integration of key HSS pillars – e.g., Human Resources for Health (HRH), Health Care Financing (HCF), Data, and Leadership and Governance – to support PHC administrators and managers toward optimizing health systems for improved service delivery. 

JOB PURPOSE

Amref is seeking a competent Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager to lead the monitoring and learning efforts of the HSS investment described above. The MEL  manager will serve as the primary strategic information leaders of the HSS investment briefly indicated above. The  manager is expected to guide other HSS activities to be intentional in addressing learning agenda and do adjustments by presenting them thoroughly synthesized and timely information of progress. S/he is expected to co-design MEL framework with sub national entities including technical assistance packages for data quality and use locally.  The successful candidate will be part of the MEL Team of Amref Country office to join hands in the efforts of Amref to be evidence driven organization.  

S/he will assist the HSS MEL Director by serving as the primary strategic information source in providing high-quality technical support to Integrated HSS project teams and his/her engagement with national and regional public health and other sector leaders. S/he will be working closely with the M&E team of BMGF funded Improving PHC Service Delivery Project implemented by Amref and JSI and other Amref projects to inform Amref’s leadership with triangulated and coordinated data synthesis. S/he is expected to represent the Project and Amref in national and Regional Health Information (HIS) working Groups and other partnership platforms serving as HIS expert and disseminate promising results of integrated HSS project.

The role requires frequent travel to regions and woredas to actively engage the PHC and other sector leaders, Technical working groups, frontline HCWs and communities to ensure the project’s support on Data quality, triangulation and use in a manner that are usable by local leaders and Performance Monitoring Teams. Hence, the position holder is expected to have an in-depth understanding of the HIS in the country specially at sub-national level and the implication of data in investing Health System building blocks in a balanced manner through optimal integration.  

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and Research Manager will be the lead technical expert responsible for all MEL activities for the BMGF-HSS Project. S/he will develop and oversee MEL and reporting systems and processes that integrate appropriate indicators, baseline data, targets, and a plan to evaluate performance and produce timely, accurate and complete reporting. Additionally, the MEL  Manager will lead efforts to strengthen capacity within the program and health system to monitor, document and analyze health services and activities and ensure data quality. S/he will spearhead the proactive use of data and learning to maximize impact, both by the project team and external stakeholders, including regions and districts. The manager will build data visualizations and dashboards based on stakeholders’ needs to help evidence-based decision making. In consultation with  project team, using primary and secondary data, S/he will produce HSS-related papers for publication in line with the project research agenda. In collaboration with the knowledge management and comms SPO, S/he will develop project briefs quarterly and disseminate; also contribute website content.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and oversee the implementation of the Activity MEL Plan, including leading the development of MEL tools, platforms and methods that are appropriate to the scope, context, and technical requirements of the project

• Supervise and support the project’s MEL team and provide MEL technical training, mentoring, and coaching to project staff, partners, and other health system actors as appropriate

• Lead the collection, management, and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, ensuring disaggregated data and the use of gender- and inclusion-related indicators to assess how the project is impacting different groups

• Liaise with relevant technical advisors and counterparts responsible for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and strategic information and provide demand-driven technical support

• Strengthen availability and use of high-quality data for decision-making at all levels of the project. Integrate data analysis, reflection and interpretation and use with ongoing project activities, including gender and inclusion analysis

• Strengthen Broad Reach and partners’ data management and quality improvement systems, ensuring that performance data is audit-worthy and readily available. Where problems exist, support the identification of solutions

• Lead data quality assessments of project partners

• Develop strong stakeholders’ feedback and response mechanisms to ensure that the HSS project is effective and accountable

• In collaboration with the MEL Director and KM and Comms SPO, develop and oversee the implementation of the project’s Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) plan, learning agenda and knowledge management system across all project components and partners.

• Ensure that programmatic learning and results are fully documented, shared, and used to drive adaptive management processes

• Oversee all assessments (baseline, midline, end line) and evaluation activities, including developing terms of reference and protocols for any externally commissioned work

• Research, compile, write, and submit information, including results and their analysis, for project reports, including the quarterly and annual reports, and respond to requests for data from the donor and other stakeholders

Job Requirements

Academic and Professional Qualification:

• Advanced degree in public health, social sciences, epidemiology, M&E, demography, biostatistics, statistics, analytics, or a related field

Required Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in designing, establishing, and managing MEL systems in the health and social sectors, ensuring data quality, and managing data-intensive, performance-based programs

• Strong knowledge of information systems and M&E processes. Familiarity with BMGF indicators and reporting requirements, DHIS2, SPSS, Tableau, Looker Studio, Power BI or other relevant systems required

• Experience leading and managing a MEL team and providing ongoing coaching, mentorship, and technical guidance to team members

• Experience deploying technology to improve MEL, including platforms for mobile data collection and cloud-based data management. Knowledge and working experience in the use of GIS mapping and other similar tools to target program interventions and resources

• Experience designing and implementing evaluations and assessments to further program performance, using both quantitative and qualitative research methods

Personal Qualities & Behavioral Competencies:

• Committed to high standards and continuous improvement

• Good influencing and interpersonal skills with people at all levels

• Confident and comfortable to challenge  stakeholder thinking

• Ability to operate in a high-pressure environment with conflicting priorities and tight timelines

• Ability to write, speak and present proposals with conviction

• Ability to co-develop corporate strategies and develop M&E frameworks

• Ability to develop corporate transformation roadmaps with initiatives

• Resourceful, creative, and innovative approach to work

• Collaborative nature of working across different teams

• Ability to effectively prioritize and plan work

• Good negotiation skills with the ability to navigate and relate at all levels

• Be solution focused

• Ability to build rapport and credibility with stakeholders

How to Apply

Interested applicants please visit our website CLIK HERE

to submit your application. You will be directed to our online portal where you will need to create an account in order for you to be able to submit your application. Your application should include quoting MEL and Research Manager/I-HSS/in the subject line of a cover letter, detailing why you are the best fit for this position, and your CV with relevant skills and experience. Closing date will be October 31, 2023. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

*On your application, please indicate for which location you are applying. 

If you face any challenge applying on our website contact us at  ETrecruitment@Amref.org.

Duly note that Amref Health Africa does not require applicants to pay any money at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process and has not retained any agent in connection with recruitment. Amref Health Africa is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Amref Health Africa is an equal opportunity employer and has a non-smoking environment policy.