JOB DESCRIPTION/SCOPE OF WORK Position Title: Director, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Job Cadre: Director Organization: TAConnect, Nigeria Location: Abuja, Nigeria The scope of work (SOW) sets forth the services to be provided by the Director, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL), to Technical Advice Connect LTD/GTE (TAConnect), a non-profit organization registered and based in Nigeria to bring innovative solutions to the provision of Technical Assistance (TA) services to states in Nigeria. Job Description: The Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning will lead the design and implementation of the program monitoring and evaluation framework of TAConnect in Nigeria and the information systems to track delivery against targets, outcomes, and impacts. The position oversees the program’s collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) process in collaboration with the Technical Director, Strategic Engagement Director & the Finance, Admin and Operations Director. The Director, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) will comprehensively assess the organization’s MEL Systems, with the aim of determining organizational, technical, personnel, and infrastructural needs and requirements to effectively manage the process of achieving the set goals by her donors. He/she will also ensure adherence to TAConnects’ policies and donor regulations. Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions):
- Liaise with the Executive Director, Technical team, Strategic Engagement team, and Operations team, to understand the operational implementation of interventions, M&E and KM goals, and associated contractual deliverables.
- Lead the design and implementation of the project’s monitoring and reporting systems, including development of the project’s results framework and Performance Monitoring Plan; development and monitoring of project indicators; oversight of routine data collection and data management; data quality assessments (DQA); synthesis and analyses of data and presentation of project lessons and results; and reporting, both internally and externally as required/needed.
- Lead the design and implementation of the project’s evaluation activities (as applicable), including periodic reviews, performance evaluations (baseline, midline, endline), outcome, and impact evaluations.
- Ensure the quality and timely preparation and submission of workplans, data sets, progress reports, and papers summarizing project results and evidence, and other deliverables, as required. This includes ensuring effective data analysis/interpretation and data use to inform management decision-making, support quality improvement efforts, and contribute to broader learning.
- Develop and oversee implementation of strategies for capacity strengthening (as needed) of staff, implementing partners, government counterparts, and other stakeholders in MEL systems/tools, data management, health informatics, data analysis and use for program planning and improvements, and other priority areas/skills.
- Ensure that the program’s collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) approach is applied with consistency and rigor; work with the leadership team to apply program learnings in pursuit of adaptive management.
- Lead analysis of data collected for assessment of progress and areas of improvement. Ensure the quality of data collected to measure project performance and results, through proper ongoing data management, SOPs for data flow and Quality Assurance, periodic Data Quality Audits (DQAs), and adequate orientation/training of staff, partners, and beneficiaries at all levels of the project.
- Guide reporting processes amongst technical staff and consolidate program reports, promote learning and knowledge sharing of best practices and lessons learned.
- Champion knowledge sharing and learning across project, sub-partner, and MOH partners. Explore innovative ways to encourage collaborative learning.
- Manage and oversee multiple data systems to efficiently collect, link, and analyze data at the individual, provider, and health facility level using a variety of platforms. Ensure high-quality project data are collected and managed in a way that maximizes their use for project learning.
- Oversee and contribute to operational research, implementation, science, and embedded or partner studies. Lead or contribute to knowledge products arising from project learning including developing policy or technical briefs, presentations, webinars, training materials, manuscripts, blogs, etc.
- Develop recommendations (which may include personnel and software specifications where required) based on findings from the needs assessment conducted during engagement with the technical team.
- Collaborate with the Technical Director/Strategic Engagement Director/ Finance, Admin, and Operations Director to ensure successful program implementation.
- Education: Master’s degree in Epidemiology, Public Health, or a related field.
- Experience: Minimum of 10 years’ experience in public health, with at least 3 years as a senior management staff in a large public health program, with extensive experience managing similar projects.
- Progressive experience in project design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and research of health development programs of similar scope, size, and complexity, including a firm command of monitoring and evaluation approaches for improvements in quality integrated service and support programs in Nigeria or a similar setting.
- Knowledge of major evaluation methodologies (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies.
- Extensive knowledge and experience with USG-funded program reporting.
- Demonstrated supervisory skills; and ability to work well within a team.
