Job Details

Description

Pathfinder Overview

Pathfinder International is driven by the conviction that all people, regardless of where they live, have the right to decide whether and when to have children, to exist free from fear and stigma, and to lead the lives they choose. Since 1957, we have partnered with local governments, communities, and health systems in developing countries to remove barriers to critical sexual and reproductive health services. Together, we expand access to contraception, promote healthy pregnancies, save women’s lives, and stop the spread of new HIV infections, wherever the need is most urgent. Our work ensures millions of women, men, and young people are able to choose their own paths forward.

MEL Director

Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Summary:

Pathfinder is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Director to lead the implementation of the MEL agenda an upcoming five year USAID-funded reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health proposal in Tanzania. The project aims to increase the demand for and use of quality integrated RMNCAH services in target regions, particularly women of reproductive age, youth and children, by improving access to quality RMNCAH services in both facilities and the surrounding communities, promoting positive health-seeking behaviors among Tanzania’s population, and enhancing the overall policy environment for RMNCAH service delivery. A five-year activity under a Contract mechanism is anticipated through full and open competition.

The MEL Director will provide technical leadership to develop the project MEL system (framework, plans, and indicators) to capture performance results and provide effective, accurate and timely monitoring, evaluation and reporting of all project activities. The MEL Director will develop and manage the project performance monitoring database to support effective management and collaborative and strategic learning across project teams, partners, clients/donors and stakeholders. They will supervise, mentor, and coach the MEL team to design and implement project monitoring and evaluation activities and to ensure that lessons learned are integrated into project implementation to continuously improve quality of interventions and outcomes. They will also coordinate with Pathfinder partners to oversee formative research and other research/evaluation activities led by partners under the program and ensure integration of learnings from research into the project.

Key Job Outcomes: 

• Develops and implements the project’s MEL system according to Pathfinder standards and practices.
• Ensures that the MEL system is a cost-effective, results-orientated system that provides USAID and the program with necessary information to assess the progress, effectiveness, and outcome of activities.
• Collaborates with partners to develop individual and MEL work and training plans as appropriate.
• Develops/adapts tools for data collection; designs and oversees implementation of surveys and other data collection tasks.
• Designs/adapts project performance monitoring database to report national and global indicator and performance indicator data quarterly to senior managers, COP, and Pathfinder headquarters; ensures this data is regularly entered into Pathfinder’s DHIS2 instance.
• Oversees implementation of the project’s baseline and end-of-project surveys, as relevant.
• Documents project achievements against targets using monitoring data and works with project staff to document the factors behind gaps and over achievements.
• Institutes regular use of performance monitoring data among project managers and other relevant Pathfinder staff to ensure knowledge transfer and learning.
• Coordinates internal and external evaluations and disseminates evaluation findings through written reports, conference presentations, and publications, and assists project staff to do likewise.
• Leads the development of the project knowledge management strategy and ensures systematic use of data to consistently document and disseminate achievements, success stories, and best practices.
• Oversees production of data to meet reporting requirements as well as the preparation and review of quarterly and annual reports, research, technical reports, presentations, etc.
• Coordinates with Pathfinder partners charged with formative and other research activities to ensure useful and relevant data are collected, results from research activities are shared with all project partners and relevant stakeholders, and learnings inform project design and implementation.
• Provides technical assistance and training to program teams and partner organizations as necessary.
• Provides technical support to strengthening MEL systems at national and community level.
• Provides overall guidance and manages all the MEL related efforts, communicating and in coordination with the US MEL team.
• Any other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party.

Minimally Required Job-Specific Competencies:

• Experience conducting rigorous quantitative analysis using STATA, including use of advanced regression analysis.
• Experience analyzing qualitative data using Atlas.ti, Excel, or other qualitative analysis software.
• Previous experience working within or evaluating and adapting interventions in the family planning/reproductive health sector.
• Experience evaluating the gender effects of interventions and developing gender-sensitive instruments and protocols.
• Familiarity with USAID project cycle, policies, regulations, and monitoring and evaluation methodologies and reporting requirements, preferable.

 Minimally Required Organizational Competencies: 

• Passion for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: Commitment to family planning, reproductive health services, gender, maternal, child health services, and eradication of harmful traditional practices
• Self-Management and Teamwork: Ability to work independently or as a member of the team, ability to be detailed-oriented, and ability to manage stress effectively in a fast-pace environment.
• Matrix Management: Ability to thrive in a matrix organization.
• Confidentiality: Ability to maintain confidentiality on work related matters
• Communication and Influencing Skills: Proven ability to influence others through diplomacy and proven oral and written communication skills.

Required Education, Training and Experience: 

• Advanced degree in public health, epidemiology, sociology, biostatistics, statistics, or related field of study.
• Minimum 8 years of experience leading, designing, and implementing monitoring, evaluation and learning activities for multi-country, multi-faceted health programs in developing countries.
• Strong management, communication, writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Previous experience working in Tanzania and/or East Africa, preference for Tanzanian nationals.

Other Information:

• Ability to travel internationally (up to 35%)
• Uses cellular and desk phone; laptop or desktop computer
• Please Note: This position is contingent upon project award and funding.