Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adapting (MERLA) Director at RTI International

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 6,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. IDG’s Global Health Division works in Neglected Tropical Diseases, infectious disease, including TB, HIV/AIDS, and Malaria; global health security, Heath Systems Strengthening - including Health Governance, Health Finance, Human Resources for Health, Capacity Building, and Health Policy and Advocacy; Public-Private Partnerships; and Maternal-Neonatal-Child Heath and Reproductive Health and Family Planning. We address a range of public health problems to reduce disparities, lower disease burdens, and build locally owned sustainable health programs in lower- and middle-income countries.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adapting (MERLA) Director (Nigeria Integrated Health Activity)

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Position Type: Regular, Full-Time
Category: Project Management

Program Description

• The anticipated $200M (est.) USAID/Nigeria integrated health activity seeks to increase the survival and well-being of vulnerable populations and improve health system resilience in priority states.
• The activity will strengthen the development and execution of state-level health and development plans and scale-up high-impact MNCAH, FP/RH, malaria, nutrition, and HSS interventions.
• The anticipated activity will be based in Abuja, Nigeria and provide technical assistance in approximately five TBD priority states.

Position Description

• RTI is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adapting (MERLA) Director for an anticipated USAID/Nigeria integrated health activity.
• The MERLA Director will oversee all MEL components of the activity, including the design and implementation of the Activity MEL Plan and corresponding information system to track delivery against targets.
• The position will promote learning and knowledge sharing of best practices, and dissemination of lessons learned and project outcomes as part of its collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) approach.
• The MERLA Director will also mentor and support all the technical staff in MEL functions and data-driven decision-making and will manage any MEL-related program staff. This position will report to the Chief of Party (COP) and be based in Abuja, with travel to state-level implementation areas.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a member of the leadership team, setting a positive and professional tone for the team, collaborating closely with the other team leaders.
• Develop, monitor, and ensure successful implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP) by overseeing project results, data management, reporting on indicators, capturing evidence and learning, and supporting evidenced-based decision-making.
• Work closely with technical team members to gather and share necessary data for M&E reporting needs and CLA activities.
• Oversee MEL technical assistance to subcontractors, FMOH, and local partners.
• Prepare quarterly report summarizing performance against the indicator list and performance standards of the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan.
• Review data and reporting to analyze progress toward targets and determine corrective action needed to improve goal achievement.
• Outline specific learning questions and activities and work closely with the staff to generate, validate, and present data in user-friendly format.
• Facilitate constructive and collaborative dialogue during regular MEL project reviews and biweekly team meetings.
• Support the Senior Management team to lead quarterly “pause and reflect” performance review processes with Workstream Leads.
• Represent the project in professional circles through meetings, conferences, and presentations and assist with dissemination of project results and learning.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a relevant field, such as Public Health, Epidemiology, Mathematics, Economics, Statistics, or Social Sciences.
• At least 10 years of experience in managing and/or leading MEL activities for large-scale health service delivery or health system strengthening (HSS) programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, with at least three of those years working in Nigeria as a senior advisor or staff member.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Verbal and written English proficiency is required.
• Experience working on USG-funded health programming in Nigeria.
• Knowledge of and experience with key MNCAH, FP/RH, nutrition, water and sanitation hygiene (WASH), and/or HIV/AIDS indicators and GON and USG data collection systems (e.g. DHIS2).
• Strong analytical skills to successfully use data and evidence to guide program adaptations.
• Demonstrated experience in setting up and managing MEL systems that track performance as per the objectives of IHP.
• Familiarity with CLA approaches. Excellent ability to articulate oral and written technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences. Data visualization skills a plus.
• Experience supervising MEL staff at different levels across different offices.
• Proven ability to work independently and multi-task in high-pressure settings.
• Ability to travel and work in any of the anticipated priority states.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and writing skills.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Note: This position is contingent upon funding availability/award from USAID.