Senior MERL Manager

The goal of STOP-AMDR project is to contribute to efforts in protecting the efficacy of existing ACTs thus reducing malaria mortality and case incidence in Africa. The Project will connect operational research and implementation learning with market shaping efforts to steer catalytic change through the adoption of Multiple First-line Therapies (MFTs) as a key strategy to mitigate or slow-down the spread of resistance to artemisinin and partner drugs.  The Senior MERL Manager will provide technical leadership and strategic direction for the implementation of routine monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities in-country, and support the design and execution of implementation research activities, in collaboration with the partner research institution.

The Senior MERL Manager will supervise and manage the project’s M&E team, including the MEL Officer and oversee the collection, management, analysis, storage and use of project data, ensuring that lessons learned are integrated into project implementation to continuously improve the quality of interventions and outcomes in-country. S/he will ensure a coordinated MERL approach across the STOP-AMDR project, including programs, technical, market shaping and communication teams, along with in-country stakeholders and partners.  S/he is also responsible for documenting and disseminating program successes and challenges to project leadership and Unitaid.

The Country MERL Advisor will be based in Jhpiego, Uganda Country office. Local and international travel will be part of the scope of work.

• Develop, manage and implement a monitoring and evaluation system across STOP-AMDR project components that leverages qualitative and quantitative methods, and draws from a variety of data sources to measure progress and evaluate impact, as well as support collaboration, implementation science, learning, and adaptation.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation plan, and standard operating procedures (SOP) to capture, track, use and disseminate project performance and results, including routine service delivery data reporting as well as supplemental data collection efforts, and assessments in coordination with five other STOP-AMDR countries and Jhpiego home office.
• Provide training, assistance, and consultation, as needed, on the interpretation and use of benchmarking performance measures, indicators, and reports.
• Lead collection of periodic data reports and compilation of implementation research, routine service delivery, narrative reports, and update the database.
• Collaborate closely with M&E team at National Malaria Program to ensure smooth coordination and monitoring of project activities.
• Work closely with Health Informatics Advisor to ensure the anti-malarial drug resistance dashboard is functional and updated with country’s MFT implementation status and drug resistance trends.
• Serve as the point person to the research organization that will be conducting the research and coordinate the process of obtaining ethical clearance from the country ethics committee.
• Communicate information obtained through M&E activities to program staff, and external stakeholders, including UNITAID, to enable informed decision-making. Ensure timely reporting of semi-annual and annual reports to Unitaid.
• Develop and ensure compliance with procedures for collection and reporting of project and program performance data to provide quality, timely data.
• Regularly review data collection processes, perform data quality assessments, and adjust as needed.
• Collaborate with the principal investigator for implementation research activities, including protocol and tool development, managing local ethical reviews, data management and analysis, and management of consultants and/or research institutions.
• Prepare the M&E section of the annual work plans, and review or update it, as needed. Participate and provide input to program strategy, including necessary adjustments or refinements to the work plan.
• Ensure project compliance with UNITAID, Jhpiego, and national monitoring, evaluation, research, and data policies. Ensure relevant project data are entered quarterly into JADE, Jhpiego’ s organization-wide performance management system.
• Conduct regular visits to project sites, as possible, to provide technical assistance and ensure proper monitoring of project activities.
• Ensure project compliance with local laws, regulations, and policies surrounding the ethical collection, storage, use, and sharing of data, including close coordination with local IRBs.
• Represent M&E activities in public and professional circles through meetings, conferences, and presentations.

• Master’s degree in public health, demography, statistics, social sciences or related field or equivalent experience.
• 9 years’ experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning of global health programs. Experience with Unitaid projects preferred.
• Experience in incorporating systems practice and systems approaches into complex MERL.
• Proven expertise in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methodologies, health management information systems, data visualization, and reporting

• Vast experience in working with Research Institutions to implement research activities
• Demonstrated experience in qualitative and quantitative research skills, including but not limited to study design, survey instrument design and use, sampling, data analysis plans, data cleaning, statistical analysis, qualitative data analysis, and presentation and reporting and communication of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods results.
• Knowledge and experience establishing and measuring health indicators, as well as associated capacity building with partner governments and local organizations.
• Demonstrated experience in utilizing data and evidence to facilitate program adaptation and innovation, and in facilitating timely knowledge synthesis and/or generation, dissemination, use, and sharing.
• Demonstrated experience and strong management, coordination, teamwork, and planning skills with proven ability to function effectively with multiple host-country counterparts in both the public, NGO, and private sectors.
• Experience in malaria M&E, and familiarity with antimalarial drug resistance programming.
• In‐depth experience with UNITAID MER guidelines and indicators. Experience with UNITAID reporting requirements and timelines.
• Familiarity with the health management information system and other M&E systems in target countries.
• Strong technical skills, including the ability to process and analyze data using DHIS2 and PowerBI, as well as one or more statistical software packages, e.g., R, Stata, SPSS, MS Excel.
• Excellent diplomacy skills and a proven ability to establish and maintain interpersonal and professional relationships with the NMP, UNITAID, WHO, other host‐countries counterparts, and representatives from other key stakeholders such as NGOs, CSOs, and the private sector.
• Demonstrated outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, organizational, team-building, and representational skills.
• Excellent verbal, written interpersonal, and presentation skills in English
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally as needed.

Deadline for applications is Friday 11th July. Applications may close earlier as we are longlisting on a rolling basis.

Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans

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