Monitoring and Evaluation, and Research/Learning Director

Jhpiego seeks a Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Research (MERL) Director to provide strategic, technical, and methodological leadership for a Unitaid-funded, multi‑country initiative focused on accelerating cervical cancer secondary prevention in LMICs. The project aims to support countries to establish routine, integrated screening and treatment services, introduce and evaluate innovative tools (e.g., next‑generation HPV diagnostics, AI‑enhanced visual evaluation, digital referral/retention systems), generate actionable evidence, strengthen supply and delivery systems, and advance equity, sustainability, and national ownership. The MERL Director will lead the design and execution of the project’s monitoring, evaluation, research, learning, and data governance systems, ensuring that evidence informs policy, implementation, market shaping, and scale‑up.
The role includes oversight of multi‑country MERL teams; stewardship of a cross‑country learning agenda and theory of change; ensuring strong community‑engaged measurement; and generating evidence to accelerate adoption of innovative approaches and contribute to global cervical cancer elimination targets.

This position is contingent upon award from Unitaid.  

• Provide leadership and direction for a multi‑country MERL strategy aligned with cervical cancer secondary prevention goals, WHO elimination targets (70% screening, 90% treatment), and Unitaid’s evidence‑generation priorities.
• Co‑lead the development and refinement of the project’s Theory of Change, learning agenda, and cross‑country evidence‑generation strategy, ensuring feedback loops into program design and adjustments.
• Oversee the design and implementation of a multi‑country Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) and country‑integrated M&E systems capable of capturing coverage, continuity-of-care, loss‑to‑follow‑up, equity outcomes, innovation adoption, supply chain performance, and cost‑/efficiency metrics; align with national HMIS and Unitaid requirements.
• Lead the design and deployment of digital data systems for screening, diagnostic, referral, treatment and follow‑up, including real‑time dashboards, commodity tracking, and digital patient‑tracking tools that reduce Loss to Follow Up (LTFU).
• Provide oversight for data governance and responsible use of AI‑enabled tools (e.g., AI‑assisted visual evaluation), ensuring compliance with safety, ethics, national regulations, and human‑in‑the‑loop safeguards.
• Support the development and implementation of equity‑focused measurement strategies centered on underserved, rural, marginalized, and high‑burden populations; co‑design metrics with community and civil society partners (CCSE).
• Lead design and oversight of implementation research, operational studies, rapid cycle learning, cost‑effectiveness analyses, and evaluations of innovative tools (HPV diagnostics, self‑sampling, AI‑assisted screening, pooled labs, digital tracking). Ensure IRB compliance and ethical data practices across the countries where research and learning data will be collected.
• Translate evidence into policy briefs, investment cases, and integration guidance for Ministries of Health.
• Coordinate structured South‑to‑South learning platforms to share models, evidence, and implementation guides; document cross‑country learning for global dissemination.
• Lead results reporting to Unitaid, ensuring timely, high‑quality, analytical submissions that demonstrate catalytic impact, adoption of innovations, equity progress, and sustainability pathways.
• Engage with national technical working groups and global/regional partners (Africa CDC, PAHO, WHO) to harmonize metrics and align evidence-generation.
• Develop monitoring strategies for climate‑resilient service delivery and supply systems, including resilience indicators for storage, last‑mile delivery, and waste management.

• Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, health informatics, implementation science, or related field.
• 9- 10 years in MERL leadership for large, multi‑country global health projects in LMICs, preferably including cervical cancer, women’s health, or diagnostic access programs.
• Demonstrated experience designing MERL systems for integrated screening‑to‑treatment pathways, digital referral systems, and loss‑to‑follow‑up reduction.
• Experience generating evidence for adoption and scale of innovative tools (HPV self‑sampling, AI‑enhanced visual evaluation, PoC diagnostics, pooled labs).
• Strong background in equity-centered MERL, including gender, rurality, and population‑specific disaggregation.
• Experience collaborating with CCSE partners and integrating community‑generated data.
• Familiarity with Unitaid reporting requirements, global cervical cancer elimination targets, and WHO guidance.
• Proficiency in DHIS2 and statistical software (e.g. Stata, R, SPSS).
• Experience with responsible data practices and ethical oversight of AI‑enabled health tools.
• Experience leading MERL across multi‑country consortia, including with global‑south–led partners.
• Experience generating evidence for national costed plans and investment cases.
• Experience in climate‑resilient health systems measurement
• Evidence of publications or conference presentations on cervical cancer elimination, digital health, AI in health, or supply chain strengthening.
• Ability to coach, mentor and develop technical capacity in regional and national projects and technical staff
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally

Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

Please apply at www.jobs-jhpiego.icims.com

Applicants must submit a single document for upload to include: cover letter, resume and references.

For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org

Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.

 Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

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