Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer at Pathfinder International

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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer

Requisition Number: MELOF002420
Location: Asokoro, Abuja
Employment Type: Full-time, Hybrid
Reports to: MEL Manager
Job Category: Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

Job Purpose

• The primary responsibility of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer is to support better performance and greater accountability by implementing evidence-based program/project management at the field level, to guide and improve performance.
• Specifically, the MEL Officer will set up effective monitoring systems for the project and support the design and implementation of sustainable monitoring and evaluation systems in coordination with relevant government agencies and headquarter-based M&E staff in line with Pathfinder’s MEL standards.
• S/he will analyze, interpret, and communicate information in a way that promotes informed decision-making for ongoing and future programmatic activity.

Key Performance Areas
Major Activities / Responsibilities:

Percentage Worked:
Project Design and Planning:

• Support to program and MEL team with developing the project MEL frameworks, theory of change, and MEL plan including indicators, data collection tools for existing and new projects.
• Identify the budget/resources needed for project MEL activities.
• Represent the organization in the MEL and Assessment Working Groups promoting a positive image.
  Develop and implement data collection and MEL management systems:
• Design full MEL procedures and operating plans within the Mission and develop harmonized data collection tools involving the different stakeholders (project team, partners).
• Develop data gathering strategies and harmonize data collection, analysis, and reporting flows.
• Ensure that data is properly stored and managed.
• Conduct regular site visits to monitor service provision and ensure data quality.

Data Quality Management:

• Develop strategies for assessing the quality of collected data for indicators and manage tools and methods for assessing data quality.
• Coordinate routine data quality audits in different sites and develop action plans to implement corrective measures.
• Coordinate data gathering and data management of population-based surveys and surveillance activities.
• Conduct regular site visits or when required monitor and assist partners in the data collection process to ensure data quality.

Research:

• Manage project research activities ensuring adherence to prescribed methodologies of sampling, data collection, documentation and reporting.
• Facilitate, guide, and supervise external consultants (if applicable) in conducting needs assessment, surveys, evaluations, and contextual analysis. Review the methodology, sampling approach, and other important details proposed by the expert/consultant.
• Lead the development of the sampling frame, calculate the sample size, and draw samples for population-based surveys.

Analyzing and Interpreting Ddata:

• The Project Officer is responsible for analyzing and interpreting project data to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement. This involves using statistical analysis tools, creating data visualizations, and reporting on findings to project stakeholders.

Reporting on project outcomes:

• Write narrative reports and executive summaries.
• Present information based on the findings from the analysis and monitoring.
• Verify reports' accuracy and presentation of information, including the use of appropriate visualization.

Management and Leadership:

• Support in identifying the human resources needs in MEL.
• Provide technical supervision and coordination of the MEL Assistant activities.
• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.

Capacity Development and Training:

• Identify the gaps in staff knowledge of MEL concepts and skills and provide training in related topics.
• Provide coaching/mentoring for staff and on-the-job training to improve the skills in MEL.
• Build implementing capacity on relevant MEL areas.

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• Establish basic learning systems that incorporate response studies’ findings, lessons learned, achievements, and gaps, and develop all the tools required to support learning practices.
• Organize internal reviews and lessons learned workshops and present practical recommendations.
• Ensure after-action reviews and lessons learned exercises, including data collected through Community-Based Feedback and Response Mechanism (CBFRM) and other participative forms of community engagement and feedback collection.

Feedback and Response Mechanism:

• Provide technical support to the team in establishing and maintaining effective feedback mechanisms for decision-making.
• Lead the implementation of methodologies to consult communities on their preferences based on the operational context.
• Support the design and maintenance of the CFRM database.

Minimum Education and Work Experience

• Master's-level or a higher Degree in Social Sciences, Public Health, Statistics, or International Development, with experience or background in M&E, epidemiology, public health, and health information management.
• Minimum of five (5) years of applied experience with a humanitarian organization in designing, implementing, and overseeing monitoring and evaluation tasks.
• Demonstrated experience in managing teams and building staff capacity within complex programming.
• Experience with MEL approaches for key donors such as BMGF, USAID.
• Experience in database design and other tools for information management like DHIS2.
• Experience in the use of qualitative and quantitative software for data analysis.

Competencies / Attributes:
Minimally Required Job-specific Competencies:

• Country-Specific Public Health System: Foundational knowledge of the countries’ public health systems.
• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Services: Foundational knowledge of family planning and reproductive health principles, practices, and services of programs, including program strategies and indicators, and the latest professional developments in SRHR, including special challenges faced in the developing world, and related measurement issues.
• Proposal Development: Foundational knowledge and skills in proposal development from concept to full proposal and resource mobilization.
• Reproductive Health Research: Proven ability to plan, conduct, evaluate, and deliver research findings and recommendations in reproductive health. Mastery of knowledge and ability to apply quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Data Collection Methods: Foundational knowledge of data integrity and collection methods.
• Applications: Proven ability to apply statistical software applications.
• Program and Project Planning and Management: Foundational skills in program and project management and planning to fulfill performance objectives, including the timely implementation, and reporting of donor-funded program activities.
• Training Design, Development, and Delivery: Foundational knowledge of curriculum design and development. Proven ability to train diverse groups.
• Community Relations: Foundational skills in facilitating work relationships between partners, government officials, and communities.
• Report Writing: Ability to write reports for diverse audiences.
• 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-paced environment.
• Confidentiality: Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information in a discreet and professional manner.

Other Information:

• Travel required (at least 30%)
• Uses cellular and desk phone, laptop, or desktop computer.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy:

• Pathfinder International provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
• This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Safeguarding and Protection:

• Pathfinder is committed to the safeguarding and protection of the people we serve and our staff. We have zero tolerance for any type of behavior that inflicts harm on children, young people, adults, our staff and partners including sexual abuse, harassment, bullying, and exploitation.
• We do everything possible to ensure that we recruit only those who are suitable to work with for us and expect that everyone we hire will abide by our safeguarding and related policies and will report any suspected or known violations. This job is subject to a range of vetting checks as legally permitted in the country where they are being hired.

Application Closing Date
3rd January, 2025.