The Senior Specialist for Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning splits his/her time between providing technical support and input to the M&E work of the Department of Global Health (DGH) and the USAID-funded Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP), with a focus on support for MCSP-related newborn health activities. The position will provide global and country level support on issues related to measurement methods, research and learning activities, and documentation, under the guidance of and in collaboration with the MCSP Measurement, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MMEL) Team and other technical teams at MCSP and within DGH. Tasks will include development and monitoring of M&E plans, routine reporting support, documentation of systems design, inputs into the design and implementation of research protocols, and contributing to other MMEL efforts as needed. Finally, the incumbent will foster relationships across the DGH and MCSP M&E teams to contribute to the Agency’s and the Program’s research, monitoring, and evaluation approaches and results.
Responsibilities and duties of this position will be focused around five key areas: project design; monitoring and evaluation, including data use; TA and capacity building; research & learning; and global leadership on metrics and learning around metrics.
Project Design 10%
- Provide input into global MCSP M&E workplans, strategies and concept papers.
- Participate in resource development, including program design and setting of SMART objectives, design of results frameworks, PMP development, and elaboration of M&E narratives within proposals.
- Organize technical reviews of M&E plans and reports and revisions of M&E plans as needed.
Monitoring & Evaluation, including Data Use 30%
- Provide comprehensive M&E technical support through long-distance and in-country consultation to MCSP RMNCH program activities, including supporting workplan and M&E plan development, indicator selection, quarterly and annual reporting.
- Provide technical assistance to analyze and compile qualitative and quantitative data for routine reporting and program reviews to USAID and other funders.
- Provide technical support to MCSP on indicators needed for tracking and evaluation of outputs, outcomes, and impact.
- Provide technical guidance to countries on standard indicators to be incorporated into routine monitoring systems.
- Provide technical guidance on data visualization including maps and support data utilization for improved program performance
Technical Assistance and Capacity Building 30%
- Support country offices in entry of MCSP data into JADE/other global database for reporting needs.
- Provide guidance on incorporation of global standards and innovations in metrics into program and national M&E systems.
- Provide technical guidance to country teams and help build skills of staff responsible for M&E activities.
Research & Learning 20%
- Develop protocols, designs, and methods for MCSP research studies, with particular emphasis on studies associated with newborn health.
- Coordinate internal and external ethical review/IRB processes
- Assist in the development of data collection instruments, study operation procedures, and analysis plans.
- Monitor ongoing research activities (operations and implementation research) to ensure compliance with MCSP IRB policy and research approval procedures.
- Support quantitative and qualitative data collection, analyses, publication and dissemination of findings.
- Promote and support knowledge management and learning efforts internally at MCSP and externally
Global Leadership and Learning in Metrics 10%
- Participate in MCSP M&E/MMEL team meetings, technical team meetings with USAID, and other events/meetings as required.
- Represent MCSP in professional circles through meetings, conferences and presentations.
- Engage in global metrics groups to share innovation and knowledge acquired though Save the Children and MCSP activities, and bringing country implementation perspectives.
- At least 5-7 years’ experience in public health research and/or program monitoring and evaluation, with a particular focus on maternal and newborn health activities in developing country settings
- Track record of providing support to routine M&E of global health programs, including knowledge of and experience in establishing and measuring MNCH, nutrition, and gender/equity indicators
- Demonstrated skills in qualitative and quantitative data, including but not limited to survey and focus group instrument design and use, data analysis and presentation, and communication of results
- Knowledge and experience in capacity building around M&E and learning
- Knowledge and experience of USAID standards and guidelines, with prior history working on USAID-funded projects preferred
- Experience using software packages including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and data analysis programs (e.g., SPSS, STATA, EpiInfo)
- Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work effectively with people from different cultures, and ability to establish and maintain relationships with key professional contacts
- Excellent organizational, time management, and writing skills
- Professional English fluency
- Ability to travel internationally up to 20-30%
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree in public health, epidemiology, demography or a related field
- Experience engaging with national, regional, and/or global level M&E working groups
- Familiarity with GIS approaches and software packages
- Familiarity with knowledge management principles and approaches
- Meaningful work, with a knowledge that you are changing the lives of children all around the world
- A family friendly work environment
- Highly collaborative and innovative teams
- Generous paid vacation days, holidays, family leave days, and sick time
- Healthcare plans including medical, dental, and life insurance
- Retirement savings account with matching company contributions
- Structured and formalized management development and coaching programs for mid and senior level managers
- Extensive e-learning opportunities on a variety of topics offered through our affiliation with several prestigious universities as well as language learning opportunities.