Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager

Job Description

Opportunity

Abt Associates seeks highly qualified and motivated Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager for the anticipated USAID-funded Eliminate Tuberculosis in Ethiopia (ETBE) Project. The projects will work with the Ministry of Health of Ethiopia, Regional Health Bureaus, zonal and woreda level health authorities, federal and regional level health agencies/institutes, public and private sector partners, professional and providers associations, and the broader health sector stakeholders. The overall goal of the project is reducing TB incidence and TB mortality while building government health platforms for TB services. The program will focus in implementing high impact/high yield interventions for improved TB, MDR-TB case finding, expanding TB laboratory services including access to drug sensitivity testing (DST), strengthening health system platforms for TB services and generating local evidence for program improvement and learning. We are looking for individuals who are committed to exceeding expectations and who strive to improve the lives of people worldwide. This position is contingent upon award.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of the project MEL Plan, indicators, and learning agenda, including developing relevant indicators
• Manage a rigorous approach to M&E to measure performance toward specific goals and objectives, including quantitative, qualitative, and participatory methodologies
• Design data collection tools, schedules, analysis methods, and applied learning approaches for stakeholder training
• Develop mechanisms to establish feedback loops to ensure that learning approaches and trainings to inform and contribute achievement of objectives under communications and training activities
• Oversee implementation of a baseline study on the indicators, including review of tools and survey methodology and review of data quality and analysis
• Oversee and lead qualitative and quantitative data collection processes and strategies
• Contribute to quarterly strategy reviews as well as drafting core components of program progress reports to donor
• Drive the project’s overall learning agenda to derive lessons learned and best practices from project activities, and contribute to quarterly program evaluations
• Ensure timely submission of periodic performance reports with due coordination with project management and technical staff
• Collaborates with Knowledge and Communication Manager on timely sharing of research and performance reports, and organization of learning and sharing platforms
• Design and maintain integrity of project’s MEL database

Preferred Skills / Prerequisites

• Bachelor’s degree in statistics, social science, development economics or a related field. Masters preferred
• At least seven years of experience in data management and analysis for M&E, learning and adaptive management
• Skills in qualitative and quantitative analytical methods, data collection and analysis, and establishing MEL systems. Demonstrated ability to lead baseline data collection and analyses
• Knowledge of and experience with M&E frameworks, and reporting systems
• Experience with USAID programming highly preferred
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, and other MS Office software; data analysis software, e.g. SPSS or Stata
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability working collaboratively and independently
• Demonstrated team player with effective cross-cultural interpersonal skills; able to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse partners and lead multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to resolve sensitive and complicated work issues with senior high-level country counterparts, donor representative and senior-level staff
• Verbal and written fluency in the English language along with strong communications, interpersonal, and presentation skills
• Strong level of fluency in English is required
• High level of writing and speaking in Amharic

About the Organization

Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1965, Abt Associates was built on the concept that sound information and empirical analysis are the best foundations for effective decision making. The firm blends the subject matter expertise of our staff with technical capabilities in applied research, program implementation, and data collection to shape policy, strengthen systems, measure performance, and deliver other solutions to our public and private sector clients. Examples of Abt Associates’ work include nationally recognized research, evaluation, and technical assistance to improve the efficiency of healthcare systems, the effectiveness of government housing programs, the production of food, and the measurement of public opinion. Abt’s staff of more than 2000 includes national and international experts who are known for their understanding of communities and governments worldwide, innovative research techniques, and insightful—and often groundbreaking—analyses and recommendations. Approximately 51 percent of our staff has graduate degrees; one in six has a doctorate. Our staff’s educational and professional disciplines include economics, engineering, environmental analysis, epidemiology, food security, health, housing, international development, psychology, social science, statistics, and survey methodology. Abt’s research staff is experienced with prominent statistical software packages, including SPSS, SAS, and STATA, along with qualitative software such as NVIVO and Atlas. In 2011, Abt Associates was ranked among the top 20 global research firms and one of the top 40 development innovators. Abt has offices in Atlanta, Ga.; Rockville, Md.; Cambridge, Mass.; Chicago, Ill.; Durham, N.C.; and New York City and program offices in nearly 40 countries in Africa, Central and Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa. www.abtassociates.com