USAID/Uganda/Director of Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning/Strengthening Local Health Systems (SLHS) Activity

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES  

The M EL Director will oversee the monitoring and evaluation and learning system for reporting progress and ensuring availability and use of quality data for adaptive management and maintain reporting procedures and guidelines in compliance with US AID systems. The MEL Director will be expected to develop a strong monitoring and evaluation and learning sys tem and plan consistent with the US AID results framework, coordinate the collection and use of data including conducting field visits for data validation, monitor the quality of data sets, contribute to the adaptive management of the program, oversee the development,  maintenance and use of the project technical information management s ystem, and  document project performance against established outputs and indicators. The MEL Director will also be responsible for building the capacity of the Ministry of Health (MOH) counterparts and other stakeholders in the collection, utilization , and dissemination of data as well as ensuring that all monitoring and data collection activities are harmonized, and information is shared. The MEL Director will also assist the MOH to monitor programs and assess the robustness of implementing organizations’ data collection and MEL mechanisms. Furthermore, the MEL Director will be responsible for overseeing and contributing to any internal program evaluations , baseline /midline/endline assessments, and research activities associated with the learning agenda.   

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITY  

• Design and implement the p roject’s MEL system, including the development of indicators, setting baseline and targets, monitoring project progress, ensuring timely data collection and data use , contributing to quarterly and annual reports .  

• Provide MEL tools and strategies and provide monitoring data to strategically inform the decisions on project performance and future direction to the project, for enhanced adaptive management.  

• Oversee the development, maintenance and use of the project technical information management system, and its interoperability with the national health information management system.  

• Provide regularly updated reports on the status of implementation against the project goals and objectives to the Chief of Party, Technical Director, USAID and other program managers as .  

• Collaborate with the project team in identifying project activities, processes and/or outcomes that are worthy of documentation and design a system for capturing lessons learned and best practices.  

• Advanced degree in a relevant discipline and at least 5 years of demonstrated experience designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation activities and /or special studies for complex programs in developing countries.  

• Previous experience implementing and managing a rigorous MEL system including developing performance monitoring plans that track performance as sub-results/results and by funding stream.  

• Knowledge of data collection protocols is essential to ensure accurate data collection and verification , as well as an ability to identify data trends and communicate this information to allow for changes in program implementation.  

• MEL experience in the health sector desired, particularly in health systems strengthening.  

• Operations research experience is desired.  

• Experience leading and building the capacity of MEL officers to meet program needs and deliverables is desired.  

• Proven experience in the use of health management information systems.  

• Strong organizational, verbal and written communication skills to manage project communications and disseminate project information are .  

• Experience working with MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and DHIS2.  

• Experience with USAID programs/projects strongly preferred.  

• Only Ugandan candidates are eligible for this position .