MEL Director - USAID/Ethiopia- Social Behavioral Change for Health Activity

Overview of Pathfinder International

Pathfinder International is a global leader in sexual and reproductive health. We place reproductive health care at the center of all that we do—believing that it is not only a fundamental human right, but is critical for expanding life opportunities for women, families, communities, and nations, and paving the way for transformations in environmental stewardship, decreases in population pressures, and innovations in poverty reduction. Pathfinder provides women, men, and adolescents with a range of quality health services—from contraception and maternal and child health care to HIV prevention and AIDS care and treatment. Pathfinder strives to strengthen access to family planning, ensure availability of safe abortion services and post-abortion care, advocate for sound reproductive health policies, and, through all of our work, improve the rights and lives of the people we serve.

Pathfinder is seeking for MEL Director - USAID/Ethiopia- Social Behavioral Change for Health Activity for the 5-year $49.99M USAID/Ethiopia Social Behavioral Change for Health Activity. The objectives of the Social and Behavioral Change for Health Activity are 1) to enhance adoption of healthy household practices, 2) to improve care seeking for health and nutrition services, and 3) to shift social and gender norms that impede health and nutrition behaviors. Specifically, this Activity will focus on FP, adolescent and reproductive health; maternal, newborn, and child health; nutrition; malaria; and selected behaviors related to WASH.

Reports to: MEL Director - USAID/Ethiopia- Social Behavioral Change for Health Activity

Job Summary: The MEL Director will be responsible for developing and managing the monitoring, evaluation, and learning plan to inform program and adaptive management and strategic direction.

Key Job Outcomes:

• Develops and implements a project MEL system according to Pathfinder standards and practices.
• Consults with USAID and other stakeholders to establish a transparent, reliable, and valid MEL system that can easily be tracked and verified.
• Ensures that the MEL system is a cost-effective, results-orientated system that provides USAID and the program with necessary information to assess the progress, effectiveness, and outcome of activities.
• Facilitates data use among project staff and key stakeholders through key analyses and established feedback loops and supports activity adaptation in coordination with program and technical teams.
• Collaborates with partners to develop individual and MEL work and training plans as appropriate.
• Develops/adapts tools for data collection; designs and implements surveys and other data collection tasks.
• Designs/adapts project performance monitoring database to report national and global indicator and performance indicator data quarterly to senior managers, COP, and Pathfinder headquarters.
• Oversees implementation of the project’s baseline and end-of-project surveys.
• Documents project achievements against targets using monitoring data and works with project staff to document the factors behind gaps and over achievements.
• Institutes regular use of performance monitoring data among project managers, Country Offices, and other relevant Pathfinder staff.
• Identifies best practices and state-of-the art approaches to the program activities and evaluates them.
• Disseminates information on project evaluations through written reports, conference presentations, and publications, and assists project staff to do likewise.
• Uses data to systematically and consistently document achievements, success stories, and best practices.
• Supervises MEL team members to: manage production of data to meet all reporting requirements including quarterly and annual reports, research, technical reports, presentations, etc.; ensure that all data is up to date and ready for immediate use; review quarterly reports prior to submission to donors and headquarters; assist project technical staff with preparation of reports as appropriate.
• Builds capacity of project staff, on the use of data for decision making and performance improvement.
• Provides technical assistance and training to program teams and partner organizations as necessary.
• Provides technical support to strengthening MEL systems at national and community level.
• Provides overall guidance and manages all the MEL related efforts, communicating and coordinating as needed with headquarters MEL and other staff.
• Any other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party.

Minimally Required Education, Training and Experience:

• A master’s degree in epidemiology, statistics, or health related field; doctorate preferred.
• Minimum of six years of relevant experience in MEL for USAID-funded large-scale health programs of a similar size.
• Experience leading MEL for previous projects focused on integrated health, SBC, community engagement, and accountability preferred.

Minimally Required Job-Specific Competencies:

• Demonstrated research experience and skills, complemented by experience in collaborating with various types of partners.
• Experience interacting with Ethiopian agencies, including central and local government, development partners, civil society, and community-based organizations is essential.
• Minimum of six years of successful supervisory experience.
• Experience working with DHIS2, and other data system platforms.
• Excellent representational and communication skills, written and oral proficiency in English and Amharic.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a project team and achieve results.
• Travel throughout the project area in Ethiopia will be required.
• Preference for Ethiopian Nationals.
  

Minimally Required Organizational Competencies:

• Passion for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: Commitment to family planning, reproductive health services, gender, maternal, child health services, and eradication of harmful traditional practices
• 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-pace environment.
• Matrix Management: Ability to thrive in a matrix organization.
• Confidentiality: Ability to maintain confidentiality on work related matters
• Communication and Influencing Skills: Proven ability to influence others through diplomacy and proven oral and written communication skills. 

Other Information:

• Ability to travel internationally (up to 35%)
• Uses cellular and desk phone; laptop or desktop computer

Please Note: This position is contingent upon project award and funding.