The Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) provides strategic leadership and technical oversight for the design, implementation, and continuous strengthening of an integrated MERL system for the Mjamzito na Mtoto Salama program.

The role ensures that high-quality data is systematically generated, analyzed, and translated into actionable insights to inform program performance, guide adaptive management, and demonstrate impact.

Working closely with other Thamini Uhai experts, government counterparts, and partners, the Manager ensures alignment of MERL systems with national frameworks, including DHIS2 and MPDSR, while integrating data from facility-level systems, Health Facility Assessments (HFA), and Pregnancy Outcomes Monitoring Systems (POMS).

The role also supports the generation and use of program evidence through applied research and structured learning processes to inform quality improvement and scale-up.

The position serves as a central integration point across implementation, communication, finance, and administrative functions, ensuring coherence between program data, service delivery, resource utilization, and reporting.

It also ensures systematic tracking of performance across high-volume facilities and key service delivery points, including antenatal care clinics, labour wards, and neonatal care units, with a strong focus on translating data into measurable improvements in service utilization and outcomes.

Main duties and responsibilities

1. MERL System Design, Integration and Governance

Provides leadership in establishing a robust, integrated MERL system aligned with program priorities, donor requirements, and national systems.

• Lead design, implementation, and continuous refinement of the MERL framework, indicators, and tools
• Ensure alignment with national systems including DHIS2, MPDSR, and RMNCAH monitoring frameworks
• Integrate MERL across all program components including ANC, intrapartum care, PPH, newborn care, and birth companionship
• Establish clear data governance structures, standards, and protocols that promote accountability and data integrity
• Oversee end-to-end data flow architecture from facility registers to DHIS2, POMS, and program dashboards
• Ensure MERL systems are embedded within routine service delivery and implementation workflows

2. Data Management, Quality Assurance and Analytics

Ensures generation of high-quality, reliable, and actionable data to support program monitoring and decision making.

• Oversee collection, validation, storage, analysis, and reporting of program data
• Lead routine Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) and implement corrective actions
• Strengthen data completeness, accuracy, timeliness, and consistency across all sites
• Integrate and analyze data from routine HMIS, MPDSR, HFA, and POMS systems
• Develop dashboards and visualization tools for real-time performance tracking
• Conduct advanced data analysis to identify trends, gaps, and performance variations

3. Performance Monitoring and Results Management

Ensures effective tracking of program performance and timely identification of gaps requiring corrective action.

• Monitor program performance against KPIs, targets, and milestones across all regions
• Track performance across high-volume facilities and key service delivery areas including ANC, labour wards, theatres, and neonatal units
• Monitor service utilization and quality indicators such as facility deliveries, caesarean section rates, ANC coverage, and neonatal outcomes
• Monitor referral system performance, including ambulance functionality and referral completion
• Establish early warning systems to identify underperformance
• Ensure all data review processes result in documented action points, assigned responsibilities, and followup tracking to strengthen accountability

4. Cross-Functional Integration and Program Coordination

Ensures MERL is fully integrated across implementation, communication, finance, and administrative functions.

• Work closely with implementation teams to ensure data informs service delivery improvements and operational planning
• Collaborate with communication teams to translate data into evidence-based narratives, success stories, and knowledge products
• Work with finance teams to link program performance with resource utilization, cost analysis, and valuefor-money assessments
• Support administrative teams in aligning planning, logistics, and reporting with MERL requirements
• Monitor availability and utilization of priority commodities and functionality of critical equipment supporting MNH services
• Ensure consistency and coherence across programmatic, financial, and operational reporting

5. Reporting, Compliance and Accountability

Ensures timely, accurate, and high-quality reporting to donors, government, and stakeholders.

• Lead preparation and submission of quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports
• Ensure compliance with donor reporting requirements and timelines
• Coordinate data aggregation and validation across all regions and partners
• Ensure consistency between reported data and source documentation
• Support preparation of technical briefs, presentations, and performance summaries

6. Learning, Adaptation and Knowledge Management

Promotes a culture of continuous learning and ensures evidence informs program adaptation and scale-up.

• Facilitate routine data review and performance reflection meetings at all levels
• Translate data into actionable recommendations for program improvement
• Utilize MPDSR findings, clinical audits, and supervision data to guide quality improvement
• Support applied research, implementation studies, and documentation of program evidence
• Contribute to preparation of abstracts, manuscripts, and technical outputs where relevant
• Work with communication teams to disseminate lessons learned and program evidence
• Promote cross-regional learning and experience sharing

7. Capacity Building and Technical Support

Strengthens MERL capacity across program teams, partners, and government counterparts.

• Develop and implement MERL capacity-building strategies
• Provide technical assistance to sub-grantees and implementing partners
• Mentor regional and facility teams on data collection, analysis, and use
• Strengthen capacity of RHMTs, CHMTs, and facilities in data-driven decision-making
• Support institutionalization of MERL practices within government systems
• Promote teamwork, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing across program teams

8. Stakeholder Engagement and Systems Strengthening

Supports collaboration with government and partners to strengthen national MERL systems.

• Work closely with MoH and PMO-RALG to strengthen national M&E systems
• Coordinate with external MERL partners, including CDC Foundation, on HFA, POMS, and evaluations
• Represent the program in national and regional MERL forums and technical working groups
• Promote alignment and harmonization of indicators and reporting systems
• Support integration of external evaluation findings into program decision-making

9. Team Leadership and Management

Provides leadership, supervision, and performance management of the MERL team.

• Directly supervise the MERL Analyst and MERL Officer
• Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and performance management
• Set clear objectives and conduct regular performance reviews
• Promote accountability, teamwork, integrity, and a results-oriented culture
• Support professional development and continuous learning within the team

Qualifications and experience

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Informatics, or related field
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in MEL/MERL for health programs
• Strong experience in RMNCAH programming and health systems strengthening
• Demonstrated experience with DHIS2, HMIS, HFA, and large-scale data systems
• Experience managing MEL/MERL systems in donor-funded programs
• Experience supporting operational or implementation research is an added advantage
• Strong experience in data analysis, reporting, and evidence use
• Experience working with government institutions, external evaluation partners, and multi-stakeholder environments

• Provides leadership in establishing a robust, integrated MERL system aligned with program priorities, donor requirements, and national systems.
• Lead design, implementation, and continuous refinement of the MERL framework, indicators, and tools
• Ensure alignment with national systems including DHIS2, MPDSR, and RMNCAH monitoring frameworks
• Integrate MERL across all program components including ANC, intrapartum care, PPH, newborn care, and birth companionship
• Establish clear data governance structures, standards, and protocols that promote accountability and data integrity
• Oversee end-to-end data flow architecture from facility registers to DHIS2, POMS, and program dashboards
• Ensure MERL systems are embedded within routine service delivery and implementation workflows
• Oversee collection, validation, storage, analysis, and reporting of program data
• Lead routine Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) and implement corrective actions
• Strengthen data completeness, accuracy, timeliness, and consistency across all sites
• Integrate and analyze data from routine HMIS, MPDSR, HFA, and POMS systems
• Develop dashboards and visualization tools for real-time performance tracking
• Conduct advanced data analysis to identify trends, gaps, and performance variations
• Monitor program performance against KPIs, targets, and milestones across all regions
• Track performance across high-volume facilities and key service delivery areas including ANC, labour wards, theatres, and neonatal units
• Monitor service utilization and quality indicators such as facility deliveries, caesarean section rates, ANC coverage, and neonatal outcomes
• Monitor referral system performance, including ambulance functionality and referral completion
• Establish early warning systems to identify underperformance
• Ensure all data review processes result in documented action points, assigned responsibilities, and followup tracking to strengthen accountability
• Work closely with implementation teams to ensure data informs service delivery improvements and operational planning
• Collaborate with communication teams to translate data into evidence-based narratives, success stories, and knowledge products
• Work with finance teams to link program performance with resource utilization, cost analysis, and valuefor-money assessments
• Support administrative teams in aligning planning, logistics, and reporting with MERL requirements
• Monitor availability and utilization of priority commodities and functionality of critical equipment supporting MNH services
• Ensure consistency and coherence across programmatic, financial, and operational reporting
• Lead preparation and submission of quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports
• Ensure compliance with donor reporting requirements and timelines
• Coordinate data aggregation and validation across all regions and partners
• Ensure consistency between reported data and source documentation
• Support preparation of technical briefs, presentations, and performance summaries
• Facilitate routine data review and performance reflection meetings at all levels
• Translate data into actionable recommendations