Position Overview:

Leads and manages a medium-sized team tasked with performance monitoring, assessments, evaluations, implementation science and research; and data analytics, and data use activities conducted at Pathfinder. Works with other business units globally to develop and institutionalize standards, guidelines, processes, procedures and protocols for conducting MEL activities. Leads team in collaboration with other business units and country offices to leverage expertise and to develop and implement Pathfinder’s data collection and evaluation strategies, work plans, and communication plans focused on lessons learned. Develops tools for data collection and tools for communicating results and impact. Plans for and selects consultants and provides targeted training as needs arise.

Key Job Outcomes:

1. Systems, Policies, Standards and Guidelines:

Leads development of MEL strategy and plans. Partners with Programs and Impact and country offices to institutionalize Pathfinder’s assessments, evaluations, research, and implementation science related policies, guidelines and standard procedures research proposals, and monitoring and evaluating projects with a focus on efficiency. Designs and develops systems and metrics for organizational use

2. MEL Planning and Implementation:

Works with team to develop MEL plans, including project design, appropriate selection of final project indicators and data sources, and team work plans to ensure effective implementation. Designs evaluations, research, and quality improvement studies that meet ethical, methodological standards. Leads staff to develop and implement monitoring and evaluation guidelines, standards, processes, procedures, and data management guidelines for their respective office or projects. Develops and manages MEL budget and work plan.

3. Data Collection Tools;

Manages the creation and adaptation of data collection tools, including monitoring tools and forms, survey questionnaires, key informant interview schedules, facility assessment and supervision tools, and supporting training materials. Mentors project staff to design and/or oversee implementation of project household surveys and other data collection tasks, including developing survey protocols and terms of reference for consulting firms, critically reviewing consultant reports and other deliverables, and deploying ethical clearance procedures. Leads coordination of MEL with other units for systems and data usage.

4. Data Collection Methodology;

Directs and coaches team members to design and implement quality project-specific collection of data, analytics and visualization for performance monitoring, evaluation purposes, and technical visibility, including developing research protocols. Conceptualizes, develops and implements an appropriate system for collecting monitoring and evaluation data to enable the project to report to stakeholders and use data to assess achievement of goals and objectives.

5. Proposal Planning and Review:

Drafts MEL plans for proposals and reviews proposals from the data collection and evaluation perspectives

Minimally Required Job-Specific Competencies:

• SRHR MEL: Proven ability to plan, conduct, evaluate and deliver MEL findings and recommendations in reproductive health. Mastery of knowledge and ability to apply quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Program and Project Planning and Management: Deep skills in program and project management and planning to fulfill performance objectives, including the timely implementation and reporting of donor-funded program activities.
• Proposal Development: Mastery of skills in proposal development from concept to full proposal and resource mobilization.
• Data Collection Methods: Mastery of knowledge in data integrity and collection methods.
• PC Applications: Proven ability to apply statistical software applications.
• Country Specific Public Health System: Deep knowledge of the countries’ public health systems.
• Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Services: Deep knowledge of family planning and reproductive health principles, practices and services of programs, including program strategies and indicators, and the latest professional developments in SRHR, including special challenges faced in the developing world, and related measurement issues.
• Leadership and Management: Proven ability to lead, manage, supervise, and develop others within a matrix culture.
• Change Leadership: Proven ability to demonstrate a high degree of flexibility in managing change across a broad group of stakeholders in an inclusive manner.
• Communication and Influencing Skills: Proven ability to influence others, including donor agencies and local partners, through diplomacy and proven oral and written communication skills.
• Presentation Skills: Proven ability to make presentations on results to small and large groups.
• Community Relations: Mastery of skills in facilitating work relationships between partners, government officials, and communities.

Minimally Required Education, Training and Experience:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in demography, epidemiology, statistics, social sciences or a related field, or a combination of education and experience that yields the required competencies.
• 10 years of progressively responsible experience in MEL health/development projects or equivalent.
• Experience living and working in a developing country.

• Leads development of MEL strategy and plans.
• Partners with Programs and Impact and country offices to institutionalize Pathfinder’s assessments, evaluations, research, and implementation science related policies, guidelines and standard procedures research proposals, and monitoring and evaluating projects with a focus on efficiency.
• Designs and develops systems and metrics for organizational use.
• Works with team to develop MEL plans, including project design, appropriate selection of final project indicators and data sources, and team work plans to ensure effective implementation.
• Designs evaluations, research, and quality improvement studies that meet ethical, methodological standards.
• Leads staff to develop and implement monitoring and evaluation guidelines, standards, processes, procedures, and data management guidelines for their respective office or projects.
• Develops and manages MEL budget and work plan.
• Manages the creation and adaptation of data collection tools, including monitoring tools and forms, survey questionnaires, key informant interview schedules, facility assessment and supervision tools, and supporting training materials.
• Mentors project staff to design and/or oversee implementation of project household surveys and other data collection tasks, including developing survey protocols and terms of reference for consulting firms, critically reviewing consultant reports and other deliverables, and deploying ethical clearance procedures.
• Leads coordination of MEL with other units for systems and data usage.
• Directs and coaches team members to design and implement quality project-specific collection of data, analytics and visualization for performance monitoring, evaluation purposes, and technical visibility, including developing research protocols.
• Conceptualizes, develops and implements an appropriate system for collecting monitoring and evaluation data to enable the project to report to stakeholders and use data to assess achievement of goals and objectives.
• Drafts MEL plans for proposals and reviews proposals from the data collection and evaluation perspectives.

• SRHR MEL
• Quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Program and Project Planning and Management
• Proposal Development
• Data Collection Methods
• Statistical software applications
• Country Specific Public Health System knowledge
• Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights Services knowledge
• Leadership and Management
• Change Leadership
• Communication and Influencing Skills
• Presentation Skills
• Community Relations

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in demography, epidemiology, statistics, social sciences or a related field, or a combination of education and experience that yields the required competencies.
• 10 years of progressively responsible experience in MEL health/development projects or equivalent.
• Experience living and working in a developing country.