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Job Title:   Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Advisor

Organisation: Pathfinder International

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About US:

Pathfinder International is driven by the conviction that all people, regardless of where they live, have the right to decide whether and when to have children, to exist free from fear and stigma, and to lead the lives they choose. As a global health organization with locally led, community-driven programs, we support women to make their own reproductive health decisions. We work with local partners to advance contraceptive services, comprehensive abortion care, and young people’s sexual and reproductive rights in communities around the world—including those affected by poverty, conflict, climate change, and natural disasters. Taken together, our programs enable millions of people to choose their own paths forward.

Job Summary:   The MEAL Advisor position reports to the Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) and works closely with all partners and field-based teams. S/he will develop, refine, and implement Pathfinder’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) systems in Uganda. The primary focus of this role is to ensure robust, accurate, and timely data collection and monitoring systems are in place for all programme activities. This includes routine performance tracking, data management and analysis, benchmarking, and accountability systems to ensure program quality. The MEAL Advisor will assist in the consolidation of key performance indicators and contribute to monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for donors and stakeholders.

S/he will closely work with technical leads to develop and refine log frames and results frameworks, ensuring that programme indicators align with SMART objectives and contribute to programme goals. S/he will also lead efforts to develop a strong accountability system, ensuring timely follow-up on any issues raised by the MEAL and programme teams. In addition, S/he will create processes for consistent data utilization and learning to enable evidence-based decision-making for programme teams and by Senior Management Team (SMT).

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

MEL Strategic Planning and Implementation

• Develop and update project MEAL logical frameworks, M&E Plans, work plans, data collection tools, and standard operating procedures, aligning with Pathfinder’s MEAL standards, donor requirements, and other national systems such as DHIS2 as may be required.
• Promote a culture that prioritizes programme quality by championing MEAL role within all programme activities and ensuring there are strong linkages to MEAL, across programmes.
• Liaise with partners, stakeholders, and regional MEAL teams to align with Pathfinder’s and donor MEAL requirements and standards.
• Support the Strategic Information Management Officer (SIMO) in development and maintenance of the management information system.
• Contribute to business development activities by supporting development of new projects and proposals in conjunction with business development team.

Performance Monitoring

• Create a system to ensure systematic tracking of programme achievements and progress towards objectives.
• Design and develop performance Dashboards to strengthen monitoring, measurement, and analysis of relevant programme data ensuring efficient, timely, and accurate performance data tracking.
• Establish and implement protocols for regular data quality assurance (DQA) mechanisms to improve efficiency.
• Collaborate with technical specialists to develop and implement sectoral quality benchmarks or targets.
• Standardize data collection tools, reporting formats, and methodologies across all programme activities to capture the specific characteristics of different target groups of interest.
• Work with program teams to develop a comprehensive MEAL plan.
• Regularly review and consolidate MEAL outputs, such as the Indicator Performance Tracking Table (IPTT), ensuring they are up-to-date and accurate.

Research, Evaluation, and Learning

• Work in collaboration with technical teams and consultants to design and develop research protocols, qualitative and quantitative data collection tools, and participate in evaluation/ assessments related activities including baseline surveys to inform programme design and implementation.
• Collaborate with technical teams to identify knowledge gaps and research priorities that will contribute to the Evidence & Learning agenda.
• Foster a learning culture by promoting the collection, analysis, and dissemination of evidence and lessons learned from programme implementation across the implementing partners.

Program Reporting

• Compile, analyze data to provide clear and accurate conclusions and recommendations to programme staff, SMT, and stakeholders to guide decision-making.
• Assist in providing data for donor reporting requirements, and ensuring MEAL reporting requirements to programme teams and donors are met.
• Report results of MEL activities internally and externally and document progress toward achieving indicators/targets, as appropriate.
• In collaboration with MoH, Districts, and partners, support linkage and analysis of DHIS2 data. Ensuring timely routine data retrieval, reporting, and integration of HMIS data.
• Support the Country Director and Team Leader to write and prepare quality conference presentations and publications.

Building staff capacity in MEAL

• Build the MEAL capacity of programme staff, partners, and district local government. By working closely with MEAL Director and relevant stakeholders to develop and implement MEAL capacity strengthening plans, tools, and guides to facilitate knowledge transfer and provide technical MEAL training and support.
• Provide routine technical guidance and support to field-based MEAL staff, ensuring they receive regular feedback and supervision.
• Participate in orienting new staff on MEAL systems and performance management of MEAL staff, ensuring they have the necessary skills to support program quality.

Accountability and Communication

• Ensure all staff, including senior management, understand and promote MEAL policies and procedures to ensure beneficiary or participant personal information are protected.
• Establish systems to effectively manage feedback and complaints, ensuring transparent and responsive communication among programme teams, partners, and SMT.
• Establish and maintain a good working relation with the relevant government departments, ministries, districts, as well as other stakeholder groups.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Master’s degree in statistics, quantitative economics, demography, epidemiology, public health, or a related field or a combination of education and experience that yields the required competencies.
• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in monitoring evaluation of health/development projects, 4 of which should be at a managerial/Advisory level.
• Excellent understanding of statistical, analytical and data management systems, including ability to process and analyze data using one or more statistical software packages, including at least one of the following: SPSS, STATA, SAS, or software for qualitative data analysis (Nvivo, Atlas.ti, Dedoose, etc.) and Power BI, DHIS2 or other analytical platforms.
• Demonstrated experience and familiarity with behavioral surveillance surveys, research methodologies, qualitative and quantitative research methods, data analysis, sampling techniques, and establishing M&E systems
• Program Management: Experience in program management and administration, financial management, award compliance and sub award management, and tracking activity performance and costs.
• Leadership: Demonstrated leadership skills in working collaboratively with other donors, host country institutions, and international organizations.
• Relationship Building: Demonstrated depth and breadth of relevant technical expertise and experience, interpersonal skills, and professional relationships.
• Management and Supervision: Proven ability to lead, manage, and develop direct reports within a matrix culture.
• Operations and Financial Management: Deep knowledge of operations and financial management on a donor funded project.
• Experience with proposal writing and budget oversight.
• Minimally Required Competencies/Attributes:
• Strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for supplier and stakeholder engagement.
• Proficiency in procurement software and Microsoft Office Suite.”
• High attention to detail and accuracy in managing contracts and financial transactions.
• Strong negotiation, contract management, and supplier relationship skills.
• Familiarity with FCDO regulations and compliance requirements is a plus.
• Minimally Required Organizational Competencies:
• Software Applications: Advanced knowledge of MS Office products, including MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
• Organization culture: Proven experience of working in matrix organizations.
• Passion for SRHR: Commitment to family planning, reproductive health services, gender, maternal – child health services, and eradication of harmful traditional practices.
• Self-Leadership: Must be organized, dependable, results oriented and able to work independently and achieve results, with very minimal supervision.
• Self-Management and Teamwork: Ability to work independently or as a member of the team, ability to thrive in a matrix organization, ability to be detailed-oriented, and ability to manage stress effectively in a fast-paced environment.

How to Apply:

All qualified and interested candidates should apply online at the link below.

Click Here 

Deadline: 28th February 2025

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