Country: United States of America
Closing date: 30 Nov 2017
Pathfinder Overview
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. Since 1957, we have partnered with local governments, communities, and health systems in developing countries to remove barriers to critical sexual and reproductive health services. Together, we expand access to contraception, promote healthy pregnancies, save women’s lives, and stop the spread of new HIV infections, wherever the need is most urgent. Our work ensures millions of women, men, and young people are able to choose their own paths forward.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor
Program Overview:
Pathfinder’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Unit provides technical assistance to country-specific and multi-country projects. Our support includes the design and oversight of performance monitoring, management information systems, assessments, research, evaluations, knowledge management and learning functions at the project and organizational level. The MEL Advisor is responsible for ensuring that we plan for and collect appropriate, relevant, high-quality data that meets ethical standards, and use it for program learning and action. Our efforts aim to provide program managers and technical advisors with high quality data in ways that can inform their decisions. The Unit is also growing its competencies in knowledge exchange and structured learning activities to help facilitate the use of data for decisions and action. The high-energy, fast-paced, highly analytic and collaborative MEL team is multidisciplinary with expertise in public health, sociology, epidemiology, biostatistics, management, design thinking, knowledge management and quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Position Purpose:
The MEL Advisor is responsible for collaborating with the US-based and global MEL teams to develop and implement Pathfinder’s MEL strategy and work plan, which includes responsibilities related to performance monitoring, compliance and data quality, data use, knowledge exchange, research, evaluation and implementation science, and program learning. His/her main responsibility is to provide direct assistance to staff in country offices and projects to ensure the appropriate data collection and evaluation approach is implemented, feasible monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plans and data collection systems are developed, data is analyzed and used effectively, and evidence is produced for program learning. This involves gaining a full understanding of Pathfinder’s programs with which he/she works and may involve development of new tools for data collection, communication with other business units, planning for and selecting consultants and providing targeted training as needs arise. S/he is also responsible for collaborating with other MEL staff to design operations research and implementation science studies, assessments, evaluations, and other research activities.
Key Responsibilities:
•Work with global MEL staff to develop sound MEL plans for project proposals, including MEL system design, appropriate selection of final project indicators and data sources, and a MEL work plan to ensure effective implementation.
•Work with project teams to conceptualize, develop and implement appropriate system(s) for collecting, storing, analyzing, and using MEL data to enable each project to report to stakeholders and use data to track achievement of goals and objectives, make programmatic decisions and take necessary actions.
•Work with project teams to create and adapt high-quality, donor- and country-compliant data collection tools, as appropriate, including monitoring tools and forms, survey questionnaires, key informant interview schedules, facility assessment and supervision tools, and training materials.
•Provide thought leadership to countries and the MEL team related to designing mixed-methods and quasi-experimental studies (including operations research and implementation science studies), including design or review of protocols, instruments, analysis plans, conducting descriptive and inferential analysis using appropriate software tools.
•Lead and/or support country teams to analyze quantitative and/or qualitative data sets and write up findings for dissemination via reports, technical publications and/or peer-reviewed journal articles, and conference presentations, per organizational and project needs.
•Assist project staff to develop and implement MEL standards, guidelines, procedure manuals and data management guidelines for their office/projects.
•Provide support and guidance to other members of the MEL team, including review of documents written by team members.
•Initiate new guidance documents and other materials to improve MEL processes, knowledge and skill development across the organization.
•Provide MEL-related mentorship and training to MEL team and project staff, as needed.
•Liaise with other MEL unit staff to ensure all MEL, knowledge management and management information system support needs are met for assigned projects.
•Contribute to the development and dissemination of Pathfinder MEL global standards and operating procedures, resources, and tools as appropriate.
•Perform other duties, as assigned.
Basic Requirements (Candidates must meet basic requirements to be considered for this job.)
Basic Requirements:
•An advanced degree (Master’s minimum, DrPH/PhD preferred) in demography, public health, epidemiology, statistics, social sciences or related field.
•At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in monitoring and evaluating FP, RH, MNCH, HIV and/or other health programs.
•Experience living and/or working in a developing country required.
•Advanced training and demonstrated experience in quantitative research methods, especially applied statistics and inferential analysis; training in mixed methods or implementation science highly desired.
•Experience designing performance monitoring and/or conducting mixed-method studies in the areas of reproductive health/family planning, maternal, newborn, and child health, HIV/AIDS, post-abortion care, adolescent health or quality improvement preferred.
•Experienced user of software packages, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and at least one statistical software package (EPI-INFO, STATA, SPSS, SAS, R, or similar).
•Demonstrated success with packaging results, presenting to a wide range of stakeholders and using data for program management, decision making, and action.
•Experience in the design and development of proposals to various donor agencies.
•Knowledge of USAID, PEPFAR, and other donor reporting guidelines and requirements.
•Demonstrated ability to work effectively with various constituencies including donor agencies and local partners.
•Fluency in both written and spoken English required; fluency in French or Portuguese is a plus.
•Proven ability to work independently and with attention to detail.
•Excellent organizational skills and proven team player, with ability to work across multiple projects and teams.
•Ability to work well with people from different cultures.
•Ability to travel internationally (approximately 25% time).
Preferred Qualifications
•Experience in health economics and/or designing and conducting costing studies.
•Experience with GIS or digital health for performance monitoring/data collection.
•Experience with DHIS2/designing health management information systems.
•Experience with qualitative analysis software (NVivo, NUDIST, ATLAS.ti).
Pathfinder International is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex,national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.
How to apply:
