The International Rescue Committee is a global humanitarian aid, relief and development nongovernmental organization.

Position Summary:

IRC is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Director for an anticipated multi-million-dollar Department of Health CDC Strengthening Immunization Program Implementation in Sub-National Consequential Geographies opportunity. The aim of this program is to provide immunization services (identify and vaccinate zero- and under-dose children, support polio eradication, measles mortality reduction and regional measles and rubella elimination, hepatitis B and maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination, and other vaccine-preventable diseases surveillance); support global laboratory networks for polio and measles/rubella; support planning and implementation of supplemental immunization campaigns; and support the strengthening of immunization delivery systems and capacities in high priority countries.

The MEL Director will have overall responsibility for outlining the program’s monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning agenda in collaboration with research partners and IRC country program staff. S/He will develop the M&E and accountability systems including the design of indicators, data collection tools, data quality controls and analysis, feedback and reporting mechanisms. MEL Director will oversee the project’s learning agenda and take responsibility for dissemination strategies. This position will lead a team responsible for implementing M&E and accountability protocols in the country(s) where the project will operate. S/He will oversee a portfolio of field-based implementation research or evaluations and learning that may be led by IRC researchers or research partners.

The MEL Director will work closely with the Project Director, Deputy Programme Director, and technical staff to ensure that relevant data is collected, analyzed, and used to inform management and design decisions and to provide project updates, as required.

The position will be based in any of the following locations: Abuja, Nigeria, Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia, Nairobi, Kenya. Recruitment is contingent upon the successful award of the project, and the selection of the final applicant is subject to CDC approval. The project is anticipated to begin in June 2024.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop, manage and oversee the implementation of a monitoring and evaluation system (performance monitoring plan) across multiple countries and partners that leverages qualitative and quantitative methods, and draws from a variety of data sources to measure progress and evaluate impact, as well as support collaboration, implementation science, learning, and adaptation.
• Provide strategic leadership to ensure the following is accomplished:
• Provide training, assistance, and consultation, as needed, on interpretation and use of performance benchmarking measures, indicators, and reports.
• Lead collection of periodic data reports and compilation of narrative reports and submit to Program Director and Deputy Program Director.
• Ensure the effective use of technology in the development of monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Communicate information obtained through MEL activities to program staff, and external stakeholders, including CDC, to enable informed decision making.
• Develop and ensure compliance with procedures for collection and reporting of project and program performance data to provide quality, timely data.
• Strengthen capacity on interpretation and use of performance benchmarking measures, indicators, and program learning to consortium staff and MoH counterparts.
• Develop and ensure compliance with procedures for collection and reporting of project and program performance and feedback data and to provide quality, timely, and complete data and reports.
• Regularly review data collection processes, perform data quality assessments, and adjust as needed.
• Prepare the M&E and accountability section of the annual work plans, and review it as needed.
• Prepare the MEL section of the annual work plans, and of review or updates of it, as needed.
• Oversee baseline surveys and assessments and the implementation of the MEL system on a day-to-day basis.
• Lead mid-term and final evaluations to inform project and programming decisions.
• Prepare inputs for regular and ad hoc reports.
• Participate and provide input to program strategy, including necessary adjustments or refinements to the work plan.
• Participate and provide input to program strategy, including necessary adjustments or refinements to the work plan.
• Conduct regular visits to project sites, as possible, to provide technical assistance and ensure proper monitoring of project activities.
• Lead learning agenda for the project and support integration of evidence into routine practice.
• Provide direction and oversight for all MEL staff.

Requirements:

• Advanced degree (PhD or masters degree) from an accredited university in public health, statistics or other related field; equivalent experience may be substituted for graduate degree
• At least 7 years’ experience in monitoring and evaluation, including experience in last mile immunization is required; at least five years working on M&E or in low and middle-income countries is required; at least two year of field experience in humanitarian or low-resource settings is required.
• Demonstrated innovation and success in staff capacity-building and in participatory, flexible, and gender-sensitive programming and implementation.
• demonstrated management experience, including managing direct management of a geographically diverse team, and indirect oversight of partners work.
• Experience with leading multi-million/multi-year CDC, USAID, FCDO or other Institutional Donor funded, standalone projects.
• Experience developing trigger monitoring tools, performance monitoring plans and associated data collection tools, systems and methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience in the use of qualitative and quantitative methods for data analysis.
• Experience working on Health and Immunization programming in fragile contexts, including familiarity with Immunization standards and approaches.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with local counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Fluency in English required