About the role

• The NOURISH coordination team is looking to hire a Senior MEAL Advisor who will lead investment and country-level MEAL architecture, including development of the Performance Measurement Framework (PMF), MEAL planning, and the learning agenda and learning strategy for the investment.
• The role will support technical assistance partners (TAPs) to strengthen in country government monitoring and data systems as the foundation for results-based decision making and driving success, first and foremost at the country level and for long term sustainability, and subsequently for accountability to the broader investment outcomes.
• The Senior MEAL Advisor will work closely with the Information Management & Reporting Officer, the Sr. Consortium and Project Director and the Technical Assistance Partners (TAPs) to strengthen the effective use of routine information systems and ensure robust measurement of investment-level Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including the quality and robustness of the indicators, tools, and measurement methods embedded within national systems. KPIs will be used as a reference point to support partners in the effective use and enhancement of routine government data and monitoring systems. This will be achieved through ongoing support to the TAPs who are working closely with country governments. A core objective is to reinforce government-owned monitoring and data systems for sustainability and improved decision-making at national and subnational levels.
• The Senior MEAL Advisor will also provide leadership, technical guidance, and coordination to strengthen maternal nutrition data systems across Technical Assistance Partner countries under this investment. The role focuses on driving standardization, data quality improvement, interoperability, and actionable use of data to enhance accountability for maternal nutrition interventions (i.e. MMS, IFA).

Key Duties and Responsibilities

MEAL Planning, Performance Measurement Framework, and MEAL Architecture

• Lead the development and refinement of the investment-level MEAL plan and strategy, ensuring alignment with the grant’s theory of change, C2I and KPI framework, and donor requirements.  This includes overseeing country-level plans and Performance Measurement Frameworks (PMF), integrating KPIs into government systems where possible, and providing technical leadership for results-based management.
• Develop an Investment Level Learning Strategy and facilitate the development of Learning Agendas for the TAPs
  Lead the development and operationalization of the investment-level learning strategy by identifying priority learning questions and ensuring that robust evidence is systematically generated, synthesized, and applied for decision-making. This involves aligning country-level learning agendas with the overarching strategy and facilitating cross-country exchanges to promote peer reflection, innovation, and the adoption of best practices.
• Development of Standardized Indicators, Tools, and Measurement Methods
  Lead cross-country workshops to align Performance Management Frameworks, assess data landscapes, and develop monitoring plans. Provide technical guidance to TAPs on standardized reporting, indicator definitions, and data quality. Establish reporting governance including annual processes, workplans, and SharePoint repositories.

Improving Data Quality, Use, and Visibility

• Provide technical guidance to governments and TAPs on Data Quality Improvement (DQI) processes, including periodic data review protocols, quality assessment tools, and supportive supervision and verification methods. Develop a grant-level dashboard and analytics system to track progress on KPIs, and support country partners in the effective use of visualizations and dashboards for improved decision-making and adaptation.
• Systems Strengthening, Sustainability, and Harmonization
  Advise TAPs on strengthening links between data logistics and health information systems, as well as community and facility-level information flows. Provide technical assistance and job aids for integrating MMS, IFA, and calcium indicators into DHIS2, HMIS, LMIS, eCHIS, and facility registers and reporting tools. Conduct routine learning and review sessions with TAPs to assess progress, resolve quality issues, share cross-country learnings, and recommend system enhancements.

Risk, Compliance & Safeguarding (Data & Content)

• Ensure compliance with data protection and content classification policies, including secure handling and access controls for sensitive data. Manage permissions and ensure ethical use of data, in line with organizational, government, and donor guidelines. Uphold safeguarding, PSEA, and Do No Harm principles in all documentation and dissemination.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• The Senior MEAL Advisor will provide direct supervision and line management to the Information Management & Reporting Officer (IMRO).

Education/Professional Designations/Experience

Education

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Monitoring & Evaluation, Data Science, Nutrition, or related field.

Experience

• Over 10 years of experience in MEAL roles within health or nutrition programs, ideally in LMIC contexts and including multi-country support across Africa.
• Demonstrated experience strengthening national monitoring and data systems.
• Experience with donor-funded projects (e.g. government, UN, foundations, multilateral donors) and understanding of donor compliance.
• Experience working with bilateral or philanthropic grants preferred.
• Experience in international development / Public Health / Nutrition/NGO environment.
• Knowledge of major donors’ rules (e.g., Global Affairs Canada, FCDO, EU, Private & Public Foundations)
• Experience with maternal nutrition or micronutrient supplementation programs is an asset.
• Proficiency with statistical and visualization tools (Stata, R, Power BI, DHIS2 analytics, etc.).

Skills, Competencies and Personal Attributes

MEAL Technical Competencies

• High level of expertise in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning within public health, nutrition, or health systems strengthening.
• Proven experience developing indicator frameworks, data collection tools, measurement methodologies, and reporting systems.
• Strong capacity in data quality assurance, routine system assessment, and strengthening government M&E processes.

Data Systems Strengthening Competencies

• Demonstrated experience integrating indicators into national health information systems (DHIS2, LMIS, HMIS, eCHIS).
• Understanding of interoperability, data flows, and data governance in low- and middle-income country settings.
• Ability to guide partners on linking logistics, facility, and community data for improved tracking and accountability.

Travel Requirements:

• Travel up to 20% to TAP countries and regional meetings, including field visits supporting government systems.
• Works across time zones in a matrixed, multi-partner environment.