The Opportunity

• Abt seeks a qualified MECLA Lead for the anticipated USAID Kenya Digital Health Ecosystem (DHE) Activity. This 5-Year USAID-funded program aims to improve the availability and quality of healthcare services in Kenya through a national integrated and comprehensive digital health ecosystem. The program focuses on increasing country ownership and managing a sector-wide health information ecosystem to enhance health systems outcomes in terms of equity, quality, and resource optimization. Key areas include integrating digital health solutions, enhancing digital health ecosystem governance, and strengthening strategic partnerships.
• As the MECLA Director, you will be responsible for the monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive learning components of the project including the design and implementation of the MECLA Plan, supporting the effective and continuous use of data for programming decisions and working with team members to ensure the project achieves its targets. The position will be responsible for the development and oversight of the project’s collaboration, learning and adaptation (CLA) agenda and any operational research studies or assessments undertaken by the project.

The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and is contingent upon project award to Abt.

Core Responsibilities

• Provides oversight to the development and implementation of a comprehensive project MECLA Plan for the effective and continuous use of data for programming decisions at all levels.
• Develops and oversees the project’s collaboration, learning and adaptation (CLA) agenda and any operational research studies or assessments undertaken by the project.
• Directly supervises and manages the performance of project MECLA staff including providing coaching and support to local partners to co-create and lead distinct MECLA activities.
• Closely collaborates with the Chief of Party (COP) and team to monitor project performance and results and ensure that activity components align with results-oriented indicators, deliverables are of high quality, and reporting is relevant, timely, and translated into program adaptations.
• Nurtures strong and practical MECLA leadership and capacity strengthening to advance routine reporting, surveillance and use of data-informed approaches with Ministry of Health (MOH), local organizations, and other stakeholders, especially at the subnational levels.
• Oversees and develops quantitative and qualitative data collection tools and oversees data collection while ensuring data quality, integrity and security standards and procedures are in place. Conducts periodic internal quality checks to ensure the quality and accuracy of project reported data.
• Supports and oversees the design and implementation of needs-based operational research, evaluations, or assessments.
• Leads preparation of all program reporting requirements and lead the development of learning products for information sharing with appropriate stakeholders.

What We Value

• Master’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Statistics, Social Sciences or other relevant field, PhD preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years (with Master’s) or 10 years (with PhD) of relevant professional experience in monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive learning and research in the public health field, with progressively increasing level of responsibility; experience with USAID-funded activities required.
• Demonstrated expertise in rigorous quantitative research and analytical methods, some experience with qualitative research; firm command of MECLA needs with respect to health systems in Kenya.
• Demonstrated hands-on practical experience setting up and managing MECLA systems for digital health programs; experience with District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) and other digital health data systems.
• Strong understanding and experience in reviewing data to make program adaptation recommendations
• Experience producing learning reports, and coordinating and leading learning events with internal and external stakeholders including program partners, USAID, and government staff
• Extensive experience in knowledge management and dissemination of results and research findings.
• Strong interpersonal skills, initiative, good judgment, demonstrated team leadership, and problem-solving abilities.
• Computer literacy (MS Word, MS Excel, statistical software).
• Must be fluent in English.
• Possesses strong oral, written communication, presentations skills.