Monitoring & Evaluation Director at Pathfinder International

Program Overview

Pathfinder seeks a Director of Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) for the USAID Kenya HIV Service Delivery Support Activity (HSDSA) Program. The primary focus of the activity is to identify, link, treat, and retain HIV+ Kenyans within the existing service delivery platform (sites) across focus counties.

Position Purpose

The Director of M&E is responsible for all monitoring, evaluation and reporting activities under the award. The Director of M&E leads the development of and manages the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (M&E Plan). The Director of M&E develops and maintains systems to collect and analyze information on inputs, outputs, outcomes and impact of the program.

She/he conducts supportive supervisory visits to sub-grantees to observe, monitor, guide, and provide feedback on the use of data and indicators; analyze monthly data, and support training of M&E personnel in quality assurance methods.

Responsibilities for the Monitoring & Evaluation Job

• Works closely with USAID to develop and implement performance monitoring plans, including identification of project inputs, outputs, outcomes, performance indicators, and targets as well as establishing a baseline; designs and implements data-collection and performance reporting systems; provides field-based technical assistance and monitoring of M&E systems; and reporting.
• Consults with USAID and other stakeholders to establish a transparent, reliable, and valid M&E system that can easily be tracked and verified.
• Ensures that the M&E system is a cost-effective, results-orientated system that provides USAID and the program with necessary information to assess the progress, effectiveness, and outcome of activities.
• Collaborates with partners to develop individual and M&E work and training plans as appropriate.
• Develops/adapts tools for data collection; designs and implements surveys and other data collection tasks.
• Designs/adapts project performance monitoring database to report national and global indicator and zEnsures that the findings of service-oriented, strategic analysis and research (e.g., cost studies, client-segmentation studies, unmet need studies, client-satisfaction studies) are used to inform program strategies and to refine performance monitoring plans and planning frameworks.
• Ensures that the performance monitoring plans and strategic implementation frameworks are complementary and consistent.
• Maintains effective working relationships with all government agencies, donors, and international partners.
• Oversees implementation of the project’s baseline and end-of-project surveys.
• Documents project achievements against targets using monitoring data and works with project staff to document the factors behind gaps and over achievements.
• Institutes regular use of performance monitoring data among project managers, Country Offices, and other relevant Pathfinder staff.
• Identifies best practices and state-of-the art approaches to the program activities and evaluates them.
• Plans for and selects qualified consultants and critically assesses consultant reports and other deliverables.
• Disseminates information on project evaluations through written reports, conference presentations, and publications, and assists project staff to do likewise.
• Uses data to systematically and consistently document achievements, success stories, and best practices.
  Supervises M&E team members to:
• Manage production of data to meet all reporting requirements including quarterly and annual reports, research, technical reports, presentations, etc.
• Ensure that all data are up to date and ready for immediate use.
• Review quarterly reports prior to submission to donors and headquarters.
• Assist project technical staff with preparation of reports as appropriate.
• Builds capacity of Pathfinder staff, especially project staff, on the use of data for decision making and performance improvement.
• Conducts field-based monitoring, technical assistance and training to program teams, sub-grantees and partner organizations as necessary.
• Provides overall guidance and manages all the M&E related efforts, communicating and coordinating as needed with headquarters M&E and other staff.
• Carries out other duties and special assignments, as required.

Qualifications for the Monitoring & Evaluation Job

• Master’s degree in a public health field, social science, economics, or relevant discipline.
• Significant study in fields relevant to HIV care and support, FP/RH/MCH project, international development and/or program monitoring and evaluation.
• Strong background or formal training in evaluating international development programs such as but not limited to, Maternal and Child Health, Family Planning and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS.
• At least 5 years of experience related to monitoring, evaluating and reporting on programs related to FP/RH/MCH HIV or international development in developing countries.
• Strong background in field research in health programming.
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative methods and analysis.
• Experience designing and conducting operational research studies.
• Experience managing analysis, synthesis, documentation and dissemination of lessons for a range of stakeholders.
• Experience leading a project team in M&E activity design and implementation.
• Proven ability to manage, motivate and mentor staff at all levels and create a positive team environment.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the health context and structural issues in Kenya including socioeconomic, institutional and policy issues that are related to essential services in population, health, and nutrition.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with various constituencies including headquarters, donor agencies, international and local partners, host country government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills, capacity to analyze Project Management Plan data, evaluate progress, and recommend necessary recourse for maximizing program progress and impact.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of USAID reporting requirements.
• Experienced user of software packages, including ACCESS, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and at least one statistical software package (SPSS, STATA, SAS or similar).
• Experience working with complex programs involving short deadlines, multiple tasks, in coordination with multiple partners, to achieve expected results.
• Strong presentation skills including the ability to present and undertake high-level policy dialogue with USAID and other key stakeholders.
• Excellent diplomatic, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Fluency in English.
• Ability to travel throughout Kenya; occasional travel to the US Headquarters may also be necessary.