Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist at Henry Jackson Foundation Medical Research International (HJFMRI)

HJFMRI is seeking to a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist for an upcoming USAID-funded multi-year project – Kenya Health Partnerships for Quality Services (KHPQS). The positions will be based in Nairobi ad Western Kenya. The purpose of the project is to increase use of quality county-led health and social services in select counties in Kenya. This is a service delivery project at the county level, providing HIV care and treatment; services to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and adolescents; and services in the areas of family planning/reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (FP/RMNCAH), nutrition, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). The KHPQS will support the Government of Kenya (GoK) in attaining its goal of addressing the HIV/AIDS response, safeguarding the rights and welfare of children and adolescents impacted by HIV/AIDS, and ensuring equitable access to and use of quality primary health care.

The MEL will oversee all project monitoring, evaluation and learning activities of the project, data collection systems and tools, timely reporting, development of and management of the Project’s Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP), dissemination and publication of project outcomes, as well as mentor and support the MEL Coordinators and officers. The MEL, will support the Project Chief of Party and the Deputy Chief of Party, Technical teams, to deliver the Project’s expected results. S/he would lead project monitoring, evaluation and operational research efforts. This position will develop monitoring, evaluation and reporting plans, systems and tools that include Program indicators, baseline data, targets and a plan to evaluate performance and produce timely, accurate and complete reporting. Moreover, this position will help continually improve program implementation based on M&E findings. S/he conducts supportive supervisory visits to sub-grantees to observe, monitor, provide guidance and quality feedback on the use of data and indicators and analyzes monthly data and support training of M&E personnel in quality assurance methods. This position will also play a key role in supporting Program knowledge management and carrying out a Learning Plan to accomplish documentation and dissemination of Program lessons learned and best practices.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and oversee the implementation of the Program Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) that includes plans for collecting baseline data and establishing targets and outputs that contribute to improving outcome level indicators to be annually measured by USAID/Kenya
• Assume primary responsibility for all Program activity monitoring, evaluation and learning, and lead the development of platforms to share lessons learned with the GOK and its partners, the donors and key stakeholders in Kenya counties;
• Oversee and lead the development of Program M&E systems, procedures and tools;
• Play a key role in maintaining a Program Knowledge Management and Learning system;
• Lead all Program baseline, mid-term and end-line surveys in support of Program data collection and analysis to inform Program interventions and national policy formulation;
• Ensure the availability and use of high-quality data for decision making;
• Support the COP and Deputy COP in developing M&E sections of the quarterly and annual reports, and contribute substantially to the annual planning process as it relates to M&E and learning goals, targets and activities;
• Assess and support innovative technologies where and when relevant for improved information system reporting;
• Provide capacity building and mentor in monitoring, evaluation and learning to all Program implementing partners including Community-Based Organizations involved in Program implementation through sub-awards;
• Train and mentor Program staff on relevant M&E aspects of Program implementation;
• Contribute to the development and implementation of a strategy for synthesizing and disseminating key results, lessons learned, and other research and survey outputs of the Program.

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in the relevant discipline, such as mathematics, statistics, informatics, or a related field with knowledge/skills of Geographical Information Systems and information technology.
• At least ten years of experience implementing monitoring and evaluating activities for complex programs in developing countries with large-scale health and HIV/AIDS and OVC service delivery and systems strengthening programs;
• Experience with PEPFAR reporting systems and requirements
• Must have excellent writing, presentation and communication skills in English and
• Demonstrated research experience and skills, complemented by experience in facilitation, close collaboration with varying types of partners.
• Demonstrated experience in providing technical support, setting up and managing M&E systems that track performance as per the objectives of the activity (e.g. service integration and performance against each result area) and in the application of statistical methods and database management.
• Demonstrated understanding, experience and competency in working with HIV programs among KP communities