Director, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning at Association for Reproductive and Family Health (ARFH)

The Position:

• The Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) will lead the design and implementation of the overall monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning strategy for an anticipated USAID-Funded Primary Health Care Improvement Program(UPHIP)   This role is critical to ensure that the project effectively tracks progress, captures evidence of impact, and applies learning to improve performance.
• The Director, MERL will ensure data-driven decision-making, contribute to the sustainability of project outcomes, and enhance organizational learning by providing comprehensive insights into program effectiveness.

Purpose of the Role:

• The Director, MERL will oversee the monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning components of the project, ensuring robust systems are in place to track performance, assess impact, and generate high-quality evidence for internal learning and donor reporting. The role will involve working closely with project staff, partners, and stakeholders to ensure that data collection, analysis, and reporting are consistent with the program’s objectives and donor requirements

Specific Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities:

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System Design and Implementation

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive MERL strategy that aligns with the project’s goals, donor requirements, and organizational policies.
• Design and implement effective M&E frameworks, tools, and processes to track project outputs, outcomes, and impact.
• Ensure the establishment of baseline data and develop performance indicators that are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound).
• Lead the development of detailed monitoring and evaluation plans, including data collection, analysis, and reporting protocols.
• Ensure that M&E systems are fully integrated with program management and provide real-time feedback for program improvement.

Data Collection, Management, and Analysis

• Oversee the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, ensuring high data quality, integrity, and accuracy.
• Develop and implement data quality assurance processes, including training staff on proper data collection and validation methods.
• Utilize data management systems to track key performance indicators and provide timely updates to project leadership.
• Lead efforts to analyze data for trends, patterns, and outcomes to inform project implementation and decision-making.

Research and Evaluation

• Design and oversee rigorous research and evaluation studies, including impact evaluations, baseline studies, mid-term reviews, and final evaluations.
• Ensure that research initiatives are aligned with the project’s objectives and provide actionable insights for program adaptation.
• Collaborate with academic institutions, research organizations, and partners to conduct research and disseminate findings.
• Use research and evaluation data to contribute to thought leadership, including the development of policy briefs, research reports, and presentations.

Learning and Knowledge Management

• Establish a learning agenda to ensure continuous improvement of project activities and strategies based on evidence and lessons learned.
• Foster a culture of learning and knowledge-sharing within the project team, partners, and stakeholders.
• Organize learning events, workshops, and meetings to disseminate findings and promote the application of learning in program implementation.
• Document best practices, success stories, and lessons learned to enhance the project’s visibility and reputation with donors and external stakeholders.

Donor Reporting and Stakeholder Engagement

• Prepare high-quality M&E reports, research briefs, and presentations for internal use and donor submission.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting on project performance, impact, and challenges to the donor, partners, and stakeholders.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for M&E-related matters with the donor, government counterparts, and other key stakeholders.
• Participate in external meetings, donor visits, and stakeholder events to share project results and learning.

Capacity Building and Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and manage the MERL team, including M&E officers, data analysts, and field staff, ensuring high-quality performance and professional growth.
• Provide technical assistance and capacity-building support to project staff, local partners, and government counterparts on M&E practices and standards.

• Ensure that all MERL staff are equipped with the skills and tools required to collect, manage, and analyze data effectively.

Deliverables

• A comprehensive MERL plan, including performance indicators and data collection methodologies..
• High-quality quarterly, semi-annual, and annual M&E reports that meet donor requirements and provide insights into project performance.
• Research studies and evaluation reports that assess project impact and generate recommendations for program improvement.
• Learning briefs, case studies, and success stories that document key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.

Regular updates to senior leadership on key performance indicators, including presentations and data visualizations.

Required Experience

Educational Qualifications and Experience:

Essential

• Master’s degree or higher in statistics, demography, social sciences, international development, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of experience in leading M&E functions for large-scale, multi-sectoral, donor-funded projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in M&E systems design, data collection methodologies, and statistical analysis.
• Strong experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including data analysis software (e.g., SPSS, Stata, R).
• Proven experience in designing and managing research and evaluation studies, including impact assessments.
• Excellent knowledge of donor requirements for M&E (e.g., USAID, DFID, EU).
• Strong communication skills, including report writing and presenting complex data to various stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred

• Experience working in Nigeria or similar contexts.
• Experience with using technology for data collection, such as mobile data collection tools.
• Experience with managing donor relations and reporting.
• Knowledge of cross-cutting issues such as gender, social inclusion, and sustainability in program M&E.

Competencies

• Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze large datasets, identify trends, and generate insights to improve program performance.
• Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of M&E frameworks, tools, and methodologies.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor teams and foster a culture of learning and accountability.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present findings clearly and effectively.
• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills and experience working with diverse teams and stakeholders, including government and local partners.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt M&E strategies to meet changing program needs and donor requirements.