Director – Strategic Information - North-West at Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative (AHNi)

Position Summary:

• The Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) will provide strategic leadership and oversight for all monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities under the THRIVE Activity.
• The Director will ensure robust data collection, management, and analysis to inform program decision-making and contribute to achieving the program’s objectives.
• The role will require working closely with stakeholders, including USAID, PEPFAR, local partners, and government entities, to ensure compliance with donor requirements and alignment with national systems.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic MEL Leadership:

• Led the design and implementation of the project’s MEL framework, ensuring alignment with USAID/PEPFAR requirements and international best practices.
• Oversee the project’s Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) processes to ensure data-driven and contextually responsive programmatic adjustments.
• Develop and implement data quality assurance mechanisms to ensure accurate and reliable reporting.

Data Management and Reporting:

• Manage the project’s MEL reporting cycle, ensuring timely and high-quality data submission to USAID, PEPFAR, and other stakeholders.
• Design and maintain a robust data management system, integrating national case management and reporting tools like NOMIS.
• Ensure data dissemination to relevant stakeholders for evidence-based decision-making at the community, facility, and policy levels.

Capacity Building:

• Build the capacity of MEL staff, local implementing partners, and community-based organizations in data collection, management, and analysis.
• Provide technical assistance to local partners in developing MEL plans and implementing data collection tools.

Collaboration and Coordination:

• Facilitate data-sharing and coordination with other USAID programs, government entities, and stakeholders to enhance program synergy.
• Represent the THRIVE Activity in professional forums, including conferences, workshops, and meetings on MEL topics.

Evaluation and Learning:

• Oversee the design and execution of project evaluations and research studies to assess program impact and identify best practices.
• Use evaluation findings to inform programmatic adjustments and share lessons learned with stakeholders.

Technical Oversight:

• Conduct regular monitoring visits to project sites to provide technical support and ensure MEL activities meet international quality standards.
• Coordinate data quality assessments and facilitate using findings to address programmatic gaps.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:

Technical Expertise:

• Knowledge of health and development programs, including HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, and OVC programming.
• Familiarity with MEL systems for global health initiatives, including USAID/PEPFAR.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis and data visualization tools.

Leadership and Management:

• Strong leadership skills with experience managing diverse teams and complex projects.
• Ability to mentor staff and build the capacity of local partners.
• Proven ability to manage tight deadlines and produce high-quality deliverables.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presenting complex data to diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills to foster collaboration with stakeholders at all levels.

Minimum Recruitment Standards:

• MB.BS/MD/PhD in Public Health, Epidemiology, Statistics, or related field with 15 years of experience in MEL for global health initiatives, OR
• MPH/MS/MA in a relevant field with 15 years of relevant experience, OR
• BS/BA in Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, or a related field with 15 years of relevant experience.
• Familiarity with Nigerian public health systems, NGOs, and CBOs is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in developing and managing MEL frameworks for large-scale donor-funded programs.
• Experience working with USAID/PEPFAR MEL systems and standards.