Monitoring, Reporting, Evaluation and Learning (MREL) Project Officer at British High Commission

Main purpose of job:

The post holder will support the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) International Health Regulations (IHR) Strengthening Project in Nigeria. The IHR Strengthening Project (IHR-SP) aims to improve global health security through increasing compliance with the IHR in selected countries and regions in Africa and Asia, taking an all-hazards approach. 

The Monitoring, Reporting, Evaluation and Learning (MREL) Project Officer will work alongside the MREL team, in the Global Operation Directorate, to monitor our expanding International Health Regulations Strengthening project. This complex and high-profile Official Development Assistance (ODA) funded project works in partnership with bilateral partners and regional organisations in Africa and Asia to strengthen public health systems and support the implementation of the IHR (2005). ODA-funded projects are subject to independent scrutiny to ensure efficiency and good value for money. Consequently, a robust MREL framework is essential for the projects’ success. 

The post holder will provide quality, timely monitoring, evaluation and learning support as part of Nigeria country office and the IHR-SP Monitoring, Reporting, Evaluation and Learning (MREL) team. The postholder will support MREL processes and will administrate evidence to inform reporting and track results over time. This will involve collecting and collating evidence to inform decision making and make recommendations to internal colleagues. 

This post offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience of working in a fast paced and innovative environment and is an ideal chance for someone looking to advance their career in Public Health project monitoring and evaluation. The ideal candidate must have a flexible approach to meet the needs of the service, be able to work to tight deadlines and manage multiple workstreams and priorities at the same time. This post will be based in Abuja with some travel to other areas of Nigeria if relevant. Occasional international travel (e.g. to other countries in the sub region, or to the UK) may be required.

Roles and responsibilities:

Support the Country team and IHR-SP MREL team to implement the monitoring and evaluation project plan. 

This will include taking responsibility for: 

• Supporting teams in tracking project progress against indicators and monitoring the quality of the returns. 
• Supporting the team to collect and manage evidence of project activities (including following up for evidence / evaluations from IHR project teams)
• Prepare regular monitoring and evaluation reports 
• Identifying, monitoring and communicating risks around monitoring and evaluation 
• Supporting the IHR team in quality assuring monitoring data 

Providing support to the IHR MREL team in the management of the external evaluation of the IHR project: 

• Liaising with external consultants on planned deliverables as appropriate
• Tracking and reporting progress 
• Managing dashboards 
• Collating evidence 

Facilitating MREL activities for IHR subject matter expert teams. 

• Collecting feedback data from participants 
• Basic quantitative and qualitative data analysis 
• Organisation and storing of activity-related MEL data 

Professional Development:

• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan.  Attending internal / external training events
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

Essential qualifications, skills and experience  

• Bachelor of Science degree qualification or equivalent experience
• 2-5 years previous experience in project monitoring and evaluation, including use of logical framework, indicators, evidence and data collection and evaluation protocols
• Some experience of qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation methods including data analysis
• Experience in drafting briefing papers, reports and presentations to a high level
• Excellent written and oral communication skills on complex matters, often requiring persuasion and influence.
• Effective organisation, prioritisation and planning skills
• Ability to analyse and interpret information and recommend appropriate actions.
• Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales.
• Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships. 

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience  

• Further training in monitoring and evaluation.
• Understanding of global best practice in monitoring and evaluation techniques
• Understanding of global health including the health challenges of low- and middle-income countries and the international health architecture.
• Computer literate and proficient user of Microsoft programs such as Outlook, Word, Excel and SharePoint. Experience in the use of qualitative evaluation software will be advantageous.