Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Officer at The Health Strategy and Delivery Foundation (HSDF)

About the MNH-ASSIST Project

• The Maternal and Newborn Health Accelerated Scale-Up of Sustainable Supply Chain Interventions and Systems Transformation (MNH-ASSIST) project aims to improve the uninterrupted availability, beneficiary access, utilization, tracking, and reporting of MNH bundle commodities across supported health facilities. This will be achieved through multi-stakeholder collaborations that cut across various MDAs including the SMoH, SPHCDAs, DMA/CMS and health facilities, and partners like FIELD Intelligence, C4SD, ACEPHAP, TA Connect, SCIDaR, and CHAI among others. The project seeks to sustainably achieve the following: effective MNH commodities last-mile delivery (LMD) to facilities, improved states capacity to plan, finance, and execute LMD, digitalize states LMIS and enable real-time visibility for logistics data, consumption-driven MNH bundle commodities forecasting/quantification, and strengthened DRF programs to ensure continuous replenishment of MNH commodities.
• Additionally, the project aims to facilitate affordable access to these bundled MNH services for beneficiaries by leveraging existing government and donor-driven financing mechanisms that protect women and their families from financial risks; these include national and states health insurance schemes, free/subsidized MNCH services integrated into BHCPF 2.0 and HOPE-PHC project, and states free MNCH programs where available.

Role Summary

• The Senior MEL Officer will provide strategic and operational leadership for the design, implementation, and continuous strengthening of the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning system.
• He/she will play a critical integrator role, linking data systems (NHLMIS, program dashboards) with programmatic decision-making at central strategic level and across the 5 focus states.
• The role will directly supervise the MEL Analyst and State Logistics Data Analyst and indirect reports from State Technical Assistants.

The role will ensure:

• High-quality, timely, and reliable data from eLMIS, program dashboards and field implementation reports
• Active performance tracking against project results framework targets
• Evidence generation to inform program design, policy engagement, and scale
• Continuous learning and adaptive program management
• Provide technical guidance to SLDA, STAs on data use and reporting
• Coordinate closely with partner MEL teams (C4SD, FIELD Intelligence, and service delivery partners)
• Prepare high-impact performance visualization decks and resources for donor updates and government stakeholder engagements

Key Responsibilities
Strategic MEL Leadership:

• Lead the development and refinement of the project’s MEL framework, theory of change, and results measurement plan
• Align MEL systems with donor requirements and national reporting systems
• Ensure integration across supply chain, financing, and service delivery data streams

System Design & Data Architecture:

• Lead the design and deployment of end-to-end data systems including:
• Data collection tools (digital and paper-based)
• Program Indicator tracking dashboards
• Real-time dashboards and performance tracking systems
• Ensure seamless integration with NHLMIS / eLMIS

Data Management & Quality Assurance:

• Establish and drive adherence to data governance protocols across all levels
• Lead Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) and validation exercises
• Conduct periodic spot-checks and verification visits
• Ensure triangulation of data sources (LMIS, facility registers, financial records)

Performance Monitoring & Reporting:

• Track and analyze key program indicators, including:
• MNH commodity stock levels, consumption trends and stockout rates
• Order fill rates, facility reporting rates and order turn around time
• States DRF budgeting and replenishment performance against targets
• NHLMIS adoption, use, reporting completeness and timeliness across states
• Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual reports
• Develop donor updates/reports, technical briefs and executive dashboards for leadership decision-making

Learning, Adaptation & Knowledge Management:

• Lead quarterly data review and learning sessions with technical partners (FIELD, C4SD)
• Generate actionable insights to guide program adjustments, policy advocacy, resource allocation
• Document and disseminate best practices, lessons learned, case studies and success stories

Evaluation & Research:

• Lead and coordinate:
• Baseline, midline, and endline assessments
• Routine monitoring and special studies
• Support implementation of project evaluations focused on:
• End-to-end commodity logistics data
• DRF budgeting, allocation and replenishment metrics
• LMIS digitization and uptake
• Ensure rigorous analysis of trends and outcomes

Capacity Strengthening & Mentorship:

• Supervise capacity building of Build capacity of state and LGA M&E officials and health facility staff
• Develop training and mentorship materials on:
• Data collection and reporting
• Data use for decision-making
• LMIS and DRF data systems

Partner & Stakeholder Coordination:

• Coordinate MEL activities for the project in synergy with C4SD and FIELD
• Participate in joint data review and cross-learning forums
• Provide technical input into policy development, advocacy efforts and program design reviews

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Timeliness and quality of MEL reports
• Accuracy and completeness of data across all states
• Improvement in key indicators (stockout rates, reporting rates, DRF functionality)
• Strength of data use for decision-making at state and facility levels
• Capacity improvement of MEL staff and partners.

Qualifications
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Epidemiology, Public Health, Economics, or related field
• Master’s degree required (or strongly preferred)

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years progressive experience in MEL, with experience in supervisory role
• Significant experience managing MEL systems on donor-funded projects (Gates Foundation, USAID, Global Fund, etc.)
• Proven track record in implementing multi-state or large-scale health sector interventions
• Experience working in health systems strengthening or supply chain/commodity programs

Technical Expertise:

• Proficiency in the use of
• Data analytics and visualization tools like Excel, Power BI, and Tableau
• DHIS2, NHLMIS/eLMIS
• Mobile data tools (ODK, KoboToolbox, CommCare)
• Strong knowledge of
• Results frameworks and indicator tracking
• Data quality assurance methodologies
• DRF systems and health financing analytics (highly desirable)

Core Competencies:

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills
• Exceptional data interpretation and visualization ability
• High level of integrity and attention to detail
• Excellent leadership, coaching, and team management skills
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to operate in complex, multi-partner environments