Monitoring And Evaluation And Learning (Mel) Specialist

About this role:

The MEL Specialist works under the direction and supervision of a MEL Principal Advisor on the Strategic Information (SI) Team. The MEL Specialist leads and supports activities in MEL using a client-centered approach, serving MSH Projects so they design and implement state-of-the-art MEL systems and activities, use information for decision making, improving performance, and maximizing and measuring health impact. The primary focus of this role will be on supporting MEL aspects of business development.

More specifically:

Technical Support in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning for Business Development - 75%

Under supervision, lead the writing of MEL sections of proposals, including: 

• Reviewing CVs for MEL Directors and conducting interviews 
• Supporting business resource development and proposal teams (e.g. Technical Strategy Leads and Technical Contributors) in designing robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) approaches for measuring performance and outcomes throughout the project life that align with programmatic rationale, technical approaches, and country context. 
• Ensuring systematic documentation, data management, and data quality. 
• Ensuring that technical proposal and MEL content is aligned, and reflects best practices and MSH guidance (e.g., links between MEL activities and adaptive management, MSH Learning Guidance, Technical Performance Reviews, DQA) 
• Supporting development of implementation/or operational research studies, and evaluation approaches. 
• Ensuring that MEL activities are reflected in the proposal budget 

Under supervision, facilitate development of Theories of Change (ToC), including: 

• Orienting proposal teams to ToC resources (MSH ToC Guidance, USAID Toc Workbook) and work with TSLs, Technical Contributors, and Writer to decide on the ToC process, and roles/responsibilities 
• Conducting ToC facilitator sessions to debrief on ToC sessions and to note areas for improvement 
• Supporting ToC process improvements and documentation, including:  
• Suggesting updates to ToC resources and processes 

Support orientations for staff on how to facilitate ToC sessions, including: 

• Developing recorded orientation sessions
• Conducting in-person or virtual orientation sessions as needed  
• Assisting with development and updating of orientation resources 

Attending Business Development pipeline meetings as needed to assist with tracking upcoming opportunities, updating anticipated release dates, and monitoring SI staff bid assignments.

MEL Project Support – 15%

• Under supervision, provide project support on tasks such as contributing to MEL plans, data cleaning, data analytics, and/or documenting MEL processes. 
• Help prepare for and participate in technical project performance reviews (TPRs). 
• Participate in data quality assurance processes. 
• Conducts routine tasks independently such as conducting literature reviews, developing data tables for reporting, and developing data visualizations. 

Organizational Initiatives – 10%

• Help prepare for and participate in technical project performance reviews (TPRs). 
• Participate in data quality assurance processes. 
• Conducts routine tasks independently such as conducting literature reviews, developing data tables for reporting, and developing data visualizations. 
• Under supervision, provide project support on tasks such as contributing to MEL plans, data cleaning, data analytics, and/or documenting MEL processes. 

What do you need to apply?

MSH employs people of passion, we seek those individuals who dream of a better world. We look for professionals who combine experience, local knowledge, and an understanding of international best practices.

Specific requirements for this role are:

Education and Experience:

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree and 3-5 years of experience or Master’s degree and 0-2 years of experience.
• Understanding of and experience using HMIS databases (especially DHIS2), and of understanding the value of interoperability.
• Experience in data management and analysis (quantitative and qualitative) with proven skills in at least one statistical package software for quantitative data analysis (SPSS, STATA, R, etc.) and software for qualitative data analysis (Nvivo, Atlas.ti, Dedoose, etc).
• A required minimum of 3 years of experience in MEL, Theory of Change (ToC), and business development in the development sector or other related field (e.g., population health, epidemiology, biostatistics, demography), with course work experience in one or more components of MEL, research, demography, statistics, or other related area.

Preferred:

• Relevant experience in project operations, management, and business development.
• Direct overseas project work experience.
• Experience with US Government and non-USG funded programs, regulations, and requirements.

Knowledge and Skills:

Required:

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with professional colleagues from multiple units and within various socio-cultural contexts.
• Excellent writing and communications skills including organizing, scanning, summarizing and presenting information.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with staff in a matrixed organization.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills demonstrated by ability to work both independently and within a team.
• Familiarity with USAID indicators and metrics in specific content areas.
• Ability to contribute to drafts of deliverables and sections of deliverables including work plans, quarterly reports, annual reports, slide decks, and other technical products/reports.

Competencies:

• Demonstrated competence to assess priorities and solve problems using innovative, evidence-based solutions.
• Demonstrated flexibility and openness in responding to changing work priorities and environment and working under tight deadlines.
• Effective collaboration with professional colleagues from multiple units and within diverse socio-cultural contexts.
• Proactively identify areas that require support and propose constructive solutions.
• Stay updated with the latest lessons learned in MEL and HMIS in LMICs.
• Enjoys learning and teaching. A team player and a self-starter who can use their own initiative to identify useful work.
• Highly detail-oriented, meticulous, and consistent in the execution of work.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.

Language Skills - Full proficiency in English required. Full proficiency in French is a strong asset.

Physical Demands - Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed. Office environment including keyboard use, pulling drawers, lifting papers <10>
The expected salary range for this position is: $52,000.00 - $60,000.00 annually (U.S. locations only).
MSH considers multiple job-related factors when determining an offer, including but not limited to, business and organizational needs, candidate qualifications, internal equity, location, and internal budget.
Salary is just one of many aspects of our total rewards package; at MSH, our goal is to provide you with a comprehensive set of competitive benefits that includes a substantial vacation, sick and holiday policies, training and development programs, competitive insurance coverage for health, vision, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability, 401k plan, Flexible Spending Account, among others.
The selected candidate will have a flexible work schedule combining remote and in-office work from one of MSH's US offices at a set frequency.
MSH is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religion, creed, citizenship, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job requirements. MSH will take affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed and that employees are treated without regard to their race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran and disability status. In compliance with U.S. Department of Labor Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, MSH has developed and maintains an affirmative action program and plan.
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