MEL Director – Tanzania; PMI Mbu Project at JSI | April 2024

JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc (JSI), a USA based public health management firm dedicated to providing high-quality technical and managerial assistance to public health programs throughout the United States and the world, is currently recruiting for a MEL Director for the anticipated PMI Mbu (Mosquitoes) Project in Tanzania (Mainland and Zanzibar).

The activity aims to identify and implement proven, evidence-based vector control approaches in Tanzania (Mainland and Zanzibar), excluding indoor residual spraying (IRS) and Larval Source Management (LSM). The activity will provide technical support for the IRS and LSM. This activity focuses on insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) that include determining the quantity of ITNs needed annually to maintain high population access and implementing delivery/distribution/issuing of ITNs using the Government of Tanzania (Mainland and Zanzibar) approved bed net distribution channels.

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Director is a full time key personnel position and will be responsible for coordinating the development of a performance management plan. Tools and matrices, including performance-monitoring criteria and ensuring continuous monitoring of Activity progress. Primary responsibilities also include organizing and coordinating data collection and analysis and interpreting and reporting on Activity results to key stakeholders. Evaluation and monitoring activities will be designed to enable program managers in the field to identify problems and their causes and improve overall program performance. The MEL Director is a member of the Senior Management Team of the project and reports to the Chief of Party. Responsibilities shall include the overall coordination of MEL program implementation activities conducted alongside the technical team, to ensure the delivery of high-quality, client-focused, integrated approaches of Tanzania, PMI Mbu (Mosquitoes) Project are successfully implemented.

This position will be based in Dodoma.

• Design and implement a comprehensive M&E framework for the program, including the development of a MEL plan, Theory of Change, Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan, Learning Agenda etc.
• Establish and monitor defined M&E indicators and establish additional metrics to assess Activity performance; ensure data is reviewed and utilized throughout program implementation and provided to the senior management team for CLA approaches.
• Determine M&E functional responsibilities within the Activity team and data management responsibilities are supported at national, regional and districts for improved reporting and data comprehension.
• Serve as the focal point for M&E and devise strategies with the technical and communication team to ensure consistency in the use of data and quality reporting.
• Maintain Activity reporting systems to routinely collect and analyse information on inputs, outputs, outcomes and impact to ensure cost-effectiveness of select interventions.
• Support subcontractors, potential grantees, private sector, and local government partners to identify, monitor, and report high quality data, ensuring timely submissions.
• Design M&E approaches and strategies for improved data management at the national, regional, district and facility levels.
• Develop and implement technical support supervision plans in collaboration with the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) and actively participate in national and regional performance reviews.
• Work with the Deputy chief of Party to devise strategies to increase support for interventions and improve the quality of malaria prevention including reporting.
• Work as part of the Senior Management Team, supporting the Activity’s strategic vision, ensuring collaboration between functional areas, and supporting effective implementation of activities.
• Review and synthesize data with the technical team for strategic information thinking.
• Work closely with and under the direct supervision of the Chief of Party and directly supervise the MEL Manager(s) and Communications Manager.
• Provide routine and ad hoc support to the MEL teams as and when required to ensure targeted M&E activities that respond to project needs.
• Serve as the MEL focal point person and devise strategies with the technical and communication team to ensure consistency in the use of data and quality reporting.
• Maintain Activity data collection, analysis and reporting tools and systems to routinely provide information on inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impact to ensure cost-effectiveness of select interventions.
• Strengthen surveillance of the activity and MOH to detect and rapidly respond to disease outbreaks.
• Support subcontractors, CBOs, private sector, and local government partners to identify, monitor, and report high quality data, ensuring timely submissions.
• Work as part of the Activity’s senior leadership team, supporting strategic vision, ensuring collaboration between functional areas, and supporting effective implementation of activities.
• Review and synthesize data with the technical team to ensure incorporation of strategic information in all reports, technical deliverables, and presentations to external stakeholders.
• Responsible for technical quality, attention, and ownership over quality of internal and external products, especially weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to USAID/PMI by ensuring quality, clear and advanced data analyses are incorporated.
• Supervise and assess the performance of staff under your management and provide leadership to the Activity’s MEL department.
• Travel estimated at 30%
• Carry out other tasks as assigned by the Chief of Party.

• Master’s degree in public health, international development, statistics, epidemiology, population sciences, or related degree required.
• Training in Monitoring and Evaluation from a recognized institution
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience working in developing country settings in international health projects in a technical capacity required, preferably at least 5 years with U.S. Government-funded projects.
• Demonstrated applied skills in MEL methods and use of data for service strengthening projects/programs.
• Demonstrated experience in data analysis, report writing and oral presentation.
• Experience in handling specific Health Information systems DHIS2, eIDSR, e-CHIS, LMIS, DIS, ECDSS and other information systems.
• Demonstrated leadership working with other technical experts in MEL and research in the international community and at the host country level.
• Ability to tailor data collection approaches to local needs, interests, and capabilities.
• Ability to convey MEL results to non-technical stakeholders and generate interest in the use of MEL data/results for programmatic improvements.
• Strong managerial, teamwork and supervisory experience required.
• Exceptional communication skills, particularly on data, in written and spoken English required. Fluency in Swahili with strong oral and written communication preferred.

Position is contingent upon USAID award to JSI. Tanzania (Mainland and Zanzibar) citizens are strongly encouraged to apply.

Salary commensurate with experience.