Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL) Manager

Family Health Services (FHS), formerly known as PSI Malawi, has partnered with the government of Malawi through the Ministry of Health (MoH) since 1994 in safeguarding the health of Malawians by using private sector approaches to reconfigure healthcare delivery – (i) through directly delivering innovative social and behavior change communications, social marketing, and social franchising across a wide range of health areas including Reproductive Health, HIV, Malaria and water-borne disease prevention (ii) by playing a market facilitation role, approaching market challenges and opportunities with a system-wide lens that unlocks a self-sustaining market with multiple players that can prioritize, adapt and ultimately thrive without external assistance and funds.

While a local organisation with deep roots in Malawi, Family Health Services is globally connected; mainly through affiliation to Population Service International (PSI), a Washington DC-based non-governmental and non-profit making organization that boasts a global network of members across over 50 countries through which FHS continues to leverage capacities, learnings, and best practice to enhance activities in Malawi. To accomplish its mission, FHS is inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the vacant position of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & learning (MERL) Manager.

Reporting to the MERL Senior Technical Advisor, the MERL Manager shall lead the day-to-day management of Family Health Services Digital Health, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning activities for the Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Programs. Specifically, he/she will be required to perform the following duties and responsibilities.

Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks

• Leads the development/updating of M&E standard operating procedures/manual, Data Quality Assurance, Data Entry and Cleaning SOPs, and Data Extraction SOPs for all relevant health
• Ensures FHS and implementing partners staff adhere to M&E standard operating
• Participate in the development/revision of data collection tools to align with emerging FHS, donors and relevant ministries reporting
• Coordinates internal and external M&E assessment processes and ensures that results of M&E systems assessments are implemented in a timely
• In collaboration with the program staff, develop project level monitoring and evaluation plans in line with FHS M&E Framework and in compliance with donor
• Works together with the digital health colleagues at both country and regional level to develop health monitoring solutions to enhance efficiency in data collection, processing, analysis and
• Work with partners and country teams to review and monitor project-based M&E plans to track results or fill identified gaps in current M&E plans and
• Works with the programs teams to ensure effective setting and monitoring of indicator targets using existing M&E frameworks &
• Leading the development and execution of the IM MERL plans and ensure these are frequently (annually) updated and remain
• Manage M&E components of the project including overseeing the development of the project’s
• M&E Plan, annual work plans, quarterly reports, semi-annual and annual

 Monitoring and Reporting

• Manages data collection, processing, analysis, and reporting processes to meet donor requirements and FHS internal data
• Ensures timely consolidations of all donors required Weekly and Monthly
• Ensures that monthly slides for all programs/projects and health areas are compiled and disseminated internally by the 15th of every
• Provides ongoing monitoring technical support to outreach service delivery and program teams including ensuring that complete and accurate data is entered into DHIS2 for SRHR and ODK for mobilisation
• Oversees timely data entry and cleaning into SRHR programs and Health Services report as well as running validation rules and other data quality checks before data is
• Supports program teams with narrative report writing in general and checking the accuracy of quantitative data included in
• Conducts rigorous data analysis to inform program implementation strategies and draw lessons to achieve health
• Identify, develop, and adapt relevant M&E training materials and manuals relevant for the various
• Build the M&E capacity program stuff and those of both local organizations and the government to design, implement, and monitor M&E activities, develop an M&E plan, and use malaria case management and surveillance data, SRHR and HIV prevention data effectively across various levels of the health
• Provide M&E technical training, mentoring, and coaching to MERL Officers and project

Data Quality Assurance

• Support the production of the project’s Data Quality Assessment annual plans and reports in compliance with donor and FHS rules and regulations on indicators, results and impact.
• Oversees timely implementation of internal and external Data Quality Assessments/Audits according to the Annual DAQ Plan
• Ensures that weekly and monthly data quality checks through trackers in DHIS2 system and other data repositories are carried out by M&E Coordinators and
• Ensures that quarterly data quality assessments are done routinely, and data uploaded into the RDQA database through the RDQA app and subsequent reports are disseminated to program
• Monitor the implementation of the action’s points developed from the data quality assessment
• Participate in the quarterly data triangulation and verification meeting with donors, partner and MOH to address any inconsistencies in reported

Routine Monitoring Data Analysis, Visualization and Usage

• Applies sound monitoring and evaluation principles and methods to objectively measure progress towards programs targets g., using gap analysis methods.
• Conduct monthly rigorous and granular analysis of programs data to unearth project obstacles and opportunities, assess implementation fidelity, and employ cutting edge approaches and tools to make compelling visual data presentations including messaging techniques using modern infographics such as DHIS2 charts, and PowerBI
• Leads on the estimation of programs impact using programs data and other relevant national data and
• Participates in the development/updating of Data to Action (D2A)
• Participates in evidence use strengthening activities to improve staff capacity to use data for decision
• Monitor utilization of D2As at national, regional and implementation level for decision making for improved service delivery, project performance, efficiency and quality of programming
• Support the project team in country in a routine manner on data interpretation and promote regular use of data for program improvement and decision

Documentation and Learning

• Supports programs staff to identify and document programs success stories, lessons learned, through routine data analysis and weekly team
• Sharing of program successes and lessons learned through presentations, abstracts, among
• Coordinate the Program data review meetings and document and monitor implementation of action points from the review
• Ensure the projects adheres to principles of personal data protection and security and other CDPP related

Research

• Work with the Head of Market Development and Research to develop the Annual Research Plan (ARP) in consultation with Leadership Team
• Support designing of quantitative and qualitative research
• Ensures all research conducted by FSH and its agents meet minimum ERB standards, including coordinating submission of study protocols for ethical
• Leads on internal studies including presentation of research findings internally and

Staff Management

• Line management and supervision of MERL Coordinators, and coordinate assistant to MEAL Officers to ensure effective monitoring of project
• Ensures that all direct reports have MBOs that are tracked on bi-monthly
• Conducts semi-annual and annual performance reviews of
• Conducts regular departmental meetings with staff to discuss technical and administrative issues to enhance
• Manage staff leave plans to ensure that staff members adhere to FHS leave

Stakeholder Engagement and Networking

• Initiate and arrange regular internal MERL meetings to discuss progress in monitoring activities in all targeted
• Convene internal meetings to develop strategies on how to provide feedback to implementing partners including sub-awards.
• Work with the M&E senior technical advisor to participate in M&E related technical working groups,
• Ensure safeguarding measures are developed and implemented to protect clients’

Qualifications, knowledge, abilities, and skills.

• Master’s degree in public health, Statistics, Applied Mathematics/Computer Science/Demography or a related field from an accredited university and with minimum of 5 years of experience managing M&E for data-intensive programs or bachelor’s degree with seven (7) years of demonstrated experience out of which two (2) years at a Supervisory
• Demonstrated ability to design and maintain M&E systems, tools, and methodologies, and ability to coach and train others in their
• Demonstrated computer skills and experience with SPSS and/or STATA, Access and
• Familiarity with reporting systems such as Demographic Health Information System (DHIS2) and Significant experience with qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods, including tracking outcome
• Demonstrated experience in analysing, interpreting, and reporting on M&E results so that lessons can be learned and incorporated into
• Demonstrated ability to champion data use initiatives targeting project
• Excellent donor report writing (quarterly, semi-annual and annual)., analytical and oral presentation
• Experience in knowledge management and dissemination of research findings
• NGO experience preferred- Strong skills and experience in all aspects of program monitoring and evaluation, data analysis and data use, experience in malaria case management, strong communication skills, coaching skills, and knowledge of U.S. Government approaches and
• Experience in working in a team environment
• Proficiency in standard Microsoft software
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision and willing to take initiative to support team
• Strong writing skills and experience drafting reports
• Fluency in English
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work efficiently and quickly in a fast-paced
• Valid driver’s license
• Willingness to travel approximately 30% of the

Mode of Application

Qualified candidates with the specified qualifications and experience should submit their electronic application letters and updated CVs with names and contact details of three traceable            referees, through jobs@fhs.org.mw. indicating the job title, ‘MERL MANAGER’ in the email subject line by 12^th May 2023 to The Head of Human Resources, Family Health Services, Box 30132, Lilongwe.

Family Health Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, political affiliation, family status or responsibilities, ger identity, or expression, pregnancy or related medical conditions. Family Health Services maintains zero tolerance for child abuse, sexual abuse, or exploitative acts or threats by our employees, consultants, volunteers, contractors, or anyone associated with the delivery of our programs and services and takes seriously all complaints of misconduct brought to our attention.

 Disclaimer!

Family Health Service has become aware of scams involving false job offers. Please be advised: Family Health Services will never ask for a fee during any stage of the recruitment process. All active jobs are advertised directly in the newspapers or on vetted career websites. Official FHS emails will always arrive from a @fhs.org email address.

 Please report any suspicious communications to safeguarding@fhs.org.mw