Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Manager | New Delhi, India | 2024

PROJECT OVERVIEW

ACCESS Health International seeks a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) manager for the ongoing USAID Frontier Health Markets (FHM) Engage project in India. Building on over 30 years of USAID investment, FHM Engage focuses on strengthening local health markets by addressing the root causes of market failures in the core market functions to create the necessary behavior change that catalyzes supply and demand and supports sustainable change.

JOB SUMMARY

As the MERL Manager on the FHM Engage activity in India, you will provide in-country monitoring, evaluation, research and learning technical leadership, support data collection and reporting for monitoring and evaluation activities and contribute to effective activity communications on activities in India. As part of this work, you will work closely with local and global stakeholders to achieve the program’s objectives.

The MERL Manager will collaborate with the STA Market Dynamics, the technical team, USAID, and other market stakeholders as necessary to develop, refine, and test a theory of change that reflects FHM Engage’s market development approach. The MERL Manager will also be responsible for overseeing implementation of the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning plan (AMELP) and designing and populating the project’s MERL system, ensuring that the system incorporates metrics that reflect important market functions, supporting functions, and changes in market outputs. S/he will work with technical staff to develop and oversee tools for data collection, storage, and analysis. S/he will train staff and partners on MERL system operations, collection methods, and tools. S/he will perform data analyses, generate reports of findings, and create graphics to contribute to reporting requirements and project communications products. S/he will contribute to FHM Engage India communications by contributing to key program deliverables including quarterly and annual reports and other deliverables that convey program data. S/he will also collect and disseminate lessons learned, share successes during project implementation, and plan for and manage performance evaluations as required. In conjunction with the STA Market Dynamics, s/he will support implementation of a learning plan to support the project team in learning from its data.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Set up the MEL system

• Work closely with India-based team as well as colleagues based in the US, including the FHM Engage global MERL team
• Collaborate with the STA Market Dynamics and global MERL team to maintain the approved AMELP – ensuring that it aligns with cooperative agreement requirements, client objectives, and program approaches – including defining indicators and drafting indicator reference sheets
• Support the India team in refining and updating the project’s results framework and theory of change as the project evolves
• Ensure that activity leadership, technical staff, and operations staff understand the importance of monitoring and evaluation and the use of information for learning purposes
• Ensure the activity staff understand their roles and responsibilities in the collection of data for the monitoring and evaluation system
• Develop budget estimates for MEL tasks
• Ensure that all Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), service agreements, or other contractual arrangements with partners stipulate their responsibilities for data collection and monitoring
• Develop data collection tools necessary for capturing and reporting on project indicator data
• Enter and maintain project data in Chemonics’ Monitoring and Evaluation Software (DevResults) and (as necessary) to the USAID Development Information Solution (DIS)

Implement the project’s approved AMELP

• Organize and oversee the collection of data, the setting of targets, and the implementation of other AMELP tasks and contractual MEL requirements
• Organize the collection of data in accordance with the AMELP, including data collected by partners
• Train project staff on general MEL concepts and terms, data collection, and reporting procedures
• Perform data quality and integrity assessments of program data (including routine monitoring data, data from research and assessments, partner-submitted data, etc.), including periodically conducting field visits and spot checks to verify data and investigate any data anomalies
• Identify and track reliable secondary (external) sources of data
• Identify necessary information required for the research and learning plan and work with the STA Market Dynamics and other relevant activity staff to address
• Conduct periodic training for project staff, stakeholders, and/or partners. Share information to help them monitor the progress of their work and use the data for strategic decision-making
• Support implementation of in-country workshops and lead discussions around the project’s theory of change, including pause and reflect sessions and other collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) methodologies as necessary
• Review MEL system periodically to evaluate its effectiveness, and adjust tools and procedures as necessary to provide the project with accurate and useful data
• Contribute to the development of annual work plans, review the relevance of the AMELP against these work plans, and update the AMELP as needed

Communicate MEL information

• Compile and analyze relevant data on project indicators for contractual reports
• Contribute to deliverables and knowledge products related to market assessment and research
• Provide as-requested MEL data to the client in a timely manner
• Regularly communicate progress against targets to project staff
• Engage with the global MERL team and other FHM Engage MERL managers to share learning across the program
• Ensure that staff are considering and applying data to maximize learning from data and using data in making decisions
• Collect and disseminate lessons learned and best practices to internal and external stakeholders, as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS and EXPEREINCE

• Master’s degree and at least seven years of relevant experience
• Computer skills in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office apps.
• Experience in data visualization using Power BI/ Tableau
• Experience in advanced programming for the preparation of computer assisted personal/telephonic interviewing package using software like CS-Pro, Kobo, Survey CTO, etc. and implementing in the field

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation, and learning and ability to effectively communicate the purpose and work to a diverse set of stakeholders required
• Demonstrated expertise in deriving strategic insights from data analysis and primary research preferred, including delivering customized research reports, triangulating qualitative and quantitative data, and generating actionable insights with recommendations
• Demonstrated ability to convey results to non-technical stakeholders and facilitate the use of MEL results to make programmatic improvements
• Knowledge of and previous experience working with USAID required
• Knowledge of and previous experience working in the health sector, family planning, or in market research required.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complicated and detailed data to team leads and project stakeholders
• Solid writing and communication skills in English
• High level of organization, attention to detail, professionalism, and reliability
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and prioritize effectively

COMPENSATION

The annual compensation range for this position exclusive of benefits is INR 2,436,555 – INR 3,654,833