Technical Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL)

IMA World Health, which is part of Corus International, has been present in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 2000. Corus International is the parent of a family of world-class organizations working to deliver the holistic, lasting solutions needed to end extreme poverty once and for all. We are a global leader in international development, with 150 years of combined experience across our brands. Our nonprofit and for-profit subsidiaries include IMA World Health and its fundraising brand Corus World Health, Lutheran World Relief, CGA Technologies, Ground Up Investing, and Farmers Market Brands. In DRC, Corus operates under IMA World Health. Our more than 400 employees around the globe are experts in their fields and dedicated to helping the world's most vulnerable people break the cycle of poverty and lead healthy lives.

At Corus we believe that good only grows stronger and we reflect that belief in our workplace culture. We value every employee's specialized area of expertise and nurture professional growth. We promote an engaging and supportive work environment, where employees feel enabled and driven to innovate, learn and collaborate. And because our subsidiaries often function as partners, our employees have the opportunity to work across our enterprise family.

Position Summary:

The Technical Manager (TM), Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MERL) for an anticipated 40-month EU Preventing Gender Based Violence and Ensuring Access to Integrated Health Services for Survivors in the DRC. In relation to this post, IMA World Health is intending to implement a European Union-funded project aimed at:

• Preventing Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
• Improving access to integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services

The project adopts an integrated approach combining social norms transformation, strengthening of health services and governance and accountability improvements.

TM MERL is responsible for designing and implementing the project's logical framework matrix. The TM MERL will lead the analysis and interpretation of project data, as well as document and disseminate lessons learned, best practices, and other project deliverables compliant with the award S/he will actively participate in project coordination mechanisms. The competencies required to be successful in this position also include theoretical and practical understanding of extensive theoretical and practical understanding of MERL frameworks, data systems, performance monitoring, evaluation methodologies, spatial/GIS data analysis, digital data collection platforms, and EU MERL requirements, and approach, and ability to manage technical direction across the project locations, with minimal management support. The position requires coordinating, contributing to, and supporting the technical implementation of focused preventing gender-based violence and ensuring access to integrated health services for survivors strategies and activities by providing technical inputs into project workplans, budgets, guidelines, training curricula, implementation tools, and reporting, and monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) in compliance with the requirements and regulations of the award. Duties include organizing and coordinating with the Project Director, national partners, Ministry of Health, IMA Monitoring and Evaluation Director based in Kinshasa and IMA Director of Technical Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning Services based at headquarters in Washington DC.

Actual hiring is contingent upon signed award and donor's approval.

Responsibilities:

Technical Delivery Services, Quality and Impact (60%)

• Identify and manage appropriate MERL approaches and activities in alignment with the project goal and objectives, project logical framework matrix and donor standards.
• Manage model and coach colleagues, including sub-recipient staff, on best practices in technical delivery of MERL systems, data quality, and reporting and related activities.
• Participate in MEL forums that enhance sector knowledge to incorporate into technical activities on the project.
• Work in partnership with project team and sub-partners, IMA DRC team, headquarters Technical Business Unit (TBU) staff.
• Track progress of program targets and deliverables, identifying issues/challenges that need to be addressed, and ensuring that technical reporting requirements are met in line with Project Management Manual as well as complementary tools, policies, and procedures.
• Provide input into budgeting and forecasting exercises related to MERL activities spending within the fiscal year.
• Design and implement quantitative and qualitative data methods and tools for project activities, as well as a robust and context-appropriate system for data collection, quality assurance, analysis, and reporting of activity outputs/results and program quality.
• Use the DHIS2 platforms of the Ministry of Health and IMA World Health to ensure regular data flow and use by providing information on performance and areas of activity, thereby contributing to strategic decision-making and project planning with project management.Track progress of MERL indicators, data collection, data validation, and reporting deliverables, identifying issues/challenges that need to be addressed, and ensuring that technical reporting requirements are met in line with Project Management Manual as well as complementary tools, policies, and procedures.
• Lead and update the project's logical framework, ensuring alignment with EU requirements and the project's Theory of Change.
• Oversee data quality assurance processes across partners (validity, reliability, precision, timeliness, and integrity).
• Coordinate with Project Manager to provide EU-required updates, including indicator target-adjustment requests.
• Manage baseline, midterm, and final evaluations; lead special studies; ensure evaluation utilization.
• Lead MEL capacity building for staff, subrecipients, and implementing partners.

Coordination and Collaboration: (25%)

• Provide inputs into interdepartmental efforts such as quarterly portfolio reviews, program implementation and learning exchanges (PILE) and program reviews.
• Provide documentation of Corus' technical capacities based on project achievements in coordination with project team and partnership with TBU team.
• Contribute to the wider work of the TBU through active participation in the achievement of the project deliverables, team meetings, working groups and the development and sharing of technical knowledge and resources.
• Organizes quarterly coordination and data review meetings with the various project stakeholders to ensure clarity and harmonization of activity progress and data provided.
• Works closely with project management and local stakeholders to develop and implement a robust learning program that promotes continuous learning, collaboration, and adaptation to advance the project's learning agenda.
• Supports the recruitment of consultants and temporary field staff for monitoring and evaluation activities (as needed).
• Engage with other EU projects and national stakeholders to exchange MERL learning and promote synergy.
• Coordinate partner MERL activities to ensure harmonized data collection and reporting.

Data Management, Documentation, and Reporting: (15%)

• Ensures the collection, entry, verification, analysis, and reporting of data on actual achievements against set objectives, highlighting emerging trends and providing clear reports on findings and conclusions.
• Ensures data quality through regular data quality audits, verification, and validation of accuracy and reliability to inform decision-making.
• Ensures that data integrity and security standards and procedures are in place and comply with national monitoring and evaluation guidelines, protocols, information systems, and reporting requirements.
• Provides training, mentoring, and coaching on data use to project staff, consultants, and other local stakeholders (as needed).Conduct analyses and contribute to the preparation of mandatory award performance reports under the guidance of the Project Director, with support from PBU, headquarters, and TBU, as applicable. Captures performance results (impact, outcome, and output) against indicators and ensuring that lessons learned are integrated into project implementation to continuously improve the quality of interventions and results.
• Apply knowledge of donor rules and regulations to monitor MEL activities compliance f during project start up, implementation, and close out.
• Ensure data completeness by maintaining project documentation in electronic databases, as applicable.
• Leads the implementation of the learning program to identify best practices and lessons learned, as well as for adaptive management and knowledge.
• Contributes to the development and sharing of information and knowledge products with all relevant stakeholders in a timely manner.

Supervisory:

• This position will supervise a provincial MERL officer in Kinshasa and provide oversight to partners MERL officers in two provinces.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's with at least 5 years' experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning, statistics, demography, data management, or equivalent combination of education and experience in international health development; Master's desired.
• Experience working with colleagues in a multicultural, multi-linguistic environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing terms and conditions as well as other international donors.
• Proven track record of developing and maintaining strong working relationships with host country counterparts and NGO/faith-based organizations (FBO)/community-based organizations (CBO) actors.
• Experience working with US-based and international partners and or local (NGO/FBO/CBOs, universities and other technical institutions).
• Previous experience working with EU-funded projects and logical framework matrix in monitoring and evaluation is highly desirable.
• Experience in managing DHIS2 and other databases, proficiency in IT tools and MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong quantitative, qualitative, and analytical skills, and ability to present technical information clearly and effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of international donor funding mechanisms (including grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements) required. EU preferered.
• Strong knowledge of international development, including integrated health services
• Proven experience in data analysis using statistical and qualitative software.
• In-depth knowledge of the political, social, and economic context and experience working in the Democratic Republic of Congo are required.
• In-depth understanding and expertise of the integrated health services and performance monitoring, logical frameworks, and reporting plan indicators is desirable. Excellent communication and influencing skills to communicate effectively and credibly, both verbally and in writing in French and English.
• Proficiency in Office 365 applications including Word, Excel, SharePoint, and PowerPoint. Experience with Salesforce a plus.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to lead the coordination of/collaborate on program implementation across multiple teams (between departments, between HQ and country offices, etc.).

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Ability to travel to project sites in Kivu-Kinshasa Green Corridor.
• The physical requirements that may be needed to execute responsibilities may include bending, standing, and walking, etc.
• The mental requirements that are essential to satisfactorily executing the responsibilities outlined in this job description include, but not limited to: learning new tasks, comprehending, and retaining information, completing tasks independently, effectively communicating verbally and in writing, demonstrating proficiency in using computer software to perform assigned tasks.

Other Duties:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities for the position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. All positions are required to perform any additional tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

• IMA World Health has an in-person work policy, with all employees reporting to the office Monday through Friday. The employee must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.
• This position must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this job in different locations, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high-security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.
• If applicable, must have authorization to work in the country of assignment, DRC

As a member of the Corus Family, each employee is expected to:

• Foster a work environment where everyone feels valued and included.
• Support employees' evaluation and promotion processes based on skills and performance.
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all members of Corus family, stakeholders in general, and particularly for the communities we serve.
• Follow Corus Code of Conduct helping to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment, sexual abuse and exploitation, and trafficking in persons.
• Adhere to the Organizational Core Values

How to apply

https://corus.applicantpro.com/jobs/4040972