Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist, Nepal SSBH

The World at Abt

Solving the world’s most pressing issues and improving the quality of life for people worldwide is what we do every day at Abt Associates. Creating a more equitable world is no small task, but we are driven by big challenges.

We are a team of 3,000+ people in over 50 countries working in unison and focused on the bigger picture. Only by sharing our commitment, energy, and innovation do we affect change and push the boundaries of what’s possible. We welcome diverse ideas, backgrounds, and viewpoints – joining Abt means access to exceptional thinkers at the top of their game.

To thrive at Abt is to embrace flexibility and collaboration. Our open culture allows you to balance your work and personal life as needed to optimize personal well-being. Creating a more equitable world starts from within – we look after people around the world, and we’ll do the same for you.

Ready to embrace rewarding and meaningful work? Now’s your chance.

The Opportunity

USAID’s Strengthening Systems for Better Health (SSBH) Activity is a 6-year project aimed at improving health outcomes in Nepal, particularly for the most marginalized and disadvantaged groups in the country. SSBH supports the Government of Nepal’s efforts to expand access to and use of quality maternal, newborn and child health and family planning services, with a specific focus on newborn care and is designed to achieve three major outcomes: (i) improving access to and utilization of equitable healthcare services, (ii) improving the quality of health services at facility and community levels and (iii) improving health systems governance, within the context of federalism. The project is implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Population at federal level and with provincial and municipal governments, health facilities and other key health sector stakeholders at sub-national levels.

SSBH provides strategic technical support for USAID’s Health Direct Financing Project. In Karnali Province, this activity is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development and Health Services Directorate and selected municipalities across four districts (Surkhet, Jajarkot, Salyan and Dailekh). Technical support interventions are tailored to the needs of the province and municipalities, focusing primarily on evidence-based planning and budgeting, management and oversight for delivery of quality health services, overall strengthening of health systems, and coordination between all three levels of government for effective implementation of the government-to-government (G2G) support in health.

Under the supervision of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Director and working closely with the senior technical team, you will support implementation of the project MEL Plan, with a focus on compilation and analysis of routine monitoring data for project performance tracking and reporting, documentation of lessons learned during implementation, and development of evidence-based approaches to answer learning questions developing in coordination with USAID.

Core Responsibilities

• Collection, cleaning, analysis, and reporting of M&E data according to the project’s MEL plan.
• Keeping the project database up-to-date and ensuring functionality for end-users, while providing timely orientation to new users.
• Supporting preparation of periodic progress reports (quarterly, semi-annual, annual) and USAID’s Performance Plan and Report (PPR). This includes reporting on specific indicators in USAID’s Development Information Solution (DIS) platform.
• Working with the MEL and program specialists at the province office to develop mechanism of monitoring G2G activities implemented by the Province and Municipal governments. Support extraction of program-related data from DHIS2 platform to monitor and analyze progress.
• Conducting internal data quality assessments (DQA) on a sample/sub-set of indicators using USAID standard processes and guidelines and use the results to address data quality issues.
• Contributing to planning and implementing health systems and capacity assessments, operations research, and/or other data collection efforts as appropriate.
• Support to promote USAID’s Collaborating, Learning and Adopting (CLA) approach in the project activities. Implement maturity matrix periodically to synthesize CLA experience and share through various platforms including USAID’s Learning Lab.
• Participate in MEL-related technical working group meetings organized by USAID and Integrated Health Information Management Section (IHIMS) and Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) to provide technical input and share activity updates.
• Work with the SSBH senior management team and technical staff to facilitate documentation and communication activities, including quarterly and annual program reviews, assuring results-oriented, reader-friendly reports.

The position will require at least 30% travel to project implementation sites in Karnali Province.

What We Value

• Master’s degree in public health, Epidemiology, Statistics, Social Sciences, and other relevant fields.
• Minimum seven years of work experience in M&E, learnings, database management, research in health systems with progressively increasing level of responsibility.
• At least two years of experience of working in international development projects, preferably in the health sector. Familiarity with Nepal’s health systems after federalization. Experience with USAID’s health programs in Nepal is highly desirable.
• Strong analytical and data analysis skills with proven ability to identify and document project activities and achievements, best practices, success stories, and lessons learned.
• Desirable skills and experience include Geographic Information Systems (GIS), DHIS2, data visualization, infographic design and photography are preferred.
• Excellent writing and editing skills both in English and Nepali required.
• Excellent interpersonal, teamwork, organizational and mentoring skills.

What We Offer

We foster an environment where you can Thrive Your Way. Our innovative total rewards programs are designed to help balance your work and personal life. The approach toward your wellbeing centers around comprehensive benefits and professional development.

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.

Abt is committed to creating a safe and inclusive work environment. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate background checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Abt Associates also participates in the Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Tagged as: Abt Associates, Evaluation Specialist, Kathmandu, Monitoring Specialist, NGO INGO