Merl Advisor

Overview:
To lead the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation activities for the RISE programme, including capacity building of partner organizations in the areas of monitoring, evaluation, and reporting (MER).

**Responsibilities**:
***M&E Plan and Systems Support**
- Lead the development of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (MERL) Plan, results/logic framework, and support the development of M&E work plan, indicators and setting of targets.
- Support the development of an M&E system to capture relevant and timely data for programmatic decision-making.
- Develop M&E data collection and reporting tools,
- Design and maintain an aggregate database with support from RISE global team.
- Develop Standard Operating guides (SOPs) and Quick Reference Guides to guide implementation of M&E activities.
- Develop and implement routing QA & QC toolkit using quality improvement methodology
- Orientate, train and mentor subcontractors/partners and NDOH secondees on all aspects of data collection, data collation, data cleaning/ (QA/QC), data storage (upload of supporting source documents on SharePoint) and data reporting.
- Put measures in place to ensure governance and compliance by the RISE M&E teams
- Facilitate coordination between the M&E/SI Unit with the technical leads of other departments to ensure that data is used for decision-making that will translate into programme improvements
- Conduct M&E site support visits to RISE implementing partners
- Lead and provide support to provincial teams in preparing for USAID SI visits

**Reporting to stakeholders**
- Communicate reporting deadlines and changing reporting requirements from USAID SI team with RISE teams to ensure operationalization
- Submit data reports on the USAID platform and respond to queries timeously
- Respond to reasonable and relevant requests for data by RISE partners, USAID, and other stakeholders.
- Disseminate monthly/quarterly reports back to relevant partners/ programmes upon finalization
- Ensure submission of monthly/quarterly reports by RISE sub-contractors/ partners
- Review consolidated narrative reports for submission to M&E/SI Manager.
- Participate in bi-weekly, monthly, and quarterly progress update meetings with stakeholders including sub-contractors/partners and USAID.

**Data Quality Assurance**
- Conduct internal verification checks of monthly/quarterly reports of sub-contractors/ partners against supporting source documents and ensure queries raised are addressed timeously.
- Contribute to the analysis of data and data visualizations (dashboards) to facilitate data use for programme decision-making.
- Ensure submission of monthly reports by RISE partners/ programmes, within 1 month, or within USAID reporting deadline for end-of-quarter months.
- Conduct internal verification checks of monthly/quarterly reports of partners, within 1 week of submission date, or within USAID reporting deadlines for end-of-quarter months.
- Obtain corrections upon identification of data quality issues, within 1 week of submission of queries, or within USAID reporting deadlines for end-of-quarter months.

**Build capacity to develop, manage and operationalize M&E systems and knowledge management**
- Facilitate trainings on all aspects of MERL tool development, data collection, data collation, data cleaning, data packaging and data reporting. Support and coordinate the activities of the M&E team responsible for the development of the QA/QC processes, data Visualization presentations, training, and mentoring, etc.
- Ensure the M&E/SI team is skilled and ensure professional growth and development

Required Qualifications:

- Bachelor’s Degree qualification in health, public health, social sciences, behavioral sciences, or related field
- Background in research, monitoring and evaluation and/or other data management field
- Post graduate degree an added advantage
- 5 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation of public health with 3 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation of infectious diseases programs of similar scope and size, and experience in resource-limited settings
- Experience working with key stakeholders and partners, e.g. NDOH, NICD, SAHPRA
- Experience on USAID program monitoring and evaluation
- Experience implementing Quality Assurance and Improvement Methodology

Preferred Qualifications:

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and DHIS2
- Demonstrated ability to train and build the capacity of others on M&E processes
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written), problem-solving orientation, and decisiveness.
- Good at planning, structuring, prioritising, and executing work, with effective personal and team time management.
- Strong attention to detail, logical and analytical thinker, proactive and innovative
- Excellent presentation and facilitation skills
- Negotiation skills and the ability to manage interpersonal relationships and workplace conflicts.
- Ability