Senior Technical Officer, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions for human development. Established in 1980, FHI 360 operates in more than 60 countries and employs over 4,000 staff members worldwide. The organization focuses on various sectors, including health, education, and economic development, and is committed to evidence-based practices and innovative approaches to address global challenges.

Job Overview:
The Senior Technical Officer, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plays a pivotal role within the Health Programs Strategic Information (SI) team at FHI 36

• This position is responsible for overseeing the execution of day-to-day MEL activities, implementing policies and processes, and ensuring quality data collection, analysis, and reporting to facilitate evidence-based decision-making. The incumbent will provide home office MEL backstopping to large-scale global projects, particularly focusing on activities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The role requires collaboration with country teams, technical teams in the home office, global partners, and clients to ensure that FHI 360 fulfills its mission as an evidence-driven, adaptive, and effective actor on the global stage. Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential for success in this role, as is the ability to manage individual and team contributions across projects and time zones. This position offers vast opportunities for creative, passionate individuals who care about development and have demonstrated commitment and success in infusing learning and adaptive management into development programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Technical Officer will be responsible for providing overall technical direction and guidance to project staff to support the planning, implementation, and reporting against Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plans (AMELPs). The officer will support the technical aspects of MEL systems for projects and staff and partner capacity building in MEL. Responsibilities include monitoring and maintaining project protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials, and reports related to monitoring and evaluation of projects. The officer will work closely with the team to ensure AMELP implementation remains technically sound and adheres to company strategy and standard operating procedures (SOPs). Additionally, the officer will develop or write technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate research, best practices, policies, procedures, and overall implementation of evaluation plans. Conducting analysis of MEL data to identify areas for improvement and proposing appropriate technical strategies and guidelines will also be part of the role. The officer will assist with the implementation of research studies by providing technical support and overall management to ensure coordination and field-level implementation. Mentorship and team building at the task level, collaboration with the project team to interpret data sets and other assessment findings, and providing technical support in the development and dissemination of tools, materials, reports, and papers for research projects are also key responsibilities. The officer will develop and monitor MEL plans and budgets, participate in client/funder meetings, and draft report presentations. Furthermore, the officer will develop strategies and tools for the design and implementation of specific technical components of MEL systems, monitor MEL deliverables and reports to supervisors, lead MEL activities and sub-activities, and assist with their implementation in close collaboration with country teams. The officer will ensure MEL activities are on track with work plans, oversee MEL timelines and budgets, assist in the development of donor reports and presentations, track MEL Statement of Work (SOW) and budget tracking systems, and prepare reports summarizing project results and analyzing data sets and technical assessment findings.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will possess in-depth knowledge of MEL concepts, practices, and procedures, with experience providing technical support for research studies. The candidate should have experience in the development of scope of work and deliverables for partners and consultants, as well as a deep understanding of MEL quality standards. Proficiency with database management software and online search tools is required. The candidate must demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity and an understanding of the political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, are essential, as is the ability to articulate professionally and positively with clients and staff. Excellent organizational and analytical skills, along with demonstrated project management skills, are also necessary. The candidate should be proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite and possess the ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports. Problem-solving skills and the ability to implement corrective actions as needed are crucial, as is creativity and the ability to collaborate effectively with others.

Educational Background:
A Master’s Degree is required in one of the following or related fields: public health, international development, international affairs, economics, or political science. A Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Public Health, International Development, or Economic Development is preferred. Additionally, Project Management (PM) Certification is preferred.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 6 years of experience developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation methodologies, including impact evaluations, managing data collection activities, and providing M&E technical assistance to projects; 7-8 years of experience is preferred. Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization is essential. Experience working with diverse teams and applying research-to-practice principles to support program implementation is also required. The candidate should have experience effectively communicating and utilizing research and technical content for practical application; direct experience with Knowledge Management and Communication is a plus. Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO) or in work-related academic, governmental, or industry settings, as well as experience working internationally, is highly desirable. Experience providing MEL backstopping support to health projects in francophone West and Central Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is preferred, along with experience providing MEL backstopping to outbreak response activities.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, and proficiency in French is also required. The ability to read, write, and speak both languages is essential for effective communication in this role.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote, and the expected US-based hiring salary range for this role is between $85,000 to $113,000 USD annually. Candidates should note that FHI 360's pay ranges represent national averages that vary by geographic location. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 considers multiple factors, including relevant years of experience and education, internal equity, business sector, and budget. For internal candidates, salary placement will follow FHI 360’s current promotional increase guidelines. Final compensation will be determined in accordance with applicable law and FHI 360 policy. Additionally, FHI 360 contributes 7% of monthly base pay to a money purchase pension plan account. All US-based staff working full-time, calculated at 40 hours/week, receive 18 days of paid vacation per year, 12 sick days per year, and 11 holidays per year. Paid time off is reduced pro rata for employees working less than a full-time schedule. This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job and does not prescribe or restrict the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. FHI 360 is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation, and harassment in its work environments and programs.