M&E Advisor - MNCH

Job Posting Organization:
Pact is a global nonprofit organization that has been operational since its establishment, with experience in over 60 countries. The organization is dedicated to fostering thriving, resilient communities that can chart their own development paths. Pact focuses on delivering solutions that are rooted in evidence and driven by data, aiming to improve the lives of individuals and communities worldwide. The organization employs a diverse workforce and collaborates with various stakeholders to implement programs that address critical issues in health, education, and economic development.

Job Overview:
The M&E Advisor - MNCH position is designed to provide hands-on monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) support specifically for Pact’s maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) portfolio, as well as broader health programming. The advisor will work under the technical direction of senior Learning, Evidence and Impact (LEAP) staff and senior project staff, playing a crucial role in the start-up, implementation, and close-out of MERL systems on various projects. The advisor will be responsible for core M&E tasks, which include developing indicators and instruments, cleaning data, conducting quantitative analysis, and visualizing and reporting data. Additionally, the advisor will provide capacity strengthening, technical backstopping, and quality oversight to in-country project M&E leads, ensuring that Pact’s health projects yield high-quality data that meets donor requirements and is utilized for learning and adaptive management. The position is matrixed, meaning that for project work, the advisor will take day-to-day direction from assigned Project Lead(s) or their designee, while for new business and institutional work, they will work with and be directed by LEAP. The advisor will also contribute to new business development by developing the MEL sections of MNCH and other health proposals, including theories of change, results frameworks, indicators, and MEL plans. A practical knowledge of MNCH programs and their M&E requirements is essential, and experience with HIV programming is considered an asset.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The M&E Advisor - MNCH will be responsible for ensuring quality programming through technical MERL support, which involves working directly with assigned Project or LEAP Lead(s). Key responsibilities include leading the MERL start-up of new MNCH and health projects, developing MEL plans, results frameworks, indicator reference sheets, and setting up data management systems. The advisor will carry out M&E tasks for assigned projects, which include designing quantitative and qualitative data collection instruments, sampling, building digital data collection forms, data cleaning and management, quantitative analysis, and preparing tables, dashboards, and visualizations using tools like Power BI. The advisor will also lead and contribute to baseline, midline, and endline assessments, special studies, and evaluations, drafting terms of reference, protocols, tools, analysis plans, and report sections. Tracking project performance against targets and supporting the preparation and review of quarterly and annual performance reports to ensure accuracy and alignment with donor requirements is also a critical responsibility. The advisor will ensure that project indicators and data systems align with national health management information systems and global standard MNCH and health indicators. Furthermore, the advisor will provide regular technical backstopping and quality oversight to project M&E leads, including reviewing MEL plans, tools, datasets, analyses, and reports, and planning routine data quality assessments. The advisor will design and deliver training, coaching, and mentoring for project and partner M&E staff on various aspects of data management and use for decision-making. Promoting the use of data for learning and adaptive management is also a key aspect of this role, including supporting pause-and-reflect sessions and learning reviews with project teams. In terms of new business development, the advisor will serve as a champion or technical lead for health-related research and evaluation proposals, developing MEL sections for proposals and reviewing proposal MEL content for technical quality and alignment with donor requirements. The advisor will also support Pact’s Global Indicators process for health projects and participate in the LEAP Community of Practice, contributing to tools, templates, guidance, and learning products related to MNCH and health measurement.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master’s degree and at least 8 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, health economics, biostatistics, demography, or a related field is essential. Candidates must have at least 8 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation of international development programs, with a minimum of four years supporting MNCH or broader reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH+N) programs. A working knowledge of MNCH program approaches, standard MNCH indicators, and data sources, as well as the M&E requirements of major health donors, is required. Candidates should demonstrate hands-on M&E experience, including developing MEL plans and indicators, designing data collection instruments, and managing data cleaning. Proficiency in conducting quantitative analysis with at least one statistical software package and advanced Excel skills is necessary. Experience in providing technical assistance, training, or mentoring to M&E staff, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, is also required. The ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively across time zones is essential, as is the ability to work effectively in a matrixed structure.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as public health, epidemiology, health economics, biostatistics, demography, or a related discipline. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of monitoring and evaluation in health programs, particularly in the context of maternal, newborn, and child health.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation, specifically in international development programs. Candidates should have substantial experience supporting MNCH or broader RMNCAH+N programs, with at least four years dedicated to this area. Demonstrated hands-on M&E experience, including the development of MEL plans and indicators, is essential, along with experience in quantitative analysis and data management.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with excellent written and verbal communication skills necessary for presenting data clearly to non-technical audiences. Professional working proficiency in French is preferred, as it may enhance communication and collaboration in international contexts.

Additional Notes:
The position is full-time and is based in Washington DC, United States. Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package that may include healthcare, retirement plans, paid time off, disability and life insurance programs, learning and development opportunities, wellness programs, and other optional benefits. The advisor will be expected to comply with all company policies and procedures, including completing compliance training topics by the deadline.