MEL Manager

Job Posting Organization:
Pact is an international nonprofit organization that was founded in 197

• It operates in nearly 40 countries and is dedicated to building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven, and owned by the communities it serves. The organization focuses on building resilience, improving accountability, and strengthening knowledge and skills to create sustainable social impact. Pact collaborates with various partners to achieve these goals, ensuring that the initiatives are tailored to the specific needs of the communities involved.

Job Overview:
The MEL Manager position is a critical role within the ACHIEVE Rwanda project, reporting directly to the Project Director. The primary responsibility of the MEL Manager is to design and implement comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) activities and systems. This includes developing detailed implementation plans, MEL Plans, and indicator reference sheets, as well as creating data collection and reporting instruments that align with the project's scope and context. The MEL Manager will also provide technical assistance and capacity building to subgrantees, ensuring that robust MEL systems are established and maintained effectively. The role involves leading data collection, management, quality assurance, and analysis, as well as contributing to donor and government reporting. The MEL Manager is expected to conduct regular data quality audits and ensure that data is utilized strategically for program planning and reporting. This position is exclusively open to Rwandan nationals, emphasizing the organization's commitment to local capacity building.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and implementation of MEL activities to track project activities, outputs, and results, ensuring alignment with targets.
• Provide guidance to the project team and subgrantees on M&E activities to efficiently collect, track, analyze, and report project activities against established targets and expected outcomes.
• Support the Project Director in compiling and analyzing data, providing weekly updates through dashboards and written reports, and ensuring the strategic use of data for program planning and monitoring.
• Harmonize tools and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for data collection, management, and utilization to enhance project HIV service outcomes.
• Contribute to donor reports, including semi-annual and annual DATIM reporting, narratives, and bi-weekly PowerPoint presentations.
• Conduct routine data quality assessments (RDQAs) to ensure high-quality data capture and reporting.
• Lead MEL engagement with subgrantees to meet PEPFAR/USAID reporting requirements, including regular and quarterly narrative reports to PEPFAR and national government counterparts.
• Develop local partners' capacity through training, mentoring, and coaching in data management systems, data quality management, data analysis, reporting, and data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure effective use of the electronic case management system (eCMS) by subgrantee staff, develop and utilize dashboards/reports within the system, and address any functional or operational challenges with the Senior MIS Officer. 1
• Manage the Senior MIS Officer and ensure that MIS activities and outputs are of high quality.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree and a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, including at least 3 years of management experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree in public health, health sciences, statistics, monitoring and evaluation, or a related field.
• At least 4 years of experience leading monitoring, evaluations, reporting, and learning for data-intensive health programs.
• Up-to-date knowledge of PEPFAR MER guidance and DATIM; experience with PEPFAR OVC programs is strongly preferred.
• Proven experience in building the capacity of local implementers to conduct M&E activities for health and HIV/AIDS programs.
• Intermediate to advanced knowledge of M&E data collection and visualization software (e.g., Excel, DHIS2, PowerBI).
• Experience successfully managing junior staff and establishing professional relationships with subawardees and other stakeholders in HIV programs.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as public health, health sciences, statistics, or monitoring and evaluation. A Bachelor’s degree in these areas is also acceptable, provided the candidate has sufficient relevant experience to compensate for the educational requirements.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of 6 years of relevant experience, with at least 3 years in a management role. Experience should include leading monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and learning for health programs that are data-intensive. Additionally, candidates should have a proven track record of building capacity among local implementers in M&E activities, particularly in health and HIV/AIDS programs.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is exclusively open to Rwandan nationals. The role is full-time and involves significant interaction with local partners and stakeholders. The MEL Manager will be expected to engage in capacity-building activities and ensure that all MEL systems are implemented effectively and with fidelity. Compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.