MEL Technical Advisor at Pathfinder International

Pathfinder Overview

Pathfinder International is driven by the conviction that all people, regardless of where they live, have the right to decide whether and when to have children, to exist free from fear and stigma, and to lead the lives they choose. Since 1957, we have partnered with local governments, communities, and health systems in developing countries to remove barriers to critical sexual and reproductive health services. Together, we expand access to contraception, promote healthy pregnancies, save women’s lives, and stop the spread of new HIV infections, wherever the need is most urgent. Our work ensures millions of women, men, and young people are able to choose their own paths forward.

MEL Technical Advisor

Location:  Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tanzania, Togo, or Uganda.

Summary:

The MEL Technical Advisor supports development and implementation of Pathfinder’s Management Information System in DHIS2 at global level. They provides assistance to country office staff and projects to ensure that program monitoring and learning from routine data achieves program needs. They design and tailor data systems and integration architecture in DHIS2 and other applications. They  develop tools for data use to guide management decisions, including dashboards, data visualizations, workplans and maps. The MEL Technical Advisor develops tools for data collection, plans for and selects consultants and provides targeted training as needs arise.

Key Job Outcomes: 

• MEL Strategic and Project Planning and Implementation: Develops and implements Pathfinder’s MEL strategies in proposals, and institutionalizes related policies, guidelines and standard procedures for monitoring and evaluating projects, including DHIS2 and other data systems’ standards and Develops MEL plans, including appropriate selection of final project indicators and data sources, and team work plans to ensure effective implementation. Partners with MEL staff to develop and implement monitoring and evaluation guidelines, procedure manuals and data management guidelines for their respective office or projects.
• Data Collection Methodology; Conceptualizes, develops and implements an appropriate system for collecting monitoring and evaluation data to enable the project to report to stakeholders, to regularly review and use data to track progress against goals, to improve the quality of the interventions, and to feed data analytics into technical
• Data Collection Tools; Creates and adapts data collection tools, including but not limited to monitoring tools and forms, survey questionnaires, key informant interview guides, facility assessment and supervision tools, and supporting training materials. Trains and mentors project staff to design and/or oversee implementation of data collection tools. Oversees terms of reference for consulting firms, critically reviewing consultant reports and other deliverables, and deploying ethical clearance procedures. Ensures that data are complete and comply with data quality and compliance standards and guidelines. Conducts analysis to inform, influence,
• Data review and use: Maintains, manages, and/or reviews the project database for performance trends. Generates or contributes to communications products or reports for use by project and/or the organization.
• Proposal Planning and Review: Drafts MEL plans for proposals and reviews proposals from the MEL
• Training and Education Development and Delivery: Designs, develops and delivers relevant training to Pathfinder
• Reports: Creates project status Writes and prepares conference presentations and publications.

Minimally Required Job-Specific Competencies:

• Program and Project Planning and Management: Deep skills in program and project management and planning to fulfill performance objectives, including the timely implementation and reporting of donor-funded program
• Data Collection Methods: Advanced knowledge in data integrity and collection
• Research Methods: Advanced knowledge and ability to apply quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• PC Applications: Proven ability to apply statistical software
• Proposal Development: Mastery of skills in proposal development from concept to full proposal, resource mobilization.
• Country Specific Public Health System: Deep knowledge of the countries’ public health systems.
• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Services: Deep knowledge of family planning and reproductive health principles, practices and services of programs, including program strategies and indicators, and the latest professional developments in SRHR, including special challenges faced in the developing
• Change Leadership: Ability to demonstrate a high degree of flexibility in managing change across a broad group of stakeholders in an inclusive
• Presentation Skills: Proven ability to make presentations on results to small and large groups.
• Community Relations: Mastery of skills in facilitating working relationships between partners, government officials, and communities.

Minimally Required Organizational Competencies: 

• Languages: Proven writing and speaking skills using local languages and English language
• Communication and Influencing Skills: Proven ability to influence others, including donor agencies and local partners, through diplomacy and proven oral and written communication
• Software Applications: Advanced knowledge of MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word and
• Passion for Sexual and Reproductive Health: Commitment to family planning, reproductive health services, gender, maternal, child health services, and eradication of harmful traditional
• Self-Management and Teamwork: Ability to work independently or as a member of the team, ability to work with people from different cultures, ability thrive in a matrix organization, ability to be detailed-oriented, and ability to manage stress effectively in a fast-pace
• Matrix Management: Ability to thrive in a matrixed organization.
• Confidentiality: Ability to maintain confidentiality on work-related matters.

Required Education, Training and Experience:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in demography, epidemiology, statistics, social sciences or a related field, or a combination of education and experience that yields the required competencies.
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in MEL health/development projects or
• Experience living and working in a developing country.
• DHIS2 experience required
• Power BI experience is a plus

Other Information:

• Travel required (at least 30%)
• Must be eligible to work in the US
• Uses cellular and desk phone; laptop or desktop computer

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)