Monitoring, Evaluation& Learning (MEL) Manager, FCI Malawi - 2025833

POSITION SUMMARY:

The MEL Manager provides strategic leadership and technical support in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEL) for the FCI Project. The position leads the design, implementation and continuous improvement of project MEL systems to ensure timely, high-quality data for evidence-based decision-making, adaptive management and donor reporting. The MEL Manager promotes the Collaboration, Learning and Adaptation (CLA) approach, strengthens health and community systems through improved data use, supports digital health information systems, and ensures accountability to beneficiaries. The position works closely with the Project Manager, Global Technical Team, M&E Assistants, District Teams, Government counterparts and partners to strengthen program performance and build organizational and partner capacity.

ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This role is responsible for supervising others and includes responsibilities consistent with supervising employees, including but not limited to monitoring daily work activities, tracking and approving timesheets including approving time off, monitoring performance including entering goals, progress check-ins, and weekly or bi-weekly check-ins, documenting performance concerns, entering staff promotions, transitions, and separations in HRIS within required time frame. Managers at World Relief are also considered spiritual leaders and are expected to lead staff in a manner consistent with our Christian values, including but not limited to praying with staff, leading devotionals, and fostering a Christian environment in interactions with staff throughout World Relief.

Technical Leadership

• Lead the implementation of project MEL plans, indicators, reporting tools and data management systems.
• Provide technical support in project planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and adaptive learning.
• Support the review and contextualization of technical guidelines, training curricula, SOPs, checklists and implementation tools.
• Strengthen health and community systems by promoting data-driven planning, quality improvement and evidence-based decision-making.
• Support implementation and use of electronic health information systems and mobile data collection platforms.
• Conduct routine field monitoring (70%), supportive supervision and Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) to ensure data quality and compliance.
• Analyze program data, generate dashboards and performance reports, and provide recommendations for program improvement.
• Support operational research, assessments, surveys and evaluations to inform programming.
• Promote beneficiary accountability mechanisms, community feedback systems and learning processes.
• Contribute to donor reporting and respond to technical data requests.

Capacity Building and Technical Assistance

• Design and implement comprehensive capacity-building plans for project staff, government counterparts and implementing partners.
• Conduct mentoring, coaching and supportive supervision on MEAL systems, digital health tools, data analysis and data use.
• Build staff capacity in data quality management, indicator interpretation, visualization and evidence-based decision-making.
• Facilitate training on electronic health information systems, mobile data collection technologies and data governance.
• Strengthen district and community capacity in monitoring service delivery, community reporting and accountability systems.

Program Management

• Coordinate country MEL activities and ensure timely submission of quality reports.
• Supervise two (2) MEL Assistants.
• Monitor project performance against approved work plans and performance indicators.
• Facilitate routine data review meetings and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives.
• Present project performance to management, donors, government and other stakeholders.
• Build the capacity of staff, government counterparts and partners in MEL, data use and reporting.

Data Management and Digital Health

• Lead implementation and maintenance of electronic data management systems.
• Ensure timely synchronization, validation and cleaning of project databases.
• Support integration of project databases with national digital health platforms where applicable.
• Develop automated dashboards and reporting systems using Power BI, Tableau, DHIS2 analytics or similar platforms.
• Ensure compliance with organizational information security, data protection and confidentiality standards.

Financial Support

• Participate in annual work planning, budgeting and budget review meetings.
• Monitor implementation of MEL activities against approved budgets and work plans.
• Support budget forecasting for surveys, assessments, training and monitoring activities.
• Ensure efficient utilization and accountability of MEL resources in compliance with donor and organizational policies.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Mature and personal Christian faith
• Committed to the mission, vision, and values of World Relief
• Desire to serve and empower the Church to impact vulnerable communities
• Able to affirm and/or acknowledge World Reliefs Core Beliefs, Statement of Faith, Christian Identity and National Association of Evangelicals' For the Health of The Nation document
• Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Statistics, Information Technology, Monitoring & Evaluation, Health Information Systems, Social Sciences or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience managing MEL systems for national and donor-funded health or development programs.
• Experience working in HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, RMNCH and Community Health programs.
• Experience with DHIS2, ODK, Kobo Collect, CommCare, EMRs or other digital health information systems.
• Knowledge of health systems strengthening, community systems strengthening, donor reporting requirements and data quality assurance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A Master's degree in Public Health, M&E, Epidemiology or Project Management is an added advantage.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEL)
• Data analysis and visualization (Excel, Power BI, SPSS, STATA or similar)
• Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
• Health Information Systems (DHIS2, EMRs)
• Training, mentoring and capacity building
• Strong report writing and presentation skills
• Excellent analytical, communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams