Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Director, USAID/DRC, Equitable Health Systems Activity

About Palladium:
Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities.

This Proposal Opportunity:
Palladium is seeking a Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) for an anticipated 5-year USAID-funded Equitable Health Systems Activity in DRC.

The purpose of this Activity is to strengthen national and select provincial governments’ capacity to identify and act upon key levers for resource mobilization and for reductions in household catastrophic health expenditures, to identify and respond to gaps in equity, quality, and coverage of health services, to strengthen citizens’ capacity to hold government accountable for health services, and to foster collaborative learning. Targeted systems strengthening include efforts to improve the resilience and capacity of the public health system to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging infectious disease threats with a “one health approach.” USAID envisions that this activity will strengthen the role of citizens, women, and marginalized groups in the design, delivery, monitoring, and accountability of health services, which in turn fosters trust in the health system and sustainability.

Recognizing the interdependence of governance, financing, and information, this Activity supports a targeted, synergistic approach to complement the USAID Integrated Health Services Delivery Accelerator and USAID Santé Gouvernance Activities. Provincial-level interventions will focus on the 8 provinces of implementation for these Activities (Kasai Central, Kasai Oriental, Haut-Katanga, Haut- Lomami, Lomani, Lualaba, Tanganyika, and Sud-Kivu), be coordinated to promote synergies and avoid duplication of efforts and contribute to a broader learning agenda to foster adoption of best practices and national scale-up. USAID envisions a well-planned collaborative learning agenda for this Activity and commitment to gender and social inclusion principles.

Position Summary:
The Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL Director) is a full-time position responsible for developing implementing a strong monitoring and evaluation and learning system and plan. S/he will be responsible for leading the design and implementation of the project’s monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework and information system to track delivery against targets/projections, indicators, outcomes, and impact. S/he will be responsible for ensuring valid and verifiable data collection, reporting and analysis, and communicating program results to USAID and external stakeholders. S/he will link M&E data to a process of learning and iterative adaptation.

The MEL Director is a key personnel position who will report to the Chief of Party.

*This is a proposal position and is contingent upon award from USAID.*

*Congolese nationals are encouraged to apply.* 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead the development and monitoring of MEL workplans, and review and update the project’s MEL plan on an on-going basisDevelop and implement a framework for project results measurement, accountability, learning and development effectiveness to measure and report project success, including articulation of Theories of Change (ToC)Work closely with the technical leads of project components to ensure compatibility and coordination within the M&E framework and ensure that the MEL system adheres to USAID guidelines and meets the needs of the program for learning, analysis, and reportingFocus on strengthening the M&E system, building capacity of partners and staff, and improving alignment and support to host-country M&E systemsInstitute routine data reviews as part of an adaptive management process including analysing, interpreting, and presenting data to project management and technical leadsResponsible for developing and designing project systems to track program progress against indicators, collecting and verifying information and maintaining performance monitoring plans, reports, work plans and monthly reportsCollaborate with the project team in identifying project activities, processes and/or outcomes that are worthy of documentation and design a knowledge management system for capturing lessons learned and good practicesRepresent the project at relevant technical working groups and meetingsProvide direct supervision and mentoring to project MEL staffPerform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned

Key Competencies Required:

A master’s degree in statistics, demography, public health, epidemiology, or related fieldAt least 6 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), with a focus on developing and implementing MEL and CLA workplans, preferably for integrated service delivery and/or health systems strengthening projectsExpertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods, and data visualizationDemonstrated experience in establishing and managing MEL systems that track project performance and resultsProficiency in data analysis software and demonstrated ability to process and analyze data using MS Excel, DHIS2, and other statistical software packages such as SPSS, Stata, or RStrong analytical skills to measure the outcomes of project activities, support project supervision and guide project adaptationsDemonstrated experience in gathering, organizing, and analyzing large amounts of data as well as the ability to design manageable, transparent M&E systems that report progress against indicators throughout the life of projectPrior experience developing, implementing, and managing performance monitoring plans (PMPs)Demonstrated experience with complex donor-funded, preferably USAID, projectsStrong understanding of USAID regulations and M&E reporting requirements, preferably in the health sectorExperience in leading and oversight of qualitative and quantitative research and demonstrated experience managing data collection teamsExcellent ability to articulate oral and written technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiencesExcellent interpersonal skills and ability to lead and work effectively in team situationsExperience writing and making professional presentations in EnglishWillingness to travel throughout DRC as necessary

Professional Expertise/Competencies Preferred:

M&E experience on USAID-funded health systems strengthening projectsExperience in DRC or East AfricaExisting working relationships with Government of DRC stakeholders

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status. 

Should you require any adjustments or accommodation to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss. 

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse.  All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.