Project HOPE Looking for Monitoring, Evaluation, Adaptation, Research and Learning (MEARL) Officer- Dnipr at Millwood, VA  Full Time

Monitoring, Evaluation, Adaptation, Research and Learning (MEARL) Officer- Dnipro, Ukraine

Location: Dnipro, Ukraine

Project HOPE is an international NGO of more than 900 engaged employees and hundreds of volunteers who work in more than 25 countries, responding to the world’s most pressing global health challenges. Throughout our 60-year legacy, Project HOPE has treated millions of patients and provided more than $3 billion worth of medicines to local health care organizations around the world. We have helped build hundreds of health programs from the ground up and responded to humanitarian crises worldwide.

Code of Conduct

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment. Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency.

Program Summary:

Project HOPE is providing humanitarian assistance to internally displaced and conflict-affected persons throughout Ukraine, as well as support to refugees in Poland, Romania, and Moldova. The portfolio in Ukraine focuses on Health, Protection, and WASH programming in partnership with local NGOs, with private funding and support from USAID/BHA. The MEARL unit supports to improve the effectiveness of health programs and operations in Ukraine by providing objective advice to the senior management staff, sector leaders, and UN partners, on the progress of the program implementation against stated objectives.

This position will be based in Dnipro, Ukraine. Local Nationals Only

POSITION SUMMARY:

The primary responsibility of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Research and Learning (MEARL) Officer is to support better performance and greater accountability by implementing evidence-based program/project management in Ukraine in order to guide and improve performance. Specifically, the MEARL Officer will set up effective monitoring systems to collect basic information about activities; supports the design and implementation of sustainable monitoring and evaluation systems in coordination with relevant government UN agencies and Project HOPE M&E staff in line with Project HOPE’s MEARL standards.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The MEARL Officer will provide technical leadership and support in the major areas:

• Long-term strategic plans and implementation with a view toward MEARL requirements.
• Monitoring and assessing of progress of performance indicators against the targeted results for the stated objectives.
• Ensuring complete understanding of program and performance indicators with respect to their data collection processes, indicator definitions, calculations, frequency of reporting, etc.
• Analysis of work plan, objectives and program implementation, including activities related to resource allocations.
• Ensuring data quality, with respect to the validity, accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of data.
• Ensuring protections for beneficiaries with respect to confidentiality, privacy, and informed consent during data collection, data storage, and data analysis.

Specific duties and responsibilities

• Establish and maintain working and collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and other implementing staff, with the implementation of data collection and reporting as the focus.
• In coordination with program staff, MEARL unit and stakeholders, draft and prepare MEARL plans that include Data Collection Plan, Monitoring Plan, Data Management Plan, Analysis Plan.
• Daily/routinely monitor the progress of the program implementation. Develop strategies for assessing the quality of collected data for the indicators and manage tools and methods for assessing data quality for all indicators.
• Perform routine monitoring and coordinate routine data quality audits conducted in different sites, compile results at the level of a project and develop actions plans to implement corrective measure.
• Conduct data validation processes and work closely with technical teams to identify sources of potential errors make appropriate recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Provide support in developing baseline assessments and assess distribution of deliverables.
• Use proper sampling (probability and non-probability) techniques taking into account desired power, type of evaluation (e.g. single point or multiple point; baseline vs end line), the objective of the evaluation (e.g. testing for change or getting a point prevalence), and budget limitations.
• Develop and use different qualitative and quantitate methods of data collection including structured/ semi-structured, key informant interviews, in-depth interviews, group discussions, focus group discussions and direct observations as an M&E tool.
• Develop specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely (SMART) indicators and targets for the monthly reporting process. Ensure timely reporting of core, custom indicators, and cross cutting indicators on a monthly basis.
• Guide the documentation processes for the best practices and lessons learnt based on program approaches.
• During analysis, conduct and interpret statistical data for use in decision-making and synthesize quantitative and qualitative information for write-up/reports and decision making.
• MEARL procedures and operating plans for the Ukraine humanitarian response and develop harmonized data collection tools.
• Create, implement, and provide training on necessary monitoring and evaluation templates and databases, including DHIS2 system-based data collection.
• Develop and conduct training on M&E tools and methodologies, mobile data collection procedures, database management, accountability mechanisms, and related topics for, program staff, and staff within Project HOPE’s partner agencies.
• Provide ongoing support on new monitoring and evaluation methodologies and facilitate learning sessions for other stakeholders.
• Provide mentoring to colleagues as needed (e.g., on baseline / indicator / target / results concepts) to improve skills of the staff in MEARL.
• Ensure that data analytics and slides are produced for effective communication and dissemination of results to all stakeholders including Donors- contribute to information usage for program management, decision making and for data review meetings.
• Support the development, implementation, and analysis of community feedback mechanisms, and write recommendations based on the findings to improve accountability to the beneficiary population and adjust program objectives as necessary.
• Analyze assessment data based on the analysis plan, produce statistics and charts, and ensure the results feed meaningfully into program design and implementation plans to facilitate evidence-based programming.
• Develop and monitor BHA Program databases and ensure that assistance to beneficiaries is timely tracked and information is appropriately shared with the Program Director and other key staff. Also, share appropriate information with other NGOS operating in the same geographical areas to develop synergies, avoid duplication, and maximize outreach and coverage of affected populations.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in the directly relevant area is required, Master’s degree preferred.
• Fluency in English and Ukrainian and excellent writing skills for written communication targeting a variety of audiences.
• 3 – 4 years of experience of donor funded projects on global health humanitarian response; ECHO, USAID/ BHA experience is highly desirable.
• 3 years of experience with designing, implementing, and overseeing monitoring and evaluation tasks is required.
• Experience working with data collection methodologies (sampling strategies, qualitative coding, etc).
• Familiarity with assessment strategies throughout the project (baseline, semi-annual, etc.).
• Experience working with key donors.
• Experience in communication with a high volume of diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in providing monitoring and evaluation support and data analysis.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with field and home office staff to ensure quality and productivity.
• Proficiency with computers both in word processing and data gathering spreadsheet programs, with presentation and report writing capability.
• Able to manage multiple priorities and work with a minimum of supervision and direction.
• Able to think creatively and critically about programs and activities, in order to challenge the status quo and promote continuous improvement.
• Identifies with Project HOPE Mission, Vision, and core values.
• Experience in database design of information tools and use of qualitative and quantitative software for data analysis.
• Experience with the implementation and analysis of community-based feedback mechanisms and participatory assessments.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be mobile in an office environment and able to use standard office equipment.
• Must be able to communicate in verbal and written form and must be able to travel internationally.
• Project HOPE employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship.”

Work environment:

• Typical office environment with exposure to a minimal noise level.
• Emergency deployments may be in resource-deprived environments with austere living conditions.
• Travel for extended periods may be by air and/or other modes of transportation.
• Project HOPE employees may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship.”

Due to the substantial number of inquiries, we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be considered. No phone calls please.

However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise.

Thank you very much for your interest in Project HOPE.