Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Advisor

Job Location: Washington, DC     

Telework Eligible: Yes, at least 3 days per week in-person reporting at Washington, DC office.

Remote Eligible: No.

Summary Statement:

The Global Health Training, Advisory and Support Contract (GHTASC) delivers effective global health programming to advance the mission of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Bureau for Global Health (GH) through institutional support and workforce development services from junior, mid-level, senior and expert advisory and administrative professionals.

Credence and its partner, the Public Health Institute (PHI), are both employers for GHTASC, and are seeking a Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Advisor under GHTASC. This position will be hired under Public Health Institute (PHI).

USAID's Bureau for Global Health supports health programs in partner countries, advances measurement and innovation in areas relevant to overall Agency health objectives, and transfers new technologies through its own programmatic work, coordination with other donors, and a portfolio of grants. Global health is a global good with consequences that not only affect the people of developing nations, but also directly affect the interests of American citizens.

The Office of Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition, within USAID's Bureau for Global Health (GH/MCHN), serves as the Agency's technical and policy lead on maternal newborn and child health, immunization, nutrition, and environmental health, with a focus on preventing child and maternal deaths and improved nutrition, and supporting other related Agency priorities. Cross-cutting activities managed by the Office in support of this goal include private sector partnerships, social and behavior change, MCHN policy, multilateral partnerships, gender, innovation, monitoring, evaluation, research/research utilization and learning (MERL), knowledge management and knowledge translation.

MCHN's Research and Policy Division (GH/MCHN/RP) is responsible for technical leadership, guidance, and coordination to advance a systematic approach to the use of measurement related efforts including innovation, monitoring, evaluation, research/research utilization and learning to accelerate the uptake, sustained and effective use of, and scale-up of maternal, newborn, child, water, and sanitation (WASH) and nutrition programming. RP is one of four divisions in the MCHN Office, which also includes the Maternal and Newborn Health Division, the Child Health and Immunization Division and the Nutrition and Environmental Health Division. RP staff support the MERL needs of other MCHN Divisions as well as USAID Missions, the Bureau for Global Health, and the Agency at large.

Position Summary:

The Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Advisor for Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition (Senior Advisor) will provide technical and thought leadership and capacity building in monitoring, evaluation research, and learning (MERL) in support of achievement of preventing child and maternal deaths (PCMD). The senior advisor will be responsible for undertaking practical, state-of-the art measurement approaches focused on the highest priority problem areas and interventions relevant to the needs of USAID PCMD priority countries. the incumbent will undertake advanced analytical work as a member of the office of maternal and child health and nutrition and lead a team of non-direct hire analytical experts based in the office of maternal child health and nutrition, division of research and policy (MCHN/RP). This analytic work will inform strategic plans and programmatic decisions of the Agency, the Global Health Bureau and USAID country missions.

The Senior Advisor will provide technical leadership for research, monitoring and evaluation, and the Agency’s Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) approach for MCHN components of the GH Bureau and mission bilateral projects and initiatives. Additionally, the Senior Advisor will provide technical leadership and support for the USAID interface with various global partners and other stakeholders within and outside of the U.S. Government, as well as serving on technical advisory and working groups on various dimensions of MCHN measurement, evaluation, and learning, e.g., the U.N. Interagency Group on Mortality Estimation and the Countdown to 2030.

 Major Areas of Responsibility:

• Contribute to USAID's global technical leadership in MERL focused on measurement, data use, and reporting on MCH, Nutrition and WASH.
• Provide expert MERL support to USAID/W, Missions, and USAID global and bilateral projects.
• Contribute to USAID's annual reporting, portfolio reviews and budget development processes and support special initiatives.
• Support and as appropriate conduct analysis, documentation, knowledge management and dissemination activities working in collaboration with other MCHN technical advisors and the office’s communications team.
• Communicate on MERL issues and priorities with USAID mission and USAID/W technical staff to help stakeholders consider technical priorities and measurement issues.

Full salary range for this position is $137,280 to $206,960 per year, with the starting salary determined based on candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, as well as budget availability.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Global/HQ Technical leadership in MCHN data analysis, monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning

• Serve as a team leader of a MCHN measurement team that conducts data analysis and data visualization as well as providing technical assistance and mentorship to USAID/MCHN staff, other HQ operating units, and at mission level on data collection, analysis, data use, digital and data science, and other relevant state of the art methodologies in support of responding to requirements for achievement of PCMD.
• Lead indicator and other measurement development, tracking, analysis, and translation of MCH data and information including the use of data visualization to guide strategic planning and programmatic implementation.
• Oversee analysis efforts and provide recommendations on strategic approaches in development of required reports and responses to queries from MCHN office, GH bureau, and Agency senior leadership, Congress, think tanks, UN agencies, and others.
• Develop strategic guidance for USAID/W technical staff, M&E experts, and data scientists on the provision of technical guidance to USAID missions, partners and host countries engaged in MERL, MCHN-related digital health and data science efforts, indicator development as well as advancing the development and incorporation of innovation.
• Guide CLA adaptive management and real-time learning/implementation research in conjunction with collaborating agency partners and host countries to advance technical excellence and public health programming approaches to achieve greater impact.
• Liaise with MCHN MERL activities at relevant US Government agencies, donors, and relevant multilateral agencies (e.g. UNICEF, WHO, World Bank and regional development banks, CDC, private foundations) to build consensus and consistency in MERL methodologies, technologies, and approaches.
• Provide technical input into strategic planning for activities for GH's MCHN element programs including dashboards or other approaches that provide insights on needs, progress, and challenges to achievement of strategic objectives and the PCMD vision.
• Stay current, share, and develop new knowledge on state-of-the art technical, policy, and programmatic developments in MCHN MERL for USAID staff, LMIC partners, and others.
• Oversee efforts to introduce the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence innovations to inform MCHN programming.
• Foster stronger relationships, collaborations, and sharing between USAID and academic institutions and individuals with strong capacity in MERL through convening consultative meetings, seminars, and other exchanges to strengthen dialogue and advance synergistic activities.
• Participate in a leadership role that advances the state-of- the-art thinking in MCHN M&E technical working groups, task forces, and professional meetings.
• Participate in professional continuing education, skills training, and USAID training activities, as appropriate.
• Prepare and submit papers to professional journals and meetings related to MCHN MERL & M&E.
• Facilitate global sharing and adoption of MERL best practices from the USAID MCHN Program as well as other global health partners.
• Build capacity of more junior public health staff in MERL through teaching and mentoring within and outside USAID, as opportunities arise.

Support to Country level MERL for Mission and host country programs and action plans.

• Provide technical expertise and mentorship to USAID mission staff and other partners including host governments and flagship programs in selected MCHN priority countries and assist in developing MCHN MERL and/or M&E plans and activities at cross national, national at the sub-national levels.
• Provide technical guidance and guidance on tracking to ensure that country programs, strategies and plans are consistent with state-of-the-art MCHN programmatic and MERL standards/recommendations.
• Provide guidance and leadership on measurement in the context of the USAID program cycle including inputs into CDCS, design of independent evaluations and other real-time learning and data monitoring approaches relevant to the design, implementation, and impact of MCHN related investments at national and sub-national level.
• Advise on the use of state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and digital technologies to keep the USAID MCHN MERL system up to date to ensure the most recent data is available for learning, analysis, and future programming and reporting purposes.
• Facilitate global sharing and adoption of MERL best practices from the USAID MCHN Program as well as other global health partners.
• International and domestic travel up to 25% of the time.
• Work at least 3 days per week in-person at Washington, DC office.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualification Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree with 10 years of relevant experience, bachelor’s degree with 12 years of relevant experience, Associate’s degree and 14 years of relevant experience, or High School graduate and 16 years of relevant experience.
• US Citizenship with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.

Other Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in public health, international health, social sciences, or other relevant field or PhD preferred.
• Relevant technical experience demonstrating advanced biostatistics, data visualization, and survey research methods with at least five years’ experience in an international or resource challenged setting.
• Knowledge and specialized experience in maternal and child health programs and related digital health approaches is desirable.
• At least six years of progressively more responsible experience designing, implementing, and managing health program monitoring, progress-tracking, and impact measurement systems in developing countries is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in international working groups on MERL issues, related to maternal and child health.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, policy experience, and problem-solving skills working on complex projects are required.
• Excellent leadership, communications, and interpersonal skills to work effectively with a broad range of partners and USG personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and to communicate technical health information to both health and non-health audiences.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly, and concisely – both verbally and in writing in English.
• Excellent analytical skills and understanding of the current concepts, priorities, and issues in epidemiology, statistical analysis of health data, and program data collection is preferred.
• Excellent knowledge of data management and visualization tools such as Excel is preferred.
• Understanding and experience in managing open data and data visualization, preferred.
• Proven knowledge and experience with USAID programs, procedures, and systems for program design, monitoring, evaluation is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to make oral presentations logically and persuasively to senior officials.
• Willingness to travel internationally, up to 25% of the time.
• Work at least 3 days per week in-person at Washington, DC office.

Competencies:

• Innovation: Takes initiative to propose new ideas/approaches and demonstrates ability to find new and better ways to accomplish work. 
• Client Service: Communicates with clients, handling any issues politely and efficiently; understands and is available to clients; maintains pleasant and professional image. 
• Accountability: Takes ownership of work responsibilities and holds high standards. Keeps commitments and takes appropriate actions to ensure obligations are met.  Pursues efficiency and effectiveness and adheres to organization policies and procedures. 
• Interpersonal Skills: Works in cooperation with others and communicates effectively with co-workers, supervisors, subordinates, clients, and other outside contacts. 
• Continual Learning: Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; pursues professional development that is aligned with organizational role, contribution, and goals; proactively shares knowledge with others to foster learning across the organization. 

Prior to submitting your application, your resume must include relevant paid and non-paid experience showing dates held with month, year and hours worked per week for each position. Please ensure that all relevant experience and education is documented on your resume. There is no limitation to resume length; updates to resumes will not be accepted during the interview and selection process.