Company Profile

The International Development Division focuses on improving the lives and economic well-being of people in lower and middle-income countries. We command technical expertise in health, agriculture, climate change, food security and governance—as well as in international evaluation. Our multi-layered health portfolio includes policy, health promotion and disease prevention, health finance, and health systems management. In partnership with government clients and local experts, our high-quality programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are known for impact and innovation.

At Abt Associates, we are committed to creating a lasting culture of equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that in order to achieve full participation, our practices must be free of prejudice, discrimination, and bias that result in inequitable outcomes. We are actively working to advance equity for everyone, and while we still have much work to do, we know that racial and cultural diversity are an asset to our business and the communities where we live and serve. Our ongoing commitment is focused on creating business practices that advance racial and social equity, investments in community impact programs for the benefit of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), and expand upon project work related to racial equity and social justice.

Job Description

Abt is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities during our recruitment process. If you require such an accommodation, please send an email to our Human Resources team at accessibility@abtglobal.com with your full name, email address, job you are applying to and the nature of your accessibility issue.

The Opportunity
As a PMI Evolve MEL Specialist, you will be responsible for managing and implementing monitoring, evaluation and learning functions. You will play a critical role in measuring our progress towards intended results and informing evidence-driven decisions in integrated vector control. This position will be the point-of-contact for implementing our MEL plan successfully at the country level and ensuring our program staff and key stakeholders have access to the data they need and when they need it.

Core Responsibilities

• Supervise the database manager.
• Lead the collection, organization, analysis, and presentation of PMI Evolve program data.
• Prepare and ensure timely data submissions to support weekly progress reports and client deliverables.
• Prepare or review project-specific MEL guidelines, standards, and protocols.
• Co-lead the training of MEL Assistants and Data Entry Clerks on all relevant MEL tools and processes.
• Assist in preparing the project for possible data quality audits to ensure validity, integrity, precision, reliability and timeliness of all performance data, identifying gaps and suggesting timely corrective actions.
• As needed, coordinate with key points of contact on entomological data collection, management and reporting.
• Supervise/mentor the Database Manager, MEL Assistants, and Data Entry Clerks hired on the project to support integrated vector control activities.
• Work closely with the Operations Team and District Supervisors to provide routine feedback during vector control campaigns to help increase data-driven decisions.
• Design, review and test MEL tools for reporting formats and data collection. These can include mobile-based tools, digitally-enumerated satellite images or atlases, and other innovations for data collection, quality, entry, and reporting.
• Support key in-country partners/actors on the use of the project’s DHIS2 system for vector control activity monitoring, as needed.
• Track and report data on all project indicators, prepare monitoring and evaluation plans, as well as contribute to MEL workplans, annual reports, and other contractual project documents.
• Frequent travel to implementing districts and field sites for routine monitoring, program supervision, and support.
• Regular communication with site and home office staff to report on activity progress.
• Identify areas for programmatic improvements and develop recommendations and enhancement solutions based on findings.
• Coordinate with the Global Support Team to share project data as requested by key external stakeholders.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills or Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree + 5 years of relevant experience, or Master’s degree + 3 years of relevant experience, or PhD + 0 years of relevant experience

Preferred Requirements

• At least 5 years’ experience in Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Health, Community Health, Database or Information Systems Management, or other relevant social science activities.
• Demonstrated experience with managing MEL on USG -funded projects; experience with malaria programs is preferred.
• Knowledge of national HMIS system.
• Proven track record in managing complex data collection, data management, analysis and reporting activities.
• Experience with DHIS2 required.
• Experience with mobile platforms (ODK, CommCare, KoboCollect, EpiInfo, Fulcrum, etc.), mobile data collection, GIS applications, GPS measurement data collection, and/or Tableau desirable.
• Strong analytic and quantitative database management skills, budgeting and report writing.
• Experience demonstrating leadership, communication, coordination, and critical thinking skills in a high-pressure environment.
• English language fluency is required.
• Knowledge in Twi and any of the languages spoken in the Northern and North East regions is an additional advantage.