Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Manager (MEAL) Manage Full Time NEW

Job Description Summary

The MEA Manager will lead the design, implementation, and management of a robust MEAL system for the U.S. DOS-funded FCI Ethiopia Consortium Project, led by WVIE in partnership with Compassion International. The position is responsible for ensuring the availability of high-quality, timely, and reliable data to strengthen community and faith-based health systems, inform evidence-based decision-making, improve health outcomes, and support donor reporting requirements.

He / She will play a central role in the development and operationalization of the project’s MEAL framework, including the Theory of Change, Results Framework/Log frame, indicator definitions, Indicator Performance Tracking Tables (IPTTs), and standardized data collection tools, including digital data systems. The role will ensure data quality through the effective management of data collection, cleaning, aggregation, analysis, reporting, and utilization processes across all project locations. The position will also promote learning and evidence to enhance project performance, accountability, and impact. The MEAL Manager will provide strategic technical leadership and day-to-day coordination of MEAL functions across the FCI project, working closely with consortium partners, national and field-level project teams, targeted health facilities, and other stakeholders. The position will ensure strong project performance, donor compliance, and the

production of high-quality national-level reports by consolidating and analyzing data from multiple regions and implementation sites. The position holder will lead data quality assurance processes, including routine internal Data Quality Assessments (DQAs), data verification exercises, and support for external or donor-led assessments. This includes ensuring that data management systems, reporting processes, and documentation practices meet donor and organizational standards, and that all required data are accurately tracked
and readily available throughout the reporting cycle. The MEAL Manager will strengthen the capacity of MEAL and technical staff, consortium partners, and target health facilities through training, mentoring, coaching, and ongoing technical support. The role will ensure compliance with donor requirements as well as World Vision’s global, regional, and national MEAL standards, including safeguarding and protection, Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI), Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), Citizens’ Voice and Action (CVA), and other accountability frameworks. The position will also support the generation and use of evidence for adaptive management, strategic decision-making, organizational learning, and reporting across diverse geographic contexts. In addition, the MEAL Manager will oversee the planning and implementation of Health Facility Readiness Assessments, general needs assessments, baseline studies, end line evaluations, and other research and evaluation activities. The role will ensure methodological rigor, data integrity, and high-quality deliverables throughout the assessment and evaluation cycle. The position will also lead on-site monitoring, After-Action Reviews (AARs), and context monitoring initiatives, while promoting evidence-based learning through the synthesis, dissemination, and application of findings to improve project effectiveness, sustainability, and impact.

Activities

Strategic MEAL Leadership and System Strengthening

• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the project-wide MEAL framework and strategy.
• Develop and maintain the Theory of Change, Results Framework, Log frame, Indicator Reference Sheets, Indicator Tracking Tables (ITT/IPTT), and MEAL Plan.
• Ensure harmonized MEAL tools, methodologies, and reporting systems across

Consortium partners

• Integrate safeguarding, child protection, GEDSI, AAP, CVA, and social accountability

Principles into all MEAL systems

• Provide strategic guidance on results measurement, performance monitoring, and

Adaptive management

• Ensure alignment with donor, government, and World Vision standards throughout he project lifecycle.

Digital Health Information Systems and Data Management

• Provide technical leadership for the digitalization of community and faith-based health

Systems

• Support integration of project information systems with national platforms including DHIS2, eCHIS, and other Ministry of Health systems.
• Lead the development and strengthening of interoperable digital data collection and

Reporting systems

• Collaborate with Digital and Technology teams to deploy real-time monitoring

Solutions

• Oversee electronic data collection, validation, aggregation, analysis, visualization, and

Reporting.

• Ensure secure data management practices and compliance with organizational data

Protection standards

• Manage reporting requirements within donor and organizational MIS platforms.

Monitoring, Reporting, Accountability, and Adaptive Management

• Lead routine project performance monitoring and indicator tracking.
• Ensure timely production of high-quality donor, government, and management

Reports.

• Maintain project IPTTs, dashboards, and performance reporting systems.
• Strengthen accountability mechanisms including complaints, feedback, and response

Systems.

• Support implementation of social accountability and Citizens Voice and Action

(CVA) approaches.

• Facilitate regular review meetings, performance reflection sessions, and adaptive

Management processes.

• Monitor contextual risks, including conflict, climate, and vulnerability trends, and integrate findings into program adaptation.

Consortium MEAL Coordination and Team Leadership

• Lead and supervise project MEAL personnel and provide technical oversight to

Consortium partner MEAL teams.

• Coordinate MEAL activities across national, regional, facility, and community levels.
• Build collaborative relationships with government health information and M&E units.
• Manage MEAL-related budgets and resources effectively.
• Develop staff capacity through coaching, mentoring, training, and supportive

Supervision.

• Foster a culture of learning, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Evaluations, Assessments, Research, and Learning

• Lead project baseline, midline, endline, and special studies.
• Oversee Health Facility Readiness Assessments and community needs assessments.

Develop Terms of Reference (TORs) and manage external consultants.

• Review methodologies, sampling approaches, data collection instruments, and

Analytical frameworks.

• Ensure methodological rigor, ethical standards, and data quality throughout

Evaluation processes.

• Facilitate dissemination and utilization of findings for program improvement and

Strategic decision-making.

Data Quality Assurance and Compliance

• Lead Data Quality Assessments (DQAs), Routine Data Quality Reviews (RDQRs),

Verification exercises, and spot checks.

• Ensure adherence to data quality standards, including Validity, Reliability, Precision,

Integrity, Timeliness

• Establish systems to identify and address data quality issues promptly.
• Support donor-led and external data quality assessments and audits.

Learning and Knowledge Management

• Lead development and implementation of the project learning agenda.
• Facilitate After-Action Reviews (AARs), reflection workshops, and learning events.
• Produce high-quality knowledge products, including Learning briefs, Case studies, Success stories, Best practice documentation, Policy briefs, Research summaries
• Promote cross-learning among project stakeholders and consortium partners.
• Ensure lessons learned inform strategy, policy, and programming decisions.

KNOWLEDGE/QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE ROLE

Required Professional Experience

• Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible experience in international development programming with international NGOs, including at least seven (7) years in a senior MEAL leadership role leading the design, implementation, and management of MEAL systems, processes, and tools.
• Demonstrated experience working on U.S. Government (USG)-funded projects, preferably with responsibility for donor compliance, performance monitoring, and reporting.
• Strong knowledge of advanced health systems
• Proven ability to effectively engage, coordinate, and collaborate with government institutions, NGOs, faith-based organizations, and other key stakeholders.
• Proven experience in digital data collection, data management, analysis, and reporting, including the use of donor and government Management Information Systems (MIS) such as DHIS2, eCHIS, and related platforms.
• Solid experience in the design and implementation of quantitative and qualitative monitoring and evaluation systems, including the measurement and tracking of output, outcome, and impact indicators.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and operationalizing comprehensive project MEAL systems, including Theory of Change (Toc), Log Frames, Results Frameworks, indicators, data collection tools, methodologies, and reporting systems, to generate high-quality monitoring data and track project performance and outcomes. Experience supporting health systems strengthening and service delivery improvement at community and faith-based organization (FBO) levels is highly desirable.
• Advanced Proficiency in digital data collection, management, visualization, and reporting platforms, including Microsoft Excel, Power BI, KoboToolbox, ODK, SurveyCTO, and qualitative data analysis software such as SPSS, STATA, R, Epi Info, NVivo, and Atlas.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and synthesize data from multiple sources, identify trends and performance gaps, interpret findings, and provide actionable recommendations to strengthen project implementation, strategy, and decision-making.
• Experience producing high-quality M&E reports and facilitating the use of findings, lessons learned, and evidence to inform adaptive management and continuous program improvement.
• Knowledge of and practical experience with DHIS2 and national health information systems will be considered a strong advantage

Required Education, training, license, registration, and certification

• Master’s Degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Public Health, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Demography, Economics, Statistics, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Professional certification in Advanced Health PMIS, Monitoring and Evaluation, Data Analytics, Research Methods, or Project Management is an added advantage

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and collaborate with diverse stakeholders at national, regional, community, and facility levels.
• Strong conceptual, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and apply evidence-based approaches to program design, implementation, learning, and decision-making.
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills in MEAL, with proven experience in team leadership, stakeholder engagement, partnership management, networking, and coordination.
• Strong understanding of faith-based programming, interfaith engagement, and community development, with the ability to articulate and model World Vision’s Christian identity, values, and mission in an inclusive and respectful manner.
• Proven facilitation, coaching, mentoring, and capacity-strengthening skills, with the ability to foster teamwork, collaboration, and continuous learning among diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Excellent technical writing, report development, presentation, and data visualization skills, with the ability to communicate complex information clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong knowledge of data protection, information security, ethical research practices, safeguarding standards, and accountability frameworks applicable to international development programs.
• Demonstrated commitment to innovation, learning, adaptive management, and the use of evidence to improve program quality, effectiveness, and impact.
• High levels of integrity, professionalism, accountability, and cultural sensitivity, with the ability to work effectively in diverse and multicultural environments.

Travel and/or Work Environment Requirement

The position requires a willingness for travels to all Project operational areas

Physical Requirements: The duty station of the post is based in at national office with frequent field visits

Language Requirements: English and local languages