Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer

TITLE: Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer
REPORTS TO: Associate Programmes Director
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE: 5 Years and Above
CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time Employee

Background

HealthRight Kenya (HRK) is a Health and Human Rights Non-Governmental Organization, incorporated in 2005, with the head office in Nairobi, Kenya. The organization has been working with local government and communities in Kenya’s remote and impoverished regions to strengthen the response to critical issues in four priority program areas; HIV/AIDS, Mental Health, SGBV and RMCAH, as well as in high-burden communicable diseases like malaria and tuberculosis.

As a key implementing partner and lead on several U.S. government-supported programs, HealthRight Kenya achieves and sustains marked improvements in healthcare access and outcomes for nearly 4 million Kenyans across 10 counties: Nairobi, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Kilifi, Narok, and Semi-Arid Lands counties.

At HealthRight Kenya, we are passionate about making a lasting impact in these crucial areas, striving for tangible and sustainable change. We are currently seeking an exceptional individual to join our team in the pivotal role of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Officer. If you’re passionate about advancing health equity, embracing innovation, and shaping the future of impactful programs, we invite you to apply and be a part of our mission to transform healthcare accessibility and outcomes across Kenya.

Position Summary

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning Officer holds the responsibility of designing and implementing the organization’s MERL systems and Knowledge and Learning processes. This role entails close collaboration with programmatic staff, consulting regularly with the Associate Programmes Director, and establishing strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.

The MERL Officer will assume overall oversight of projects to ensure quality, effective coordination, and will be accountable for data, research, and information management for HRK. Reporting directly to the Associate Programmes Director, the MERL Officer plays a pivotal role in maintaining high standards of program evaluation and learning initiatives.

Tasks And Responsibilities

1. Management

• Designing Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks : Developing methodologies and frameworks to monitor progress and assess program effectiveness using indicators, data collection methods, and evaluation criteria.
• Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting: Overseeing data collection, conducting analysis, and creating reports/presentations to communicate insights to stakeholders for informed decision-making.
• Learning, Adaptation, and Quality Assurance: Facilitating organizational learning by identifying lessons from evaluations, adapting strategies, ensuring quality standards, and suggesting improvements based on evaluation results.
• Collaboration, Coordination, and Strategic Planning: Working closely with teams, aligning efforts with project goals, contributing evidence-based insights to strategic planning, and guiding future strategies and resource allocation.
• Support for Business Development: Contributing to business development processes as a priority by leveraging insights from monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Leadership, Supervision, and Representation: Providing leadership to M&E assistants, ensuring their appraisal, adherence to reporting timelines, and high-quality delivery and representing HRK at partner meetings to address MEL issues and concerns locally and regionally.

2. M and E Technical

• Review and Enhancement of Monitoring Systems: Assessing existing monitoring systems to identify areas for improvement, optimizing dashboards, factsheets, and the overall monitoring and evaluation plan for HealthRight Kenya, Enhancing, refining, and expanding monitoring systems for better efficiency and effectiveness.
• Designing and Overseeing Evaluation Activities: Developing data collection tools for partners involved in various programs, creating frameworks for data storage, collection, analysis, and reporting on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Overseeing evaluation activities for HRK’s programs such as training, outreach, and equipment provision.
• Development of Protocols and Procedures: Creating schedules, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and protocols for streamlined and efficient data collection processes.
• Quality Assurance and Supervision: Ensuring the quality assurance of M&E efforts and data management procedures within HealthRight Kenya.
• Supporting Proposal Writing: Assisting in proposal writing by crafting logic frameworks, Theories of Change, project indicators, and evaluation plans to strengthen grant and project proposals.
• Routine and Special Data Collection Projects: Overseeing routine and specialized data collection projects aligned with organizational goals.
• Analyzing Data for Programmatic Improvements: Developing evaluative indicators and conducting data analysis to provide insights for program improvement, focusing on outcomes and operational efficiencies.
• Standardizing Definitions and Metrics: Standardizing definitions and metrics across HealthRight Kenya for consistent and accurate data interpretation and reporting.
• Capacity Building: Conducting capacity building sessions on Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) methodologies and practices for HealthRight Kenya and its partners.

3. Knowledge Management

• Data Collection and Storage Systems: Establishing efficient systems for collecting, organizing, and storing data using appropriate tools and platforms for easy retrieval and analysis.
• Documentation, Standardization and Evaluation: Developing comprehensive documentation practices and ensuring consistency in methodologies, processes, and findings across projects and evaluations. Regularly assessing knowledge management practices for continuous improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration: Implementing protocols and platforms for effective sharing of insights, reports, and best practices within the organization and with stakeholders. Encouraging a collaborative learning culture among team members to foster continuous improvement.
• Capacity Building and Integration of Technology: Conducting training sessions on data analysis tools, evaluation methodologies, and best practices. Leveraging technology for knowledge management, using data analysis tools, project management software, or collaboration platforms to enhance efficiency.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration and Innovation: Facilitating collaboration among different departments or teams to integrate insights from monitoring and evaluation activities into decision-making processes. Encouraging a culture of innovation to adapt new methodologies or technologies for improved outcomes.
• Organizational Knowledge Management Processes: Planning, establishing, and facilitating various knowledge management processes such as special studies, after-action reviews, partner meetings, surveys, and online engagements to document lessons learned.
• Research Partnerships and Knowledge Maintenance: Cultivating and managing research partnerships with consultants or research organizations to deliver research deliverables. Maintaining knowledge resources and internal knowledge management systems, staying updated with relevant research and literature in public health and development sectors, and assisting in reviewing performance against strategic plans.
• Data Collection and Storage Systems: Establishing efficient systems for collecting, organizing, and storing data using appropriate tools and platforms for easy retrieval and analysis.
• Documentation, Standardization and Evaluation: Developing comprehensive documentation practices and ensuring consistency in methodologies, processes, and findings across projects and evaluations. Regularly assessing knowledge management practices for continuous improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration: Implementing protocols and platforms for effective sharing of insights, reports, and best practices within the organization and with stakeholders. Encouraging a collaborative learning culture among team members to foster continuous improvement.
• Capacity Building and Integration of Technology: Conducting training sessions on data analysis tools, evaluation methodologies, and best practices. Leveraging technology for knowledge management, using data analysis tools, project management software, or collaboration platforms to enhance efficiency.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration and Innovation: Facilitating collaboration among different departments or teams to integrate insights from monitoring and evaluation activities into decision-making processes. Encouraging a culture of innovation to adapt new methodologies or technologies for improved outcomes.
• Organizational Knowledge Management Processes: Planning, establishing, and facilitating various knowledge management processes such as special studies, after-action reviews, partner meetings, surveys, and online engagements to document lessons learned.
• Research Partnerships and Knowledge Maintenance: Cultivating and managing research partnerships with consultants or research organizations to deliver research deliverables. Maintaining knowledge resources and internal knowledge management systems, staying updated with relevant research and literature in public health and development sectors, and assisting in reviewing performance against strategic plans.

4. Planning

• Develop and implement HealthRight Kenya’s internal project Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) processes, collaborating closely with internal stakeholders and country teams during project start-up and closure phases.
• Strengthen and evaluate MEL capacity within HealthRight Kenya, facilitating the adoption of pertinent MEL tools and methodologies. This aims to instill accountability to both beneficiaries and donors while enhancing the overall quality and practice of MEL.
• Take the lead in devising and testing systems and procedures that can effectively respond to the needs of adaptive programming, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness within project implementation.
• Facilitate the integration of successful approaches derived from evaluations into routine MEL practices, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge transfer.
• Collaborate with MEL teams to strategize and execute internal quality standards assessments, specifically evaluating country teams’ project cycle management (PCM) practices.
• Regularly review and refine internal quality standards assessment tools for PCM and thematic areas, ensuring their relevance and effectiveness in evaluating project performance.
• Support the MEL team in maintaining alignment between systems and data processes with program MEL requirements, consistently striving for enhancements and advancements in these processes

Qualification and Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience of designing Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning systems.
• A minimum of degree-level qualification preferably in Monitoring & Evaluation, Public Health, Project Management or any relevant degree from a recognized institution, Master degree will be an added advantage.
• Demonstrated conceptual and analytical skills.
• Written and verbal communication skills such as reporting and presentation.
• Excellent time management skills, with an ability to deliver high-quality outputs on time.

How to apply

How to apply:

• Applications to be sent to Associate Finance and Administration Director, P. O. Box 1019-00502 Karen, Nairobi or email to: HRKenya@healthright.org with the subject line ‘MERL Officer’
• The application should be received on or before 12th January 2024.