Job Description

The Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Evaluation (MEL) Manager provides technical assistance and analytical guidance across a range of ThinkWell in-country projects in Uganda. The Manager brings strong analytical and quantitative skills and possess research capacity (typically in health economics and financing) as well as a solid understanding of the design, implementation, and evaluation of health financing policy reforms.

The Manager has experience in monitoring and evaluation of complex projects and the political skills necessary to manage a range of national and county-level partnerships. The Manager reports to the Director, Data & Information Systems.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Leadership

· Provide direct technical assistance to ensure high quality program results and execution across projects in the area of specialization.

· Lead the development of the learning agenda for projects, identifying areas of learning.

· Manage research partners and consultants as the focal person for contact.

· Contribute to work planning, coordinate across external partners, and lead their engagement in collaborative projects.

· Develop monitoring, evaluation, research and learning tools, dashboards, indicators, and plans.

· Communicate with other ThinkWell technical advisors globally to build, share, exchange and disseminate technical knowledge.

Monitoring & Evaluation

· Lead the development and Implementation of ThinkWell projects M&E plan, including collecting and cleaning relevant data, checking quality, and synthesizing reports.

· Manage data analysis to synthesize outputs and develop insights for decision making.

· Provide technical leadership in carrying out baseline assessments, mid-point and end of project reviews.

· Work proactively with the Ministry of Health, key partners and stakeholders

· Produce high quality reporting content and documents as stipulated in the project’s document.

· Conduct quarterly and ad hoc field monitoring to each project County to verify data and program activities reported by partners.

· Develop and implement a data quality assurance plan and provide technical support to improve quality of data and reporting systems.

· Coordinate and facilitate all evidence gathering activities including program evaluations and research activities.

· Coordinate project reflection and learning sessions in conjunction with project partners.

· Provide mentorship for selected fellows of the Samya Stumo Fellowship.

· Perform other related duties including operational duties as assigned.

WE ARE:

ThinkWell core values are our fundamental organizational guiding principles. They define our corporate culture, influence our behavior at work and help us achieve our mission. Our values are:

Think big

Influence the conversation

Empower others

Be exceptional

Always question

Relate authentically

Evolve by learning

YOU ARE:

ThinkWell core competencies are foundational skills and behaviors that align with our values and are expected of all employees.

An entrepreneurial, results-oriented ‘do-er’ with a willingness to take risk, think big and challenge conventional wisdom.

A curious person, seeing connections between different areas.

A change maker who reaches independent judgement with an open mind, influences the conversation, and seeks innovation.

Able to help create an empowering environment in which everyone feels free to take initiative, be accountable and fail intelligently (learn from mistakes).

A collaborative colleague who engages constructively with people from different cultures, orientations, and perspectives and maintains positive relations in a virtual world.

Principally motivated by a growth mindset, meaning the pursuit of knowledge, experience, and self-improvement. You always question and continuously learn.

Authentic, honest, direct, self-aware, and open to giving and receiving feedback.

Requirements

1. Graduate degree and 5+ years of exp;
2. Extensive experience with data analysis, project monitoring and evaluation in the area of technical specialization.
3. Strong writing skills, with experience in developing high quality documents with minimal supervision and publishing in peer reviewed journal.
4. A thoughtful systems thinker with grounded, pragmatic understanding of the complexities of our work;
5. Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with external strategic partners, donors, and stakeholders;
6. New business development, proposal writing and fundraising experience;
7. Substantive, relevant work experience in health systems with a development agency, NGO or government. Adept at communicating technical information to non-technical audiences.
8. Prior work experience linked to FP, MNCH or reproductive health preferred;
9. Demonstrated interest and ability in growing staff, mentoring and coaching junior professionals;

10.Full fluency in English and Kiswahili;

11.Outstanding cross-cultural communication skills, including the ability to relate respectfully with staff at all levels, ages, genders, nationalities and orientations as well as across work areas;

1. Ability and willingness to travel up to 25%