The MEL Principal Advisor works under the direction and supervision of the MEL Lead on the Strategic Information (SI) Team. They support the MEL Lead in the accomplishment of MEL functions related to supply chain and pharmaceutical strengthening activities, including but not limited to the following:
- Leads the development and implementation of MEL plans and systems, with a focus on using data to strengthen projects and decision making.
- Develops or facilitates the development of project learning agendas.
- Develops and tracks indicators through dashboards and other compelling data visualizations.
- Participates in and oversees data quality assurance processes.
- Helps prepare for and participates in routine project technical performance reviews.
- Contributes to the compilation, analysis, and documentation of aggregated results at output and outcome levels and contribution to long-term health impact from the portfolio of MSH projects.
- Leads review or writing of MEL sections of proposals, including developing Theories of Change and thought leadership on MEL methods.
- Brings a data-driven approach to supporting projects with knowledge management and learning activities.
- Promotes and facilitates a culture of data use for decision making and adaptive management within projects and across the organization.
- Contributes to MEL team strategy, thought leadership, and annual planning.
Requirements
- Master’s Degree in pharmacy, public health, or other related field (e.g., population health, epidemiology, biostatistics, demography)
- A minimum of 12 years of related experience in MEL, with a strong focus in MEL for pharmaceutical system strengthening or supply chain.
- Significant experience providing MEL support to large, complex global health projects implemented in low-resource settings, including designing and supervising MEL plans at the project level and managing MEL staff.
- Hands-on experience in designing and delivering face-to-face and virtual workshops, including learning agendas, theory of change, research ethics, protocol and instrument development, and approaches to enhancing utilization of MEL findings.
- Experience leading and mentoring on data management and analysis (quantitative and qualitative).
- Strong experience in designing and developing MEL systems at the proposal development stage and implementing the MEL system during the project. This includes developing the overall project MEL approach and MEL plan, developing performance monitoring plans and any tools and/or approaches needed for data collection and analysis, and providing capacity building to MEL staff,
- Full proficiency in English
MEL Project Support (80%)
Serves as SI Liaison to PSS/SCMS projects, including:
- Foster an environment where data-driven decision making is prioritized.
- Provide direct project support to in MEL throughout the project lifecycle, including developing and implementing MEL plans, ensuring data quality, promoting data use, actively monitoring work plan implementation, and building the capacity of project teams.
- Strategically guide field projects (especially pharmaceutic sciences focused ones) in the areas of MEL and HMIS, providing expert advice and support to ensure the effective implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and data management activities.
- Collaborate with teams to contribute to work planning and budgeting for MEL activities within field projects and at the home office level.
- Undertake additional duties as assigned within the domains of expertise in Strategic Information.
Organizational Initiatives (20%)
- Contribute to SI guidance documents.
- Participate in Scientific Committee reviews
- Support business development and proposal teams in designing robust MEL approaches that align with programmatic rationale and technical approaches.
- Contribute to other SI Team activities as requested
