M&E Officer | Lalibela

Mahibere Hiwot for Social Development (MSD) is a non-profit, indigenous civil society organization established in 1999 with the aim of improving the health, wellbeing, and socio-economic status of communities across Ethiopia. Since its inception, MSD has evolved into a leading development and humanitarian organization implementing evidence-based programs that address the diverse needs of vulnerable populations.

MSD’s programmatic focus spans multiple sectors, including Health and Nutrition (TB, HIV/AIDS, SRH, MNCH), Education (access to quality education, TVET, and skills development), Social Mobilization and Livelihood (economic strengthening and prevention of HTPs, GBV, and FGM), Migration and Trafficking (safe migration and rehabilitation of returnees and victims), Child Care and Development (child protection, early childhood care, and infant feeding), and Human Rights and Good Governance (democratization, peace building, and dialogue).

In addition, MSD engages in Humanitarian and Emergency Response (supporting disaster-affected and displaced communities) and Environment and Climate Change (promoting environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation). Through these integrated interventions, MSD works closely with government institutions, community structures, and development partners to foster inclusive growth, equity, and resilience at all levels of society.

In collaboration with Jhpiego, the lead implementing partner, MSD is rolling out the Reaching Impact Saturation and Epidemic Control (RISE) Project—a one-year, multi-regional initiative aimed at strengthening maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition (MNCHN), improving infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, and enhancing health security across Ethiopia. The project adopts a geographic clustering model to ensure efficient and context-responsive implementation across pastoralist, agrarian, and semi-urban woredas.

Position summary

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Project Coordinator and the MEAL Director, the M&E Project officer will be responsible for monitoring the Reaching, Impact, Saturation and Epidemic Control (RISE) project and tracking progress of the achievement of the intended outputs, recommending corrective measures as and when required.

The M&E project officer will be responsible for designing and implementing all MEAL-related activities of the project. S/he will assist the Project Coordinator in preparing monitoring and other reports, will monitor project activities on a regular basis, will develop and update project Integrated Indicators’ Tracker and maintain data quality, S/he will be responsible for the timely collection & analysis of different data in relation to project activities-from MSD as well as from it Project partner, Jhpiego . if needed, S/he will assist the Project Coordinator in improving M&E project–related mechanisms, collecting, cleaning, verifying, analyzing, and submitting data for reporting.

The RISE Project M&E Officer will work closely with cluster-based technical teams located in Lalibela town, contributing to the implementation of planned activities under a unified team-management approach.

Roles and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator and MEAL Director, the M&E officer designs, implements, and manages monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems to track project performance and impact. S/he will have key duties including developing M&E frameworks, setting performance indicators, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing reports to inform decision-making and improve project outcomes. This role also involves providing technical assistance, ensuring data quality, and reporting on progress to stakeholders like management and donors.

Key responsibilities:

MEAL Tool Development and Data Management:

• Develop and implement a robust monitoring and evaluation systems that will ensure tracking of the RISE project results at different levels (outputs, outcomes, and Impact) and partner organizations.
• Develop/adopt an integrated database of the project and ensure accountability through regular data updates, data integrity and working in collaboration with the project team.
• Work with the project coordinator and Woreda MNCH and Facilitation Officers to ensure the collection of relevant and appropriate data needed for an effective MEAL system which will be utilized for multiple processes, including reporting on donor commitments.
• Review data collection tools for the project
• Incorporate field and technical team feedback to ensure the continuous improvement of data management systems under a unified team management approach.
• Timely update and share data on database systems to the management of MSD and Jhpiego.
• Conduct Routine/Data Quality Audits and lead Joint Supportive Supervision to strengthen and assure Data quality in the project assigned

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Request and receive reports from teams and partners on a timely basis, then extract, verify, clean, and input the necessary data into project monitoring and evaluation tools.
• Maintain and update the integrated indicator tracker based on submission from filed teams, partners’ teams and the project coordinator.
• Work closely with the Project Coordinator (and other project teams) to ensure that feedback to MSD and Jhpiego is within time.
• Develop M&E plans for the RISE Project and ensure the same is followed up during implementation.
• Carry out data quality assessments/audits regularly for MEAL database on agreed indicators to guide decision making.
• Maintain regular, effective communication with all project partners’ M&E Focal points.
• Prepare regional reports related to internal reporting such as the quarterly and annual reports.
• Guide and coordinate with filed teams and partners to regularly collect and report qualitative data / accounts related to the project activities, inclusive of audio-visual material whenever possible-for multiple purposes, including reporting to the donor.

Assessment Survey and Evaluation:

• Liaise with the project coordinator to ensure that the project adhere to accountability requirements by, for instance, initiating baseline surveys and conducting relevant evaluation to meet MSD MEAL framework standards.
• Ensure that MSD learns from any final evaluations of completed projects for decision making and improvement of project designs.
• Share learning and provide constructive comments to colleagues in order to ensure program quality.
• Build capacity of project staff through training and on-the-job guidance/technical assistance to ensure proper adoption of data monitoring tools and quality of data collected.
• Regularly collect data from partners, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders within the framework of the RISE project-including complaints and recommendations.

Implementation Support:

• Perform any other tasks that the project coordinator may require and deem reasonable

Qualifications and Requirements

• Minimum a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like statistics, public health, development studies, or economics, with a master’s degree being an asset.
• Relevant skills include data collection and analysis (especially with software like Excel, SPSS, or STATA), knowledge of M&E frameworks, and strong communication and reporting skills.
• Professional Experience: minimum of 4 years of experience, particularly in Projects on MNCH and Nutrution.
• Strong knowledge of MNCH, nutrition principles, and primary health care management.
• Willingness and physical ability to conduct intensive fieldwork, including travel by vehicle and walking in difficult terrain to reach remote communities.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and reporting skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multi-stakeholder environment.

A person who has no history of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment (SEAH) can provide evidence from his/her previous employment