Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager (MELM)

Job Description: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager (MELM)

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reports to: Country Director, Willows International Ethiopia
Travel: Up to 60% travel to program sites

Job Type: Full Time

Organization Background

Since its establishment in 1997, Willows International (WI) has developed and perfected a client management system that improves performance of community level health care providers and results in women receiving customized, timely information, services, referrals, and follow-ups for health care. Willows International has specifically focused on applying its client management system, the Willows Box System, for the betterment of women’s reproductive choices and services. Through its programs during the past two decades, Willows empowered over two million women and their partners to develop informed opinion, attitudes, motivations, and utilize existing family planning and sexual reproductive health (FP/SRH) services that meets their individual needs, situations, and preferences. Our mission is to help women realize their reproductive health goals.

In Ethiopia, Willows International (WI) is collaborating with the Ministry of Health (MoH) to implement a project aimed at optimizing the Health Extension Workers (HEWs) program to improve family planning and reproductive health outcomes. The initiative focuses on strengthening client management and follow-up systems and enhancing the effectiveness of HEWs in the three targeted regions: Oromia, Amhara, and Sidama. WI’s support involves standardizing, customizing, and institutionalizing the Willows Box System within the MoH framework to ensure delivery of tailored information, education, and counseling to clients. This approach will reinforce positive behavior changes, promote systematic client follow-up, and strengthen referral linkages between the community and health facilities.

Position Summary

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager (MELM) will play a key role in designing, implementing, and managing the data and knowledge management components of the Willows Box System for Willows International Ethiopia. Under the direction of the Country Director and in collaboration with the Willows International Headquarters, the MELM will be responsible for developing and maintaining comprehensive databases, dashboards, and monitoring tools to track key program performance indicators aand support data-driven decision-making.

The MELM will also contribute to adapting the Willows Box System to the Ethiopian context and enhancing the system’s functionality, including the development of WIMIS reports. Additionally, the MELM will work closely with MoH digitalization specialists to ensure the integration of essential components of the Willows Box System into MoH’s digital platform for Health Extension Workers. This role includes building the capacity of government trainers in the digital application of the Willows Box System to ensure ownership and sustainability.

Furthermore, the MELM will be responsible for ensuring systematic data collection, analysis, and reporting to promote continuous program improvement and learning. The position is based in Addis Ababa with frequent travel, up to 60% of level of effort, to project sites. The position holder will report directly to the Country Director while maintaining close collaboration with relevant staff at Willows International Headquarters.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Data System Design and Management: Working closely with the WI Computer Programmer and Database Manager,

• Lead the design and implementation of the WI Ethiopia program database, including baseline assessments, data analysis frameworks, and monitoring and evaluation plans.
• Adapt and enhance WIMIS and associated reports, incorporating community-based FP/SRHR data collection tools in collaboration with HQ, Project Officers and M & E officers, and MoH/District partners.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive data systems and dashboards for tracking, analyzing and reporting on Key Performance Indicators
• Ensure data quality, integrity and security at all times.

WI Box System Digitalization and Integration: Working closely with the WI Computer Programmer and Database Manager,

• Lead the digitalization of the Willows Box System (WBS), ensuring integration within the MoH digital platform for Health Extension Workers (HEWs).
• Collaborate with MoH digitalization specialists to incorporate key WBS components into the existing system.
• Develop training materials and facilitate capacity-building sessions for government trainers and HEW supervisors to effectively use the digital WBS tools.

Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting: Working closely with the WI Computer Programmer and Database Manager,

• Oversee data collection processes, ensuring data is complete, accurate, and timely.
• Perform quantitative and qualitative data analysis to assess project progress and impact.
• Develop data collection tools and implement data quality assurance measures to maintain consistency and accuracy.
• Work closely with the Country Director and the Senior Program Manger to prepare monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual programmatic and workplan progress reports, highlighting key findings, challenges, and recommendations for corrective actions.

Performance Monitoring and Program Evaluation:

• Coordinate the planning, implementation, and analysis of baseline assessments, regular supportive supervision and monitoring visits, and mid-term assessment.
• Track program performance against established indicators and prepare data-driven reports to inform program adjustments.
• Identify implementation gaps and propose targeted interventions to improve program effectiveness.

Capacity Building and Technical Support:

• Build and strengthen the capacity of the WI Ethiopia team, MoH, and district partners in data collection, analysis, reporting, and data quality assurance.
• Develop training materials and conduct workshops on M&E best practices and digital WBS tools.
• Provide ongoing technical support to government trainers and HEW supervisors to ensure effective use of the WBS digital platform.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement:

• Foster strong working relationships with MoH, RBC, and district health offices to facilitate data sharing and program alignment.
• Collaborate with the Senior Program Manager to support quarterly performance review meetings with MoH stakeholders and provide data-driven presentations to inform strategic decision-making.

Other Duties:

• Assist with organizing and coordinating training sessions, workshops, and events as needed.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Country Director to ensure effective program implementation and reporting.

Position Requirements/Key Competencies:

• Post-graduate degree in areas involving advanced research methods training such as sociology, demography, statistics, epidemiology, monitoring and evaluation, or a related field.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing robust MEL systems, data analysis frameworks, and performance monitoring tools with a demonstrated results-oriented approach.
• Demonstrated expertise in digitalization of data systems, integrating MEL systems into digital platforms, and supporting digital transformation in program monitoring and reporting. Experience in working with digital health platforms and mobile data collection tools is a strong advantage.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Proficiency in data analysis, data management, and synthesis to inform program decision-making and assess impact.
• High ethical standards, integrity, and professionalism in managing program data and sensitive information.
• Experience in managing data-driven programs, interpreting data for program improvement, and aligning interventions and measurable results with strategic goals.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present data effectively to diverse audiences.
• Experience in conducting capacity-building sessions on MEL systems, and training stakeholders on digital data tools.
• Strong technical writing skills, with experience in preparing comprehensive reports, proposals, and presentations.
• Familiarity with family planning and reproductive health interventions is preferred but not mandatory.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office, statistical analysis software (e.g., SPSS, STATA, R), and digital data platforms (e.g., DHIS2, Power BI etc).
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of local languages is an added advantage.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage multiple tasks.
• Must be willing and able to travel to project sites up to 70% of the time.