Senior MERLA and Knowledge Management Advisor

Location: Addis Abba, Ethiopia

Applications Close: November 30, 2025

Job Description

>>Role Purpose.pdf

• Do you want to do work that really matters? Help us end avoidable blindness
• Full time role-based Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
• Flexible work from home arrangements available
• Closing Date: 30 November 2025

ABOUT THE FRED HOLLOWS FOUNDATION

The Fred Hollows Foundation is an international development organisation working to prevent blindness and restore sight. We continue to carry on the legacy of Professor Fred Hollows, who believed every person had the right to quality eye care, no matter where they live. The Foundation is known around the world as an organisation that works with purpose and determination. With a reputation for excellence, we are well known for making change happen.

The Foundation has grown to work in more than 25+ countries throughout Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and the Pacific, as well as Australia. The Foundation has restored sight to more than 3 million people worldwide. We have an ambitious five-year strategic plan that aims to take us even closer to realising our vision of a world in which no person is needlessly blind, or vision impaired and Indigenous Australians exercise their right to sight and good health. To find out more about our work, please visit our website https://www.hollows.org. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Senior MERLA & Knowledge Management Advisor provides strategic and technical leadership to strengthen evidence, learning, and accountability systems for FHF’s eye health and NTD programs in Ethiopia. The role ensures high-quality data collection, analysis, and use to inform program design, implementation, policy engagement, and advocacy. It also promotes knowledge generation and dissemination to support evidence-based decision-making, adaptive programming, and continuous learning.

The Advisor collaborates closely with government, partners, internal teams, and communities to enhance data-driven program quality, impact measurement, and organizational learning.

ABOUT YOU

• Expertise in monitoring, evaluation, research, learning, and accountability methodologies.
• Strong data analysis, visualization, and interpretation skills.
• Experience in designing and managing knowledge management systems and learning platforms.
• Strong communication, report writing, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to translate complex data and evidence into actionable recommendations.
• Capacity building and mentoring experience for program staff and partners.
• Fluency in English; knowledge of local languages (Amharic, Oromiffa) is an advantage.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior MERLA & Knowledge Management Advisor will owe the outcomes of:

• Lead the development and integration of MER frameworks, tools, and systems across FHF programs, ensuring alignment with national and global standards. Oversee data collection and analysis to support evidence-based decisions, and design operational and implementation research to enhance program effectiveness.
• Foster a learning culture by developing systems to capture, store, and share program knowledge, lessons, and best practices. Translate insights into actionable recommendations for policy, advocacy, and program improvement, and facilitate learning platforms and communities of practice.
• Strengthen accountability mechanisms including feedback systems and quality standards. Ensure MERLA systems reflect stakeholder accountability and support adaptive management through data use.
• Collaborate with government, partners, and communities to build MERLA and KM capacity. Train internal staff in data management and represent FHF in relevant forums to promote data-driven policy and practice.
• Produce timely, high-quality reports, dashboards, and learning materials for stakeholders. Communicate evidence to influence policy, donor engagement, and program decisions.
• Other tasks as requested by your manager.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED

• At least 10 years of experience in MERLA, knowledge management, or program evaluation in health or development programs.
• Master’s degree in public health, Health Systems, Development Studies, or related field.
• Experience with eye health, trachoma, or NTD programs is highly desirable.
• Experience working with government, NGOs, and donors in a multi-stakeholder environment
• Strong track record in developing MERLA frameworks, operational research, and knowledge management systems.
• Experience with eye health organizations or other international public health NGOs.
• Familiarity with WHO NTD and WASH indicators, F&E metrics, and trachoma impact surveys.
• Experience working in Ethiopia or the wider East Africa region

How we recognise your contribution

Through our internal programs and employee benefits we aim to create an environment where you will feel supported and empowered.  Whether your focus is on continuous learning, professional development or finding an environment which enables you to thrive while balancing family or personal commitments, we have a range of programs in place to support you. To find out more about our benefits click here.

 

HOW TO APPLY

 APPLICATIONS

Applications should be made via our: Website, and should include your resume and cover letter. Please address your cover letter to the Talent Acquisition Team and include a response to the “About You”, “Key Responsibilities” and “What You’ll Need to Succeed” sections of the advert as well as details of your current and expected salary.

 

Applications Close: 30 November 2025

The Fred Hollows Foundation is committed to ensuring our projects and activities are implemented in a safe and productive environment that prevents harm and avoids impacting the health and safety of all people, particularly children, vulnerable people and disadvantaged groups. Applicants are advised that The Foundation reserves the right to conduct police checks and other screening procedures to ensure we maintain and promote a child safe environment.

Please be advised:

1. Fred Hollows Foundation will never ask for a fee during any stage of the recruitment process.
2. All active roles are advertised directly on our website here.
3. Please note we will not be accepting CV’s via agencies for this role.