SolidarMed Zimbabwe is a local Private Voluntary organisation registered with the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe. SolidarMed’s programmatic focus is on implementation, gaining strong technical expertise in HIV, infectious diseases, mother-child health, non-communicable diseases and capacity strengthening of partner organisations including through digital health. Key partners are the main health care providers in the programme areas, which are the national, provincial and district representatives of the Ministry of Health and Child Care, local leaders, and the executive boards of the health institutions.

SolidarMed seeks to recruit a qualified Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Director for an anticipated USAID-funded five-year maternal, new-born, child health (MNCH) programme in selected provinces and districts of Zimbabwe. The project is anticipated to focus on strengthening the systems and capacities of the government of Zimbabwe and its partners to accelerate the reduction of maternal and new-born mortality in the country. Final confirmation of the position is contingent upon a successful funding award approval by USAID

Job description

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Director will be responsible for:

• Providing strategic guidance, vision, and management for the successful monitoring and evaluation of the programme, as well as the research component that will be conducted with external partners.
• Supervise MERL staff and ensures the strategic and functional integration of all MERL activities as well as active collaboration with sub-awardees and Donor.
• Oversee all MERL activities, provide technical direction and support, ensure the accurate reporting of results for programme activities, and ensure the program aligns with SolidarMed’s quality standards for MERL.
• Oversee the design and implementation of the project’s MERL system in coordination with the MERL team to develop key performance indicators, targets, tools, and appropriate MERL responsibilities across the project.
• Manage baseline assessments and coordinate any external evaluation and research processes, including drafting Terms of Reference and selection of firms, in alignment with award.
• Develop and disseminate relevant M&E tools, formats and lead the provision of M&E specific technical training.
• Oversee data collection, collation, storage, analysis, and reporting, ensuring that data is of high quality and audit worthy.
• Work closely with partners to establish their internal MERL and demonstrate commitment to applied learning and adaptation based on data.
• Lead the programme team on routine reviews and interpretation of data for learning and adaptation, package and disseminate timely findings in a meaningful way, and make suggestions for adaptation.
• Assist the Chief of Party in the preparation of annual workplans plans and budgets.
• Participate on behalf of the project in appropriate technical meetings and conferences for knowledge dissemination.

Required qualifications and person specifications.

The MERL Director must have.

• Master’s degree in any of the following or related fields: demography, monitoring and evaluation, statistics, international development, public health, or economics.
• At least 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, managing, and implementing results-based MERL activities.
• Demonstrated relevant technical skills in analysing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data and packaging the findings.
• Extensive knowledge of reporting procedures, including USAID, best practices, guidelines, and tools for monitoring, evaluation, and learning, including impact evaluation.
• Ability to work well in a team and with various partner organisations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.,
• Experience with DHIS2 platform and mobile data collection software and the ability to use various commercially available statistical software programmes.
• Experience working with community-based organisations in Zimbabwe.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as presentation skills in English.

This application is open only to Zimbabwean nationals or permanent residents with work permits.

SolidarMed is committed to a world where all people have equal and financially secure access to good health care and can thus realise their right to dignity, self-determination, and the best possible health in all circumstances. SolidarMed is an equal opportunity employer promoting gender, equity and diversity. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. SolidarMed has zero tolerance for any form of harassment and staff are expected to uphold the organisational values and core competencies, especially diversity and inclusion, integrity, commitment, and respect for others as our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children and safeguarding employees and communities from sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse.

To apply for this position, please send a maximum 3 pager CV and letter of motivation (BOTH IN WORD) to jobs@solidarmed.ch by midday 16th September 2022. We encourage early applications as we will review candidates on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted applicants being considered for interview will be contacted.