Location: Accra, Ghana 

Reports to: Chief of Party 

Please Note: This position is contingent upon award and USAID approval with an anticipated start date of mid-to-late 2023.   

Overview: 

Global Communities works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and financial inclusion to save lives, advance equity and secure strong futures. We support communities at the forefront of their own development in more than 35 countries, partnering with local leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector to achieve a shared vision of a more just, prosperous and equitable global community. We work with government, non-government, private sector, and community stakeholders to promote transparency, foster accountability, and access the channels they need to make their voices heard, promote change, and realize their full potential.   

Global Communities is seeking Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Director for the anticipated USAID Ghana Health Program (GHP). This five-year program seeks to accelerate reductions in preventable maternal, newborn, and child morbidity and mortality in geographic focus areas of Ghana. The Ghana Health Program builds on Ghana’s health and development progress to date in advancing the delivery of integrated health services for vulnerable populations. Technical assistance and service delivery activities will build the capacity, sustainability, and resilience of local institutions and health system actors. USAID envisions assistance under this program will significantly contribute to Ghana’s progress outlined in national strategies addressing preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths, nutrition status, malaria and HIV. This includes a renewed focus on primary care using the Ghana Health Service Community Health Planning and Services policy, the emerging Network of Practice approach and rapid expansion of basic emergency obstetric and newborn care and support services. 

The MERL Director will lead the design and oversight of the project MERL and Collaboration, Learning and Adaption (CLA) activities.  The MERL Director will lead a team to develop and maintain systems to collect data and lead analysis to produce information on inputs, outputs, outcomes and impact of the program. S/he will collaborate with project team members and partners to provide feedback on data collection and indicators; analyze data reported from sub-grantees, and support quality assurance throughout the program. Under the leadership of the COP and DCOP, the MERL Director will also lead the adaptation management design and coordinate implementation required under this award to ensure adaptation measurements and course correction are put into place as required to change dynamics within the country and within the health sector.  We are looking for passionate, dedicated professionals to help us build the world we envision: one of expanded opportunity, where crises give way to resilience and all people thrive. 

• Design and oversee the monitoring, evaluation and learning activities of the project; 
• Lead a team in the design, development, planning, and implementation of project evaluation activities. This includes development and dissemination of tools, materials, reports, papers, and intervention-linked research; 
• Develop strategies and tools for the design and implementation of monitoring of specific technical components; 
• Provide leadership and represent program in MERL-related interactions with donor, Ministry of Health and other key stakeholders; 
• Work closely with the technical leads and government and national partners and stakeholders to co-design program MERL approaches, activities and products. Ensure compatibility and coordination within the M&E framework, and consistency with national and donor requirements; 
• Provide technical assistance, develop and set up systems for the timely collection, management, analysis, and reporting of valid and reliable data that meet donor reporting requirements; 
• Show leadership in strengthening the MEL system, building capacity of partners and staff, and improving alignment and support to host-country MEL systems; 
• Develop and lead the implementation of a robust learning agenda for continuous learning, collaboration and adaptation; 
• Undertake periodic reviews of program and/or country MERL/CLA systems and participate in planning MERL/CLA system strengthening actions.  
• Provide guidance on information for quality assurance, as well as best practices documentation and reporting; and 
• Oversee the publication and dissemination of information on successful and promising approaches, lessons learned and other program results to program partners, donors, Government of Ghana counterparts and other key stakeholders. 
• Represent Global Communities and overall program interests as necessary and appropriate. 
• Build and maintain strong working relations with key internal and external stakeholders, beneficiaries, prime and subcontractors, suppliers, and partners. Provide effective and timely responses to inquiries and concerns 
• Develop the project’s MERL plan, developing systems, strategies, and tools for the timely collection, management, analysis, and reporting of valid and reliable data that meet donor reporting requirements.  
• Contribute to project deliverables, including annual workplans, and quarterly and annual reporting, undertake periodic reviews of program and/or country M&E systems and lead design of M&E system strengthening actions and oversee the dissemination of information on approaches, lessons learned, etc.  
• Mentor, coach and supervise the M&E Leads from Global Communities, local partners and grassroots organizations 
• Provide oversight, capacity building, mentoring/coaching and support to GHS at regional. District and sub-district levels on data management and reporting  

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a related discipline (public health, demography, sociology, epidemiology, biostatistics, or related field) with a minimum of 8 years of experience in Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation and/or Collaboration, Learning and Adaption; or,
• Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to public health, demography, sociology, epidemiology, biostatistics, or a related field with a minimum of 10 years of experience in Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation and/or Collaboration, Learning and Adaption. 
• Proven experience in a MEL or CLA leadership position in similarly sized, international donor-supported programs. International NGO experience is strongly preferred. 
• Robust’ experience in practical experience setting up and managing Monitoring, Evaluation and Research systems for health programs with major focus on FP/RH/RMNCAH and health systems strengthening  
• Extensive experience in knowledge management and dissemination of operational research and/or evaluation findings  
• Proven track record in leading efforts in local M&E capacity building, training, and ongoing support for all partners to strengthen the collection, analysis, visualization, management, and use of quality data for strategic planning, program design and direction as well as for establishing activity targets for implementation. 
• Exceptional ability to analyze multiple sources of data to identify data trends and to provide recommendations on project implementation.  
• Demonstrated ability to articulate technical information clearly and effectively and adjust indicator selection and targets as part of adaptive programming. 
• Demonstrated experience leading and building the capacity of M&E officers, including remote, field-based staff, to meet project needs and deliverables is strongly desired. 
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with host country government personnel, stakeholders, NGO partners, and international donor agencies.  
• Proven ability to communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams is desired.  
• Evidence of effective communication skills, both oral and written, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the agreement is desired. 
• Management/supervisory experience is required. 
• Knowledge/Experience with USAID cooperative agreement rules and regulations strongly preferred. 
• Computer literacy (MS Word, MS Excel, Statistical Software). 
• Experience in Africa, with preference for recent work in Ghana 
• Languages: Full Professional Proficiency in spoken and written English    
  
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Global Communities positively welcomes and seeks applications from all sections of society.  We are committed to a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of everyone and offers equal opportunity.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.