Willows International Rwanda (WIR)
Job Description for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Officer (MELO)
Introduction
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, and referrals for health care. Willows International has specifically focused on applying its client management system for the betterment of women’s reproductive choices and services. Through its programs during the past two decades, Willows empowered nearly 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 Rwanda, beginning May 2021, WI has partnered with Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) / Ministry of Health (MoH) to launch a project to support the optimization of the government community health workers’ program for enhanced family planning and sexual reproductive health outcomes. Willows support to RBC/MoH aims at strengthening existing systems for client management and follow-up and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of CHWs in two selected districts of Rusizi in the western province and Ngoma in the eastern province. This will result in institutionalizing a customized and tailored information, education, and counseling to clients, reinforcing continuation of newly adopted behaviour by clients, focusing on optimizing systematic follow-up of clients, and strengthening the community to facility referral system.
Position Summary
Generally, the MELO following the directions of the Willows International head office will be responsible for the implementation, and maintenance of knowledge management components of the client based Willows Box System and Willows International MIS (WIMIS), including putting in place appropriate databases, dashboards, and other program monitoring, evaluation, and performance management tools and protocols to support the achievement of program goals and objectives. The MELO is expected to contribute to the adaptation of the Willows Box System to the Rwanda conditions and contribute to further development of the Willows Box System and WIMIS reports. The MELO will closely work with RBC/MOH monitoring and evaluation specialists to ensure alignment of Key Project Performance Indicators and M & E tools with the government’s community health information system to ensure ownership and long-term sustainability. Furthermore, the MELO ensures that program data are systematically collected, compiled, analyzed, and shared for project learning activities to inform ongoing program improvements, performance enhancements, and future program design.
The MELO position will be based in Kigali with frequent travel to project sites. The MELO will directly report to the Country Director and as required collaborate with staff at WI HQs.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Contribute to the design of WIR program database, including baseline needs assessments, data analysis, development of theory of change, results framework, and monitoring, evaluation and learning plan.
- Adapt and enhance the WIMIS and WIMIS reports and develop relevant community-based FP/SRHR data collection tools in close collaboration with HQ and Rwanda Program Officers and MOH/District partners.
- Support the institutionalization of strong and evidence-based data collection, compilation, analysis, and reporting in support of effective program decision making, learning, and ongoing quality and performance improvement.
- Build and strengthen the capacity of WIR team and MOH/District partners on monitoring and evaluation approaches, practices, and tools.
- Lead and coordinate project site visits to ensure data quality including complete, timely, reliable, and accurate data collection and reporting.
- Participate in the planning, implementation, and analysis of project baselines, evaluations, and special studies as needed.
- Be in charge of assessments and evaluations including baseline assessments, and end-line evaluations, qualitative and quantitative analysis of project activities, output, outcomes, and impact, including design and testing of data collection tools, data analysis, and reporting.
- Perform statistical analysis of data collected from the CHW/ CHW supervisors, and assess the progress in achievements of program milestones and other deliverables.
- Support strategies for documenting and sharing lessons learned, success stories, and evidence-based innovations internally within WI and MOH partners.
- Prepare and submit to the CD comprehensive, clearly written, and structured monthly programmatic and work plan progress reports.
- Conduct continuous data analysis, prepare reports of bottlenecks hampering the smooth implementation of the WIR program, and propose specific strategies and interventions for addressing the identified challenges and implementation gaps, as requested by the CD and/or WI-HQ.
- Ensure strong and professional working relationship with MOH/RBC and the two supported districts.
- Establish and ensure data security and protection systems, processes, and practices to protect the integrity of the data.
- Responsible for reviewing, analyzing, validating, and consolidating WIR program data to ensure consistency, integrity, and accuracy of program database and reports generated.
- Ensure the programs/projects meet established reporting deadlines as appropriate.
- As requested by the CD, and with approval from WI-HQ, prepare and present the program/project performances to stakeholders.
- Assist with organizing, facilitating, and coordinating logistics for trainings, workshops, meetings and any other relevant events as appropriate.
- Coordinate and lead development of the implementation monitoring and evaluation framework of the program/project including indicator mapping and tracking.
- Carry out any other responsibilities that the Country Director may assign.
Position Requirements/Key Competencies:
- Degree in demography, statistics, epidemiology, monitoring & evaluation, or related field.
- Demonstrate strong management experience and skills in designing and implementing robust MEL systems, MEL packages, and performance monitoring frameworks.
- Knowledge and experience working on family planning /sexual reproductive health interventions is an advantage but not a requirement.
- Must be trained and have worked in data analysis.
- Must have experience in management of programs based on reports generated from the program data.
- Preferably has knowledge in computer programming.
- Demonstrated results-oriented, problem-solving work experience and personality.
- Strong interpersonal communication skills and ability to multitask.
- Good experience on high-impact program/project designing, planning, and program evaluation.
- Excellent analytical, synthesis, and writing skills.
- Good technical writing skills, presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills.
- Proficient in Microsoft office and statistical packages.
- Fluency in Kinyarwanda and English is strongly required. Knowledge of French will be an advantage.
- A high level of initiative, creativity, judgment, and service orientation.
- Demonstrate high level of integrity, ethics, and professionalism.
- Must be willing and able to travel to project sites up to 60% of time.
How to apply:
Please submit resume and letter of interest to Donald Ndahiro at dndahiro@willowsintl.org by 10-02-2022. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
