Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager at Centre for Newborn Health Research and Innovation (CeNHRI)

Purpose of the Role

• The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager will lead CeNHRI’s systems for measuring programme performance, assuring data quality and using evidence to improve maternal and newborn health activities. The postholder will develop practical monitoring approaches across CeNHRI’s projects, ensure that programme data are reliable and timely, and help teams understand what the data show and what action is needed.
• The MEL Manager will provide technical guidance to staff responsible for data at state and facility level. The role will work closely with CeNHRI’s programme and research teams and with the Programme Management Office (PMO) on shared reporting requirements, while retaining responsibility for CeNHRI’s MEL standards and outputs.

Scope of the Role

The role covers MEL planning, indicator development, routine monitoring, data systems, data quality assurance, analysis, performance reporting, learning and evaluation coordination. The MEL Manager will support CeNHRI’s institutional reporting as well as the monitoring requirements of individual projects.

The MEL Manager will coordinate CeNHRI’s contributions to external evaluations where relevant. The postholder will not replace independent evaluators or assume responsibility for research studies led by the Programme Manager.

Authority

The MEL Manager is authorised to:

• Develop proposed MEL plans, indicators, tools and reporting procedures for approval.
• Set technical instructions for CeNHRI staff collecting, managing and reporting programme data.
• Review state and facility submissions and request clarification or correction where needed.
• Plan and conduct routine data quality assessments.
• Convene performance review and learning sessions.
• Recommend changes to monitoring processes and programme actions based on findings.
• Escalate material data quality, privacy or performance concerns to the Executive Director.

Key Responsibilities

MEL Planning and Systems

• Develop and maintain MEL plans for CeNHRI’s programmes and projects, aligned with organisational priorities and approved reporting commitments.
• Define indicators, data sources, collection methods, reporting frequency and responsibilities in consultation with programme and technical teams.
• Develop indicator reference sheets, reporting templates, databases and dashboards that are practical for facility and state teams to use.
• Establish processes for consolidating data across facilities, states, projects and chapters while preserving the ability to examine differences between sites.
• Review MEL systems periodically and improve tools and processes as programmes develop.

Expected outputs: MEL plans, indicator reference sheets, data collection and reporting tools, and maintained databases or dashboards.

Routine Monitoring and Data Quality

• Oversee timely collection and submission of CeNHRI’s routine programme data.
• Provide technical guidance to State Implementation and Data Coordinators on indicator definitions, data collection, verification and reporting.
• Review incoming data for completeness, consistency and plausibility, and ensure that queries are resolved with source facilities.
• Develop and implement a risk-based schedule of data quality checks and facility verification visits.
• Document data quality findings, corrective actions and recurring reporting problems.
• Promote secure handling, appropriate access and responsible use of programme data in accordance with approved procedures.

Expected outputs: Reporting status updates, verified datasets, data quality assessment records and corrective action logs.

Analysis and Performance Reporting

• Analyse routine data to assess progress against agreed indicators and identify trends, differences between facilities and emerging performance concerns.
• Prepare clear dashboards, performance summaries and analytical inputs for CeNHRI leadership, programme teams, state stakeholders and funders.
• Interpret results with clinical and programme colleagues, taking account of data quality and differences in facility context.
• Coordinate the MEL components of CeNHRI’s routine reports.
• Provide the PMO with agreed, quality-checked data and analysis for integrated programme reporting.

Expected outputs: Dashboards, periodic performance summaries, analytical briefs and MEL inputs to programme reports.

Learning and Programme Improvement

• Work with programme and technical teams to identify priority questions that routine monitoring data can answer.
• Facilitate regular performance reviews with state and facility teams.
• Help teams identify practical actions in response to findings and track whether those actions are completed.
• Document lessons, adaptations and changes in performance over time.
• Work with the Programme Manager to identify questions that require a formal study rather than routine monitoring.

Expected output: Review meeting materials, documented recommendations, action trackers and learning summaries.

Evaluation and Partner Coordination

• Contribute to evaluation plans, terms of reference and data requirements for CeNHRI projects.
• Coordinate CeNHRI’s data and operational inputs to evaluations led by external or independent partners.
• Support evaluators’ access to approved programme documentation and data through the appropriate governance processes.
• Review evaluation findings with CeNHRI teams and support follow-up on agreed recommendations.
• Maintain clear distinctions between routine performance monitoring, CeNHRI-led research and independent evaluation activities.

Expected outputs: Evaluation input, coordinated data requests, management responses and recommendation trackers.

Capacity Strengthening

• Train and mentor state coordinators, assistants and relevant facility focal persons on reporting tools, indicator definitions and data quality procedures.
• Provide constructive feedback on data submissions and analytical outputs.
• Develop simple guidance materials and job aids for routine data tasks.
• Strengthening staff confidence in interpreting and using data during planning and review meetings.

Expected outputs: Training materials, orientation sessions, job aids and documented technical support.
Reporting and Working Relationships

The MEL Manager will report to the Executive Director and work closely with CeNHRI’s programs and technical leads, Programs Manager and State Implementation and Data Coordinators.

The MEL Manager will work with the PMO to agree reporting schedules, data flows and the format of CeNHRI’s contributions to integrated programme reports. The PMO will coordinate programme-wide reporting across partners; the MEL Manager will be accountable for the quality and interpretation of CeNHRI’s data.
Qualifications and Requirements

Education

• A master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, health informatics, monitoring and evaluation or a related field.
• Additional training in data management, evaluation or maternal and newborn health is an advantage.

Experience

• At least six years of relevant experience in MEL or health programme data management, including responsibility for designing and managing MEL systems.
• Demonstrated experience working with routine health facility data, developing indicators and conducting data quality assessments.
• Experience analysing and presenting data for programme management and decision-making.
• Experience coordinating reporting across multiple facilities, teams or implementation sites.
• Experience in maternal, newborn and child health programmes or research.
• Experience working with government health information systems, healthcare facilities and development partners is an advantage.
• Experience supporting evaluations or working alongside independent evaluation teams is an advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of indicator design, routine monitoring, data quality and evaluation methods.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency in at least one statistical or data analysis tool.
• Ability to develop clear dashboards, visualisations and concise analytical reports.
• Familiarity with digital data collection platforms and routine health information systems.
• Strong ability to interpret findings cautiously and explain their practical implications.
• Excellent organization, technical writing, facilitation and mentoring skills.
• Sound judgment concerning data confidentiality, quality limitations and appropriate use of findings.