MERL Director - Indonesia HSS

Location: Jakarta, Indonesia

Position Category: Local hire, paid in country

Posting Date: 05/13/2024

Deadline Date: Open until the position is filled.

JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc (JSI) is an international NGO dedicated to providing high quality technical and managerial assistance to public health programs throughout the United States and the world, is currently recruiting for a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MEL) Director for the anticipated USAID Indonesia Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) Project in Indonesia. Building on USAID investments, the HSS Flagship scope will focus on improving accountability, health system performance, and health outcomes (especially for Maternal and Child Health, Tuberculosis, HIV, and Global Health Security) based on performance-based and sustainable health financing, a strengthened health information system, resilient human resources for health, integrated care models, and a strong evidence-to-policy pathway. The upcoming USAID HSS Flagship project in Indonesia is a five-year, $25-$50M dollar activity.

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Director is a senior position within the project and reports to the Chief of Party. Responsibilities shall include the overall coordination of MERL activities conducted alongside the technical team, to support the project to deliver high-quality, client-focused, integrated health system strengthening interventions are successfully implemented. The MERL Director will be responsible for ensuring adaptive management and programming, efficient measurement of health system performance, and monitoring of progress toward the projects end goals. This position will also engage and direct implementation research as part of the technical program. S/he will demonstrate the ability to coordinate and communicate with stakeholders in JSI and externally, She/he will demonstrate strong capabilities in translating learning for country action and informing JSI learning activities and products.

This position will work closely with JSI global technical and MEL leadership teams, liaising with key advisors, engaging in communities of practice and channeling securing MEL expertise as needed in support of project activities.

This position will be based in Jakarta or another location to be determined.

• Serve as the focal point for monitoring and evaluation for the project and devise strategies with the technical and communication team to ensure consistency in the use of data and quality reporting.
  
• Establish and monitor defined health systems strengthening indicators; ensure data is reviewed and utilized throughout program implementation and provided to the senior management team for CLA approaches.
  
• Lead the development of the project’s monitoring, evaluation and learning plan and monitoring of key performance indicators.
  
• Oversee inputs for framing and adapting a theory of change and documenting project implementation strategies against it. Lead working sessions to update the theory of change as needed.
  
• Design and lead implementation research activities to inform systems strengthening interventions and monitor the implementation of those research activities to ensure quality.
  
• Follow an adaptive learning approach to program improvement.
  
• Design and implement a learning agenda.
  
• Guide application and integration of findings from research to inform and adapt program design and implementation.
  
• With the Chief of Party, oversee knowledge management functions within the project including the institutionalization of learnings about HSS interventions and best practices.
  
• Maintain Activity reporting systems to routinely collect and analyze information on inputs, outputs, outcomes and impact to ensure cost-effectiveness of select interventions.
  
• Support subcontractors, potential grantees, private sector, and local government partners to identify, monitor, and report high quality data, ensuring timely submissions.
  
• Determine M&E functional responsibilities within the project team and project data management responsibilities are supported for improved reporting and analytics.
  
• Facilitate learning activities, including process documentation, synthesis of evidence and pause and reflect sessions.
  
• Work as part of the Senior Management Team, supporting the project’s strategic vision, ensuring collaboration between functional areas, and supporting effective implementation of activities.
  
• In coordination with the Chief of Party, design project performance indicators and conduct process evaluations to assure strong program management and inform the project’s adaptive management strategy.
  
• Review and synthesize data with the technical team for reports and all technical deliverables.
  
• Collaborate with JSI global technical and MEL leadership teams, liaising with key advisors, engaging in communities of practice and channeling securing MEL expertise as needed in support of project activities.
  
• Contribute to JSI global program reporting.
  
• Support/oversee sub-national research and implementation activities as needed.
  
• Other duties as assigned.

• Master’s degree or higher in social science, public health, or clinical-related field with a concentration on monitoring and evaluation, statistics, research or related field.
  
• At least twelve (12) years’ experience designing, managing and/or implementing health monitoring systems, data quality assurance, database management, data analysis and use, and reporting, with at least five (5) years designing and managing/implementing evaluations, and analyzing qualitative and/or quantitative data on USAID-funded programs.
  
• Strong research background with both quantitative and qualitative and mixed methods research experience required. Implementation research experience preferred.
  
• Demonstrated applied skills in MERL methods and use of data for health system strengthening projects/programs.
  
• Proven ability to lead diverse teams including remotely based staff members.
  
• Demonstrated leadership working with other technical experts in MEL and research in the international community and at the host country level.
  
• Proven ability to work with and strengthen the capacity of local stakeholders in research methods, data analysis, and/or program monitoring including government counterparts.
  
• Ability to identify and use HSS indicators or other relevant methods of assessing health system performance.
  
• Demonstrated interest and experience using adaptive learning approaches using MEL data for ongoing program improvement.
  
• Demonstrated familiarity with quantitative and qualitative analysis software programs, and high proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet, database, and graphics software.
  
• Relevant experience working with government counterparts at the national and sub-national level and excellent diplomatic and stakeholder management skills are required.
  
• Understanding of governmental policies, strategies, structures, and processes in Indonesia is preferred.
  
• Ability to translate research and programmatic data and evidence into public health practice through facilitated workshops, data visualization, development of research briefs, writing technical papers and documents and engaging stakeholders in professional and conference settings.
  
• Ability to convey MEL results to non-technical stakeholders and generate interest in the use of MEL data/results for programmatic improvements.
  
• Exceptional communication skills, particularly on data, in written and spoken English required. Fluency in Bahasa Indonesian with strong oral and written communication preferred.

Salary commensurate with experience.

Interested candidates should submit their resumes and cover letters online.

No phone calls please.
Principals only please.