Program MEL Officer (SRHR Next Project)

About

The Programme Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer will strengthen the generation, analysis, interpretation and use of evidence for programme performance, learning, accountability and impact measurement for the SRHR Next programme in Uganda. The role coordinates the MEL framework, tracks results and indicators, supports outcome and impact measurement, learning, data quality, reporting, evaluations and partner capacity strengthening. Applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree, at least five years of relevant MEL experience, and specified technical, analytical and coordination competencies.

How to apply

Apply online through the official advert page on SmartRecruiters. Submit your CV or resume highlighting relevant skills and experience along with a cover letter detailing why you are the best fit for this position.

Responsibilities

• MEL framework and results architecture: Operationalize the contextualized Theory of Change, indicator reference sheets, indicator definitions, disaggregation requirements, results framework and MEL plan across the three result areas; maintain baseline, annual and endline targets and clearly document
• Outcome and impact measurement: Apply mixed methods approaches to measure programme outcomes and contributions to impact across the three result areas, triangulating routine data, qualitative evidence and community feedback to demonstrate changes in SRHR service utilization, knowledge, agency, socia
• Contribution analysis: Assess the programme’s plausible contribution to observed outcomes by examining implementation intensity, trends, context, alternative explanations and ToC assumptions. Distinguish outputs, outcomes and longer-term impact; avoid attributing district-level changes to the progra
• Country learning agenda: Coordinate learning questions on adolescent-responsive and disability-inclusive services; knowledge-to-action and service uptake; youth participation, accountability and advocacy; the One Programme Approach; localization and sustainability; and climate-sensitive service cont
• Learning and adaptive management: Coordinate the programme learning agenda, outcome harvesting, reflection sessions and documentation of lessons learned, emerging outcomes and promising practices. Facilitate evidence sharing and application of learning to improve programme effectiveness and adaptive
• Evidence use and adaptive management: Convene and facilitate routine data-use sessions, quarterly partner reflection and performance review meetings; present concise interpretation of findings, identify bottlenecks, maintain an action-and-learning tracker and verify that decisions lead to corrective
• Routine monitoring and digital systems: Coordinate harmonized data collection, verification, analysis and dashboards for Amref and implementing partners; ensure timely updating of approved programme results databases and Amref systems, including AIMS where applicable, and appropriate use of DHIS2/HM
• Data quality and assurance: Plan and conduct regular data quality assessments, spot checks, source-document verification, indicator reconciliation and joint monitoring with districts and partners; document errors and corrective actions, ensure consistency of numerators, denominators, reporting perio
• Performance analysis and forecasting: Analyze programme performance against targets, assess coverage and equity gaps across facilities and target groups, identify implementation risks, and support realistic forecasts and recovery plans; integrate findings on commodity continuity, referral pathways,
• Reporting and evidence synthesis: Coordinate the preparation of timely, accurate and analytical programme and donor reports, ensuring data quality, consistency with agreed indicators and targets, and credible documentation of achievements, outcomes, contributions to impact, lessons learned and progr
• Support national reporting into the SRHR Next Programme MIS, AIMS and other global reporting platforms.
• Lead development and maintenance of programme performance dashboards and visualization products for internal management and donor reporting.
• Evaluations and research: Support evaluation designs, terms of reference, ethical protocols, sampling, tools, consultant coordination and quality assurance for baseline follow-up, periodic studies, midterm/endline evaluation and targeted outcome assessments; track management responses to recommendat
• Inclusion, participation and accountability: Integrate age, sex, disability and other appropriate disaggregation; work with youth advisory and community accountability structures to capture feedback safely, document whether concerns result in decisions and report to communities in accessible formats
• Develop and monitor mechanisms to assess meaningful and inclusive youth participation (MIYP) in programme governance, implementation and learning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, ICT/IT, Computer Science, Demography, Public Health, Epidemiology, Social Sciences or a related discipline.
• A postgraduate qualification in Monitoring & evaluation, public health, research methods or a related field is an added advantage.
• At least five years of relevant MEL experience, preferably in SRHR/SGBV, adolescent health, health systems strengthening or rights-based multisectoral programmes.
• Demonstrated experience designing outcome/impact measurement approaches, implementing mixed-methods evaluations or learning studies, and producing analytical donor reports.
• Experience coordinating MEL across multiple implementing partners and working with district health information systems, including HMIS/DHIS2, data quality assessments and facility/community data.
• Strong command of Theory of Change, results-based management, indicator design, baseline/target management, contribution analysis and robust interpretation of programme outcomes and impact.
• Practical skills in qualitative and participatory methods, outcome harvesting, facilitation of reflection and learning, knowledge management and adaptive management.
• Advanced quantitative analysis, data visualization and analytical writing skills; strong Excel and at least one statistical/visualization package (e.g., Power BI, Qlik, SPSS, Stata or R).
• Experience with KoboToolbox/ODK is advantageous.
• Ability to translate complex data into accurate, concise and compelling reports, presentations, impact stories and actionable management recommendations without overstating causal attribution.
• Understanding of gender-transformative, disability-inclusive, youth-centred, safeguarding and ethical research principles, including confidential handling of sensitive SGBV data.
• Excellent facilitation, partnership coordination, mentoring, critical thinking, communication, organization and deadline management skills; willingness to travel frequently within the programme district.
• Experience with donor-funded consortium programmes.
• Experience managing MEL for SRHR, adolescent health or gender programmes.
• Experience conducting Data Quality Assessments (DQAs).