IES Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Manager

Pact is an international nonprofit that works in nearly 40 countries building solutions for human development that are evidence-based, data-driven and owned by the communities we serve. Founded in 1971, Pact works with partners to build resilience, improve accountability, and strengthen knowledge and skills for sustainable social impact.

Department Program Operations (PrOps) - Pact exists to help create a world where those who are poor and marginalized exercise their voice, build their own solutions, and take ownership of their future. The Program Operations teams contribute to realizing this by: ensuring effective project management through supporting project startups, implementation, reporting and financial management as well as closeouts; portfolio coordination: providing a coordinating role across departments in DC that support country offices and programs; working with country teams to develop, refine and pursue their strategies by leveraging technical knowledge (our own and others) and supporting business development as needed; knowledge sharing and learning: enhancing communication between country offices and DC-based teams to ensure better understanding of the diverse operating environments and program approaches.

Position Overview

The DREAMS IES Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL) Manager provides technical leadership in the implementation of the program MERL system to ensure high-quality technical monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning aligned to global ACHIEVE and in-country DREAMS targets. S/he will work closely with the in-country ACHIEVE program and MERL team management and, with support from the IES MERL Advisor, supervise DREAMS IES MERL staff and sub-awardees at the district level.

Specifically, s/he will be responsible for providing technical leadership to the project team to ensure USAID DREAMS IES M&E requirements are met on a timely basis and guide data collection, data management, and data use. This includes data analysis, reporting, dissemination, and capacity building for M&E and program staff.

The IES MERL Manager will report to the ACHIEVE IES MERL Advisor. As applicable, s/he will travel to the provinces to fulfill the MERL goals. S/he will be based in Gauteng.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in the implementation of work plan activities for strengthening MERL capacity by generating and using high-quality data for decision-making.
• Develop, provide, and utilize relevant MERL analytics to inform and support decision-making at the program's provincial, district, and site levels.
• Working together with the program team, establish M&E partnership with DREAMS partners to ensure effective working relations and build synergy to support effective layering of AGYW.
• Lead the implementation of an efficient and accurate data collection system that includes efficient processes for collecting data and ensuring data quality.
• Offer leadership and technical support to ACHIEVE and its sub-awardee program and MERL staff in the implementation of IES activities to ensure accurate and timely collection and capturing of monitoring data.
• Lead DREAMS IES M&E capacity-building activities for ACHIEVE and its sub-awardee program and MERL staff, strengthening their data flow and management systems.
• Serve as the primary contact person for all DREAMS IES M&E-related activities, including information gathering process and performance reports for various stakeholders, including DREAMS partners.
• Conduct periodic data quality and completeness reviews on data captured on CBIMS and analyze referrals received and program performance.
• Ensure mechanisms are put in place to ensure timely collection, verification, cleaning and uploading of DREAMS data into project databases, including DATIM

  Basic Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree and 8+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience, including 4 years of management experience

    Additional qualifications:

    • A master's degree in social, Behavioural, or Health Sciences with practical experience in developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation activities in the HIV/AIDS health sector.
    • 5 years of relevant professional experience in evaluation and research design, data collection and analyses, indicator construction, curriculum development, and computer software, i.e., MS Word and database programs.
    • Experience with evaluation and impact reporting to donors and project managers, demonstrating both analytical rigor and practicality.
    • Previous experience working with the SAG Social sector and understanding government MERL systems and requirements.
    • Knowledge of USAID/PEPFAR reporting systems, requirements, and timelines
    • Strong team player with an ability to navigate complex organizational structures and motivate people for program participation.
    • Excellent communication and writing skills with demonstrated experience in communicating complex processes to diverse stakeholders, including government officials at the national, provincial, and/or district levels.
    • Strong technical writing skills, development of reports, and excellent presentation skills
    • Intermediate to Advanced knowledge of the MS Office package, especially MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Access etc.
    • Intermediate to Advanced knowledge of the Community Based Intervention Monitoring System (CBIMS and CBIMS.Net)
    • Should be in possession of a valid South African driver’s license
    • Must be a South African national or permanent resident with fluency in English (written and spoken) and one local indigenous South African language.
    • Eligibility to work in South Africa.