Job Summary:
Position Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Advisor
Reports to: Associate Director, Technical, STRIDES Zambia
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in a long - lasting way by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, public health threats, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing - creating a unique mix of capabilities to address todayโs interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 50 countries including Zambia and all U.S. states and territories. We currently seek qualified candidates to fill the position of Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Advisor to be based in Lusaka Zambia.
The U.S. governmentโs (USG) Global Health Security (GHS) program provides life-saving assistance to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats which pose risks for public health outbreaks that could cost lives. As part of the USGโs GHS program, the STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity advances cross-sectoral efforts to successfully identify, manage, and respond to infectious disease threats; detect and prevent further outbreaks; and instill confidence and trust in a countryโs disease detection and surveillance structures and services.
Zambia has made significant strides in GHS through various public health muti-sectoral initiatives and partnerships geared towards strengthening its capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging health threats. STRIDES project aligns with Zambia's commitment to improving public health systems and enhancing GHS with focus on four objectives.
(1) strengthen detection capacity and systems for both human and animal laboratory networks; (2) develop sustainable surveillance systems to detect events of significance for public health and health security; (3) Provide technical support to develop and strengthen Zambiaโs resilience in data collection, analysis, and reporting; and (4) provide targeted technical and detection assistance during an outbreak.
Job Summary:
The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor will provide technical guidance and oversee the execution of day-to-day MEL activities for the STRIDES GHS project in Zambia. The MEL Advisor I will lead the implementation of project M&E activities and sub-activities, assists with project implementation and provide quality assurance for MEL. Other key responsibilities will include implementing policies and processes, and ensuring quality data collection, analysis, and reporting to ensure evidence-based decision-making. S/He will ensure project MEL activities are on track with work plans, oversee data reporting based on the project indicators. Additionally, this position will assist in the development of donor reports and presentations, and successfully lead new project design, MEL Planning, and implementation efforts.
Strong communication and teamwork skills are of absolute importance to succeed in this role, as is the ability to manage individual and team contributions across projects and time zones.
The MEL Advisor will directly supervise technical staff and subcontractors at the country level to ensure that activities align with GHS workplan objectives and the GHS Activity MEL Plan (AMELP).
Accountabilities:
Technical Requirements:
- Provide project staff with technical direction and guidance to support planning, implementation of, and reporting against STRIDES GHS Activity, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan (AMELP).
- Leads MEL activities and sub activities and assists with their implementation, supports staff and partner capacity building in MEL.
- Monitors and maintains project protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials and reports related to monitoring and evaluation of projects.
- Ensures that the AMELP implementation remains technically sound and adheres to FHI 360โs strategy and standard operating procedures (SOPโs).
- Assists with the implementation of research activities as needed by providing technical support and overall management to ensure coordination and field-level implementation.
- Provides technical support in the development, dissemination and utilization of M&E tools, materials, reports, papers for research.
Project Design Implementation:
- Contribute to the development of the MEL technical portion of the GHS work plan, within the given resource and financial constraints
- Develops, operationalizes, implements, and manages MEL systems, tools, and procedures to collect, collate, analyze, interpret, and use data that demonstrate impact and Activity accountability and progress.
- Conducts analysis of MEL data to identify areas for improvement and propose appropriate technical strategies and guidelines.
- Tracks STRIDES progress against MEL indicators and targets to ensure consistent and systematic tracking and reporting.
Capacity Building, Training and Supervision:
- Builds STRIDES MEL staff capacity, including strengthening, managing and operationalizing MEL systems, data quality assurance, data demand and use, facilitating learning and knowledge exchange, documenting lessons learned and best practices, and reporting.
- Participate in the development and implementation of technical training and capacity building interventions.
- Identifies strategies to address training gaps.
- Provide technical guidance to staff members locally and in the region as needed.
Project/Program Reporting:
- Collaborates with the project team to interpret data sets and other assessment findings
- Develops or writes technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate research, best practices, policies, procedures, and overall implementation of evaluation plans.
- Prepare reports and papers summarizing project results and analyzing data sets and technical assessment findings, drafts/prepares MEL technical reports.
- Participates in client / funder meetings and drafts report presentations.
Quality Assurance:
- Provides quality assurance on MEL deliverables and reported data.
- Ensures technical deliverables are consistent with best practices.
- Identifies areas for improved efficiency or effectiveness within prescribed parameters, and institutes enhancements to procedures.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Applied Knowledge & Skills:
- In-depth knowledge of MEL concepts, practices, and procedures; providing technical support for research studies.
- Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.
- Comprehensive knowledge of relevant disease surveillance and response databases and information systems in in Zambia.
- Development of scope of work and deliverables for partners, consultants, etc.
- Has sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas.
- Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
- Excellent and demonstrated project management skills.
- Ability to solve problems and implement corrective action as needed.
- Creativity, problem solving, demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with others and independent thought are a must.
- Proficient writing and verbal communication skills.
- Relevant computer software skills (including, at a minimum, the standard applications in MS Office).
- Ability to manage their own work to job and performance standards.
- Proficiency with relevant statistical analysis and data visualization software (e.g., Stata, SAS, SPSS, Epi Info, Tableau, PowerBI, etc.).
- Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English.
Supervision Given/Received:
- May supervise junior staff members.
- Coordinates own workflow and sets individual priorities.
- Works under general guidelines for completion and accuracy as determined by the supervisor.
- Accomplishes results through lower-level staff managers or through experienced staff who exercise independence in their assignments.
- May manage a centralized functional area of activity.
- Serves as mentor to more inexperienced technical staff.
- Typically reports to the Associate Director, Technical.
Education: ** **
- Masterโs degree or its equivalent in Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Health, International Development, Economic Development, epidemiology or related field -certified by the Zambia Qualifications Authority.
- Project Management (PM) Certification or membership of the Zambia Monitoring and Evaluation Association (ZaMEA) will be an added advantage
Experience: ** **
- Typically requires 8+ years of relevant experience developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation methodologies and managing data collection activities.
- Documented experience providing technical assistance, capacity building and business development in public health and/or Global Health Security (GHS)the specific technical domain.
- Prior experience leading and managing MEL systems for public health and/or Global Health Security.
- Past experience working with routine health information systems, laboratory information systems, and/or country health surveillance data will be an added advantage.
- International or Domestic Program Development or Program management preferred.
- Experience working with diverse teams and applying research-to-practice principles to support program implementation.
- Experience effectively communicating and utilizing research and technical content for practical application; direct experience with Knowledge Management and Communication is a plus.
- Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO) or in work-related academic, governmental, or industry setting, experience working internationally is highly desirable.
- Zambian Nationals are encouraged to apply
Typical Physical Demands:
- Typical office environment.
- Ability to spend long hours looking at a computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
- Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.
- Ability to lift 5 - 25 lbs.
Technology to be Used:
Personal Computer, Microsoft Office 365 (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Skype/TEAMS, email), office telephone, cell phone and printer/copier.
Travel Requirements:
Ability to travel 10% - 25%
The last day of receiving applications will be 11 February 2026.
This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.
FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.
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FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.
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- Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English.