Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title : Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor

Report To : Project Director, STRIDES

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, youth, research, technology, communication, and social marketing—creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all US states and territories.

FHI 360 has worked in Bangladesh for more than 45 years. Since 1975, we have taken a comprehensive approach to help transform the country’s health and development landscape. Leveraging a blend of global expertise and local insights, we have consistently strengthened community capacities, enhanced systems, and reinforced institutional frameworks for a sustainable impact. In partnership with the Government of Bangladesh, civil society, academia, and the private sector, FHI 360 Bangladesh delivers integrated programs across critical sectors. Our initiatives have spanned essential health services—including HIV and nutrition, tuberculosis, global health security, and economic participation.

This position is contingent upon funding from the Department of State (DOS).

Project Description:

A disease can spread from any remote village to any major city on all continents in as little as 36 hours. Increased international travel and trade, population growth and movement, greater urbanization, and insufficient attention to existing weak health systems are key drivers for the emergence of infectious diseases. The U.S. government’s (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 USG’s 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 country’s disease detection and surveillance structures and services. STRIDES aims to increase a country’s Joint External Evaluation (JEE) scores by supporting national governments to strengthen core capacities — including laboratory and surveillance systems strengthening and emergency response operations — thereby improving compliance with International Health Regulations (IHR) and overall global health security.

Position Summary:

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor provides technical guidance on all MEL aspects of the STRengthening Infectious disease DEtection Systems (STRIDES) Activity in Bangladesh, including overseeing the execution of day-to-day MEL activities, developing and implementing policies and processes, and ensuring quality service delivery using project data to ensure evidence-based decision-making. They will lead activities to develop, operationalize, implement, and manage MEL systems, tools, and procedures to collect, collate, analyze, interpret, and use data that demonstrates impact and Activity accountability and progress. The MEL Advisor will directly and indirectly supervise technical staff and subcontractors at the HQ and in-country level to ensure that in-country activities align with workplan objectives and the Activity MEL Plan (AMELP) and—by extension—USG priorities, and are implemented to the highest quality, on time, and within budget. They will also work closely with the STRIDES headquarter teams. The MEL Advisor will promote STRIDES as a thought leader in MEL, contributing to FHI 360’s thought leadership in the field through documentation of best practices.

Accountabilities:

• Supports design, development, planning, implementation of, and reporting against STRIDES AMELP.
• 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.
• Tracks STRIDES progress against MEL indicators and targets to ensure consistent and systematic tracking and reporting.
• Ensures that relevant MEL plans integrate high-quality quantitative and qualitative methods and participatory methodologies to monitor project quality for performance and results.
• Assesses subcontractors MEL-related data and reporting efforts to verify quality.
• Builds STRIDES staff MEL 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.
• Leads STRIDES learning activities and data use initiative; fosters culture of learning and knowledge sharing.
• Manages in-country relationships with national, regional, and local government counterparts and multisectoral partners in the MEL space; identifies technical support needed to fulfill national global health security and MEL objectives.
• Leads the development of country-specific MEL plans and budgets aligned with STRIDES goals and ensuring compliance with donor and organizational policies and procedures.
• Identifies and consultants with STRIDES Senior Management team on recommendations to improve Activity implementation and outcomes.
• Supervises and mentors staff; oversees recruitment, hiring, and onboarding processes as needed.
• Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports, including ongoing feedback, coaching, and career support.
• Provide technical assistance to National Public Health Laboratory, Central Veterinary Laboratory and AMR/AMU/AMC surveillance sites to support the collection, analysis, visualization, and reporting of surveillance data in line with national, regional, and global standards, including annual reporting to Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) and the World Animal Health Organization (WOAH).
• Lead, coordinate, and support the design, development and implementation of research-, surveillance-, and monitoring-related trainings and workshops at the national and site levels.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

    Applied Knowledge & Skills:

    📚 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯! 🌍🤝 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗨𝗡𝗛𝗖𝗥, 𝗪𝗙𝗣, 𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗙, 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗦𝗦, 𝗨𝗡𝗙𝗣𝗔, 𝗜𝗢𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀! 🌐

    ⚠️ 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰: 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚 𝐣𝐨𝐛 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐍𝐎𝐖!

    • Comprehensive knowledge of and experience with mechanisms in the area of national and international MEL practices.
    • Ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities, and plan for the successful implementation of activities.
    • Excellent oral and written communication skills; fluency in English as well as Bangla desirable.
    • Excellent organizational and analytical skills.
    • Demonstrated project and technical leadership.
    • Ability to motivate, influence, mentor, and work well with others to achieve STRIDES objectives.
    • Ability to exchange information, present recommendations and collaborate with colleagues and peers across STRIDES and externally as requested.
    • Ability to influence others of the benefits/importance of an idea or plan of action and to gain their support or commitment.
    • Strong negotiation skills and ability to reach mutual points of agreement and benefit among peers and colleagues.
    • Ability to build positive working relationships with various stakeholder communities, government officials, and other multilateral bodies and donor representatives.
    • Strong organizational skills, high level of attention to detail, and effectiveness under deadlines.

      Education:

      • Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in Public Health, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Knowledge/Information Services, Communications, Health, Behavioral, Life/Social Sciences, International Development, Human Development, or a related field.
      • Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

        Experience:

        • Typically requires 8+ years of relevant experience in designing and evaluating applicable programs/services in a managerial position in MEL.
        • Demonstrated experience serving as a lead subject matter expert in MEL.
        • Demonstrated experience leading and managing complex projects spanning multiple countries.
        • Experience developing publications, presentations, and reports that articulate technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
        • Demonstrated expertise and skills in quantitative and qualitative methods for routine monitoring, assessment, evaluation, or learning.
        • Proficiency with relevant statistical analysis and data visualization software (e.g., Strata, SAS, SPSS, Epi Info, Tableau, PowerBI, etc.).
        • Comprehensive knowledge of theories, concepts, and practices in project management, process development, and execution.
        • Experience in staff development and capacity building experience. Ability to build teams and recognize, acquire, and retain talent.
        • Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO), government agency, or private organization.

          Travel Requirements:

          • Up to 25% local and regional travel

            Safeguarding:

            FHI 360 is committed to provide a safe environment for all employees, beneficiaries and anyone contracted by FHI 360. This Includes taking measures to protecting vulnerable people from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) by either FHI 360 employees or associated personnel. FHI 360 abides by child safeguarding principles. FHI 360’s Safeguarding Policies apply and flow out to all FHI 360 staff, board members, volunteers, and partner staff (subcontractors, consultants, vendors, and sub-recipients), regardless of the funding mechanism or amount of contract, agreement, or purchase order.

            The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work and are subject to modification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job.

            FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. FHI 360 is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran with respect to policies, programs, or activities.

            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.

            Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

            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.

            FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.
            
            FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

            Please click here to continue searching FHI 360's Career Portal.