USAID Philippines - Director of MERL

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years’ experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 6,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI's Global Health Division (GHD) within the International Development Group, works in Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases; Global Health Security and Public Preparedness; Heath Systems Strengthening - including Health Governance, Health Finance, Human Resources for Health, Capacity Building, and Health Policy and Advocacy; and Integrated Care - including Reproductive, Maternal, and Child Health and Family Planning. We address a range of public health problems to reduce disparities, lower disease burdens, and build locally owned sustainable health programs in lower- and middle-income countries.

Program Description

The five-year, $30 million USAID National Family Planning and Adolescent Reproductive Health (FP/ARH) Activity (2024-2029) aims to improve family planning and adolescent reproductive health in the Philippines. The Activity will aim to advance the Philippine government’s efforts to improve the delivery of quality preventive and promotive care at the primary health care level.

The FP/ARH Activity will adopt health system strengthening approaches, emphasizing community engagement and locally driven solutions. It will foster cross-sectoral linkages, empower local organizations, promote collaborative learning, and implement behavior change communication. It will highlight health equity by focusing on marginalized groups, including those with limited education, low income, and residing in disadvantaged areas, with particular attention to individuals in need of family planning and maternal and child health services, regardless of gender. Given the need to focus on girls and boys, the Activity will adopt child protection strategies to ensure comprehensive health and safety interventions.

Position Description

Working with a collaborative team of international and local partners, the Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) will play a key role in monitoring and evaluating innovative approaches, leading as-needed operations research, and providing technical MERLA leadership to project staff and external partners, as necessary. S/he will take the lead in developing and refining the project’s Theory of Change, Results Framework, MERLA plan, Learning Agenda, and indicators to capture performance results, and in strengthening evidence-based implementation. This position will be full time and based in Manila, Philippines. Relocation to the Philippines will not be offered for this position.

Local Nationals are highly encouraged to apply. Position is contingent upon award and funding.

Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

Lead the MERL components of the program.

Design and refine the project’s Theory of Change, as necessary.

Develop the project’s Results Framework and monitoring, evaluation, and reporting systems that include appropriate indicators, baseline data, and targets.

Lead project evaluation and rapid evaluation of innovative activities and technologies.

Design needs-based operations research studies and protocols to generate evidence for innovations that work and do not work, ensuring methodological rigor of research undertaken.

Design and implement the project’s Learning Agenda.

Take the lead in putting together learning platforms and networks (internally within the project and externally with multiple stakeholders) for quick uptake of learning for programmatic adaptation.

Oversee the development and submission of timely, accurate, and complete reporting requirements and deliverables.

Supervise a MERL team consisting of M&E and operations research specialists, data analysts and ICT specialists.

Build capacity of partner and grantee organizations in MEL data collection, analysis, and reporting.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree and 12 years of progressive experience on public health projects.

At least six years demonstrated experience in designing, monitoring, and evaluating donor-funded projects.

Expertise in qualitative and quantitative analysis and research methods.

Experience setting up and managing MERL systems for health projects, including data quality assurance.

Proven ability to produce professional quality English-language documents such as MEL reports, progress reports, case studies, and research protocols.

Previous experience working with USAID or US Government contracts.

Familiarity with data systems or platforms such as DHIS2, and experience training others in its use is highly desirable.

Demonstrated leadership qualities, depth and breadth of technical and management expertise and experience, and strong interpersonal, writing, and oral presentation skills.

Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relations with Philippine government personnel, stakeholders, NGO partners, and international donor agencies.

Full professional proficiency in spoken and written English is required.

EEO & Pay Equity Statements

#LI-MB1

Regular Full-Time