MERL Manager

MERL Manager

Overview:

The MERL Manager will lead all monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and learning functions for IMA World Health's integrated MNCH and Protection program in conflict‑affected North Kivu. Working under the Senior Program Manager, the MERL Manager will design and oversee data systems that track maternal and newborn health outcomes, GBV/CP case management performance, facility readiness improvements, mobile outreach coverage, and community referral pathways. The role ensures high‑quality data collection, analysis, and visualization across six facilities and multiple IDP sites, while strengthening the capacity of health workers, case managers, CHWs, and facility focal points to generate reliable, timely information. The MERL Manager will lead routine monitoring visits, manage indicator performance tracking, ensure compliance with donor reporting requirements, and facilitate learning processes that improve program quality in a rapidly evolving humanitarian context.

Key Areas of Intervention

Monitoring & Evaluation System Strengthening

• Develop and maintain the program's MERL framework, indicator reference sheets, and data collection tools for MNCH, GBV/CP, IPC, and outreach activities.
• Ensure alignment with donor requirements, national HMIS/DHIS2 systems, and IMA's global MERL standards.
• Train facility staff, case managers, CHWs, and mobile teams on data collection, reporting, and confidentiality protocols.
• Conduct routine data quality assessments (DQAs) and provide corrective coaching.

Facility & Outreach Data Management

• Oversee collection and verification of MNCH service data (BEmONC, deliveries, referrals, newborn outcomes).
• Track GBV/CP case management indicators, PSS sessions, CMR service utilization, and safe‑space participation.
• Monitor IPC readiness, outbreak alerts, and facility rehabilitation progress.
• Ensure mobile clinic data (ICCM, ANC, immunization, GBV screening) is complete, accurate, and timely.

Reporting & Donor Compliance

• Produce high‑quality weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports for internal use and donor submission.
• Maintain indicator dashboards and visualizations to support decision‑making.
• Ensure compliance with data protection standards, especially for GBV/CP case management and survivor‑centered reporting.
• Support preparation of success stories, maps, and evidence‑based narratives for donor communication.

Learning, Adaptation & Coordination

• Facilitate learning reviews, after‑action analyses, and adaptive management discussions with program teams.
• Document lessons learned, promising practices, and operational challenges.
• Coordinate with MoH, Protection Cluster, Health Cluster, and other partners to harmonize data and share insights.
• Support evaluation activities, baseline/endline assessments, and special studies as needed.

Eligibility Criteria - MERL Manager

• Bachelor's degree in public health, Epidemiology, Statistics, Social Sciences, Data Science, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in MERL for humanitarian, health, or protection programs.
• Strong experience with health facility data systems, DHIS2, and community‑level reporting structures.
• Demonstrated ability to manage MERL systems for MNCH, GBV/CP, IPC, or integrated health‑protection programs.
• Proficiency in data analysis tools (Excel, Power BI, Kobo, ODK, CommCare, or similar).
• Experience conducting DQAs, indicator tracking, and donor reporting (USAID, CDC, DoS preferred).
• Ability to train and mentor diverse field teams, including clinicians, case managers, CHWs, and psychosocial staff.
• Fluency in French required; Swahili or local languages strongly preferred.