Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist (OHH)

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About Us:

Bixal is a consulting company based in Fairfax, VA, working alongside governments and organizations to help them deliver better services and experiences to the communities they serve. Using evidence-based knowledge and technology, Bixal empowers clients to deliver on their missions more effectively by fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

Bixal is a consulting company based in Fairfax, VA, working alongside governments and organizations to help them deliver better services and experiences to the communities they serve. Using evidence-based knowledge and technology, Bixal empowers clients to deliver on their missions more effectively by fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement. 

Bixal is seeking a Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist (OHH) for the USAID/Uganda Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (UMEL) Activity. This program supports USAID/Uganda and its partners by strengthening MEL processes, conducting high-quality evaluations, knowledge-sharing, and adaptive management to improve programmatic decision-making in the country.

• The Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialists (OHH) will support the Director of Performance Management with the collection of primary performance data on CDCS outcome indicators, compiling contextual data, validating and analyzing performance data, developing monitoring tools, and providing technical support for data quality assessments. They will also be responsible for training and mentoring A/CORs and IPs MEL staff on performance reporting systems and creating data visualizations to facilitate effective learning by the Mission and implementing partners.

• They will serve as the primary point of contact (POC) for the Health Technical Office, specifically the Office of Health and HIV/AIDS (OHH). In this role, the specialist will act as a thought partner to their respective technical office, providing insights and expertise to ensure effective program outcomes. They will also play a key role in proactively integrating USAID's learning cycle processes into a cohesive project management approach that fosters collaboration, learning, and adaptation (CLA) to drive improved development results.

• Develop and continuously review the Performance Indicator Reference Sheets (PIRS) for OHH indicators.
• Collect primary performance data on selected health CDCS outcome indicators that implementing partners may lack the capacity to collect.
• Identify and compile relevant contextual data to facilitate OHH’s understanding of its contributions to wider national and agency development priorities.
• Validate and analyze periodic performance data of OHH performance indicators reported by USAID/Uganda implementing partners in a timely manner.
• Develop high-quality, inclusive, and cost-effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) tools and processes for OHH and its implementing partners.
• Provide technical support to A/CORs and IP MEL staff in implementing data quality assessments for a targeted number of implementing partners.
• Work with the Data Analyst to develop the capacity of newly onboarded implementing partners to utilize the agency-wide performance reporting system, Development Information Solutions (DIS).
• Collaborate with the Senior Capacity Building Specialist to strengthen the capacity of Agreement and Contracting Officers’ Representatives (A/CORs) and IP MEL Specialists to perform their MEL functions effectively.
• Work with the Senior GIS and Visualization Specialist to develop various data visualizations using DIS, DHIS2, and other relevant health data sources to facilitate learning by the Mission and implementing partners.
• Provide technical direction to project teams to ensure the technical quality of MEL processes and deliverables.
• Support technical initiatives to standardize quality across the organization.
• Support the development and delivery of MEL training and contribute to Bixal’s MEL Community of Practice.
• Serve as the initial point of contact for project issues, responding to clients, resolving issues, and solving problems under the guidance of the Director of Performance Management.
• Supervise junior team members, including providing feedback and support to MEL Officers/Data Analysts.
• Support the business development process, including drafting proposal responses, updating corporate capability statements, and arranging discussions with partners.
• Assist teams in recruiting and hiring consultants or subject matter experts for various tasks, including screening candidates, writing terms of reference, and processing purchase orders/billing.
• Contribute to business development and thought leadership through content creation, industry presentations, and identifying growth opportunities in federal sector OD and talent management.
• Perform other duties as required.

• Bachelor's Degree in relevant field, plus 10 years of related experience; or Master’s Degree, plus 5 years of related experience.
• Spoken and written fluency in English.
• Strong understanding of USAID development programming.
• Familiarity with development partners and the Uganda government’s development landscape, key stakeholders, and potential USAID partners in health focus areas.
• Extensive knowledge of USAID project management processes and overall program cycle, including monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) practices and policy.
• Excellent working knowledge of DHIS2.
• Good working knowledge of Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS).
• Familiarity with national health surveys such as UDHS, LQAS, and UPIA.
• Ability to work independently with excellent time management skills.
• Ingenuity in generating ideas, proposing new courses of action, and suggesting appropriate, mitigated risks.
• Relationship-building skills with the ability to understand and respond to project management needs while fostering trust.
• Strong synthesis skills, gathering information from diverse sources and connecting the dots to present a coherent picture of project progress and external circumstances.
• Proactive mindset, ability to take on new tasks with minimal direction, and provide guidance on opportunities and challenges to clients, colleagues, and supervisors.
• Collaborative approach, working effectively with colleagues and partners across sectors to catalyze activities towards shared objectives.

• Additional fluency in any of Uganda's local languages preferred.

Please note that candidates selected may undergo a background investigation and, if applicable, meet eligibility requirements for suitability.

Bixal is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization and beyond.