Overview

Jhpiego is an international, non-profit health organization affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University. Jhpiego develops innovations to enhance the capacity of health care workers, strengthening health systems and improve delivery of care towards improving the health and well-being. Jhpiego has been collaborating with the Government of Malawi and various partners in implementing a wide-range of interventions in maternal, newborn and child health, family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention and care and treatment, since 1999.Malawi business directory

Jhpiego is seeking a highly qualified Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Research (MER) Officer to provide technical leadership and supervision for MNH monitoring, evaluation, and learning across supported districts. Reporting to the MER Advisor, the Senior MER Officer will ensure strong MNH data systems, high‑quality data collection and reporting, effective data quality assurance (DQA), and meaningful data use for decision‑making.

The role requires close collaboration with the Digital Health Advisor on digital reporting platforms (iCHIS, DHIS2, EMRs), district HMIS/MER staff, and targeted mentorship to facility and district teams. The Senior MER Officer will lead MNH data reviews and support the preparation of timely, high‑quality program reports and learning products.

The Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Research (MER) Officer will be based in Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Research (MER) Officer Malawi, reporting directly to the Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor .

Responsibilities

MER System Strengthening & Technical Leadership

• Lead the design, refinement, and implementation of MNH MEL systems, tools, SOPs, and guidance aligned to national HMIS, DHIS2, and iCHIS updates.
• Define indicator reference sheets and ensure consistent interpretation and use across districts.
• Coordinate with Digital Health to optimize interoperability and data pipelines (facility registers iCHIS/EMR DHIS2), ensuring completeness, timeliness, and accuracy.

Data Management, Analysis & Use

• Oversee district-level data collection, verification, entry, cleaning, storage, and archiving in accordance with data governance and confidentiality standards.
• Lead regular MNH data review meetings with project teams, MOH counterparts, and district stakeholders; produce dashboards, visuals, and briefs to guide program decisions.
• Conduct advanced quantitative/qualitative analyses to identify trends, gaps, and priority actions for quality improvement across sites and community MNH.

Data Quality Assurance (DQA) & Compliance

• Plan and lead MNH-focused DQAs (registers, iCHIS, DHIS2, EMR) covering PE, MA, and related services.
• Develop and refine DQA tools; document findings, action plans, and follow-up to close gaps in accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
• Work in conjunction with a research partner to ensure implementation of research activities in line with approved study protocols and ethical guidelines.
• Support monitoring visits and assist in resolving data quality issues.

Capacity Building, Mentorship & Supervision

• Directly support HMIS/M&E teams, MNH Officers; provide routine mentorship, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Build capacity of facility focal persons and district HMIS/M&E teams in data quality, analysis, visualization, and data use for decision-making.
• Provide targeted onsite coaching during supportive supervision visits and reinforce standard data procedures and accountability.

Reporting, Documentation & Learning

• Lead preparation and submission of high-quality routine reports (monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual as applicable) to project leadership, partners, MOH and donors (narratives, data tables, indicator performance).
• Coordinate compilation of district contributions into consolidated MER sections and ensure clear explanation of trends, drivers, and corrective actions.
• Support evaluations, learning agendas, and development of abstracts, success stories, and learning briefs documenting best practices and innovations.
• Support the research partner with the review and preparation of study reports; document and manage protocol deviations while maintaining accurate and complete research records.

Coordination & Representation

• Maintain strong relationships with District Health Offices, facility leadership, MOH departments, and implementing partners to strengthen MNH information systems and data use culture.
• Work closely with the Digital Health Advisor on digital reporting and with the MER Advisor for strategic MER alignment

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Demography, Health Informatics, or related field.
• Master’s degree in public health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or Informatics is preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in MEL/M&E, with 3+ years in a supervisory or senior technical role.
• Demonstrated experience with MNH programming (facility and community), familiarity with relevant indicators.
• Strong experience with DHIS2; experience with iCHIS and EMRs is an advantage.
• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., STATA, SPSS, R, Nvivo, Atlas, Dedoose); data visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI) preferred.
• Experience with donor-funded programs is preferred; experience with UNITAID-funded programs will be an added advantage.

Competencies

• Excellent analytical, statistical, and data visualization skills; able to translate data into actionable insights.
• Proven ability to lead, supervise, and mentor multi-level MER teams.
• Experience with implementation research.
• Strong planning, time management, and attention to detail; able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills in English and Chichewa or Tumbuka.
• High professional integrity, confidentiality, and data stewardship.
• Willingness to travel up to 60% to program sites.

Preferred Qualifications

All staff irrespective of their position are expected to comply with and follow Jhpiego operational procedures and policies, and codes of conduct.

• Lead the design, refinement, and implementation of MNH MEL systems, tools, SOPs, and guidance aligned to national HMIS, DHIS2, and iCHIS updates.
• Define indicator reference sheets and ensure consistent interpretation and use across districts.
• Coordinate with Digital Health to optimize interoperability and data pipelines (facility registers iCHIS/EMR DHIS2), ensuring completeness, timeliness, and accuracy.
• Oversee district-level data collection, verification, entry, cleaning, storage, and archiving in accordance with data governance and confidentiality standards.
• Lead regular MNH data review meetings with project teams, MOH counterparts, and district stakeholders; produce dashboards, visuals, and briefs to guide program decisions.
• Conduct advanced quantitative/qualitative analyses to identify trends, gaps, and priority actions for quality improvement across sites and community MNH.
• Plan and lead MNH-focused DQAs (registers, iCHIS, DHIS2, EMR) covering PE, MA, and related services.
• Develop and refine DQA tools; document findings, action plans, and follow-up to close gaps in accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
• Work in conjunction with a research partner to ensure implementation of research activities in line with approved study protocols and ethical guidelines.
• Support monitoring visits and assist in resolving data quality issues.
• Directly support HMIS/M&E teams, MNH Officers; provide routine mentorship, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Build capacity of facility focal persons and district HMIS/M&E teams in data quality, analysis, visualization, and data use for decision-making.
• Provide targeted onsite coaching during supportive supervision visits and reinforce standard data procedures and accountability.
• Lead preparation and submission of high-quality routine reports (monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual as applicable) to project leadership, partners, MOH and donors (narratives, data tables, indicator performance).
• Coordinate compilation of district contributions into consolidated MER sections and ensure clear explanation of trends, drivers, and corrective actions.
• Support evaluations, learning agendas, and development of abstracts, success stories, and learning briefs documenting best practices and innovations.
• Support the research partner with the review and preparation of study reports; document and manage protocol deviations while maintaining accurate and complete research records.
• Maintain strong relationships with District Health Offices, facility leadership, MOH departments, and implementing partners to strengthen MNH information systems and data use culture.
• Work closely with the Digital Health Advisor on digital reporting and with the MER Advisor for strategic MER alignment

• Excellent analytical, statistical, and data visualization skills; able to translate data into actionable insights.
• Proven ability to lead, supervise, and mentor multi-level MER teams.
• Experience with implementation research.
• Strong planning, time management, and attention to detail; able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills in English and Chichewa or Tumbuka.
• High professional integrity, confidentiality, and data stewardship.

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Demography, Health Informatics, or related field.
• Master’s degree in public health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, or Informatics is preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in MEL/M&E, with 3+ years in a supervisory or senior technical role.
• Demonstrated experience with MNH programming (facility and community), familiarity with relevant indicators.
• Strong experience with DHIS2; experience with iCHIS and EMRs is an advantage.
• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., STATA, SPSS, R, Nvivo, Atlas, Dedoose); data visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI) preferred.
• Experience with donor-funded programs is preferred; experience with UNITAID-funded programs will be an added advantage.