Pathfinder International is driven by the conviction that all people, regardless of where they live, have the right to decide whether and when to have children, to exist free from fear and stigma, and to lead the lives they choose. Since 1957, we have partnered with local governments, communities, and health systems in developing countries to remove barriers to critical sexual and reproductive health services. Together, we expand access to contraception, promote healthy pregnancies, save women’s lives, and stop the spread of new HIV infections, wherever the need is most urgent. Our work ensures millions of women, men, and young people are able to choose their own paths forward.
As a Senior Technical Advisor, MEL you will strategically collaborate with country teams to develop, promote, and apply Pathfinder’s MEL standards, tools, and practices to achieve high-quality and customized MEL approaches.
Reporting directly to the Senior Manager, MEL, you will play a pivotal role in driving the design of robust MEL frameworks during the proposal phase, ensuring that MEL strategies are well-resourced, context-specific, and aligned with donor and organizational goals.
Key Responsibilities
Proposal Design and Review:
Leads or assists teams in designing and articulating MEL approaches at the proposal phase that are fit-for-purpose and aligned with Pathfinder’s MEL strategies and standards.
Provides input to technical approach, including participating actively in development of the Theory of Change.
Reviews the MEL narrative section to ensure that MEL approaches and principles of quality are folded into project design.
Assists in the development of the proposal’s results framework and proposed metrics and in assessing the levels of ambitiousness and reasonableness of target values included therein.
Research & Evaluation:
Leads or assists teams with research and evaluation efforts using the latest implementation science methodologies and techniques.
Advises on human subject’s research (HSR) issues, ensures timely submission of high-quality research study protocols to institutional review boards (as necessary), and design of survey instruments.
Assists in quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Serves as Program Design Lead for research-oriented proposals and business development opportunities.
Contributes to evidence curation and dissemination, including abstracts and peer-reviewed manuscripts for conference presentations and publications.
Organizational Systems, Policies, Standards and Guidelines:
Develops or contributes to organization-wide policies, guidelines, tools, and standards in alignment with MEL strategy and organizational needs.
Ensures proper adherence to Pathfinder’s policies and procedures.
MEL Project Planning and Implementation:
Advises projects on MEL plan development, including appropriate selection of final project indicators, targets, data sources/methodologies, and work plans to ensure effective implementation.
Data Collection:
Advises project staff on conceptualization, development, and implementation of appropriate systems and processes for collecting, reviewing, and using MEL data to track progress against goals, meet donor targets, improve the quality of the interventions, report to stakeholders, and contribute to organizational accomplishments.
Advises and helps design appropriate data collection tools/instruments, including survey questionnaires, interview guides, and facility assessments.
Data Review, Analysis, and Use:
Provides technical assistance to country offices and projects on analysis and synthesis of results from routine and non-routine data sources.
Facilitates learning from project results/findings to inform and influence program implementation.
Brand Ambassador:
Represents Pathfinder International to external organizations and audiences at professional meetings and conferences as assigned.
What You Bring
Master’s or doctoral degree in demography, epidemiology, statistics, social sciences or a related public health field; or a combination of education and experience that yields the required competencies.
At least 7 years of progressively responsible MEL experience in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), climate resilience, women’s economic empowerment, and/or health systems strengthening.
Proposal Development: Mastery of skills in MEL proposal development from concept to full proposal.
Proven experience in applying data analysis, management, and visualization software packages/tools.
Mastery of skills in the ability to apply quantitative and qualitative research methods, including study design, protocol drafting, instrument development, data analysis, manuscript writing, etc.
Advanced skills in the ability to develop learning agendas, create and organize knowledge exchange fora, and implement collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) approaches, plans, tools, and processes at a project, country, and organizational level.
Proven skills in results dissemination, knowledge sharing, and organizational learning, systems development, implementation, evaluation, and improvement.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience living and working in low and middle-income countries.
Certifications in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
Multilingual capabilities (French, Portuguese, or Arabic).
Donor Familiarity: Experience working on US government-funded proposals and projects; preference for USAID experience.
Why You’ll Love Working with Us:
Join an innovative, forward-thinking organization that values your growth and ideas.
Work within a supportive, collaborative environment.
Make a meaningful impact on our organization MEL frameworks.
Enjoy a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
Benefit from flexible working arrangements and the opportunity for global engagement.