Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting & Learning (MERL) Director

Job Title:

Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting & Learning (MERL) Director   

Reports to:

Chief of Party

Direct reports:

M&E Specialists and MEL Manager

Contacts/Key Relationships:

All staff

Job Location:

Head office, Addis Ababa

Contract

6 months with possibility of extension

BAND

12

No of post

1

Opening date

2 September 2026

Closing date

6 September 2026

Salary

As per the Organization’s scale

Job Purpose:

The MERL Director will be responsible for monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning components of the activity. The position holder will develop monitoring, evaluation, and reporting (MERL) systems that include appropriate indicators, baseline data, targets, and a plan to evaluate performance. The MERL Director also oversees the development and submission of timely, accurate, and complete reporting. The position holder is responsible for monitoring program performance and maintaining program information in our electronic information system. The MERL Director promotes learning and capacity building in MERL throughout BPDO, including developing and implementing MERL standards, guidelines, and tools.

The position requires close working with donors, Regional Health Bureaus, other local and international implementing partners, and stakeholders. He/she will receive overall technical guidance from the Chief of Party.

Main duties &

Responsibilities:

• Oversees the overall M&E functions of the project within the MERL unit of BPDO.
• Establishes and runs the activity monitoring systems, including data collection, analysis and reporting to support sound management of the activity interventions, as well as providing training for field & Management Information System (MIS) staff.
• Leads the development of MERL plans, processes and systems with standard procedures and processes to ensure credible, reliable, timely and cost-effective monitoring data to inform ongoing management decisions, strategic planning and uphold accountability.
• Leads the adaptation or development of specific planning, assessment, monitoring and evaluation and reporting tools for consistent and quality data collection and develops and implements a comprehensive Data Quality Assurance Plan.
• Directs and supervises the MERL function, working with HQ, regional and field staff for the implementation of MERL policies and information dissemination. Guides on, and as needed leads the design, collection, analysis, use and dissemination of baseline, mid-term-of-project information via evaluations and surveys that use a range of quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Monitors trends and understands evolving Activity needs and priorities for data collection, analysis and reporting to drive the continuing development of standard data reports, analytical models and programs.
• Ensures effective research and analysis governance processes and policies to promote high-quality research within an ethical and risk management framework.
• Supports the regional and field staff in the design and implementation of appropriate MERL systems to monitor performance and improve management in line with the donor requirements and practices, and track performance at the project level.
• Builds the capacity of staff and implementing partners on project/program design, monitoring and evaluation concepts, skills and tools, and builds the capacity of program staff to conceptualize, collect, use and manage routine data.
•  Supports regional staff and sub-awardees in the closeout of programs, ensuring that final program results are available for dissemination.
• Travels to the field to conduct program monitoring and review of MERL systems, train and support program staff on data quality, improved MERL processes, and utilize results for data-driven decision-making.
• Collaborates with regional field staff and sub-awardees on start-up MERL activities, ensuring that indicators, targets, and a MERL plan are implemented as per the agreement for each program.
• Represents BPDO in various professional, multi-agency, and donor forums related to program monitoring and evaluation.
• Accomplishes other activities as needed

Emergency response

BPDO is committed to responding to emergencies efficiently and effectively to help affected people meet their basic needs, alleviate suffering, and maintain their dignity. To this end, when emergencies strike and the program is to respond, all staff are required to actively participate in the response, regardless of location, and contribute to the efforts aimed at achieving the humanitarian objective of the organization.

Gender Equity

• Demonstrate understanding of BPDO’s Gender Equality Strategy
• Contribute to ensuring that Beza Posterity Development Organization is a place where men and women are treated equally and with dignity and respect
• Demonstrate gender equality awareness and gender sensitivity and an ability to integrate a gender equality perspective into tasks and activities.

What we offer

A competitive salary and benefit package

Good medical benefits including dependents with limited amounts as per

18 days annual leave

17 weeks (paid) maternity leave, 5 days paternity leave

BPDO Code of Conduct and other Policies

BPDO has an organizational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with Associated Policies; Gender& Safeguarding Policy, Anti-fraud Policy, IT Regulation, and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of program participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of BPOO staff, consultants, visitors to the program, and partner organizations, and the standards of behavior expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organization to strive for and maintain the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with BPDO’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with BPDO will be expected to sign the All-Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the BPDO Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the BPDO Code of Conduct and Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies