About Corus: Corus International is the parent of a family of world-class organizations working to deliver the holistic, lasting solutions needed to end extreme poverty once and for all. We are a global leader in international development, with 150 years of combined experience across our brands. Our nonprofit and for-profit subsidiaries include IMA World Health, Lutheran World Relief, CGA Technologies, Ground Up Investing, and Farmers Market Brands. Our more than 800 employees around the globe are experts in their fields and dedicated to helping the world's most vulnerable people break the cycle of poverty and lead healthy lives. Further details about the organization can be found at: https://corusinternational.org

Founded in 1960, IMA World Health is a leading public health organization that delivers solutions to health-related problems across the developing world. We work with local partners and governments to strengthen existing health systems, prevent and treat diseases, improve maternal and child health, promote nutrition and WASH, respond to sexual and gender-based violence, and contribute to global health security.

About The Job:

Corus & IMA is seeking highly motivated individuals for a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning ( MERL) Director position for the USAID Global Health Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Follow-on Activity. This activity seeks to improve health and development outcomes through increased implementation of theory-informed, evidence-based, locally led social and behavior change programming and evidence generation across health and development areas. 

The MERL Director is responsible for providing overall monitoring and evaluation support to the project's vision, while also playing a key role in overseeing core tasks and country program management. The MERL Director will work closely with the Deputy Project Director to lead and manage all monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning staff and activities across the SBC activity, as well as overseeing the development and implementation of a performance management plan. They will ensure continuous monitoring of project progress and reporting on results to key stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Serves as the SBC MERL technical lead and key point of contact for the prime implementing organization on the global SBC project.
• Leads the MERL-focused operational and strategic activities for the project in support of MERL efforts.
• Ensures high quality technical and research deliverables-including workplans, evaluations, formative assessments, and annual reports-are developed, submitted and approved on schedule and within budget parameters.
• Develops and implements processes and procedures to measure and achieve strategic goals of the project in collaboration with the technical team.
• Provides direction to ensure technical and research activities are compliant with client agreements, government regulations and the organization's policies and procedures.
• Responds to client requests and questions on MERL matters and ensures timely drafts and submissions of consents, approvals and/or waivers.
• Manages the monitoring and evaluation activities of a project including contributing to the finalization and submission of project work plans, performance monitoring plans (PMPs) and quarterly, annual, and other reports.
• Manages the relationship with all subcontracted organizations on all projects on MERL matters.
• Promotes project success by overseeing the collection, writing, and socialization of success stories, case studies, photos, and outreach at events.
• In collaboration with the knowledge management and communications team, supports CLA within the project, including the capture and articulation of success stories, best practice and lessons learned and use of data for ongoing program improvement.
• Supports performance management and professional development of direct reports including ongoing feedback, coaching and career support.
• Engages in writing publications and may contribute to developing proposals for field support buy-ins or peer review journals or other learning articles and products.

Qualifications:

• Master's level education/training or its equivalent in Public Health, Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, Economics, International Development, Statistics, Epidemiology, Population Sciences, or a related field.
• At least 12 years of experience working on international programs in low- and middle-income countries. Technical experience in family planning, sexual/reproductive, and/or maternal, and child health necessary. Technical experience in other health areas is a plus.
• Demonstrated understanding of SBC theories, practice, and research and evaluation best practices and upcoming trends.
• At least 10 years of experience supporting MERL of SBC activities in international programs with an emphasis on work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO) is preferred.
• Experience working on large, multi-country USAID programs and knowledge of USAID reporting requirements.
• Extensive experience working with global teams in different countries in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning activities. The ability to effectively work across partner organizations is essential.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing complex quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods research in low- and middle-income countries. This includes all forms of evaluation research (process, outcome, and impact evaluations).
• Demonstrated leadership working with other technical experts in MERL and research in the international community and at regional and country level.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to supervise team members and manage professional relationships.
• Prior experience in senior-level leadership positions on projects of similar scope and complexity essential.
• Fluency in English with strong oral and written communication skills.
• Fluency in French is a plus.