Under the supervision of the Chief of Party, the MEL Manager is responsible for managing and implementing all monitoring, evaluation and learning functions within the program. This includes establishing or implementing robust systems for data collection, management, analysis, and reporting to measure progress and inform evidence-driven decisions in integrated vector control and/or HIV activities. The MEL Manager serves as the primary point-of-contact for successful implementation of the project MEL plan at the country level, as well as ensuring that program staff and key stakeholders have timely access to high-quality data. The MEL Manager is responsible for monitoring, tracking and reporting on all relevant program results and milestones in a timely manner.
The Abt Global Central Mechanism supports malaria vector control and HIV/AIDS service delivery in 14 partner countries, with the goal of improving health outcomes for target populations while strengthening the planning, data management, and implementation capacity of host-country governments and local institutions. The project sustains uninterrupted malaria vector control interventions, including insecticide-treated net (ITN) distribution, indoor residual spraying (IRS), and spatial emanators, as well as HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services. Across partner countries, the project identifies opportunities to align and transition vector control data collection to national Health Management Information System (HMIS)/DHIS2 platforms. It also strengthens HIV laboratory referral and quality management systems and supports entomological and insecticide-resistance surveillance, including monitoring for Anopheles stephensi, in priority countries. In collaboration with government counterparts, the project identifies functions for transition and provides support to advance government memorandum of understanding (MOU) objectives. This activity is intended to begin October 19, 2026 and end June 30, 2027.
Job Summary
- Employer: Abt Global
- Job Type: Full-time
- Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
- Category: Monitoring and Evaluation
- Closing Date: 2026-10-14
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Chief of Party in achieving contractual milestones, performance targets, and client acceptance criteria under the firm fixed-price, performance-based contract by proactively managing risks, monitoring progress, and ensuring timely delivery of assigned functional responsibilities.
- Lead the collection, organization, analysis, and presentation of Malawi program data, including all project indicators, ensuring accurate, high-quality tracking and reporting of results against defined project milestones for timely submission to the client.
- Track and report data on all project indicators, prepare monitoring and evaluation plans, as well as contribute to MEL portions of work plans, vector control summary reports, annual reports and other contractual project documents.
- Develop, review and implement MEL guidelines, standards, protocols and data collection and reporting tools.
- Design, review and test MEL tools for data collection and reporting. These can include mobile-based tools, country hosted information systems and other innovations to data collection, quality, entry, and reporting.
- Ensure the validity, integrity, precision, reliability, and timeliness of project data through routine quality assurance processes and preparation for data quality audits, identifying and addressing gaps as needed.
- Oversee and support training, mentorship and capacity-strengthening activities for project staff, data collectors, MEL personnel, government stakeholders, and other relevant partners or subcontractors to promote high-quality data collection, management, analysis and use. Supervise and mentor MEL staff, including MEL assistants and Database Managers, as applicable.
- Collaborate with technical teams, government staff or other stakeholders to provide routine feedback on program performance, identify opportunities for program improvement and develop recommendations to strengthen implementation, results and data-driven decision-making.
- Conduct routine field visits, as needed, for monitoring, supportive supervision and verification of project activities, as well as ensuring regular communication with site and home office teams to ensure timely reporting of progress and achievements of project activities and/or milestones.
- Contribute to the country’s capacity-strengthening and transition plan
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree + 6 years of relevant experience, or master’s degree + 4 years of relevant experience, or PhD + 2 years of relevant experience
- Bachelor’s degree required
- At least 5 years’ experience in Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Health, Community Health, Database or Information Systems Management, or other relevant social science activities.
- Demonstrated experience with managing MEL on USG-funded projects; experience with malaria programs (Indoor Residual Spraying, Insecticide Treated Net, Spatial Emanators) is preferred.
- Proven track record in managing complex data collection, data management, analysis and reporting activities.
- Experience with DHIS2 preferred.
- Experience with mobile platforms (ODK, CommCare, KoboCollect, EpiInfo, Fulcrum, etc.), mobile data collection, GIS applications, GPS measurement data collection, and/or data analytics tools (Tableau, Microsoft Power BI) are desirable.
- Strong analytic and quantitative database management skills, budgeting and report writing.
- Experience demonstrating leadership, communication, coordination, and critical thinking skills in a high-pressure environment.
- English language fluency is required.
How to Apply
About the Company
Abt Global is a research, consulting and technology firm headquartered in the United States. In 1965, social scientist Clark Abt founded Abt Associates in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 2024, the company rebranded as Abt Global. and acquired TSPi, a technology provider with expertise in digital solutions across the federal government.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications and certifications are typically required for a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager role in Malawi?
Most employers require a master's degree in statistics, economics, public health, or development studies, plus at least five years of MEL experience. Certifications in data analysis software like SPSS, Stata, or R are highly valued, as is familiarity with USAID or donor reporting standards.
What are the common day-to-day responsibilities of an MEL Manager working on a Malawi activity?
You will design data collection tools, supervise field-based enumerators, clean and analyze project data, and prepare quarterly reports for donors. Regular travel to rural districts to monitor implementation and train staff is typically expected.
How does workplace culture in international development organizations in Malawi typically operate?
Hierarchical respect for senior management is important, alongside collaborative relationships with government ministries and local partners. Punctuality for meetings is expected, though flexibility is often needed when coordinating with rural communities.
What career progression paths exist for MEL professionals in Malawi's development sector?
Strong performers often advance to MEL Director roles, regional positions covering multiple countries, or specialized technical advisory roles. Some transition into independent consulting or pursue doctoral studies to enter academia or policy research.
What benefits are typically included in MEL Manager positions with international NGOs in Malawi?
Standard packages usually include health insurance, annual leave of 20-25 days, pension contributions, and professional development allowances. Housing or transport allowances may be offered for positions requiring extensive field travel.
What do employers in Malawi look for when reviewing applications for MEL Manager roles?
They prioritize demonstrated experience with results frameworks, performance indicators, and donor compliance requirements. Strong applications highlight specific achievements in previous roles, such as improving data quality systems or leading successful evaluations.