Background
\nThamini Uhai, formerly World Lung foundation, is a Tanzanian non-governmental organization that has partnered with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania since 2008 to reduce maternal and early neonatal mortality and strengthen health systems in underserved rural areas.
\nFrom 2008 to 2019, Thamini Uhai worked with Bloomberg Philanthropies to expand quality Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care services and, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Local Government Authorities, piloted and scaled birth companionship as a core element of respectful maternity care across 27 health facilities in Kigoma, Katavi, Geita, and Mwanza Regions.
\nPartnership Program for Maternal and Newborn Health Improvement in Tanzania
\nThamini Uhai has received funding for implementation of Partnership Program for Comprehensive and Integrated Maternal and Newborn Health Improvement (Mjamzito na Mtoto Salama) in Tanzania.
\nThis is a five-year program implemented in 3 regions of Tanzania Mainland. The initiative is jointly supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Gates Foundation and will be implemented in two phases from September 2025 to June 2027 and from July 2027 to June 2030 in Geita, Katavi and Kigoma regions.
\nThe program will contribute to accelerating 2030 SDG targets through improving maternal and newborn health outcomes in Tanzania by strengthening the delivery of quality and respectful Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (EmONC)- including the postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), antenatal care, and comprehensive newborn care, with a particular emphasis on scaling up care for small and sick newborns.
\nThe initiative will also provide strategic technical support to the Ministry of Health in reviewing technical guidelines and associated learning resources.
\nIn this regard, Thamini Uhai wishes to recruit the following positions:
\nPosition
\nMANAGER, MONITORING, EVALUATION, RESEARCH, AND LEARNING, (MERL) (1 position)
\nPosition description<\/p>\n
Department:\u00a0Program
\nReports to:\u00a0Director of Programs
\nAssignment type:\u00a0Full-time
\nLocation:\u00a0Dar es Salaam<\/p>\n
Position summary<\/p>\n
The Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) provides strategic leadership and technical oversight for the design, implementation, and continuous strengthening of an integrated MERL system for the Mjamzito na Mtoto Salama program.
\nThe role ensures that high-quality data is systematically generated, analyzed, and translated into actionable insights to inform program performance, guide adaptive management, and demonstrate impact.
\nWorking closely with other Thamini Uhai experts, government counterparts, and partners, the Manager ensures alignment of MERL systems with national frameworks, including DHIS2 and MPDSR, while integrating data from facility-level systems, Health Facility Assessments (HFA), and Pregnancy Outcomes Monitoring Systems (POMS).
\nThe role also supports the generation and use of program evidence through applied research and structured learning processes to inform quality improvement and scale-up.
\nThe position serves as a central integration point across implementation, communication, finance, and administrative functions, ensuring coherence between program data, service delivery, resource utilization, and reporting.
\nIt also ensures systematic tracking of performance across high-volume facilities and key service delivery points, including antenatal care clinics, labour wards, and neonatal care units, with a strong focus on translating data into measurable improvements in service utilization and outcomes.
\nMain duties and responsibilities
\n1. MERL System Design, Integration and Governance
\nProvides leadership in establishing a robust, integrated MERL system aligned with program priorities, donor requirements, and national systems.<\/p>\n
Lead design, implementation, and continuous refinement of the MERL framework, indicators, and tools
\nEnsure alignment with national systems including DHIS2, MPDSR, and RMNCAH monitoring frameworks
\nIntegrate MERL across all program components including ANC, intrapartum care, PPH, newborn care, and birth companionship
\nEstablish clear data governance structures, standards, and protocols that promote accountability and data integrity
\nOversee end-to-end data flow architecture from facility registers to DHIS2, POMS, and program dashboards
\nEnsure MERL systems are embedded within routine service delivery and implementation workflows<\/p>\n
2. Data Management, Quality Assurance and Analytics
\nEnsures generation of high-quality, reliable, and actionable data to support program monitoring and decisionmaking.<\/p>\n
Oversee collection, validation, storage, analysis, and reporting of program data
\nLead routine Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) and implement corrective actions
\nStrengthen data completeness, accuracy, timeliness, and consistency across all sites
\nIntegrate and analyze data from routine HMIS, MPDSR, HFA, and POMS systems
\nDevelop dashboards and visualization tools for real-time performance tracking
\nConduct advanced data analysis to identify trends, gaps, and performance variations<\/p>\n
3. Performance Monitoring and Results Management
\nEnsures effective tracking of program performance and timely identification of gaps requiring corrective action.<\/p>\n
Monitor program performance against KPIs, targets, and milestones across all regions
\nTrack performance across high-volume facilities and key service delivery areas including ANC, labour wards, theatres, and neonatal units
\nMonitor service utilization and quality indicators such as facility deliveries, caesarean section rates, ANC coverage, and neonatal outcomes
\nMonitor referral system performance, including ambulance functionality and referral completion
\nEstablish early warning systems to identify underperformance
\nEnsure all data review processes result in documented action points, assigned responsibilities, and followup tracking to strengthen accountability<\/p>\n
4. Cross-Functional Integration and Program Coordination
\nEnsures MERL is fully integrated across implementation, communication, finance, and administrative functions.<\/p>\n
Work closely with implementation teams to ensure data informs service delivery improvements and operational planning
\nCollaborate with communication teams to translate data into evidence-based narratives, success stories, and knowledge products
\nWork with finance teams to link program performance with resource utilization, cost analysis, and valuefor-money assessments
\nSupport administrative teams in aligning planning, logistics, and reporting with MERL requirements
\nMonitor availability and utilization of priority commodities and functionality of critical equipment supporting MNH services
\nEnsure consistency and coherence across programmatic, financial, and operational reporting<\/p>\n
5. Reporting, Compliance and Accountability<\/p>\n
Ensures timely, accurate, and high-quality reporting to donors, government, and stakeholders.<\/p>\n
Lead preparation and submission of quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports
\nEnsure compliance with donor reporting requirements and timelines
\nCoordinate data aggregation and validation across all regions and partners
\nEnsure consistency between reported data and source documentation
\nSupport preparation of technical briefs, presentations, and performance summaries<\/p>\n
6. Learning, Adaptation and Knowledge Management
\nPromotes a culture of continuous learning and ensures evidence informs program adaptation and scale-up.<\/p>\n
Facilitate routine data review and performance reflection meetings at all levels
\nTranslate data into actionable recommendations for program improvement
\nUtilize MPDSR findings, clinical audits, and supervision data to guide quality improvement
\nSupport applied research, implementation studies, and documentation of program evidence
\nContribute to preparation of abstracts, manuscripts, and technical outputs where relevant
\nWork with communication teams to disseminate lessons learned and program evidence
\nPromote cross-regional learning and experience sharing<\/p>\n
7. Capacity Building and Technical Support
\nStrengthens MERL capacity across program teams, partners, and government counterparts.<\/p>\n
Develop and implement MERL capacity-building strategies
\nProvide technical assistance to sub-grantees and implementing partners
\nMentor regional and facility teams on data collection, analysis, and use
\nStrengthen capacity of RHMTs, CHMTs, and facilities in data-driven decision-making
\nSupport institutionalization of MERL practices within government systems
\nPromote teamwork, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing across program teams<\/p>\n
8. Stakeholder Engagement and Systems Strengthening
\nSupports collaboration with government and partners to strengthen national MERL systems.<\/p>\n
Work closely with MoH and PMO-RALG to strengthen national M&E systems
\nCoordinate with external MERL partners, including CDC Foundation, on HFA, POMS, and evaluations
\nRepresent the program in national and regional MERL forums and technical working groups
\nPromote alignment and harmonization of indicators and reporting systems
\nSupport integration of external evaluation findings into program decision-making<\/p>\n
9. Team Leadership and Management<\/p>\n
Provides leadership, supervision, and performance management of the MERL team.<\/p>\n
Directly supervise the MERL Analyst and MERL Officer
\nProvide technical guidance, mentorship, and performance management
\nSet clear objectives and conduct regular performance reviews
\nPromote accountability, teamwork, integrity, and a results-oriented culture
\nSupport professional development and continuous learning within the team<\/p>\n
Qualifications and experience<\/p>\n
Master\u2019s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Health Informatics, or related field
\nMinimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in MEL\/MERL for health programs
\nStrong experience in RMNCAH programming and health systems strengthening
\nDemonstrated experience with DHIS2, HMIS, HFA, and large-scale data systems
\nExperience managing MEL\/MERL systems in donor-funded programs
\nExperience supporting operational or implementation research is an added advantage
\nStrong experience in data analysis, reporting, and evidence use
\nExperience working with government institutions, external evaluation partners, and multi-stakeholder environments<\/p>\n
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