Monitoring & Evaluation Manager

The Monitoring and Evaluation Manager position, based in Isando, is a senior technical role within The Aurum Institute, a prominent public health organisation. The incumbent will be responsible for managing and implementing effective monitoring, evaluation, research and learning systems that track programme performance, monitor implementation and outcomes, and identify gaps for corrective action. Working within donor-funded public health programmes, with a strong emphasis on TB and HIV/AIDS, the role provides strategic and technical MERL leadership to project staff at both district and facility levels. The position requires close collaboration with provincial and district TB/HIV managers to ensure programme and grant objectives are achieved, while also building and maintaining stakeholder partnerships through participation in district MERL meetings, workshops and technical discussions.

Candidates must hold an applicable Master’s degree and/or an NQF Level 7 or higher qualification in Public Health, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Statistics, Health Informatics, Information Management, Data Management, Health Information Systems or a related field. A minimum of seven to ten years’ experience designing, managing and implementing results-based MERL activities is required, preferably within public or private health programmes, including TB/HIV/AIDS. At least five years of supervisory experience is essential, along with practical experience establishing and managing MERL systems, mentoring staff and building capacity. Applicants must also have at least three years’ operational experience using national health information systems such as EDR.Web, TIER.Net, DHIS and HPRS, as well as experience working with donor-funded programmes and sound knowledge of the South African Department of Health, including its policies, management structures and health information systems. Strong report writing, analytical and oral presentation skills are required, together with the ability to develop clear graphs, dashboards and data visualisations for public health data, particularly TB and HIV/AIDS data. Critical thinking, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills are essential, as is the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines. Experience managing knowledge products and sharing programme results and lessons learned is also expected. The role demands proficient computer literacy, including intermediate skills in basic programming languages, relational databases, operating systems, spreadsheets and graphics tools. A valid driver’s licence, access to own reliable transport, willingness to travel overnight by land or air up to 30 percent, and willingness to work overtime are all required, along with South African citizenship or a valid work permit.

The main duties include liaising with stakeholders, developing robust MERL systems to capture and report high-quality, timely, valid and verifiable programme results, and implementing a data analytics framework for grant activities and indicators. The manager will conduct MERL needs assessments, baselines, routine data quality assessments, spot checks, onsite data verification, programme evaluations and rapid assessments, and develop actions to address identified gaps. Responsibilities also include developing work plan tracking indicators and targets, overseeing the development and maintenance of a comprehensive project database, supporting the development of grant workplans, data collection tools and standard operating procedures, and tracking progress against agreed targets. The role provides MERL technical assistance on data analytics, reporting and data use for decision-making through mentorship and training at district and facility levels, and promotes evidence-based decision-making for continuous quality improvement through feedback, training, capacity building and regular data review meetings. The manager will supervise and capacitate grant-related MERL staff, oversee the full data lifecycle from collection and validation through to analysis, interpretation, visualisation and reporting, and lead the analysis, writing and review of results and learning sections of programme reports, ensuring compliance with MERL data quality requirements and timely submission.

These appointments are subject to the preferred candidates obtaining the necessary security clearance, reference checking and competency assessment. The organisation embraces employment equity and is committed to achieving fair and equal representation of its workforce, with preference given to internal applicants and candidates from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. Applications from persons with disabilities are welcomed. While all applications are carefully considered, only short-listed applicants will be interviewed, and those who do not receive feedback within 21 days of the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful. Interviewed applicants will receive feedback as part of the organisation’s continued drive towards people development. The position offers a market-related salary and is an excellent opportunity for an experienced M&E professional to contribute meaningfully to public health outcomes in South Africa.