Public Health Researcher And Monitoring, Evaluation And Learning (Mel) Manager

Amend; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A non-profit organization is seeking a Research and Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL) Manager based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The role involves managing evaluation frameworks, conducting data analysis, and leading research initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa to enhance road safety programmes. Ideal candidates hold a Master's in Public Health and have five years of relevant experience, alongside strong skills in data management and research publication.

Qualifications

• At least five years of relevant professional experience on donor-financed projects in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Strong experience in MEL and research, including publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience working across multiple African countries with diverse colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Review and strengthen the MEL of flagship programmes.
• Design evaluations for safety training programmes.
• Manage data collection and analysis across countries.

Skills

Study conceptualization and design

Database management

Regression modeling

Primary data collection

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions

Data collection tool creation and management

Manuscript preparation and submission for peer-reviewed publication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject

Master's in Public Health (MPH) or similar

PhD

Tools

SAS software

Job description

Public Health Researcher and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager

Globally, road traffic injuries (RTIs) claim over 1.2 million lives every year, with children and young people among the most affected.

Sub‑Saharan Africa has the world's most dangerous roads, and rates of RTI are increasing as road networks expand and vehicle ownership rises.

Amend is a non‑profit organization that develops, implements, evaluates, and scales public health programs to prevent RTI across Africa.

Our work includes

• Designing and implementing localized infrastructure improvements to increase pedestrian safety
• Delivering road safety education programs
• Providing training for high‑risk groups such as commercial motorcycle riders

Advocating for safer road design and policies for vulnerable road users; and

Conducting scientific research on the causes and effects of RTI.

All of Amend's programmatic work is rigorously evaluated for efficacy and impact.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that "the interventions promoted by Amend are perfectly in line with those being promoted by the WHO."

Amend is registered as a non‑profit organization in the United States and France, with offices in Ghana, Mozambique, and Tanzania, and runs programs in multiple countries across Sub‑Saharan Africa.

About the Role

Job title: Research and Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL) Manager

Location: The position will be based either at Amend's co‑working space in Johannesburg, South Africa (where several other Amend team members are based) or at Amend's office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. In either case, the candidate must already have pre‑existing residence in the respective country. Amend is not registered in South Africa (and will not be). Therefore, if based in Johannesburg, this will be a contract position. The role will also require significant travel within Sub‑Saharan Africa.

Period: Full time as a contractor, with an initial annual contract (January – December, including a three‑month probation period) and, potentially, renewable year on year contracts thereafter.

Salary: Salary commensurate with experience, denominated in US dollars.

Reporting: Direct reporting, on a case by case basis, to Research Director (a board member), Program Director, or Executive Director.

At Amend, we recognize the critical importance of undertaking research and of tracking and evaluating the impact of our work to strengthen and scale life‑saving interventions. We have conducted numerous studies – including population‑based impact evaluations and descriptive studies – published in peer‑reviewed journals. For example, evaluations of our School Area Road Safety Assessments and Improvements (SARSAI) programme and other interventions have demonstrated measurable impact, underscoring our commitment to evidence‑based programming. Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL) of our programmes is equally crucial, both to track progress and demonstrate results to funding partners. We use logical frameworks and other tools to ensure robust accountability and learning.

Key Responsibilities

During the first 12 months, responsibilities may include (but are not limited to) activities such as:

• Reviewing and strengthening the MEL of our flagship Safe Schools Africa programme, through which we support governments to design safe pedestrian infrastructure on major road development projects.
• Designing an evaluation of our motorcycle taxi rider safety training programme, selecting appropriate methodologies to establish credible comparisons between treatment and control groups.
• Understanding and improving MEL systems across existing programmes.
• Managing data collection, analysis, and reporting across multiple countries and partners.

In the longer term, responsibilities are likely to include:

• Designing and managing a multi‑country impact evaluation of the Safe Schools Africa programme.
• Leading the evaluation of the motorcycle taxi rider safety training programme and other initiatives.
• Contributing to research publications and dissemination of findings to inform policy and practice.
• Presenting Amend's work at international conferences and meetings.

Profile of Suitable Candidate

Education

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant subject – essential
• Master's in Public Health (MPH) or similar – essential
• PhD – preferred

Must have a broad understanding of data collection, management, analysis, and interpretation. Must be scientifically rigorous, while understanding the realities of primary data collection in challenging environments. Other relevant qualifications and experience are highly appreciated.

Experience

• At least five years of demonstrable, relevant professional experience on donor‑financed projects in Sub‑Saharan Africa – essential
• Strong experience in MEL and research, including developing and managing complex frameworks and publishing in peer‑reviewed journals – essential
• Experience working in the non‑profit or public service sector and on community‑based programmes – essential
• Experience working across multiple African countries with a diverse group of colleagues – essential

Mandatory Skills

• Study conceptualization and design
• Database management
• Regression modeling
• Primary data collection
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Institutional Review Board (IRB) submissions
• Data collection tool creation and management
• Manuscript preparation and submission for peer‑reviewed publication

Preferred Skills

• Bayesian statistics
• Injury epidemiology
• SAS software proficiency
• Survival analysis
• Knowledge of and experience in public health – essential

Knowledge of and experience in road safety – preferable

Fluency in written and spoken English, including ability to draft journal papers – essential

Good knowledge of one or more other languages commonly used in Sub‑Saharan Africa (e.g. French, Portuguese, or Swahili) – preferable

Competence with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and specialized software related to MEL and research – essential

Ability to proactively overcome challenges while guiding towards strategic goals – essential

Entrepreneurial approach to problem‑solving and ability to work independently – essential

Flexibility and adaptability to work within a dynamic, growing organization – essential

Willingness to travel frequently across Sub‑Saharan Africa and beyond – essential

To Apply

To apply for the position of Research and MEL Manager, please send an email of interest (in English) to:

Your email must include:

• Your CV, demonstrating that you fit the profile for this role
• A statement (= words) explaining why you are interested in the position
• How you heard about the position (e.g. Amend website, LinkedIn, personal contact, etc.)

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted with further information.

Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Research

Industries: Non‑profit Organizations

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