Application Guide
How to Apply for MERL Consultant
at Last Mile Health
🏢 About Last Mile Health
Last Mile Health is a pioneering global health organization that partners with governments to design, scale, and strengthen community health systems in remote, rural areas. What makes them unique is their deep commitment to health equity and their innovative approach to training and deploying community health workers to reach the most marginalized populations. Working here means contributing to a mission-driven organization that has demonstrated measurable impact in reducing preventable deaths in some of the world's hardest-to-reach communities.
About This Role
As a MERL Consultant at Last Mile Health, you'll be the operational backbone for monitoring and evaluation systems, ensuring field data from community health programs is accurate, timely, and transformed into insights for decision-making. This role is impactful because you'll directly support programs that save lives in remote areas by strengthening data systems that track community health worker performance, service delivery, and health outcomes. Your work enables program teams to learn, adapt, and demonstrate the effectiveness of Last Mile Health's model.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve cleaning and validating a new ODK dataset from a community health worker survey in Liberia, then updating DHIS2 indicators to reflect the latest monthly performance data. You could spend the afternoon troubleshooting a Looker Studio dashboard with the MERL team to ensure field staff can easily access key metrics, followed by preparing logistical support materials for an upcoming impact evaluation data collection trip. Collaboration is constant, as you'll work closely with program teams to translate data into actionable insights for improving service delivery.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Last Mile Health Is Looking For
- Has 3+ years of hands-on MERL experience specifically with community-based health programs in low-resource settings, not just general data analysis
- Is proficient with the exact tools mentioned: DHIS2 for routine monitoring, Looker Studio for dashboards, and ODK for field data collection and management
- Possesses a practical, problem-solving mindset to troubleshoot data system issues and strengthen dashboard functionality for non-technical users
- Has experience supporting impact evaluation studies in field settings, including providing logistical and technical support for data collection activities
📝 Tips for Applying to Last Mile Health
Explicitly quantify your experience with DHIS2, Looker Studio, and ODK in your resume—mention specific projects, datasets managed, and dashboards you've built or maintained
Highlight any experience with community health worker programs, primary care systems, or health systems strengthening in your work history, as this is the organization's core focus
Demonstrate your understanding of data quality assurance in low-resource settings by describing specific methods you've used to ensure data accuracy, timeliness, and completeness in past roles
Tailor your application to show how you've translated data into actionable insights for program learning—provide concrete examples of how your analysis led to program adjustments or decisions
Research and reference Last Mile Health's specific programs or geographic focus areas (like Liberia or Ethiopia) to show genuine interest in their model and mission
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your hands-on experience with the specific tech stack: DHIS2, Looker Studio, and ODK, including examples of how you've used them for monitoring community health programs", 'Your ability to support field-based data collection in challenging environments, emphasizing logistical and technical problem-solving skills', 'Your track record of collaborating with MERL teams to troubleshoot data system issues and improve dashboard functionality for end-users', "Your passion for Last Mile Health's mission of strengthening community health systems and reaching remote populations, linking it to your professional background"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Last Mile Health's partnership model with governments to scale community health systems—review their annual reports or case studies from countries like Liberia
- → Their specific MERL frameworks or publications on community health worker performance monitoring and data use
- → Their use of technology in community health, such as their digital health tools or data platforms mentioned in blog posts or project descriptions
- → Their recent impact evaluation studies or research initiatives to understand their approach to evidence generation
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic application that doesn't mention DHIS2, Looker Studio, or ODK—these are non-negotiable tools for this role
- Focusing only on high-level data analysis without demonstrating experience in the hands-on, operational aspects of MERL like data cleaning, validation, and field support
- Failing to connect your experience to community health, primary care, or health systems strengthening—this role requires specific context, not just general MERL skills
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Last Mile Health!