Application Guide

How to Apply for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer

at First Embrace

🏢 About First Embrace

First Embrace is a global charity uniquely focused on scaling WHO-recommended hospital care specifically for neonatal health, with a mission-driven approach to improving outcomes for newborns worldwide. Working here offers the opportunity to contribute directly to evidence-based interventions that save infant lives in resource-limited settings, combining global health expertise with practical implementation.

About This Role

As the MEL Officer at First Embrace, you'll be responsible for collecting and managing both quantitative and qualitative data on neonatal care programs, specifically focusing on Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) practices and counseling sessions. This role is impactful because your data quality work directly informs program improvements that can scale WHO-recommended care to more hospitals, potentially saving more newborn lives through evidence-based interventions.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing nurse-collected KMC data from SurveyCTO, identifying inconsistencies in observation checklist entries, and providing feedback to improve data quality. You could be conducting remote interviews with mothers using semi-structured questionnaires about their care experiences, then analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data to identify patterns in program implementation effectiveness.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who First Embrace Is Looking For

  • Has 3+ years of M&E experience specifically in Nigerian health or development programs, with demonstrated experience in maternal/child health contexts
  • Is proficient with Android-based data collection apps like SurveyCTO or Dimagi CommCare, not just theoretical knowledge but practical implementation experience
  • Has hands-on experience with both quantitative (observation checklists) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) data collection methods in field settings
  • Can demonstrate specific experience in data quality assurance processes for nurse-collected health data, including identifying and correcting inconsistencies

📝 Tips for Applying to First Embrace

1

Quantify your Nigerian M&E experience - specify programs, locations, and health focus areas (e.g., '3 years M&E for maternal health programs in Lagos and Kano states')

2

Provide specific examples of using SurveyCTO or Dimagi CommCare for data collection, including any experience training nurses or healthcare workers on these platforms

3

Mention any experience with neonatal or maternal health data specifically, as this is First Embrace's exclusive focus area

4

Highlight experience with both observation checklists AND semi-structured interviews, as the role requires both quantitative and qualitative methods

5

Include examples of how you've improved data quality in previous roles, particularly with healthcare provider-collected data

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with M&E in Nigerian health programs and why this makes you effective in this context', 'Practical examples of using mobile data collection apps (SurveyCTO/Dimagi CommCare) in field settings, not just classroom knowledge', "Experience with data quality assurance processes for healthcare data and how you've improved data reliability", 'Understanding of WHO neonatal care recommendations and why evidence-based monitoring matters for scaling effective interventions']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → WHO's recommendations on Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) and essential newborn care that First Embrace is scaling
  • → First Embrace's specific programs and geographic focus areas from their website and annual reports
  • → Common challenges in neonatal care implementation in low-resource settings, particularly in Nigeria
  • → Current trends in digital health data collection for maternal and child health programs in Africa
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through your experience designing and implementing data collection for maternal/child health programs in Nigeria
2 How would you train nurses to improve data quality when using mobile data collection apps in hospital settings?
3 Describe a time you identified and corrected data inconsistencies in a health program - what was your process?
4 What challenges have you faced with qualitative data collection (interviews) in healthcare settings and how did you overcome them?
5 How would you ensure data collection doesn't interfere with clinical care delivery in busy neonatal wards?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Generic M&E experience without specific Nigerian context or health program focus
  • Only mentioning data analysis software without demonstrating practical field experience with mobile data collection apps
  • Failing to show understanding of both quantitative AND qualitative methods required for this specific role
  • Not being able to discuss data quality challenges specific to healthcare settings with multiple data collectors

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to First Embrace!

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