Application Guide

How to Apply for Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Manager

at Notify Health

🏢 About Notify Health

Notify Health is a unique nonprofit startup leveraging Nigeria's widespread mobile phone usage to solve a critical public health challenge: ensuring children receive life-saving immunizations. Unlike traditional health organizations, they use simple SMS and automated voice calls integrated with existing government systems, making this role ideal for someone passionate about innovative, tech-enabled solutions in global health.

About This Role

As MEL Manager at Notify Health, you'll own end-to-end data processes for vaccination reminder programs, from processing diverse data sources (paper register photos, SurveyCTO, phone surveys) to executing mission-critical tasks like caregiver enrollment and health worker reimbursement. This role directly impacts program effectiveness by ensuring accurate monitoring and supporting a growing team of MEL Officers.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing incoming paper register photos from health facilities, auditing SurveyCTO submissions for data quality issues, updating dashboards for program oversight, and coaching MEL Officers on data processing techniques. You'll also handle sensitive operational tasks like verifying health worker reimbursement claims and troubleshooting caregiver enrollment into the SMS reminder system.

🎯 Who Notify Health Is Looking For

  • Has 3-5 years of hands-on MEL experience specifically in health or development programs, with proven ability to process diverse data sources like SurveyCTO submissions and paper register photos
  • Possesses a Master's degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, or related field with strong practical data skills (not just theoretical knowledge)
  • Has experience managing 2-3 data/MEL staff in a fast-paced environment, with coaching and hiring experience
  • Is comfortable with both technical data work and sensitive operational tasks like health worker reimbursement in a startup nonprofit context

📝 Tips for Applying to Notify Health

1

Highlight specific experience with SurveyCTO or similar mobile data collection platforms used in global health programs

2

Demonstrate how you've managed diverse data sources (paper, digital, phone surveys) in past roles, not just clean datasets

3

Show examples of both technical MEL work AND people management in health/development contexts

4

Research Nigeria's immunization challenges and how mobile technology addresses them to show genuine interest

5

Emphasize experience with operational MEL tasks (like enrollment systems or reimbursement) beyond just data analysis

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your hands-on experience with diverse data sources (paper registers, mobile surveys) in health programs', 'Specific examples of managing MEL staff and supporting their development', "How you've balanced technical data work with sensitive operational tasks in past roles", "Why Notify Health's mobile-based approach to immunization appeals to you personally and professionally"]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Nigeria's Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and current vaccination coverage challenges
  • Notify Health's specific SMS/voice call technology and how it integrates with government systems
  • Common data collection methods used in Nigerian health programs (paper registers, mobile surveys)
  • Startup nonprofit operational challenges in the global health space
Visit Notify Health's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through how you would audit and process paper register photos alongside digital SurveyCTO submissions
2 Describe your approach to managing a team of MEL Officers in a remote, fast-paced startup environment
3 How would you ensure data quality for caregiver enrollment into SMS reminder systems?
4 What experience do you have with health worker reimbursement processes in development programs?
5 How would you adapt MEL processes for a mobile-based intervention in Nigeria's specific context?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on high-level evaluation frameworks without demonstrating hands-on data processing skills
  • Generic management experience without specific examples of managing MEL/data staff
  • Treating this as a pure data analysis role without showing understanding of operational MEL tasks

📅 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 Notify Health!