Hi, I’m Dr John Ibitoye

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About

John O. Ibitoye

Program Design, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Leader | Disease Surveillance & Research Specialist | Data Science Enthusiast | Principal Partner @ MEL Lab

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning expert with over 15 years of demonstrable experience in strengthening organizational capacity, carrying out qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method research and evaluations, managing data and using evidence to inform and guide the design and implementation of humanitarian and development interventions.

Professional Experience

Country Program MEAL Coordinator, Nigeria.

Dec 2021 - Present

Catholic Relief Services

  • Responsible for providing strategic direction and strengthening the MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) system across projects. Led the development of high-quality monitoring tools, ensured accountability, and facilitated cross-learning. Collaborated with program teams and senior leadership to ensure compliance with global MEAL standards, while fostering a culture of continuous learning and capacity building among staff. Coordinated the implementation of the country program’s learning agenda and supported the rollout of new MEAL policies and procedures.

Principal Partner, Monitoring Evaluation & Learning Lab (MELLAB®)

Dec 2021 - Present
  • Provide overall strategic leadership, guiding the firm’s growth and business development efforts. Oversee technical operations, ensuring high-quality service delivery and innovation in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEAL) practices. Spearhead client relations, drive new business opportunities, and lead the development of cutting-edge solutions tailored to diverse project needs

MEL & Data for Delivery Lead, Palladium FCDO Lafiya Project

Oct 2020 - Nov 2021

Palladium: Make It Possible

  • Led the technical and budgetary management of LAFIYA’s output 2, enhancing the capacity of Nigeria’s government to generate and use health and demographic data for decision-making. Provided MEL leadership across consortium partners, achieving an A-rating in the FCDO Annual Program Review

Director of Strategic Information, ARFH-USAID/ICHSSA 2

Aug 2020 - Oct 2020
  • Developed and implemented the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan, overseeing research and knowledge management activities. Served as Principal Investigator for the Joint Gender Assessment and High-Risk Adolescent Hotspot Mapping in Lagos. Led data collection systems for tracking the health and wellbeing of Orphans and Vulnerable Children and managed the project’s database for performance reporting. Conducted capacity-building efforts for government ministries, local government M&E officers, and CBO staff.

Country MEL Lead, Palladium-USAID/HP+ Project

Feb 2019 - Apr 2020

Palladium: Make It Possible

  • Led the design and implementation of the M&E component, including developing the Theory of Change, M&E Framework, and learning agenda for the project. Managed knowledge management and capacity-building efforts, producing over 20 knowledge products, and mentoring state-level CSO networks. Facilitated quarterly reviews and learning events, reported project deliverables through donor platforms, and contributed to the national OVC M&E system. Successfully designed and implemented the first-ever Tracer Study on OVC Household Graduation in Nigeria.

Monitoring and Evaluation Director -USAID/STEER

Jul 2018 - Jan 2019

Save the Children US

  • Led the update of the project’s performance monitoring plan and coordinated all M&E activities for the STEER project. Ensured alignment with project goals, implemented the Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) plan, and oversaw project reviews and evaluations. Facilitated accountability assessments and achieved 99% HIV testing coverage among beneficiary households. Produced key knowledge products and successfully prepared the project team for the USAID/SIMS Assessment, earning a 100% score.

Technical Advisor- MEAL, CRS-USAID/4Children Projec

Jan 2017 - Jul 2018

Catholic Relief Services

  • Led the design and implementation of the M&E component, including the M&E Framework, Plan, and Theory of Change. Developed the project learning agenda, managed knowledge management, and produced over 20 knowledge products, including technical briefs and research reports. Coordinated project activity tracking, reported key deliverables to USAID, and contributed to the review of national OVC M&E tools. Designed and led Nigeria’s first-ever Tracer Study on OVC Household Graduation, and trained 30 states' CSO Networks and government agencies on project learning and reporting

Assistant Manager Research, M&E, Lagos, SFH-Nigeria

Dec 2014 - Sep 2016

Society for Family Health Nigeria

  • Coordinated the design and implementation of MEL plans for 10 projects, including USAID, DfID, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-funded initiatives. Harmonized M&E plans to align with the Society for Family Health (SFH) strategic plan and quality-assured project data for accurate donor reporting. Led the rollout of an organization-wide database and established M&E systems for HIV prevention services. Conducted quarterly data quality assessments, achieving a variance of less than 3% across all indicators. Published 8 editions of SFH’s quarterly impact factsheet and successfully implemented 16 operational research activities.

Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Makurdi, SFH-Nigeria

Aug 2012 - Dec 2014
  • Managed the implementation of Monitoring and Evaluation activities across Oyo, Kwara and Osun states(August 2012-July 2013) and in Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau states(July 2013 – Dec 2014) for the USAID/ESMPIN Project: Managed the implementation of Monitoring and Evaluation activities for the USAID/ESMPIN Project across Oyo, Kwara, and Osun states (Aug 2012 - July 2013) and later in Benue, Nasarawa, and Plateau states (July 2013 - Dec 2014). Oversaw M&E strategies to ensure data accuracy and compliance with project objectives, contributing to improved health outcomes in the targeted regions

Other Roles

Qualitative Data Analysis and Report Writing Consultant, eHealth Africa

Dec 2023 - Jun 2024

Research Consultant, World Bank/FCT Agency for Control of AIDS

Feb 2010 - Aug 2012

Ass. Project Coordinator, WHO/Unilorin Centre for Manpower Development

Oct. 2011 – Jan.2012

TB Surveillance Consultant/Data Analyst, Kwara State TB/Leprosy & HIV/ AIDS Control Program, Ilorin

July 2011 – Jan. 2012

State Project Manager (Viral Hepatitis Eradication Project), Excellence Foundation International (EFI Health) Inc. Ilorin

March 2009 – June 2009

Program Manager, NYSC HIV/AIDS Awareness Club, Ardo-Kola LGA, Taraba, Nigeria

Aug.2008 – Aug. 2009

Summary of Services

  • Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning system design and rollout
  • Needs assessment, research & project evaluation design and Implementation.
  • Transcription of voice files and thematic analysis of qualitative data
  • Literature review, including systematic review and meta-analysis.
  • Quantitative data analysis including using machine learning techniques.
  • Project database design and re-design
  • Data Quality Assessments
  • Technical report writing
  • Independent Verification & Third-Party Monitoring Services
  • Capacity building on Innovative MEAL Approaches, Data analysis, Data visualization
  • Mentorship on MEAL Management & Leadership

Highlight of Skills

  • Mixed Methods Research
  • Qualitative Data Analysis
  • Machine Learning
  • Performance Monitoring & Evaluation
  • Operational/Implementation Research
  • Capacity Strengthening
  • Technical Report Writing
  • Leadership
  • Budget Preparation and Management
  • Team Coaching and Supervision
  • Project Execution
  • Relationship Building and Management
  • Interpersonal and Communication Skill

Contact

Address

Mabushi, Abuja, Nigeria

Call Us

+234 803 637 6140

Email Us

olujohnolu@gmail.com