Senior M&E Officer

Malaria Consortium is recruiting for a Senior Research, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer to join our team in Niger State.

Job purpose:

The Senior Research/M&E Officer will conduct research, MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) activity which includes data validation, DQA, coordination meetings, capacity building in data quality and supportive supervisory visits to strengthen health management information system in SMC-VAS Campaign project in the state. S/he will assist and report to the Country M&E Manager regarding the monitoring and evaluation of project activities.

Scope of work:

The incumbent will work as part of the project team under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager and Public Health Specialist with technical guidance of the Country MEL Manager and indirectly through the PF-Programme Director for the attainment of the project goal.

Key working relationships:

The Senior Research M&E officer working under the line-management of the Program Manager with dotted line to the Country MEL manager and in close collaboration with the National, State, LGA, community actors, other stakeholders and partners, not limited to NPHCDA, State PHCDA, FMoH, NMEP, SPHCDA, Vitamin Angels, would deliver aspects of the project as per the specified job tasks and expected deliverables.

Key accountabilities:

Technical contributions 50%

• Plan and implement M&E activities related to SMC – VAS integrated campaign in the approved work plan under the guidance of the Public Health Specialist/ Senior Country Technical Coordinator
• Serve as the focal person for all monitoring and evaluation related work for the project while providing technical MEL support to the state.
• Support in the development of the MEL plan including the evaluation protocol for the implementation research for the project.
• Ensure high quality data are available on a regular and timely basis for programmatic decision making.
• Manage the data-gathering processes for results and performance monitoring, before, during and after the integrated SMC - VAS drug administration.
• Support the Microplanning for the SMC VAS integrated campaigns.
• Work with the Digital health hub to ensure M&E and survey tools are ready and properly deployed during MDAs for Vitamin A and surveys.
• Coordinate the documentation of SMC – VAS integrated campaign activities in form of reports and ensure proper archiving of such for easy access and reference.
• Assist project manager to develop robust monitoring plans for quantitative and qualitative reporting on project performance indicators.
• Adapt and maintain a high-quality database for the project in line with the regional standards.
• Contribute to work plans, sub agreements, budgets, pipelines, technical reports, and deliverables.
• Routinely monitor project performance against targets and prepare periodic reports on M&E activities for SMC – VAS integrated campaign.
• Participate in project assessments, evaluations and design including development of survey protocols for the delivery of Vitamin A during SMC and the IMNCH platforms.

Program Management (10%)

• Work with the project team to support SMEP, Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency NPHCDA and SMoH staff with coordinating program management activities, by ensuring that the recommended coordination meetings hold at the LGA and state levels.
• Work with NMEP, SMEP, state and LGA Ministry of Health, staff to ensure that quality data are obtained from all health facilities and community during mass drug administration of Vitamin A and evaluation surveys for SMC-VAS integrated platform and the IMNCH platform.
• Ensure monitoring and supervisory visits during SMC-VAS mass drug administration, in Niger and Bauchi states and ensure that action plans are developed for identified gaps.
• Support health facilities with ensuring that all items in the action plans are addressed and all outstanding gaps are closed.

Accountability (10%)

• Support programming staff to engage key populations in monitoring and evaluating program’s performance and to incorporate participatory methods into M&E systems on the project.
• Orient program staff and partners on the basic principles and practices of beneficiary accountability in Nigeria.
• Support the development and implementation of feedback and response channels to reflect the preferences of community members and beneficiaries.
• Ensure that beneficiary feedback is adequately documented, addressed, analysed, and utilized by program teams.

Knowledge Management and Learning (20%)

• Ensure that state M&E and program teams regularly review and accordingly adjust M&E plans and tools in the light of changes and needs in the field context based on monitoring data and reflection sessions.
• Support learning-to-action events and reflection sessions to systematically analyse data for programmatic use for the state, and to document and incorporate lessons learned into program design and implementation.
• Conduct regular data review and analysis for feedback to states for program improvement, and for updates to national level (MC and government).
• Support program staff in key activities including development of a learning agenda, organizing regular learning events, supporting operations research, and reflecting, documentation, and communication of learning initiatives.
• Support knowledge management systems and practices to gather, document and share best practices with project team, MC country office, government and technical partners. Collaborate with M&E and program staff to develop learning briefs, project bulletins and other materials for dissemination.
• Promote adoption of the best practices in knowledge management by other project staff and government partners.

Representation (10%):

• Liaise with technical counterparts in the State Ministry of Health, and other local stakeholders engaged in malaria activities in Nigeria.
• Participate in events/ meetings related to Monitoring, Evaluation and research, including quarterly Principal Recipient and Sub-recipients quarterly review meetings.
• Actively participate in the M&E Community of Practice and government M&E staff.

Person specification:

Qualifications and experience:        

Essential:      

• A bachelor’s or master’s Degree in statistics, demography, mathematics, public health, or any other relevant quantitative relevant discipline
• Minimum of 6-years’ experience and at least 3 years’ experience working in a research role with an excellent understanding of operational research approaches.
• Demonstrable contextual knowledge of local issues, community priorities, social and cultural constraints and realities related to community assessment, project design, evaluation, and implementation.
• Cognate experience in monitoring and evaluation of community-based interventions is highly desirable.
• Experience in managing HMIS and CLMS as well as familiarity with Nigerian public sector health systems will be added advantages. Eg DHIS 2
• Experience in survey design and implementation, development of data bases and analysis and write up of survey results.
• Demonstrated skills in data management and quantitative data analysis.

Desirable: 

• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Appreciable knowledge in communicable disease control, particularly malaria.
• Previous experience in providing M&E technical support in the implementation of mass campaign such as Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention - SMC/ Insecticide-Treated Nets-ITN.
• Experience in working effectively with government and non-government partners.

Work-based skills and competencies:           

Essential:      

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team, including with Ministries of Health and/or other government partners.
• A solid understanding of health systems strengthening.
• Proficiency in database management especially DHIS; Excel, Word, PowerPoint and demonstrable experience with statistical software packages and GIS mapping skills (STATA, R, CSPro, Power BI, Atlas ti, NVIVO, SPSS, Epi Info).
• Strong analytical skills and experience interpreting a strategic vision into an operational model.
• Proven writing, communication and presentation skills in English.
• A collaborative and flexible style, with a strong service mentality.
• Facilitation and coordination skills.
• The ideal candidate must be attentive to detail, highly organised, flexible and self-motivated with excellent communication skills in written and oral communication.
• He/she must clearly display the ability to effectively prioritise and perform tasks to meet tight deadlines.

Desirable: 

• Skills in qualitative research

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.