Provincial Strategic Information, Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor at Catholic Relief Services

The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Zambia country program was established in 2000, and administers a varied and diversified portfolio of nutrition, health systems strengthening, food security, economic growth and livelihoods, orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) research and HIV and AIDS programs.  CRS carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas.

BACKGROUND

Catholic Relief Services Zambia is seeking to recruit a Strategic Information, Monitoring and Evaluation (SI/M&E) Advisor for the Epidemic Control 90-90-90 (EpiC 90-90-90) HIV prevention, care and treatment program implemented to scale up HIV Treatment and care in line with the 90:90:90 goal with a view to controlling the HIV epidemic in Zambia.

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Western Province – Provincial Coordinator, the SI/M&E Advisor will work within the EpiC 3-90 Strategic Information team to ensure a functional strategic information system that responds to the project outcomes, through project indicator tracking, generation of program data, deployment and maintenance of the SmartCare electronic medical records system for reporting as well as oversee program and health facility staffs’ activities for quality data and information that is ideal for decision making.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

EpiC 3-90 M&E related activities

• Support the capacity building of EpiC 3-90 facilities on PEPFAR Monitoring & Evaluation Reporting (MER) indicators, as well as SmartCare troubleshooting
• Ensure the timely collection and reporting of activity and data reports from the supported EpiC 3-90 health facilities (monthly, quarterly, semiannual and annually) on all required PEPFAR MER indicators
• Provide routine feedback on key outcome indicators to health facilities and EpiC 3-90 senior management team
• Conduct routine Data Quality Monitoring & Improvement (DQMIS) activities to ensure high level data quality
• Participate in the development of project reports
• Provide technical assistance to promote monitoring and evaluation strategies to facilitate data usage and ownership in a manner that enhances the program and promotes sustainability

EpiC 3-90 Data Demand and Information Use (DDIU) related activities

• Provide technical assistance to sites to design and review data analysis for all program areas and indicators to help identify challenges and opportunities to improve program performance.
• Ensure routine facility data review meetings
• Participate in implementation of workplan activities, meetings for shared experiences, and additional trainings as required
• Gather feedback from site visits to each health facility to assess technical assistance needs, flow of data and provide appropriate capacity building trainings

Represent EpiC 3-90 at provincial and district-level data review activities

• Work collaboratively with other EpiC 3-90 consortium members, increase local capacity for the identification of data needs and the collection, analysis and communication of appropriate information.
•  To perform other responsibilities as assigned by supervisor

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal: EpiC 3-90 Western Province Coordinator, Senior Strategic Information, M&E Advisor, EpiC 3-90 IT Associates, EpiC 3-90 CQI and clinical teams and supported Western Province partner health facilities staff

External: Government of Zambia Ministry of Health (Western Province Health Information Officer; Mwandi, Luampa, Kaoma and Kalabo District Health Information Officers) and HIV/AIDS agencies, PEPFAR implementing partners, other international and stakeholders.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• First degree in public health, demography, epidemiology, sociology, biostatistics, statistics, or a related field
• 3-5 years of experience implementing strategic information/monitoring & evaluation activities in Zambia (PEPFAR project experience will be an advantage)
• Good knowledge and understanding of the Zambian HIV/AIDS response and its Health Management Information Systems
• Good knowledge of the PEPFAR Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting (MER) requirements
• Ability to navigate through SmartCare and the PEPFAR reporting system – DATIM
• Demonstrated experience providing technical support to health facilities
• Good writing and presentation skills for reporting on program country teams, stakeholders and the funders
• Strong team building skills and experience and ability to adapt to dynamic cultural environments
• Ability to work independently and with flexibility to manage high volume work flow and concurrent activities/deliverables
• Relevant computer software skills (Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access), as well as statistical analysis programs e.g. Stata. SPSS
• Related post-graduate qualification will be an advantage

Must be available for domestic travel up to 80% of the time

Agency-wide Competencies: These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.

• Trusting Relationships
• Professional Growth
• Partnership
• Accountability

CRS’ talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Note: By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

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