Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer, ZCHPP project...

Position Title Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer, ZCHPP project

Requisition Number 15-0198

Post Date 12/22/2015

City Lusaka

Description Location: Lusaka, Zambia
Effective Date: 11 January, 2016

Pact values and supports a diverse work environment.

Position Summary: The MERL Officer will work directly with the M&E/Research Advisor to oversee all program monitoring activities for the ZCHPP Project. The MERL Officer will institute M&E best practices for project monitoring, indicator selection and tracking,
and project reporting. The M&E Coordinator will provide technical support to the design and implementation of monitoring systems and other data systems that support policy and programmatic decision-making by stakeholders. The MERL Officer is responsible for
comprehensive and accurate data collection and analysis of results by both Pact and partner organizations, to improve project implementation.

Core Values: Pact employees embrace the following core values as representatives of the institution:

• all people have a right to participate in decisions affecting their lives
• gender equity is mandatory for social transformation
• resources are allocated in a transparent manner, guided by accountability to our clients and Pact’s role as steward of resources intended for the poor
• diversity in background, gender and age strengthen our capacity to be wise managers of public and private funds
• teamwork and collaboration shape our day-to-day working relationships
• innovation and risk taking to achieve impact and broad scalable results drive strategic priorities
• gathering and sharing information are primary roles for all employees
• staff growth and advancement are a priority, including training and professional skills building to increase knowledge and competence and to stay abreast of new developments, especially in technology
• a healthy balance between work and life outside of work must be maintained for work satisfaction and fulfillment

Key Performance Areas:

• Supervises training, work-quality, and performance of short-term contracted data­ collection officers.
• Supervises the transcription and translation (where applicable) of qualitative data from the field

Specific Duties:

Data quality management responsibilities

• Responsible for the development, measurement, and reporting of qualitative and quantitative output, outcome, and objective level performance indicators.
• Develop relevant M&E tools, formats and leads the provision of M&E specific technical training.
• Monitors data collection, collation, storage, analysis and reporting ensuring that data is of high quality and audit worthy.
• Responsible for supporting the preparation and reviewing of program reports in collaboration with program staff.
• Maintains accurate information in project database as well as accurate and timely electronic files.

Project management responsibilities

• Coordinates or leads regular program monitoring visits to project sites.
• Ensures the production of consolidated reports and agreed action plan for follow up response as needed.
• Supports program implementation team with adaptive management by providing timely information and analysis. Proactively raises concerns/attention about potential opportunities & challenges to allow 'course correction' throughout life of the project.
• Contribute to routine and ad hoc reports to donor, Pact HQ, and Zambian authorities

Research support

• Liaise with research partner and staff on formative studies
• Assist with contacts in communities and electronic data collection
• Logistical support to research teams
• Technical review of research study reports

Preferred Technical Skills and Knowledge Required to meet demands for the job

• Highly experienced in quantitative and qualitative population-based health data collection and analysis
• Able to work in Zambia
• Fluency in local languages spoken in Zambia, preferred
• Excellent report writing skills
• Knowledge of the health NGO sector
• Exceptional cross-cultural skills
• Data-collector training experience
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Knowledge of M&E database programs, experience with DevResults or other cloud-based management information systems preferred
• Knowledge of research methods used for HIV/AIDS studies

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in social sciences
• A master's degree with specialization in research is an added advantage EXPERIENCE
• Previous experience in monitoring and evaluation of bilaterally funded health projects, USAID and PEPFAR preferred
• Good knowledge of data analysis software (preferably SPSS or STATA)
• Experience in working and managing relations with multiple stakeholders
• Fluency in Bemba and English required

Apply On-line