Strategic Information/ Monitoring, Evaluating and Learning Advisor at Panagora Group

• The SI/MEL Advisor drives regional data analytic initiatives and provides country specific support to PEPFAR monitoring and evaluation activities and strategic information teams, when called upon, especially during peak work cycles such as during preparation and submission of the Country Operational Plans (COPs) and during quarterly program performance reporting cycles. S/he engages in all aspects of data analyses for effective program planning, including assistance with UNAIDS EPP/Spectrum modeled estimates; assisting with routine program performance reporting, including quarterly, semi-annual, and annual PEPFAR reports, portfolio reviews; assistance with surveillance studies, Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) PHIAs, size-estimations, and other special studies.

Under the supervision of RHO’s Team Lead for Program Analytics, or his/her designate, the major duties and responsibilities for this position will include but not be limited to:

Strategic Information Support to USAID Missions teams (50%)

• Lead quarterly, semi-annual, and annual performance reports to understand USAID/PEPFAR program performance across the region.
• Provide strategic information support to USAID Missions and host country stakeholders in the region across program planning and implementation cycles.
• Provide guidance and support to USAID/PEPFAR implementing partners and government counterparts to develop and implement program monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans
• Strengthen the cap acity of USAID/PEPFAR implementing partners and government counterparts in using data to inform policy and programmatic decisions.
• Provide guidance and support to USAID/PEPFAR implementing partners in the development and implementation of program/project/activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plans
• Advise USAID Missions teams on specific measurement techniques appropriate for their programs/projects/activities, including reviewing partner activity work plans and monitoring plans to ensure relevant and effective performance measures, and defining indicators that appropriately measure anticipated outcomes and results.
• Assist in the development, implementation, and analysis related to special studies, surveys, and surveillance activities, including both qualitative and quantitative studies, such as demographic health surveys (DHS), population-based HIV impact assessments (PHIAs), violence against children surveys (VACS), Integrated HIV Bio-behavioral surveillance survey (IBBS), etc.
• Work with country SI leads to ensure that survey and surveillance findings and performance data are integrated into program decision-making and partner work plans.
• Provide mentorship to RHO technical staff and RHO client country staff on MEL concepts, processes, and design, including novel analytical approaches to advance data use for decision making.

Regional Leadership and Knowledge Management (35%)

• Develop data-driven products, requiring independent analysis and interpretation on regional health outcomes for informational, advocacy, and coordination purposes; prepare visually compelling briefs and presentations with findings and recommendations.
• Develop effective implementation approaches to institutionalize high quality monitoring, evaluation, and reporting across RHO client countries in the region.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and transfer across regional program and strategic information teams to improve analytic approaches, facilitate uptake of best practices, and inform new strategies.
• Identify and disseminate best practices in data visualization and data storytelling.
• Represent USAID, as appropriate , on relevant technical working groups and in technical discussions on issues related to strategic information approaches.
• Organize and share epidemiological and programmatic data, analyses, and tools with USG partners and other international organizations in the region e.g.: UNAIDS, Global Fund, International Organization for Migration (IOM).
• Perform other duties as assigned by the RHO Director and/or RHO Deputy Director.

Collaboration and Continuous Learning (15%)

• Maintain effective working relationships with colleagues in USAID Global Health Bureau’s Office of HIV/AIDS (OHA’s) Strategic Information Evaluation and Informatics (SIEI) division, as well as RHO client country SI teams to keep abreast of evolving SI related needs across USAID programs.
• Keep abreast of current public health literature, reports, international guidelines, standards, and best practices; Attend courses, seminars, conferences, or participate in other learning and professional development opportunities related to the core job function and needed to maintain and update professional knowledge.
• Attend and/or present at regional meetings, conferences on SI, epidemiology, and other relevant topics.
• Work closely with relevant regional multilateral and bilateral stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaboration and coordination of strategic information activities at the regional level.
• Other activities as assigned

Requirements

Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in a social science e.g.: Epidemiology, Public Health, Public Health Informatics, Statistics, mathematics,
• I n-depth , professional-level knowledge of methods for performance analysis, data visualization, and program design, monitoring, and evaluation required .
• A dvanced quantitative and qualitative data management and data-analysis skills, and advanced knowledge of MS Excel and applications such as, DATIM/DHIS2, Stata or SPSS or SAS or R, EPP/Spectrum, ArcGIS and Tableau required .
• Knowledge of principles, theories, methods, and procedures of statistical analysis and research design, related to epidemiology and biostatistics.
• Exceptional Data storytelling skills, including the ability to develop a compelling narrative based on complex data and analytics to help tell, influence or inform a particular audience.
• Able to communicate effectively, both verbally and visually, to high level decision-makers on technical matters, including topics that may be outside of his/her area of expertise.
• F amiliarity with program monitoring and reporting in resource-poor environments with varying levels of health information systems maturity required .
• Demonstrate understanding PEPFAR monitoring and evaluation and reporting (MER) guidance, including ability to exercise considerable ingenuity in applying new and evolving reporting guidelines and novel analytical approaches across different settings.
• Demonstrate ability to resolve problems that arise by determining the approaches and methodologies to be used, and to make defensible judgments under such circumstances.
• Able to provide technical advisory services and technical assistance to USAID Operating Units on PEPFAR SI practices, including completion of various operational planning and reporting tools, such as the FAST, End of Fiscal Year reporting, Facts Info, and PEPFAR Next Gen tools, as well as implementation and analysis of Data Quality Assessment (DQA) Methodologies and Site Inspection and Monitoring Systems (SIMS).
• Demonstrate leadership and coordination skills, including ability to deal effectively and diplomatically with a variety of stakeholders, including multiple U.S. government agencies, implementing partners (IPs) - international and local - multilateral organizations, and other donors.
• Familiarity with USAID program/project management cycles to assist with program design, implementation, and the achievement of results in the course of providing technical assistance .
• Understanding of development problems in the health sector in the region.
• Ab le to respond professionally and adjust in fluid situations to meet deadlines in the face of competing priorities and time pressures.
• Able to travel regularly (up to 60% LOE) within the southern Africa region and beyond, as required.
• Excellent verbal and written English language skills.
• Proven capacity to take the initiative and willingness to learn new skills as needed.
• Strong work ethic and the ability to work well independently and as part of a multidisciplinary, culturally diverse team.

Work Experience:

• Five years of progressively responsible job-related professional-level experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) and other surveillance systems, evaluation of program/project/activity implementation, in direct program/project/activity management, or in a closely related activity is required . At least two years of this experience in a development-oriented workplace, or a related field, for USAID, other donor agencies, host-country organizations, or private-sector institutions, which included project design, performance monitoring, and/or the analysis and interpretation of large amounts of data, is required .
• Proven experience with data collection, analyses, and reporting, including project management experience related to conceptualization and design of complex data-related activities and initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience working with clients on executing complex projects that involve data collection, data cleaning/wrangling, and analysis, including improving client’s ability to use, present, analyze, and communicate with data.
• Demonstrated experience in interpreting research and evaluations for a wide audience, and effectively applying and translating findings into effective practice.
• Experience exercising a high degree of judgment in providing guidance and assistance to a wide variety of high-level professionals, including ability to independently plan, prioritize, and carry out context specific activities and deliverables.
• Demonstrated experience in technical and strategic information needs related to USAID’s development programs and approaches, preferably related to HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining effective relationships, building consensus within diverse teams, and fostering cooperation among constituents with diverse viewpoints and perspectives.