Senior M&E Officer at Malaria Consortium

Locations: Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi and Yobe
Grade: 8
Role type: National
Department: Technical
Length of contract: 3 years
Travel involved: In-country
Dotted line manager: M&E Manager, Abuja
Reporting to: Line manager: Zonal Project  Manager/State Technical Officer

Country and Project Background

• The Nigeria Country Office with office in Abuja, started operations in 2008, through the DFID/UKaid funded Support to National Malaria Programme, SuNMaP (2008 – 2016).
• The office had presence in 23 states of the country and has managed at various times, about 15 programmes and projects. It follows the mandate of the parent organization in Nigeria and has been working specifically in the following areas:
  • Malaria control/elimination
  • Integrated community case management (iCCM) for malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea
  • Nutrition
  • Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs)

Malaria Consortium has recently become a sub-recipient for the new grant of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GF) under the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP) and Catholic Relief Services as the principal recipients. 

The goal of the grant is to contribute towards reducing the malaria burden to preelimination levels and bringing malaria-related mortality to zero by 2020 in Nigeria.

This project aims to achieve seven objectives while delivering high quality malaria services in 14 states (MC implementing in 7 of the states - Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Niger, Yobe, Gombe and iCCM only in Kebbi) through improved service delivery mechanisms, demand creation and health system strengthening strategies.

• To ensure at least 80% of targeted population utilizes appropriate preventive measures by 2020 
• To test all care-seeking persons with suspected malaria using RDT or microscopy by 2020 
• To treat all individuals with confirmed malaria seen in private or public facilities with effective anti-malarial drug by 2020 
• To provide adequate information to all Nigerians such that at least 80% of the populace habitually takes appropriate malaria preventive and treatment measures as necessary by 2020 
• To ensure the timely availability of appropriate antimalarial medicines and commodities required for prevention and treatment of malaria in Nigeria wherever they are needed by 2018 
• At least 80% of health facilities in all LGAs report routinely on malaria by 2020 
• To strengthen governance and coordination of all stakeholders for effective program implementation towards an “A” rating by 2018 on a standardized scorecard

Job Purpose

• The Senior M&E Officer will serve as the main focal person for all Research, MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) activity which includes data validation, DQA, coordination meetings, capacity building in data quality and supportive supervisory visit to strengthen health management information system in Global Fund project in the state.
• S/he will assist and report to the state project manager / State technical officer 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 and guidance of the state Project Manager (Kano, Niger and Yobe states) / state technical officer
• (Gombe, Kaduna and Jigawa) and indirectly through the Country Technical Coordinator (CTC) for the attainment of the project goal.

Key Working Relationships:

• The officer working under the line-management of the State Coordinator and in close collaboration with the state, LGA, community actors, stakeholders and partners 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 in the approved work plan under the guidance of the Zone Project Manager/ state coordinator 
• Based on the MEAL plan for the project, develop, review, and ensured correct implementation of the Global Fund Malaria MEAL state MEAL Implementation Plan and procedures 
• Lead the set up and maintenance of a project database and linkages with the national DHIS version 2 platform for reporting
• Ensure availability of high quality routine data for all malaria indicators / parameters (both case management and prevention) and other project related data from all levels of health facilities (3o, 2o, 1o)  
• In Niger and Kebbi, to also ensure high quality data are available in useable format on a regular and timely basis for programmatic decision making by facilitating data collection and entry from:
• CORP’s service utilization register
• CORP’s status update form to capture changes to the CORP’s status in relation to the project (e.g. withdrawal, change of supervisor, lost to follow ups, etc.)
• Supervision checklist to capture the details of the supervision visits
• Demand creation activity recording form to capture activities carried out by the demand creation team
• A logistics form that captures the logistic component of the project, including drug distributions, and other related equipment and tools
• Plan regular data quality assessments, and ensure the completeness, consistency and validity of routine data
• Work with the M&E Manager on timely submission of high quality programmatic Progress Update and Disbursement Request (PUDR) and the validation of such on a quarterly basis according to the approved project performance framework
• Work with project team to facilitate the documentation of activities in form of reports and ensure proper archiving of such for easy access and reference
• Plan and coordinate quarterly routine monitoring visits to project supported sites and provide supportive supervision
• Provide direct technical assistance and capacity building for state and LGA level implementers in the design and implementation of GF- supported monitoring and evaluation activities
• Participate in project assessments, evaluations and design including development of survey protocols with support from country office and advisors
• Perform other duties as assigned

Program Management (10%)

• Support SMoH staff with coordinating program management activities, by ensuring that the recommended coordination meetings hold at the LGA and state levels
• Work with the state and LGA Ministry of Health staff to ensure that reports are obtained from all health facilities within the state through appropriate state-specific mechanisms
• Participate in regular monitoring and supervisory visits to the GF-supported health facilities, 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 in Nigeria
• 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 analyze 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, PRs, SRs, and other local stakeholders engaged in malaria activities in Nigeria
• Participate in events/ meetingsrelated to Monitoring, Evaluation and research, including quarterly Principal Recipient and Sub-recipients quarterly review meetings
• Actively participate in the M&E Community of Practice with other PR, SRs and government M&E staff

Person Specification

Qualifications and Experience
Essential:

• Degree in Statistics, Demography, Mathematics or any other relevant quantitative relevant discipline
• 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 and Global Fund programme implementation will be added advantages.
• 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:

• At least 3 years’ experience attending quarterly Principal Recipient and Subrecipients quarterly review meetings
• Fluency in written and spoken English 

Work-based Skills and Competencies
Essential:

• A solid understanding of health systems strengthening
• Proficiency in database management especially DHIS; Excel, Word, PowerPoint and demonstrable experience with statistical software packages (Stata, 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 selfmotivated 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 

Core Competencies
Delivering results:
LEVEL C - Supports others to achieve results:

• Displays a positive and enthusiastic approach and is not deterred by setbacks, finding alternative ways to reach goals or targets
• Supports others to plan and deliver results
• Supports others to manage and cope with setbacks

Analysis and use of information:
LEVEL C - Works confidently with complex data to support work:

• Interprets complex written information
•  Works confidently with data before making decisions, for example; interpreting trends, issues and risks
•  Acquainted with the validity, relevance and limitations of different sources of evidence

Interpersonal and communications:
LEVEL C - Adapts communications effectively:

• Tailors communication (content, style and medium) to diverse audiences
• Communicates equally effectively at all organisational levels
• Understands others’ underlying needs, concerns and motivations and communicates effectively in sensitive situations
• Resolves intra-team and inter-team conflicts effectively

Collaboration and partnering:
LEVEL B - Collaborates effectively across teams:

• Proactive in providing and seeking support from expert colleagues
• Raises difficult issues with teams/ partners and stakeholders with a view to positive resolution
• Proactive in building a rapport with a diverse range of people

Leading and motivating people:
LEVEL B - Manages own development and seeks opportunities:

• Manages own development and performance positively
• Learns lessons from successes and failures
• Seeks and explores opportunities within Malaria Consortium which develop skills and expertise

Flexibility/ adaptability:
LEVEL B - Remains professional under external pressure:

• Able to adapt to changing situations effortlessly
• Remains constructive and positive under stress and able to tolerate difficult situations and environments
• Plans, prioritises and performs tasks well under pressure
• Learns from own successes / mistakes

Living the values:
LEVEL B - Promotes Malaria Consortium values amongst peers:

• Shows a readiness to promote Malaria Consortium’s values amongst peers
• Promotes ethical and professional behaviour in line with Malaria Consortium’s values

Strategic planning and thinking and sector awareness:
LEVEL B - Is aware of others’ activities and vice versa in planning activities:

• Takes account of team members and others’ workloads when planning
• Maintains awareness of impact on other parts of the organisation, keeping abreast of other’s activities, objectives, commitments and needs
• Has a good understanding of the sector in which Malaria Consortium works

Salary
N4,189,500 per annum