Senior Technical Advisor - Monitoring & Evaluation/Health Systems Strengthening (M&E/HSS) at Management Sciences For Health - MSH

Job ID: 13-10705
Locations: Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, Cross River and Oyo
Grade: J
Group/Office: PDG (Program Delivery Group)
Dept/Unit: PDGGEN - Program Delivery Group
Project/Program: A576 - PMI - S
Reports to: State Coordinator
Slots: 4 Openings

Overview

• The Presidents Malaria Initiative for States (PMI-S) is a five-year PMI/USAID flagship malaria project implemented through a consortium led by the Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
• The project is supporting the Government of Nigeria through its agencies at the federal, state, Local Government (LGA) and community levels to reduce under-five and maternal mortality by delivering quality services for management of malaria, its complications, and prevention.
• PMI-S project focuses on strengthening the capacity of the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) for the implementation of the National Malaria Strategic Plan 2014-2020.
• PMI-S will target eight states of Nigeria, namely: Akwa Ibom, Benue, Cross-River, Ebonyi, Nassarawa, Oyo, Plateau and Zamfara.

Background

• The M&E/HSS Officer will be supervised by, and report to, the State Coordinator
• S/he will provide technical leadership of PMI4States HSS interventions, including the roll-out and integration of PMI4States M&E plans in the states with other HSS activities as well as generating strategic data for program management, reporting, and documentation of best practices.
• The position will use analysed and triangulated HMIS, LMIS, and surveillance data at strategic policy and management discussions to influence state HSS. S/he will build the capacity of SMEP and LGA malaria focal persons in use of evidence to influence HRH, health financing, and service delivery system decisions. S/he will provide timely analysed data to inform AOP processes.
• The position will build capacity of SMEP and LGA malaria focal persons in monitoring AOP implementation and budget performance to inform mTWG decisions.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance in the planning and implementation of all state and LGA level M&E/HSS activities
• Develop and implement an M&E/HSS plan for the program in the state, in collaboration with the State Coordinator
• Take lead in the implementation of PMI-S state level Task Order M&E plans and state work plan and reporting on USAID indicators and targets in collaboration with the State Coordinator
• Establish system for flow of information from service-delivery points to the PMI-S central data base and ensure timely M&E/HSS technical support to all implementing health facilities
• Review data entered into the DHIS2 by LGAs, and check for data quality, completeness and timeliness, and provide feedback to LGAs and HFs monthly;
• Plan and implement follow up actions on data quality issues with LGAs and HFs
• Work with the SMEP to coordinate quarterly state level M&E TWG meetings and ensure that the meeting is held regularly
• Manage the roll-out of the project M&E data quality assurance system including planning for and participation in DQA visits and meetings at the state, LGA and HF levels
• Coordinate regular data quality assessments, undertaken in a participatory manner, with facility staff and ensure the completeness, consistency and validity of routine data including reported into the DHIS2
• Write quarterly reports on the implementation of the program in the state
• Provide supportive supervision and mentoring to LGA M&E officers and health facility staff to improve data quality
• Mentor M&E staff in SMOH, SPHCDA, LGA and HFs on how to analyze and use data for informed decision making
• Provide technical support in evaluation research (including sampling strategies, analysis and presentation of data) to the local research groups as may be required by the USAID
• Participate in project assessments, evaluations and design teams
• Work with the State Coordinator to establish and strengthen a state M&E system that informs policy and practice
• Analyze M&E data on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis and flag action areas to the project management team, LGAs and HFs
• Work with PMI-S management to document and publish best practices
• Perform any other task to be assigned by your supervisor
• Working with Senior M&E Advisor (HQ) to ensure adequate budget for all MERL activities
• Work with the State Coordinator and the SMTL to develop a strategy for strengthening health systems to support effective malaria elimination
• Take lead in implementation of selected health systems interventions including for example evidence-based state malaria annual planning to fit into state planning and budgeting cycle
• Support state malaria partners to build an evidence base to monitor state malaria program performance towards elimination goals
• Provide HRH analytics to inform state HRH deployment and management practices
• Engage with the State DPRS, SPHCDA, State Health Insurance Scheme to mainstream state malaria budgets in state government budget
• Provide TA in analysis and management of a state Malaria Data Repository drawing from the federal MDR instance; and promote dissemination of information to policy and decision makers through bulletins and policy briefs

Qualifications and Experience

• Postgraduate Degree in Social Sciences, Statistics, Epidemiology or related field with focus on generating and triangulating data to inform State health systems strengthening
• At least 5 years of experience strengthening selected health systems at state or federal level in Nigeria
• Strong analytical, advocacy and program planning skills required
• Minimum of 3 years’ hands-on monitoring & evaluation experience, with good understanding of health system strengthening
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in developing monitoring plans and/or management information systems 3 years of which spent working with NGOs in an African setting
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working in malaria programs in Nigeria
• Familiarity with USAID reporting systems highly desirable, particularly for malaria control
• Excellent data analysis, presentation and reporting skills
• Strong computer skills particularly in spreadsheets, database and statistical applications, including DHIS2 for data management
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to foresee problems and initiate appropriate action
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and fluency in English
• Strong report writing skills
• Demonstrated experience in planning and facilitation of training activities
• Excellent organizational, inter-personal, multi-cultural and team building skills