M&E Assistant (SMC) at Malaria Consortium

Grade: 5
Role type: National
Department: Technical
Length of contract: June 2019 - December 2020
Reporting to: Senior Technical Officer (SMC)
Travel involved: Up to 40%
Dotted line manager: M&E Officer (Yobe)
Direct reports: Market systems development specialist, Diagnostics specialist, SBCC specialist 
 
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; and
  • Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
• Currently, the Nigeria country office manages MC programmes/projects in Sierra Leone, Chad and Burkina Faso.
• 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 pre-elimination 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
• In January 2019, the portfolio of MC was increased to include state-wide LLINs campaign in Yobe and seasonal malaria chemoprevention (SMC) in selected LGAs of Katsina and Yobe states. The SMC would be implemented in both states in 2019 and 2020.

Job Purpose

• The M&E Assistant will provide support for all Research, MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) activities on the SMC project in Yobe State.
• The role will provide support to ensure timely and effective monitoring, supervision and reporting of project activities and to ensure that data is available for prompt decision-making for the state.
• S/he will assist and report to the Senior Technical Officer (STO) regarding the M&E components of implementing SMC in Yobe State.

Scope of Work:

• The scope of work will include implementation of the project M&E plan, which includes monitoring of MDA implementation, data validation, DQA, coordination meetings, capacity building in data quality and supportive supervisory visit to support the delivery of SMC mass drug administration (MDA) in Yobe State.

Key Working Relationships:

• The post holder working under the line-management of the STO (SMC) 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. This role will work indirectly with the country office-based SMC M&E Specialist, SMC HMIS Officer and GF M&E Specialist

Key Accountabilities (percent of time spent on each area)

Technical Contributions (70%)

• Implement M&E activities as approved in the SMC work plan under the guidance of the STO (SMC).
• Provide support for data quality assessments and ensure the completeness, consistency and validity of data.
• Work with project team to facilitate the documentation of SMC campaign in form of reports and ensure proper archiving of such for easy access and reference.
• Provide direct technical assistance and capacity building support for state, LGA, health facility (HF) and community level implementers in the design and implementation of M&E components of the SMC campaign.
• Participate in SMC campaign assessments, evaluations and design including development of survey protocols with support from country office and advisors.
• Support sentinel sites reporting and data validation exercises
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Support campaign coordination meetings at the state, LGA, HF and community levels.
• Work with the state, LGA and HF staff to ensure that reports are obtained from all HFs and communities within the state through appropriate channels and mechanisms.

Accountability (10%):

• 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, analyzed, shared and utilized by programme teams.

Knowledge Management and Learning (10%):

• With support from the SMC STO and GF State M&E Officer, organize 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 programme design and implementation.
• With support from the SMC STO, operationalize the project’s learning agenda, organizing regular learning events, supporting operations research, and reflecting, documentation, and communication of learning initiatives.
• Actively participate in the M&E Community of Practice (CoP) with other PR, SRs and government M&E staff.
• Support knowledge management systems and practices to gather, document and share best practices with GF programme team in Yobe State, MC country office, government and technical partners.

Representation (10%):

• Network with technical counterparts in the State Ministry of Health, PRs, SRs, and other local stakeholders engaged in malaria activities in Nigeria.
• Represent MC and make presentations at professional meetings and conferences related to M&E and research, including quarterly PR and SR quarterly review meetings.

Person Specification
Qualifications and experience:

Essential:

• Degree in Statistics, Demography, Mathematics or any other relevant quantitative relevant discipline,
• 2 - 3 years post qualification.
• Cognate experience in M&E of community-based interventions
• Demonstrable familiarity with HMIS (DHIS2 electronic platform) and community LMIS
• Demonstrated skills in data management and quantitative data analysis.
• Familiarity with Nigerian public sector health systems

Desirable:

• Experience in survey design and implementation, development of data bases and analysis and write up of survey results.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Demonstrable contextual knowledge of local issues, community priorities, social and cultural constraints and realities related to community assessment, project design, evaluation and implementation.
• Familiarity with Global Fund programme implementation will be added advantages.

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)
• Proven writing, communication and presentation skills in English.
• A collaborative and flexible style, with a strong service mentality.
• Facilitation, stakeholder engagement and coordination skills.
• Attentive to detail, highly organized, flexible and self-motivated.
• Excellent skills in written and oral communications.
• 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 B - Takes on pieces of work when required and demonstrates excellent project management skills
• Shows a flexible approach to taking on additional work / responsibilities when needed to achieve results
• Demonstrates excellent project management skills to agreed timescales (timelines, targets, donor requirements)
• Makes clear and timely decisions within remit of own role

Analysis and use of information:

• LEVEL A - Gathers information and identifies problems effectively
• Interprets basic written information
• Attentive to detail
• Follows guidelines to identify issues
• Recognises problems within their remit
• Uses appropriate methods for gathering and summarising data

Interpersonal and communications:

• LEVEL B - Fosters two-way communication
• Recalls others’ main points and takes them into account in own communication
• Checks own understanding of others’ communication by asking questions
• Maintains constructive, open and consistent communication with others
• Resolves minor misunderstandings and conflicts effectively

Collaboration and partnering:

• LEVEL A - Is a good and effective team player
• Is a good and effective team player
• Knows who their customers are and their requirements.
• Respects and listens to different views/opinions
• Actively collaborates across teams to achieve objectives and develop own thinking
• Proactive in providing and seeking support from team members

Leading and motivating people:

• LEVEL A – Open to learning, and responds positively to feedback
• Willingness to manage own development and performance
• Builds capacity of colleagues by sharing knowledge (induction) and acting as induction ‘buddy’ when asked
• Open to learning new things
• Responds positively to feedback from others.
• Identifies mistakes and takes positive steps to improve

Flexibility/Adaptability:

• LEVEL A - Recognises own stress levels and adapts
• Recognises limitations and takes steps to manage any resulting pressure or stress
• Remains focused on objectives and goals in a rapidly changing environment
• Takes responsibility for own work and for the impact of own actions

Living the Values:

• LEVEL A - Demonstrates Malaria Consortium values
• Demonstrates integrity, honesty and fairness in dealing with colleagues and stakeholders
• Maintains ethical and professional behaviour in line with Malaria Consortium’s values
• Treats all people with respect

Strategic planning and thinking and sector awareness:

• LEVEL A - Manages own workload effectively
• Plans and manages own workload effectively
• Is familiar with Malaria Consortium’s mission and current strategic plan.
• Understands own contribution to Malaria Consortium’s objectives.

Salary
Competitive.