M&E Officer at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Job Ref Code: MER171019
Location: Abuja
Department: Programs
Reports To: Program Manager, Vitamin A supplementation Project.
Band: 7

Project Background

• CRS has received funding from Micronutrient Initiative (MI), an international not for profit NGO with its headquarter in Ottawa, Canada and a country office in Abuja Nigeria. MI supports and promotes food fortification and micronutrient supplementation program in developing countries including Nigeria. MI program focus in Nigeria include promotion of vitamin A supplementation, salt iodization, iron and folic acid supplementation for pregnant women and use of Zinc and low-osmolarity ORS in the management of childhood diarrhea.
• Since 1997, MI provided more than 75% of the vitamin A required for supplementation programs in developing countries–more than 8 billion capsules and oral doses of vitamin A. MI in collaboration with CCPN have developed a robust VAS SBCC strategy to improve VAS using the MNCH Week as the delivery platform.
• In addition, although recent monitoring reports suggest that health personnel have been trained to provide MNCH-Week in most of the 14 MI priority states, it is difficult to ascertain content of training. Moreover, training is not standardized across states and local government areas and may not be provided in accordance with the MNCHWs guidelines. CRS in collaboration with MI will supported the production and distribution of job-aids for VAS as well as the planning, delivery, monitoring and reporting of VAS during the November 2017 MNCH Weeks in Gombe and Plateau states. In 2018 and 2019, they provided technical support to Gombe and Plateau State to implement the MNCH week.

Objective
The Vitamin A Supplement project has three (3) specific objectives. These include:

• Support the state and LGA teams in Bauchi, Delta and Gombe States to effectively plan and implement the two rounds of optimized MNCHW from 2019 to 2022.
• Support the state and LGA teams in Bauchi, Delta and Gombe States to effective implementation of the optimized MNCHW microplans in the 3 states from 2019 to 2022.
• Support the state to provide high quality and effective monitoring and supportive supervision during the two rounds of optimized MNCH week from 2019 to 2022

Job Summary

• The primary responsibility of the M&E Officer is to monitor and coordinate the planning, implementation and review of the MNCH Week activities in Bauchi, Delta and Gombe states from November 2019 - March 2023.

Job Responsibilities
Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Extract indicators from Performance Framework to support project implementation plan
• Develop an M&E plan for monitoring
• Support the activities of the Program Manager to ensure quality and timeliness of data collection and reporting.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance to strengthen state-level M&E systems
• Ensure proper orientation and quality supervision to CRS state-based VAS consultants and independent monitors and M&E focal persons in the State Primary Health Care Development Agencies (SPHCDAs).
• Refine the electronic platform for data capturing and advise on solutions for continuous improvement.
• Support the implementation of the MNCH Week at the state levels.

Report writing and data dissemination:

• Write-up data findings and initial draft report
• Share findings with CRS project team
• Support final report development in collaboration with Program Manager.
• Development of lessons learned, best practices and case studies

Key Working Relationships

• HoU, Program Manager, Technical Advisor, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Heads of Programming Units, Grants and Compliance Manager and other MQ staff, partner staff

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a field related to Public Health, International Development, or Social Sciences. Master’s degree holders will be preferred.
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in monitoring and evaluating health programs in a Northern and Southern states of the country.
• Minimum 1-year experience working State Governments or NGOs on MNCH week M &E Component.
• Experience with National Dashboard for data reporting and the use of RapidSMS is desirable
• Prior experience in a project management is desirable.
• Knowledge of national health management information systems, strategies and tools in Nigeria; familiarity with DHIS2.0 platform is required
• Demonstrated experience with collection/analysis of epidemiological data
• Understanding of principles and current approaches to M&E for health programming, including knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative methods
• Experience with participatory and community-based M&E systems
• Previous experience with development of e-platforms for data capturing and reporting
• Proficiency in database development/management, and skills in analyzing, interpreting and communicating data and information to various stakeholders
• Experience using ICT4D for data collection preferred
• Significant experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative assessments and surveys
• Experience with facilitation and capacity strengthening
• Ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training Proven leadership and inter-personal skills and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams. Public relations skills and ability to work well both within a team and independently.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure and to prioritize competing demands.
• Strategic, analytical and decision-making skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook Proficiency in database development/management and statistical software (SPSS, EPI-Info).
• Professional proficiency in English oral and written communication skills; strong demonstrated writing skills required (reports, evaluations).
• Willingness and ability to travel in-country (sometimes on short notice) up to 50% of time.

Work Arrangement:

• The Officer will be based in Abuja but will require frequent travel to project states.