Associate, Field Monitoring, MLE, Adamawa at Evidence Action

Job purpose

• The Senior Associate, MLE, is a member of the Monitoring Learning and Evaluation Department and is responsible for supporting all Evidence Action’s Monitoring and Evaluation activities under the Small Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplement (SQLNS) and Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) project in Adamawa State.
• The Nigerian government plans a national rollout of Small-Quantity Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (SQ-LNS), which is a new child nutrition supplement designed to prevent malnutrition. An initial order is aimed at covering an estimated 10-20% of Nigerian children aged 6-18 months in 2026. Children are expected to receive SQ-LNS for a duration of six months during the initial distribution. Evidence Action is providing technical assistance to support optimal allocation of these resources through geospatial modeling that identifies high-burden areas for prioritized distribution. In the absence of a targeted approach, SQ-LNS distribution with a blanket coverage strategy would result in resource allocation to lower-burden areas where marginal benefits are lower. 
• In line with the 2021 WHO recommendations, FMOH is coordinating implementation research on optimizing the uptake and adherence of MMS as a replacement for IFA supplementation in Nigeria. The results of these studies will be used for decision-making on MMS scale-up in-country. Planning to ensure that sufficient volumes of quality UNIMMAP on MMS are manufactured locally. There is a need for integration and strengthening of government-partner coordination for MMS Research and Programming at National and subnational levels. MMS is being scaled up in Jigawa State.  This is an exciting position that involves supporting the state with routine data management, monitoring data collection, training of data collection teams, planning and executing health facility surveys, managing stakeholder relationships, and implementing quality assurance and quality control measures during data collection and management. 

Duties and responsibilities

Data Collection and Vendor Management

• Support the sourcing for vendors to provide data collection service to Evidence Action in Nigeria in the assigned State/Zone 
• Oversee vendor data collection activities and verify deliverables and milestones for all components for payment 
• Verifying and validating data collected by data collection vendors and the state through data reviews, checks (e.g., data validation, infield supervision, and back checks), and field visits. 
• Oversee vendor recruitment activities in the zone and provide technical support and advice in line with Evidence Action’s requirements. 
• Support the review of the Technical and Financial proposal submitted by IM firms during bids Evidence Action is an Equal Opportunity Employer 
• Facilitate the onboarding of IM firms after the signing of contracts for SQLNS and MMS activities. 

Coordinating between MLE, Program, Government and Partners 

• Represent MLE in program meetings with partners and government (in the supported states) where MLE presence is needed. 
• Support state program planning with M&E-related tasks and ensure data is correctly captured, collected, and documented and available for planning and implementation. 
• Lead and manage communication with MLE-related stakeholders, providing updates and briefs for activities requiring regular updates to program stakeholders. 
• Collaborate with the program team to fully understand program needs for data and translate that back to the necessary MLE delivery team/members for necessary action: support MLE component of program-related tasks 
• Support the program during extensive travel to selected sites for spot checks 

Training and Field Monitoring 

• Independently or in collaboration with the IM firm, lead the training of enumerators, data extractors, etc., on data collection protocols before data collection.  
• Support training of government officials on key MLE components or data collection tools, and data management during State, LGA, health facility, or community-level trainings 
• Support and supervise data collection teams during monitoring data collection and treatment data collection. 
• Ensure training materials, surveys, and training slides are up to date and consistent with the object of training.  

Data Collection and  Reporting (IM data, Treatment data, Supportive Supervision Data) 

• Support (Sternly) Baseline data collection efforts (if applicable) 
• Setup and lead data review meetings at LGA and Ward levels 
• Support quarterly health facility visits and spot checks. Including data audits and desk reviews at selected sites.  
• Support in the development and contextualization of the data tools, review of existing tools, and incorporation of best practices into tool development.  
• Design and maintain KPI tracking tools to measure program progress and provide updates to the team.  
• Support data cleaning processes together with firms/teams prior to analysis.  
• Support state data reporting team to submit accurate and timely treatment data to partners and National after each treatment round 
• Support the data learning team to draft process monitoring and coverage validation reports after each deworming round 
• Support the IM firm to submit timely and accurate reports on field monitoring activities conducted to Evidence Action 
• Lead annual coverage surveys in the designated states. 

Other 

• Accurately and timely raise issues/suggestions/areas of concerns around process monitoring 
• Advise the program and MLE team on real-time security situations in the zone. 
• Clear with the security department before field trips. 
• Perform any other monitoring, evaluation, and learning duties as may be required and assigned, including supporting other team members or projects temporarily.  

Requirements

Qualifications 

• Mathematics; a postgraduate degree will be an added advantage. 
• 4+ years of program M&E experience in Nigeria specifically related to public health programs. 
• Strong technical skills and capacity, with at least 2 years of practical experience managing and working directly with large teams for data collection; 
• Strong IT skills related to data collection and management using data collection platforms and software such as Spreadsheets Google Sheet, MS Excel, SPSS  etc
• Experience programming and using electronic data collection platforms, specifically Open Data Kit (Survey CTO). 
• Data management and reporting skills. 
• Excellent team management, presentation, communication, and interpersonal skills. 
• Willing to travel on short notice, to multitask, to work in ambiguity, and to respond to instructions from multiple sources. 
• Naturally inquisitive, detail-oriented, and organized; 
• Inspired by Evidence Action’s mission gather evidence needed to bring proven interventions to scale, improving the lives of millions; 
• Ability to speak the local language is a stern requirement.