Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Program Officer at Pathfinder International

Requisition Number: MELPR001368
Job Category: Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
Reports to: State Program Manager

About the Project

• Group Antenatal Care (G-ANC) is a disruptive health systems innovation proven in High-Income Countries (HIC) and Low- and Medium Income Countries (LMIC), including Nigeria (through a Randomized Control Trial funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)), to promote the uptake and quality of ANC and key RMNCH interventions along the continuum of pregnancy, delivery, postnatal and infancy/childhood, where PHC services are provided.

The objectives of TAConnect G-ANC project are to:

• Improve the uptake and quality of a range of RMNCH services using Group Antenatal Care (G-ANC) in settings where ANC primary care services are delivered (facility and community) 
• Support Borno state to adapt, adopt, implement, and sustain a group ANC model as part of their primary health care delivery services and system.
• Support the Borno State Malaria Elimination Program (Borno SMEP) to revise its policies to include active case detection and treatment during pregnancy, improved distribution of IPTp with SP through the G-ANC platform 
• Support the Borno SMEP in strengthening malaria surveillance and look at how data from MiP can be applied to understand epi patterns in the broader population 
• Assist Borno state to adopt and implement this policy at scale, including using human-centered design

Purpose of the Job

• The Job holder will be responsible for activities of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for the Group Antenatal Care (GANC) project in Borno State.
• S/he will implement plans, methodologies and scopes of work for project monitoring, evaluating and learning in collaboration with all project staff.
• The job holder will be responsible for developing the capacity of partners and State team members to collect, analyze report and use information on services using the state health management information system and organizational developed Management Information System (MIS).
• S/he will summarize, analyze and interpret data collected from partners, health facilities for monitoring project activities and assist the team leaders to prepare quarterly, annual and semi - annual plans and reports to donor and stake holders in accordance to specified timeline.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinating and assisting project team in the development, management, and implementation of monitoring and evaluation plan(s) for the G-ANC project.
• Develop and maintain MIS system to capture, analyze and report on the G-ANC project indicators.
• Train team members, health staff and partners at all levels in completion, analysis, reporting and utilization of information collected for operational and strategic needs of the project.
• Monitor the implementation of project specific M&E activities ensuring compliance with set standard, check and correct the quality of systems and data, and provide on-the- job problem-solving and training to correct the quality performance gaps.
• Train and monitor field coordinators in the use of data for management decision-making; enable result-based management.
• Summarize, analyze, and interpret data collected from partners, project, and field offices for monitoring project activities.
• Assist the Team lead to prepare quarterly, semi-annual, annual plans and reports to donor and stakeholders in accordance to specified timeline.
• Work with the project team to identify learning and developing success stories.
• Travel extensively across all project sites to fulfill responsibilities.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree / HND in Demography, Statistics, Social Sciences, Public Health, Health Information Management or a related field.
• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating tasks for health and/or development projects.
• Familiarity with the National Health Management Information System (NHMIS) including indicators and other standard measurement tools in the areas of ANC, RMNCH, HIV/AIDS, Malaria interventions and other relevant technical areas.
• Competency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and statistical software package (SPSS, EPI-INFO, STATA, SAS or similar).
• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to work with various constituencies’ especially relevant government partners, and other implementing partners.
• Foundational knowledge of curriculum design and development and proven ability to train diverse groups.
• Good understanding of the State health system structure and processes including community norms and values in the Northeast particularly in Borno State.
• Good oral and written communication skills and ability to effectively communicate technical material to both expert and lay audiences.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English and ability to speak local language is an advantage.

Minimally Required Job-Specific Competencies:

• Country Specific Public Health System: Foundational knowledge of the countries’ public health systems.
• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Services: Foundational knowledge of family planning and reproductive health principles, practices and services of programs, including program strategies and indicators, and the latest professional developments in SRHR, including special challenges faced in the developing world, and related measurement issues.
• Proposal Development: Foundational knowledge and skills in proposal development from concept to full proposal and resource mobilization.
• Reproductive Health Research: Proven ability to plan, conduct, evaluate and deliver research findings and recommendations in reproductive health. Mastery of knowledge and ability to apply quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Data Collection Methods: Foundational knowledge of data integrity and collection methods.
• PC Applications: Proven ability to apply statistical software applications.
• Program and Project Planning and Management: Foundational skills in program and project management and planning to fulfill performance objectives, including the timely implementation and reporting of donor-funded program activities.
• Training Design, Development and Delivery: Foundational knowledge of curriculum design and development. Proven ability to train diverse groups.
• Community Relations: Foundational skills in facilitating work relationships between partners, government officials, and communities.
• Report Writing. Ability to write reports for diverse audiences.

Minimally Required Organizational Competencies:

• Software Applications: Foundational knowledge of MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.
• Communication and Influencing Skills: Ability to influence others, including donor agencies and local partners, through diplomacy and proven oral and written communication skills
• Languages: Demonstrated writing and speaking skills using local language and English language.
• Passion for Sexual and Reproductive Health: Commitment to family planning, reproductive health services, gender, maternal, child health services, and eradication of harmful traditional practices
• Matrix Management: Ability to thrive in a matrixed organization.
• Confidentiality: Ability to maintain confidentiality on work-related matters

Other Essential Requirements:   

• Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse 
• Actively promote PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) standards within Pathfinder International and among beneficiaries served by Pathfinder International

Other Information:

• Travel required (at least 30%)
• Uses cellular and Office phone, laptop or desktop computer

Behaviors:
Preferred:

• Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
• Team Player: Works well as a member of a group.