Evidence Action
Area Coordinator, Deworm the World and Equal Vitamin Access
About Evidence Action
Evidence Action is a global non-profit organization with an approach distinctive in international development – we exclusively scale interventions that are backed by strong evidence and can be delivered with exceptional cost-effectiveness. Our programs have grown since our founding in 2013 to reach over 515 million people globally with our interventions. We deliver high impact for every dollar spent, as recognized by GiveWell, The Life You Can Save, and Charity Navigator.
We do development differently. We take a data-driven approach to identifying, scaling, and continuously improving programs which deliver immense impact, ensuring these solutions measurably improve the lives of millions. Our Deworm the World Initiative has helped governments in Africa and Asia deliver over 1.8 billion childhood deworming treatments, improving health, education, and incomes. Dispensers for Safe Water provides sustained safe water access to over 10 million people in rural Africa, preventing childhood illness and deaths.
We drive innovation. Our 6 builds the next generation of exceptional programs, taking an approach most similar to a venture capital model. We are ruthless in exiting programs which do not meet our criteria; those that advance deliver outsized impact for millions of people.
We are global. Across nine countries in Africa and Asia, our 700+ people are united by a tremendous passion for our mission and impact. We are strong because of our diversity of experience, geography, and background – with over 90% of our people in the countries where our impact is focused.
We have big ambitions. Over the next decade, we’re setting our sights higher: We aim to reach over 600 million people globally to fulfill our vision of a world where hundreds of millions of people in the poorest places have better opportunities and their lives are measurably improved. We believe in bold and urgent action – because poverty doesn’t wait, and neither should we.
We need great people. Our success to date is due to the collective work of our amazing staff. To achieve our ambitious goals, we are looking for people who share our passion for evidence, cost-effectiveness, and scale. We seek individuals who take an entrepreneurial approach, enjoy tackling hard problems, and have a bias to action and results. If our vision and approach excite you as much as it does us, we invite you to join us.
About Deworm The World & Equal Vitamin Access
Evidence Action’s Deworm the World Initiative (DTW) is an incredibly high impact program, helping to deliver over 1.8 billion treatments to children for intestinal worms since 2014. Deworm the World Initiative provides technical assistance to governments to implement evidence-based, cost effective, and sustainable deworming programs, with recent data showing dramatic reductions in the prevalence of worm infections in geographies we support. Our program was highlighted as one of GiveWell’s top-rated charities from 2013 to 2022, and continues to be a part of their All-Grants Fund for high-impact charities.
In 2019, given the strength of our technical support on school-based delivery of deworming in India, at the request of government, Evidence Action launched a technical assistance program to support the delivery of Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) supplementation for children and adolescents 6 months – 19 years of age in India. This program, Equal Vitamin Access, is in a “test at scale” phase – it is being implemented across five states in India with a robust external evaluation design to measure changes in coverage.
Job Purpose
This is an exciting time and opportunity to join a large-scale integrated program to provide technical assistance to the Government of Malawi to implement an integrated deworming and IFA supplementation program at scale to tackle intestinal worms and anaemia among children. With the deworming program expected to reach scale in Year 1 of implementation and IFA supplementation to gradually scale up over the next 2-3 years, once at scale we aim to work alongside the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education to reach 3.5 million Malawian children annually with one or both interventions.
The Area Coordinator (AC) supports the effective and timely implementation of program activities at the district and traditional authority (TA) level. The AC has an important role in the technical assistance Evidence Action provides to the Government of Malawi. The AC will help ensure overall preparedness necessary for implementing the DtW-IFA program i.e. training, advocacy, monitoring & evaluation, community mobilization and drugs logistics & supply management at district and TA levels (i.e. at schools, health centres, youth clubs, etc.).
Requirements
Duties and Responsibilities
Program Management Support:
- Develop good working relationships and rapport with district officials.
- Conduct regular meetings with district stakeholders and share feedback and update them on the progress of different activities at the field level. Share all status updates with the national team.
- Undertake necessary preparation and coordination with district and TA health and other stakeholders for greater coordination on program execution.
- Participate in appropriate forums at district and TA level in any ongoing meetings of stakeholders (Health, Education, etc.).
- Ensure adherence to policies and guidelines at district and TA level
Supply Chain Management:
- Facilitate estimation and supply of adequate deworming drugs and IFA supplementation in coordination with associated departments and provide real time updates.
- Ensure drug and IFA supplementation procurement and distribution plan is rolled out as per the plan and prescribed timelines
- Facilitate for corrective action at all levels to ensure sufficiency of drugs and IFA supplementation at schools and health centers in coordination with relevant officials
- Escalate any shortages and deviations in process to the national team in a timely manner
Training Cascade & Community Sensitization
- Communicate training needs to relevant officials and departments
- Visit training sessions (on sample basis) for both schools and health centers and check for process adherence as per the training monitoring format. Ensure correct messages are disseminated in the trainings monitored.
- Escalate any difference or deviation to the national team.
- Compile and submit training reports and training attendance sheets to the national team.
- Ensure sharing of monitoring data with the national team within the prescribed timelines.
- Assist with community mobilisation and sensitization strategies, including supporting school and health centres with IEC material coverage.
- Provide support to related programs as needed
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- A minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Social Development and other related qualifications
- A minimum of 2-3 years’ experience working in a related program and/or support capacity
- Demonstrated ability to work successfully on a multi-faceted team
- Experience working with government stakeholders
- Strong interpersonal skills, working across teams and cultures
- Excellent time management skills and ability to juggle multiple projects at once
- Strong written and oral communications skills
- Demonstrated ability to be a productive member of a community of people at work, respecting differences while working toward shared goals, comfort with periods of ambiguity, and constructive participation in ongoing organizational development
- Close attention to detail and accuracy; personal initiative; reliability, flexibility and follow-up
- Proficiency using standard office software and demonstrated skill with web research tools
- Discretion and ability to handle confidential issues
- Personal qualities of humility, capacity for self-reflection, and a sense of humour
to basic living conditions, such as limited electricity or running water, and be comfortable with potential challenges such as extreme weather conditions, insects, or wildlife.
Overall, the candidate should possess the flexibility and adaptability to handle the physical demands of regular domestic travel, including travel into less developed rural areas.
Direct Reports
The Area Coordinator will have no direct reports. The Area Coordinator will report directly to the Program Manager, School Health Program.
The positions will be based 1 in Blantyre and 1 in Mzuzu and will work closely with the in-country Programs team.
Closing date for receiving applications will be on Wednesday 8th May 2024 by 5pm but shortlisting will be done on rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Equal Opportunity Statement
At Evidence Action, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusivity in our workforce. We believe in creating a workplace that is free from discrimination and where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.
We do not discriminate based on race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected status. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply for this position at Evidence Action, regardless of their background or personal characteristics. We are committed to providing a fair and inclusive recruitment process that ensures equal access and consideration for all applicants. We strive to foster an environment that embraces diversity, respects individual differences, and promotes a culture of inclusion. By embracing a diverse workforce, we believe we can better serve our mission to use evidence to improve global wellbeing.