Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Advisor at Jhpiego

Jhpiego is an international, non-profit health organization affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University. Jhpiego develops innovations to enhance the capacity of health care workers, strengthening health systems and improve delivery of care towards improving the health and well-being. Jhpiego has been collaborating with the Government of Malawi and various partners in implementing a wide-range of interventions in maternal, newborn and child health, family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention and care and treatment, since 1999. Current projects include facility and community-based HIV testing services for key and priority populations, HIV prevention through Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision and technical support to Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) .

PHIM is a directorate under the Malawi Ministry of Health. It is fundamental for all public health activities. It provides leadership in disease surveillance, prevention, and outbreak response, and research to inform public health policy and practice. From its formal establishment in June 2020, PHIM has had three core technical functional components namely: Research and Development, Public Health Reference Laboratory (PHRL); and Epidemiology and Surveillance. There are two cross cutting functional components, which are Governance and Management and Support Services.

Jhpiego seeks a Monitoring, Evaluation & Research (MER) Advisor who will design, develop and implement monitoring, evaluation and research activities for the Public Health Institute of Malawi ( PHIM) to skillfully integrate effective project management strategies into the process. S/he will coordinate with district offices, technical specialists and advisors, and will play a leadership role in M&E activities documentation and ongoing program monitoring and reporting for PHIM activities as outlined in the Strategic Plan operating from 2023 to 2030; and will contribute to program learning and research. The position will support ongoing efforts to strengthen existing knowledge management and learning. The MER Advisor may also support and advise on other PHIM projects as needed.

Leadership and Management:

• Provide leadership and management to ensure that the PHIM M&E systems and structures are responsive to the PHIM deliverables and needs, and are designed to meet PHIM’s objectives, goals and results;
• Provide technical assistance and support to data staff, and technical units to ensure effective program performance monitoring: collection, compilation, analysis, reporting and use of data for ongoing improvements in the implementation of the PHIM strategic plan;
• Foster a culture of data for decision-making, and ensure staff have the data and use it to inform and guide decisions about targeting, and project implementation, and making course corrections and changes in strategy;

Design and Implement the M&E System:

• Develop and implement the institution’s M&E plan to generate regular information related to progress in the achievement of results of the strategic plan.
• Develop common indicators for data collection, assist in designing data collection tools/ templates, and assist for regular data collection/generation process.
• Liaise with project management to collect and analyze data and to determine progress achieved.

Project Information Management:

• Track project output and outcome level results on a periodic basis in close coordination with project’s implementing team as well as with Implementing Partners.
• Collect, check, verify and compile data from the field as stipulated in the M&E plan.
• Review and compile monitoring reports, progress reports, evaluation reports, etc.
• Update and maintain the institution database.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Compile comprehensive progress reports.
• Coordinate with the technical teams to prepare and compile the MER section (narrative and data tables) of reports;
• Provide MER inputs in the development of quarterly/annual work plans and budgets, to ensure MER needs are accurately reflected and resources allocated;
• Represent the project in technical working groups, partner and stakeholder meetings, and in public, private sector and professional circles through networking, meetings, conferences, and presentations;
• Ensure documentation and dissemination of best practices and innovative program approaches.

General responsibilities:

•  Prepare monitoring field visit plan and conduct monitoring visit as and when required.
• Conduct regular monitoring of interventions to ensure quality delivery of inputs and contribute for generating expected results.
• Participate in internal and external monitoring missions.
• Organize and facilitate various M&E related activities like review meetings, workshops, conferences, and seminars.

Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor to ensure the smooth functioning of the PHIM programs and the achievement of goals

• Master’s degree in public health, Epidemiology, demography, statistics or other related discipline with at least 3 years of experience in a health-related project in designing, implementing and overseeing M&E related task or Bachelors degree in public health, Epidemiology, demography, statistics with at least 7 years in a health-related project in designing, implementing and overseeing M&E related task.
• At least five years of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation and research
• Extensive experience and mastery of M&E systems, practices, standards and innovations
• Excellent knowledge of statistics and epidemiology with ability and experience in designing and conducting quantitative and qualitative studies
• Demonstrated current knowledge and experience in public health programs in Malawi;
• Experience in managing and motivating teams and addressing performance challenges;
• High level of proficiency in use of computer packages such as MS Word, SPSS/STATA/ EPI info, Access, Excel, power point and e-mail; excellent understanding of the Malawi health system.
• Sound knowledge and experience on writing reports.
• Experience of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Good interpersonal, communications, and facilitation skills.
• Hands-on experience of managing database software.
• Good writing and communication skills.
• Programmatic experience in public health, health system management, and in relevant field will have added value

Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

Please apply at www.jhpiego.org/careers

Applicants must submit a single document for upload to include: cover letter, resume, and references.

For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org

Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.

Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.