Senior Associate, MLE (Field Operations) at Evidence Action

About Evidence Action

Evidence Action is a global nonprofit 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. Since our founding in 2013, we have reached 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 Program has helped governments in Africa and Asia deliver over 1.8 billion childhood deworming treatments, improving health, education, and incomes. Safe Water Now provides sustained safe water access to over 10 million people in Africa, preventing childhood illness and deaths.

We drive innovation:Our Accelerator 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

The Senior Associate, MLE Field Operations is responsible for supporting all of Evidence Action’s Monitoring and Evaluation field activities for the DTW-IFA and HPV programs in Malawi. This is an exciting position that involves supporting program research, monitoring, and learning; training of data collectors, management of data collection processes and quality, vendor management, development and maintenance of program data tools. The individual will coordinate between the sub regional MLE Manager, Deputy Country Director, Senior Associate Knowledge and Training, government and other implementing partners as needed.

Manage Data Collection Activities

• Manage all types of data collection activities for DTW, IFA and HPV programs including, field-based data collection and phone-based data collection for both quantitative and qualitative research, electronic & paper surveys.
• Work with DTW, IFA and HPV program teams to train and manage all staff collecting program data to ensure quality data collection; including tracking all data collection activities and conducting back-checks/spot-checks.
• Support regular sampling of field activities based on guidelines, develop and manage an efficient field schedule for all project field operations
• Maintain an efficient system for tracking data collection activities, and support data tracking systems developed by the data management team to make sure that no data collected from the field is lost in the process of data flow.
• Coordinate with the program team to ensure free flow of information for planning data collection, and maintain ‘instant feedback’ information systems as well as share information with the program team as required.
• Support the development and review consistent data collection and back check tools/instruments as may be necessary.
• Ensure that the field teams have all the required information, materials, finances and other supplies during deployment as necessary for field activities.
• Identify and provide recommendations for innovative and cost-efficient methods of improving quality of data for programs and ensure that all DTW, IFA and HPV activities are budgeted for in close collaboration with manager Field Operations.

Manage systems and processes for delivery of quality data collection

• Develop basic standards and best-practices for collecting data; including conducting back-checks/spot-checks and documentation of field activities.
• Manage and contribute to innovative systems and tools to train staff as stipulated in the MLE staff training protocol.
• Develop guidelines for task management of data collection teams.
• Development of efficient logistic tools for the field teams.
• Work together with the DTW, IFA and HPV Program teams to develop and iterate upon tools used for data collection.
• Collaborate with MLE’s survey design, programming team and QAQC team to make sure that all electronic data collection instruments are programmed in time and are aligned with data collection protocols.

Manage Field Team Resources

• Support the development of program budget and management of data collection finances, including identifying and making timely financial request and returns as well as tracking data collection expenses.
• Adopt the most cost effective (and quality) means and ways available in the execution of the budget.
• Take full responsibility of MLE expenditures as approved in the budget.
• Ensure materials and equipment for the Field operations team are used diligently and proper records are kept for ease retrieval and reference.

Research and Learning

• Routine monitoring and reporting of program progress against a series of Key Performance Indicators.
• Capture and disseminate lessons learnt from implementation rounds as well as tracking improvements in those significant areas over time to ensure that learnings are translated to program improvements.
• Support MLE and Program teams with implementing operations research activities, as needed, for the Malawi DTW, IFA and HPV programs
• Support data analysis process by responding to queries from analytics team and interpretation efforts for program decision making.
• Take the lead on developing and implementing field data quality checks e.g. infield supervision and back checks.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Represent MLE in program meetings with partners and government where MLE presence is needed, and record meeting notes for team dissemination.
• Communicate program requests and/or needs for data and translating that back to the necessary MLE Strategy and delivery team/members for action when required.
• Active participation in stakeholder engagement in terms of representing the DTW, IFA and HPV programs at meetings that require Evidence Action’s M&E inputs and actions, making presentation, training and other capacity building activities.
• Collaborate closely with other sub-team members within MLE and the Programs, to ensure that useful and quality data is collected in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
• Work with the IT team to coordinate any hardware repairs and software updates in the course of using the procured devices.
• Work closely with the procurement team to procure necessary material for data collection.

Perform any other monitoring, evaluation and learning duties as may be required and assigned by the supervisor.

Key performance Indicators

• Full coverage of randomized samples for all data collection activities
• Completion of activities within stipulated timelines
• Quality of data collected by the team i.e. an error rate of 5% and below
• Adherence to randomized lists with clear explanation given if otherwise
• Efficient and effective management of budgetary resources with strict adherence to the finance policy.
• Timely development and review of developed systems, protocols, procedures and sharing of relevant feedback to enhance quality training
• Timely implementation of refresher trainings for the team i.e. routine refresher training and adhoc training for new data collection activities
• Timely submission of activity progress reports, collected data and filling of the relevant activity trackers within set timelines
• Positive feedback from collaborating teams on his/her management style, communication, collaboration and team work
• Use of correct electronic survey versions by all data collection teams.
• Timely requests of field related equipment and materials and proper accountability of the same through timely filling of inventory trackers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in health or social science discipline with a bias in statistics or research, community development, project management, M&E or equivalent. Post graduate degree will be an added advantage.
• Over 5 years of experience of M&E programs in Malawi, with preference given to those who have experience with health data and in particular, the DHIS2.
• Strong technical skills and capacity, with at least 5 years of practical experience managing and working directly with large teams and data.
• Project management skills with experience using electronic data collection platforms, specifically Survey CTO
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, good language command in English and Chichewa/other local languages both spoken and written.
• Willing to travel on short notice, to multi-task, to work in ambiguity and to respond to instructions from multiple sources.

Working conditions

The candidate must be able to travel by various modes of transportation and must be able to endure long periods of sitting or standing during travel. They must also be able to navigate unfamiliar environments and adapt to different cultural norms.

In addition, the candidate should have the ability to work in less developed rural areas, which may have limited access to modern infrastructure and amenities. This may require the candidate to adapt 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.

The position will be based at our Country Office in Lilongwe and will work closely with the in-country Programs team reporting to the Deputy Country Director.

Closing date for receiving applications will be on Friday 15th March 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.