Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officers

Job description

PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing health challenges.

PATH seeks three Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officers for the USG-funded AFGHS-PATH project. AFGHS-PATH aims to provide implementation support services and technical assistance to countries to accelerate progress in comprehensive delivery of facility and community-based malaria services, including malaria case management, prevention of malaria in pregnancy (MiP), health systems strengthening, data collection and use for service delivery, and other malaria prevention interventions. AFGHS-PATH may also support maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) interventions.

The MEL Officers will strengthen the quality and use of Health Management Information System (HMIS) and Malaria rapid reporting system (MRRS) at the provincial level. They will support routine MEL activities, including reviewing HMIS and surveillance data, verifying, compiling and submitting project results, and strengthening data quality and use for evidence-based decision-making.

The positions are based in Chinsali, Kasama, and Mansa.

Key Responsibilities

Strengthening data systems, data quality and data use

• Work with the DHIS2 web-based server to keep organization units and mobile client user’s information updated
• Work with web-based data visualization software to improve visualization of malaria surveillance data for monitoring and for inclusion in monthly, quarterly, and annual reports
• Monitor weekly and monthly data reporting to ensure timely and quality reported data by health facilities and community health Workers (CHWs) through routine remote and onsite follow-up and supportive supervision and data review.
• Support malaria data quality audit and other data quality improvement activities to ensure quality data is available in the system.
• Understand and promote common surveillance system definitions for consistent uptake and use throughout those involved in system rollout.

• Support the successful implementation of the Electronic Data System used in outreach training and supportive supervision (OTSS) and ensure its proper functionality both from the hardware and software side.

Provide technical guidance during Malaria data review meetings and District led Mentorship and technical supportive supervision

• Liaise with the districts to ensure reporting phones are available and functional
• Liaise with the districts to ensure CHWs and facilities are reporting on time
• Provide technical guidance during Malaria data review meetings
• Support district-led mentorship and technical support visits to health facilities and CHWs

Support and coordinate Malaria rapid reporting and surveillance activities

• Provide technical support to Mobile Client operators in areas related to data collection, analysis Implementation, hardware operation and troubleshooting.
• Conduct district Malaria surveillance training for CHWs and health facility officers, including district health officers
• Conduct regular Capacity building trainings in areas related to Data collection, submission, analysis and Visualization
• Work with the NMEC, local MOH representatives and AFGHS-PATH staff to ensure appropriate software and hardware required for rapid reporting is in place at all levels

Support program reporting and coordination

• Work with AFGHS-PATH administrative staff to develop training budgets, manage workshop logistics and ensure activities comply with PATH and USG accounting practices.

• Support the provincial malaria technical officer in the implementation of activities, support tracking of the MEL performance indicators and updating the activity tracking report

• Support the preparation of project reports by compiling and validating activity results and routine malaria data to document project progress, and support the development of project success stories

Required Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, Social Sciences, Statistics or relevant discipline

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience and demonstrated skills in monitoring and evaluation in donor-funded projects, preferably PMI or USG

• Hands-on experience with MOH’s health information systems (HMIS) and DHIS2 including data collection, entry,cleaning, analysis and dashboard development

• Experience with data analysis (e.g., Excel, R, Stata, SPSS, etc.) and data visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau)

• Experience planning and facilitating training for health workers and troubleshooting mobile or electronic reporting tools

• Familiarity with Zambia’s national malaria program and MOH health information structures is an advantage

• Strong analytical, presentation, and report writing skills.

• Ability to travel up to 40 percent in-country

• Strong interpersonal, teamwork and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to work well with MOH and project staff and a positive, solution-oriented approach.

• Must have legal authorization to work in Zambia.