Strategic Information Associate, Zambia

Location:            Zambia

Job Code:          713

# of Openings:  1

                             

Description

Company Profile

Futures Group, the global consulting firm, helps to protect and promote people’s well-being around the world. For 40 years, Futures Group has created lasting solutions to some of the most pressing public health challenges facing nations. We predict future health and development trends, uncover barriers to well-being, and forge on-the-ground partnerships to ensure lasting change.

Position Summary

The Strategic Information Associate – DDIU will lead data use and analysis efforts in country and will work with a wide array of stakeholders at the national and local levels. He/she will be responsible for developing and overseeing implementation of the project’s strategies for increasing data demand and use for decision-making in HIV care and treatment. The DDIU associate’s technical knowledge base, skills and experience will include those necessary to engage in productive cross-cultural communication and capacity building with individuals from a wide range of educational, professional and socio-economic backgrounds and professional objectives for seeking and using health data.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance to promote monitoring and evaluation strategies to facilitate data usage and ownership in a manner that enhances the program and promotes sustainability
• While working collaboratively with other consortium members, increase local capacity for the identification of data needs and the collection, analysis and communication of appropriate information.
• Create a bridge between the SI and clinical teams to assure that there is productive two-way communication. Key tasks include: assuring that the SI staff provide data to the local core clinical teams; program teams review SI reports to identify trends and opportunities to improve program performance; SI and program teams work collaboratively to identify key indicators to track; and SI and program teams work together to facilitate the development of small test of change plans with LPTFs.
• Work with the SI team to design and review data analysis for all program areas which goes beyond routine quarterly performance tracking to help identify problems and opportunities to improve program performance.
• Work with the SI team to analyze findings, treatment outcomes, and supportive supervision data in order to develop recommendations for strengthening program performance.
• Stay abreast of current literature relevant to HIV care and treatment and disseminate information to the SI team.

SMT / Stakeholder level

• Conduct multi-site analysis of health facility data on key reports required by SMT and stakeholders
• Compile and create trends for monthly, quarterly and  semi-annual reports
• Train other team members on best DDIU practices
• Update and continuously monitor the DDIU work plans and help with its implementation
• Facilitate internal DDIU conferences for shared experiences,
• Attend regional conferences as required

Health Facility Level

• Increase health facility demand for quality information, methods, and tools, and facilitation of information use in decision making
• Help coordinate and provide training for data collection and analysis to the service providers
• To ensure regular, accurate monitoring reports from our health facility (monthly, quarterly, annually) on all required indicators
• To provide DDIU training to Stakeholders (health facility, Temporary Data Entry Staff, etc)
• To conduct site visits to each health facility and provide technical assistance
• To ensure regular, accurate reports from health facility (monthly, quarterly, annually)
• To provide additional trainings as necessary
• To provide quality control/assurance
• To perform other responsibilities as needed

Qualifications

• Masters in Public Health / Epidemiology/ Health Statistics
• At least 5 years of experience in the public health arena, preferably working with and HER.
• Experience working with SmartCare as a direct user, and providing technical support to LPTF’s in the use of an electronic health record system.
• 5 years of practical data use/M&E experience,
• Excellent data base management skills ( SQL, Access, Excel)
• Excellent data analysis skills (either of SAS, Stata, SPSS, Epi Info)
• Have a good understanding of the health systems
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in implementing US Government-funded projects.
• Excellent organizational skills including demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, coordinate, and meet deadlines
• Ability to promote collaboration among Country Stakeholders
• Expert computer skills and experience working with HMIS, Microsoft Office skills
• Experience developing electronic clinical forms, reporting tools for international settings
• The ability to work well under moderate pressure and skilled in trouble shooting, crisis management, and problem solving
• Must be available for domestic travel up to 50% and some international travel
• This position is open to Zambian citizens only.

The position is considered a “local hire.”  There are no expatriate allowances associated with the position.   

APPLICATION DETAILS

Please submit the following information to rpmareno@futuresgroup.com before January 17 2014.

1. Updated résumé
2. USAID 1420 biodata form

Please state “SI Associate_DDIU _ Zambia” in the subject line of the email and indicate where you first saw this advertisement.

Futures Group provides equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status.