Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Reporting: Country Director

Job Description

Guided by the belief that every individual deserves an equal opportunity to lead a healthy and whole life, LifeNet improves the quality of health systems from the ground up. We are dedicated to strengthening health systems by leveraging existing resources to maximize return on investment and promote local sustainability. Through the framework of a partnership with faith-based health centers, we innovate and implement pragmatic responses to everyday health challenges facing the poor.

Scope of work

The M&E Specialist will specifically support all projects in the country. S/He will be responsible for all M&E-related project actions (project start-up, implementation, and close-out), providing technical M&E work within the health program while collaborating with the country program and regional M&E team, with specific attention to data quality and utilisation, s/he will be responsible for building capacity of the country staff in all M&E work related to program quality and reporting. S/he will ensure that quality data is collected, and entered into the LifeNet data collection platform and that data is analysed and information is prepared for use by project teams. The M&E Specialist will play a key role in supporting impact reporting to LifeNet donors. S/he will conduct frequent field visits to assess the program's quality, to reinforce compliance with M&E procedures, to provide guidance and coaching to staff and to conduct data verification exercises. S/he will work collaboratively with the regional M&E and digital team based in Kampala.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Percentages are approximate and other duties may be assigned.

Key Result #1 – Ensure effective management of Monitoring and Evaluation Systems (60%).

1. Manage and oversee data collection, analysis and information management under LifeNet's M&E Systems and Framework.
2. Track indicators performance across all levels from inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes and impact to measure the program’s progress and achievements toward strategic objectives.
3. Provide support to the program team in compiling reports, ensuring data quality and reporting on indicators.
4. Analyse program data to observe trends and achievements and advise program teams accordingly.
5. Conduct field visits to the health facilities to mentor and coach facility staff on data collection, reporting, and data cleaning to inform program and HMIS/DHIS2 reports
6. Review reports to ensure accuracy and quality before submission to technical coordinators/managers.
7. Facilitate training of health program staff and partners on monitoring and evaluation.
8. Update monthly indicator tracking sheets for monitoring program achievement every month
9. Conduct Project Data Quality Audits of the project where and when needed (i.e. suspicious data corruption with failure to fix it quickly)
10. Participate in the development of the program implementation strategy, annual work plans, and other project tools
11. Operationalize and update all data collection and reporting platforms for effective use by LifeNet staff
12. Work closely with the technical team leads to process, analyze, and use data to improve management, make necessary adjustments, and assess trends.
13. Manage the correct and effective use of routine monitoring tools including regularly assessing changes in the adoption of improved practices, pre/post tests, Quality Score Cards (QSCs), and Barrier Analysis to identify determinants of behaviors so that effective behavior change can be encouraged.
14. Design, plan, coordinate, and report on the major periodic events associated with individual programs, namely: baseline survey, mid-term evaluation, and final evaluation.
15. Conduct spot checks at the individual site and community level to evaluate adherence to programming standards and visually verify information reported through the normal reporting systems.
16. Compile and present program information for internal monthly, quarterly, and annual reports as well as donor-required reports
17. Periodically, perform data aggregation and analysis to demonstrate the project's contribution to national strategic objectives and targets.
18. Ensure that monitoring, data collection, and reporting take root in the normal program implementation processes, especially monthly finance data collection.

Key Result #2 – Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the area of monitoring and evaluation (20%).

1. Provide training and capacity building for LifeNet staff on effective monitoring and evaluation tools and systems.
2. Ensure knowledge management and learning, emphasizing the use of M&E data for decision-making by country staff, and our wider network of stakeholders
3. Ensure the transfer of monitoring and evaluation skills to the local community level through participative training and the development of community-based systems.
4. Research, collect, and share new approaches and tools regarding designing, monitoring and evaluation to keep LifeNet at the leading edge in improving health care in Africa.

Key Result #3 – Improve and further develop LifeNets M/E tools and systems. (10%)

1. Contribute to the development of the M&E System and processes to function more efficiently in providing relevant, timely program assessment information to key stakeholders within the organization as well as external partners and community-level groups.
2. Develop a national M&E System to harmonize and where possible, standardize the indicators and processes which are used in different provinces, with different programs and donors.
3. Take a lead role in integrating M&E into new program design and implementation planning at the country level.
4. Facilitate the work of any external program evaluators and take a lead role in ensuring follow-up of their recommendations.

Key Result #4 – Provide support for LifeNet’s Digital Enablement initiatives (10%)

1. Act as the point person for LN’s digital initiatives, supporting the programs team with troubleshooting, user training, and seamless integration of digital solutions to enhance efficiency.
2. Collaborate with the digital specialist to ensure the timely creation of user accounts and effective use of the digital learning platform by health workers. Develop streamlined processes and clear communication channels for efficient issue resolution.
3. Work closely with the digital specialist to provide ongoing training on LN’s digital platforms. Offer technical guidance to the programs team and timely issue resolution.
4. Stay informed about emerging digital health technologies, actively participating in conferences and engaging with networks. Continuously assess the relevance of new technologies to LN’s programming, providing strategic guidance for innovation and improvement.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• At the minimum, a Bachelor's degree (BA) from a university in a related field and 5 years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation of health-related projects; and developing or analyzing health outcome metrics.
• A degree in a related field such as public health, epidemiology, international development, economics, statistics or mathematics, business management, or finance, with a strong research and statistical analysis component.
• Strong health facility experience is required.
• Practical experience in data analysis software and Ministry of Health data collection and management tools such as DHIS2, Microsoft Office Packages particularly MSExcel and complex data analysis and presentation.
• Experience with the logical framework approach to M&E and with quantitative, qualitative, and participatory M&E approaches
• Analyzing complex organizational problems, identifying innovative solutions, and engaging others to implement, preferably in a limited-resource environment.
• Possess related data analysis, business, or management experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including an excellent working knowledge of data analysis and graphic representation with Excel and other statistical packages.
• Experience or knowledge of digital health and digital learning platforms is an added advantage.
• Perform in a highly independent entrepreneurial environment, deliver strong results, and ask for help when needed.

Other Qualifications:

• Willingness to work with faith-based organizations.
• Ability to work full-time (5 days per week) with occasional upcountry trips.

Submitting Applications:

Your application should include a cover letter, your resume, a copy of your degree, and at least three references. Please submit all applications via email at ugrecruitment@lninternational.org by November 7th, 2024. The subject of the email should be “M&E Specialist position”.