Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Officer(MEL)

USAID MOMENTUM-Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity (M-RITE) aims to strengthen routine immunization (RI) programs to overcome the entrenched obstacles contributing to stagnating and declining routine immunization (RI) rates and to address the barriers to reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children with life-saving vaccines. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the disruption of RI services, M-RITE supports countries with the maintenance and adaptation of RI services and provides strategic technical support for COVID-19 vaccine introduction and deployment in order to protect high risk populations.

In South Sudan, the Ministry of Health (MoH), with support from immunization partners, has adopted strategies to scale up COVID-19 vaccination to increase country coverage to 70% of the target population by the end of 2022. This includes mass vaccination drive (MVD) using intensified COVID-19 vaccination optimization plan (ICVOP), for administering more than 2.5 million doses of vaccines.

M-RITE / JSI provide technical assistance to State/County and Core Group Polio Partners (CGPP) in 21 counties in three Equatorial States (Central, Eastern and Western) for accelerating the COVID-19 vaccination. M-RITE’s support to CGPP includes training of vaccinators, supportive supervision, microplanning, and risk-communication to address hesitancy and increase demand for acceleration of COVID-19 vaccination. CGPP plans to triple their outreach vaccination team – from 33 to 84 teams to maximize shots in arms of COVID-19 vaccines before the rainy season starts in May 2022 when many areas become inaccessible.

At the state level in these three states (Western, Eastern, and Central Equatoria), M-RITE provides technical assistance to Core Group Polio Partners, State/County Health Department for system strengthening including planning, coordination, and supportive supervision

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer will be a member of the M-RITE South Sudan team and will be responsible for supporting the routine data collection, compilation, analysis and use of program related data for action and for preparation of the client (USAID) reports. S/he will also support the M&E team of South Sudan Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to monitor and use of COVID-19 vaccination data in support of knowledge management and translation of learning. The ideal candidate will be a detailed oriented, self-starter who will create strong working relationships and will have knowledge of routine immunization health information system (e.g. DHIS2) with experience of collecting, cleaning, compiling, and visualizing quantitative and qualitative data and the strategic use of data for program improvement and adaptation.

This position will report to the M-RITE Country Project Director in South Sudan. This position is based in Juba national MoH, South Sudan

JSI is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Establish and maintain the MEAL database(s) for program indicator monitoring
• Conduct routine data collection, cleaning, analysis and visualization of country and global indicators
• Work closely with program teams to collect and use program data for program strategy and adaptation
• Provide direct support and communicate with monitoring and evaluation colleagues at HQ to ensure the submission of timely, quality data
• Support South Sudan team with routine indicator analysis and reporting based on donor and project reporting requirements
• Support program team in ensuring qualityCOVID-19 immunization data is documented and shared using DHIS and ODK
• Participate in training of health workers using existing HMIS tools of MoH
• Support in data collection, analysis and documentation for knowledge exchange and shared learning
• Design/contribute to the design in monitoring and reporting tools
• Travel to the Equatorial States (East, Central, and West) as may be required
• Other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES:

• Experience in collecting, cleaning, and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data;
• Working knowledge of DHIS 2 and data visualization and design principles;
• Experience in creating dynamic decision-making tools and dashboards in Excel, including knowledge of more advanced Excel functions such as VBA coding, pivot tables, and other formula functions used to automate workbook elements;
• Demonstrated experience with quantitative analysis software like Stata, SPSS, NVIVO,DHIS2, Power BI or R, power BI
• Knowledge of South Sudan’s health system and routine immunization system preferred;
• Demonstrated competence to assess priorities and manage a variety of activities in a complex and time-sensitive environment to meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality.
• Strong initiative and self-motivation required, with a commitment to teamwork and effectiveness within a nonhierarchical, participatory management environment.
• Ability to travel to remote locations of South Sudan with minimum supervision

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelors degree in Public Health, Health Administration, Economics & Statistics, Data Analysis
• Master’s degree in public health, monitoring and evaluation, social science research, knowledge management, or a related field will be added advantage
• Experience: Minimum two (2) years’ experience in international health preferably working on USAID/USG-funded projects;
• Experience in managing data in immunization programs and child health programs, including state and/or county-based immunization data related work;
• Computer literacy required (Excel, MS Word and PowerPoint). Familiarity with other relevant computer software desirable;
• Fluent in both spoken and written English, plus one commonly-spoken local language in South Sudan (like Arabic);
• Must have ability to work and travel extensively in South Sudan;
• Knowledge of the South Sudan health system at all levels will be an added advantage for this position;
• Experience working in a multi-agency/organizational environment;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.