Strategic Information Advisor

Job Description

SUSTAINING TECHNICAL AND ANALYTIC RESOURCES

FELLOWSHIP TITLE: Strategic Information Advisor

HOST ORGANIZATION: Health, Population, and Nutrition Office, United States Agency for International Development

LOCATION: Lilongwe, Malawi

POSITION LEVEL: Mid- Career Advisor

STAR-P2-105

TRAVEL: 10% estimated travel

STAR PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Sustaining Technical and Analytic Resources (STAR) is a project of the Public Health Institute (PHI) supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Global Health (GH) Bureau. Its purpose is twofold: (1) Through individual fellowships, STAR will help strengthen the capacity of diverse American and low-and-middle-income country (LMIC) health professionals at all levels to make innovative contributions to global health (GH); and (2) STAR will create ground-breaking opportunities for both US and LMIC GH academic institutions and other groups, including professional associations, to create systems for open-access knowledge sharing, resulting in effective partnerships. STAR’s individual and institutional participants are contributing to the development of self-sustaining systems and tools that will produce global citizens with the full spectrum of relevant health competencies. STAR is managed by the Public Health Institute and implement in partnership with Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH).

ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP

The STAR Fellowship is a two-year global health and learning opportunity with:

• Individualized, tailored support to enhance the fellow’s achievement personal and professional goals
• Personalized learning plans and access to learning resources (courses, conferences, mentoring) based on fellow’s learning style and preferences.
• Access to broad professional networks to enhance peer learning and knowledge sharing

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

Background:

In 2009, Malawi became the first country to sign the PEPFAR Partnership Framework that harmonizes U.S. Government and host country government HIV/AIDS programs. USAID uses PEPFAR resources to invest in systems strengthening; promote a broad range of HIV prevention, treatment, and care activities; and mitigate the social and economic impact of the disease.

USAID participates in national technical working groups where key programmatic and technical decisions are made. USAID also maintains a close working relationship with national and district governance structures by contributing to district implementation planning, strengthening financial accountability, encouraging supportive supervision and program reviews, and engaging in targeted capacity building interventions. The Strategic Information Advisor will be a member of the HIV/AIDS Team in the Health, Population and Nutrition (HPN) office at USAID/Malawi. The HIV/AIDS team is comprised of 25 staff members with an approximate annual PEPFAR budget of $63 million/year managed by 25 implementing partners.

Introduction:

The Strategic Information Advisor (Advisor) will play a critical role in two areas that are key for achieving, measuring, and documenting progress towards HIV epidemic control: 1) provides technical leadership in the use of epidemiological and research data for decision making and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of the USAID/PEPFAR portfolio, and 2) supports local partner transition through mentoring and advising M&E units in local partners, including key government ministries and other local institutions on building sustainable data collection and analysis systems. The Advisor will provide technical guidance to ensure that USAID’s Implementing Partners (IPs) employ sound data management and analysis techniques to enable the US Government (USG) and the Government of Malawi (GOM) to effectively measure progress toward HIV epidemic control. The Advisor will apply data analysis and visualization techniques to enable the USG, GOM, IPs and other stakeholders to monitor progress and evaluate the impact and reach of USAID’s work. The Advisor will also participate significantly in the process of target setting for USAID IPs during the Country Operational Plan (COP) development process. As a member of the USAID/Malawi HIV/AIDS team, they will participate in technical, policy, and strategic planning meetings with the GOM, interagency, other donors, civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders.

Reporting structure:

The Advisor will be based at USAID/Malawi and will work closely with the HIV/AIDS Team, receiving technical direction from the HIV/AIDS Team Leader, who will serve as their Onsite Manager.

Essential Duties and Outcomes:

A standardized M&E system and process for documentation of progress toward achieving goals and objectives established across all USAID PEPFAR IPs:

• Provide technical advice to support all USAID IPs to deploy strong M&E systems that enable a standardized documentation of progress toward achieving goals and objectives.
• Assist in planning, designing, and managing the SI and data visualization components of the annual PEPFAR COP and quarterly PEPFAR interagency data review calls.
• Generate program results reports for the USAID team as per agency and PEPFAR schedules (weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual).

State-of-the-art data analysis and visualization techniques developed and employed to guide the USAID HIV/AIDS team in activity adjustments and partner management, and teams trained on the use of data visualization systems and software:

• Provide technical advice to ensure rigorous performance management in all USAID/PEPFAR funded activities, starting from target setting through results reporting, data analysis, and data use.
• Provide technical advice to ensure USAID IPs deploy strong M&E systems that enable a standardized documentation of progress toward achieving goals and objectives.
• Advise on SI and HIV/AIDS epidemiology issues at technical, policy, and strategic planning meetings.

USAID/PEPFAR’s local partners trained on PEPFAR Data systems (DATIM) and standard MEL Plans are developed:

• Spearhead capacity strengthening of new local partners in improving their M&E systems, including developing comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plans (MEL) describing results framework, data collection and analysis, indicator narratives, and performance measures.
• Play a key role in managing the PEPFAR data system (Data for Accountability, Transparency, and Impact / DATIM), generating reports and analysis for USAID activity managers and senior PEPFAR leadership.
• Lead in the design, implementation, and development of new processes in information management as they relate to PEPFAR and GOM results reporting.

PEPFAR IPs trained and supported on Point of Care (POC) Electronic Medical Records and eMastercard use:

• Plan, develop, and deliver training on the use of the two electronic patient tracking systems.
• Develop support systems to ensure a high level of availability and use of the electronic patient data capturing systems.
• In collaboration with the entities tasked with developing and deploying the systems, lead the effort to develop end-user trouble logging systems to minimize downtime and disruptions.

Anticipated learning outcomes: * Required 10% time

• Demonstrate proficiency across the core global health competencies defined as development practice, cross cultural awareness, communication, capacity strengthening, ethics of public health, health equity, gender equality and global burden of disease that is necessary for persons practicing in global health.
• Apply Strategic Information and HIV/AIDS knowledge to strengthen program.
• Apply and distinguish international standards within technical/content area to support programming.
• Cultivate leadership skills based on the STAR GH mentorship curriculum to effectively facilitate capacity building and knowledge sharing activities amongst staff and peers.
• Expand access to knowledge and resources through networking and collaborative practice within global health.

FELLOWSHIP REQUIREMENTS

Required:

• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in data analysis, health information systems, Electronic Medical Records, epidemiology, management of strategic information, using advanced monitoring and evaluation systems, oversight and/or implementation of activity evaluations with a master’s degree or a minimum 9 years of relevant experience with a bachelor’s degree.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in health/HIV-AIDS programs is required.
• Knowledge of epidemiologic methods and biostatistics, health information systems, GIS project management, research methodologies, and HIV/AIDS epidemiology and current strategies for treatment, care, and prevention.
• Advanced knowledge of data collection, utilization, and validation systems.
• Ability to present and communicate technical information, analyses, and recommendations in clear written and oral formats.
• Expertise with computer-based data management software and/or programs, including Microsoft data base packages and statistical software packages such as Tableau, STATA, SPSS and EpiInfo.
• Ability to operate independently with limited direct supervision of day-to-day activities is required.
• Open to US Citizens or US Permanent Residents, or Third Country Nationals.

Additional skills (preferred)

• Experience working with PEPFAR and U.S. government programming is desirable.

TO APPLY:

All applicants are required to apply for this position through STAR’s online recruitment system at https://www.ghstar.org/, which allows you to store your CV/resume and separate cover letter describing your qualifications and experience, interest and familiarity with issues relating to this position, and how this position relates to your career goals is required for each application. All online applications will be reviewed until the position is filled.

About the Organization

Sustaining Technical and Analytic Resources (STAR) is a five-year project of the Public Health Institute, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). STAR’s overall goal is to strengthen the capacity of global health professionals, organizations, and companies so they can implement stronger programs, achieve better results, and make a bigger impact in the global health field.

STAR has four key components:

• A Fellowship and Internship program with tailored individual learning and growth opportunities
• Capacity-building for Fellowship/Internship host organizations
• Academic partnerships between U.S. and low- and middle-income country institutions
• Tailored learning and mentorship opportunities for corporate and foundation partners

Through a continuous focus on individual and institutional learning, STAR is amplifying the impact that professionals and organizations can make on global health practice.

• Individual Learning: Each participant has a dedicated team of Learning and Performance Management specialists who help ensure a successful, productive experience. They help Fellows and Interns to develop individualized learning and career plans based on their job responsibilities, their passions, and their long-term aspirations in global health.
• Institutional Learning: STAR pairs academic institutions from different countries in knowledge-sharing experiments. They collaborate towards solutions to global health challenges and generate new knowledge, translating it into learning resources that are accessible to practitioners around the world.