Reports to: APZU Director of Monitoring and Evaluation
Location: Neno, Malawi
Start Date: August 2013
Duration: One year (with option to extend)
Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (APZU) is the Malawi-based sister organization of Partners In Health. APZU is transforming healthcare delivery in Neno District, one of the poorest and most remote districts in Malawi. Through 11 health centers and two hospitals, APZU and the Malawi Ministry of Health work shoulder-to-shoulder to provide free health care to a population of 130,000.
JOB PROFILE:
APZU has made great achievements in healthcare in Neno and is looking to capitalize on this success by documenting our work broadly. Our Monitoring and Evaluation team is tasked with carrying out APZU's operational research platform by carefully documenting and analyzing our clinical and nonclinical outcomes and communicating the results broadly. A volunteer position, the Operational Research & Program Evaluation Assistant is an integral member of this team who provides research and evaluation support to a variety of clinical and non-clinical programs.
The ideal candidate for this position will have a background in monitoring and evaluation and/or research. Experience with project management will be helpful. S/he will be flexible, have excellent leadership skills, adapt to a fast-paced work environment, and prioritize and manage multiple tasks. S/he should be comfortable living in a resource-poor setting and working with culturally diverse colleagues. S/he should be committed to the movement for social justice and global health. As a volunteer position, a small stipend, housing and one round trip ticket will be provided with a one-year commitment.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The position will continue to build APZU's capacity to engage in operational research, rigorous program evaluations and support for a variety of other data-related activities, including but not limited to the following:
1. Provide technical and programmatic support to program evaluations and operational research projects, including:
a. Assist with research and evaluation design and development of proposals
b. Coordinate institutional review/ethics board application processes
c. Supervise and manage data collection, data cleaning, and databases for ongoing research projects
d. Conduct data analysis with guidance from M&E teams in Neno and Boston
e. Mentor colleagues in APZU and at Ministry of Health in research and evaluation practices
f. Provide regular updates to M&E team and collaborators
2. Support a wide range of APZU data-related activities, including:
a. Support core indicator development and routine reporting
b. Monitor and assist in data collection, cleaning, management, and analysis
c. Create tools to strengthen use and feedback of data across APZU programs
d. Assist with the production of monthly, quarterly, and annual APZU program reports
e. Liaise with Medical Informatics, other program teams, and the Ministry of Health to support ongoing data quality improvement efforts
f. Support M&E training activities across departments
g. Assist with M&E and data-related requests for grant proposals and reporting
3. Selected ongoing and planned APZU research and evaluation projects and topics include:
a. HIV patient cohort analyses
b. Cluster-randomized study of household chart as an active case-finding tool
c. Decentralization of HIV services, geographic patient coverage, and treatment outcomes
d. Performance-based financing for health center quality of care
e. Randomized study of village health worker effect on HIV patient clinical and socio-economic outcomes
f. Linkages between socio-economic support and HIV care outcomes
g. Non-communicable disease clinic quality improvement and patient outcomes
h. HIV patient visit adherence and retention in care
4. Prepare conference, journal, and other scholarly works, including:
a. Assume responsibility for scholarly communication and manuscript preparation (conceptualizing, planning, researching, writing, editing, and submission)
b. Take lead on establishing and meeting deadlines; facilitate communication among co-authors, editors, and publishers
c. Gather and disseminate relevant information from a variety of sources that inform Partners In Health and APZU's work
5. Provide general PIH support, including:
a. Work closely and collaboratively with relevant members of APZU senior management and Boston-based MEQ staff on specific projects as assigned
b. Maintain a thorough understanding of PIH's comprehensive approach to health and poverty, and serve as an advocate for its work within the organization, in Malawi, and abroad
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Bachelor's Degree required and relevant Masters degree (public health, statistics, health science) preferred
2. Two or more years work experience in a clinical, social science or public health setting preferred
3. Demonstrated competence to assess priorities, manage a variety of activities in a time-sensitive environment, and meet deadlines with attention to detail
4. Strong communication, organizational, and writing skills
5. Adept using Microsoft Office Suite and data management/analysis software (Access, SPSS, SAS, Epi Info, or Stata)
6. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact professionally and mentor diverse staff
7. Willingness to live in a remote area and travel to field offices regularly
All interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Dr. James Keck (APZUmeq@pih.org)
