Data Associates (4 Positions)

Locations: Lusaka Province – Chongwe (1) and Kafue (1)

Western Province – Mongu (1)

Eastern Province – Sinda (1)

Job Summary

Based at District level, the core function will be to establish, maintain and ensure the proper use of performance monitoring indicators and measurement systems in order to provide a succinct analysis and reporting of the project activities and results in line with project goals.

Reporting relationship

Reports to the Provincial SI Officer.

Duties and essential job functions 

• Supports and contributes to the strengthening of the M&E and data management systems in the supported districts and health facilities within the district.
• Works with the DHOs, HFs and M&E staff from other stakeholders to ensure the use of MOH national tools and processes for data management, access and utilization of data by HF and DAPP staff.
• Works with the DHOs, HFs and M&E from other stakeholders in ensuring that sites where the TCE project is attached to, utilize the community module of SmartCare or SmartCare-Plus to document HTS community data and that this data is consistent with physical registers. Also ensures that Field Officers are using SmartCare-Plus and provided any required support when need arises.
• Ensures that correct lists for missed appointments are generated on a daily basis and all tracking outcomes are properly documented in SmartCare, all patient records are up to date in SmartCare and Field Officers properly utilize SmartCare for documentation of community activities.
• Provides mentorship, training and support to HF staff and TCE staff in data collection and reporting procedures, completeness of registers and clinical files, and maintenance of up-to-date clinical charts. Works with the DHIO, HF staff and M&E teams from other stakeholders in conducting triangulation of weekly and monthly reported data with data sources.
• Works with the DHOs, HFs and M&E from other stakeholders to plan & conduct data quality assurance (DQA) including implementation of routine DQMIS activities in Health Facilities. Also participates in all district data review meetings.
• Documents and communicates different data related issues and challenges (from both SmartCare and physical registers) prevailing in the health facilities in their respective districts to the M&E team. Also assists in identifying best practices and designing tools necessary to improve data management and utilization.
• Oversees the activities of the Data Clerks, ensuring that the TCE DHIS2 database is up-to-date, and keeps track of reporting tools required, participates in weekly data review meetings and provides daily updates to the supervising M&E Officers and Project Managers.

Required qualifications 

• University degree with a major in demography, geography or sociology and a minor within social sciences, with at least two years’ relevant work experience in M&E of PEPFAR Health and HIV Activities in complex, multi-year health sector development projects
• Have competence and experience working with Advanced Excel, MER, SmartCare, DQMIS and DHIS2
• Strong diagnostic, analytical and problem solving skills
• Ready to revise M&E protocols and systems in order to adopt changed funding agency demands
• Vast experience with development of M&E work and direct supervision of staff in implementation of M&E
• Sensitivity to and understanding of the political and ethical issues surrounding HIV prevention, care, and treatment, also of key populations
• Excellent written English and oral communication skills