Organizational Background
JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI) a nonprofit founded in 1979, exists to improve the health of underserved people and communities throughout the world, and to provide an environment where people of passion and commitment can pursue this cause. JSI works across a full range of public and community health areas, strengthening health systems to improve services—and ultimately, people’s health. We partner with our clients to develop flexible, innovative approaches that solve complex public health problems. Strong management systems make our programs more effective, sustainable, and cost-effective.
Position Description
This position is for the MOMENTUM Integrated Health Resilience (MIHR) project, which is implemented by IMA World Health, JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc., Pathfinder International, CARE, GOAL USA Fund, and the African Christian Health Association Platform. MIHR is part of a suite of innovative awards funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to holistically strengthen quality voluntary family planning (FP), reproductive health (RH), and maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) in partner countries around the world. MIHR’s focus on health resilience reduces chronic vulnerabilities and promotes more inclusive health development by addressing risks and responses to shocks and stresses, ensuring the continuity of MNCH/FP/RH services.
Working alongside local organizations, governments, and humanitarian and development partners in these fragile settings, the project works to accelerate reductions in maternal, newborn, and child illness and death by increasing the capacity of partner country institutions and local organizations—including new and underutilized partners—to introduce, deliver, scale up, and sustain the use of evidence-based, quality MNCH/FP/RH care.
The MERL Data Management and Analytics Specialist will serve as the focal point at the core level for the implementation and upkeep of the digital MERL system for MIHR countries. He/she will be responsible for overall operations of MIHR’s digital MERL system, from digital data collection to core data management and reporting to visualization. He/she is expected to work under the Measurement and Learning Lead and MERL Director to operate all digital MERL processes, analyze data, and produce routine and ad hoc reports for use by project management staff. He/she will also serve as a key focal point for MIHR’s MERL country staff, supporting local capacity building on digital MERL system utilization. This position will be based at the project’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. and will report to the Measurement and Learning Lead.
Key Responsibilities
Digital MERL System Administration
- Act as administrator for MIHR’s digital MERL system, under the supervision of the Measurement and Learning Lead, managing the core data system and supporting country management of the system.
- Redesign and redevelop the core data system as necessary to meet evolving requirements.
- Monitor, track, and optimize digital MERL system operations; roll out any system changes to MIHR countries.
- Record and investigate system problems accordingly, managing the development list that tracks bugs, issues, and requests.
- Serve as the primary liaison between MIHR and technology providers (including software and ICT providers) for technical challenges with system.
Mobile Data Collection System
- Manage and ensure quality of the mobile data collection hub and data collection instrument library at the core level, while providing oversight at the country level.
- Digitize core level data collection instruments, as needed.
- Develop tools, manuals, guidance, and training for mobile data collection at the country level; provide ongoing support to field offices in mobile data collection, including tracking challenges, bugs, fixes.
Information Management, Analysis, and Reporting
- Develop data management and cleaning protocols and other related standard operating procedures for use at the core and field country level.
- Ensure the timely upload and entry of monthly reports from multiple sources within country and then roll up to global reporting.
- Oversee data quality at the core level and support country staff to properly clean data.
- Support country staff in all data management processes.
- Process, clean, and transform data and information from MIHR countries and other systems for the core system – in particular ensure quality, consistency, accuracy, truthfulness, comprehensiveness of all collected data
- Serve as focal point for data analysis, reporting, and information product generation for the core team.
- Generate and ensure timely routine donor and project reports; support dissemination and analysis of the reports.
- Create and manage core level dashboards; support field teams in the development of country dashboards.
- Support advanced analysis for program adaptive management and research/learning.
- Produce information products, as needed
Capacity Strengthening of Country MERL Staff
- Work with country MERL staff for uptake of digital MERL system, including mobile data collection, core data management and reporting/visualization; act as focal point between country and core on the digital MERL system.
- Help to develop staff capacity in digital data collection, data management, analysis, and visualization.
- Support country teams in management of ICT equipment for MERL.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Public Health and five years of global health or related work experience; Bachelor’s degree in public health will be accepted in lieu of a graduate degree with two additional years of work experience.
- Understanding of the current health information technology/digital health landscape in either a domestic or international context and a passion for using technology to create better health outcomes.
- Computer literacy with demonstrated use of statistical packages (e.g. R, Stata) word processing, Excel, and database software.
- Experience in database management and storage, particularly with DHIS2; cloud storage experience a plus.
- Experience in communications and data visualization programs (i.e. Power Bi, Tableau), and design programs desirable.
- Ability to work comfortably with mobile data collection platforms, Commcare preferred and additional platforms are a plus.
- Excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Proven interpersonal skills and ability to work successfully in a multicultural, team environment.
- Ability to work independently and manage various projects in a team setting with minimal supervision.
- Professional proficiency in English; proficiency in French is highly desirable.