Strategic Information Associate: Data Demand and Information Use

 

About Us

 

Futures Group develops and delivers innovative, locally relevant, evidence-based solutions to improve the health and well being of people around the world. Since 1971, we have assisted governmental and non-governmental agencies, foundations, and the private sector by designing, implementing and evaluating programs in HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, population and family planning, maternal and child health, infectious diseases, and gender. Futures Group has deep expertise in policy and advocacy, research and strategic information, health markets and private sector engagement, modeling and economic analysis, patient monitoring and management/HMIS, strategic consulting, and program management.

 

Position Summary

 

The Strategic Information Associate – DDIU will lead data use and analysis efforts in country and will work with a wide array of stakeholders at the national and local levels. He/she will be responsible for developing and overseeing implementation of the project’s strategies for increasing data demand and use for decision-making in HIV care and treatment. The DDIU Associate’s technical knowledge base, skills and experience will include those necessary to engage in productive cross-cultural communication and capacity building with individuals from a wide range of educational, professional and socio-economic backgrounds and professional objectives for seeking and using health data.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

• Provide technical assistance to promote monitoring and evaluation strategies to facilitate data usage and ownership in a manner that enhances the program, builds institutional capacity  and promotes sustainability
• While working collaboratively with other consortium members, increase local capacity for the identification of data needs and the collection, analysis and communication of appropriate information.
• Create a bridge between the SI and clinical teams to assure that there is productive two-way communication. Key tasks include: assuring that the SI staff provide data to the local core clinical teams; program teams review SI reports to identify trends and opportunities to improve program performance; SI and program teams work collaboratively to identify key indicators to track; and SI and program teams work together to facilitate the development of small test of change plans with health facilities.
• Work with the SI team to design and review data analysis for all program areas which goes beyond routine quarterly performance tracking to help identify problems and opportunities to address gaps and to improve program performance while enhancing efficient and effective use of information.
• Work with the SI team to analyze findings, treatment outcomes, and supportive supervision data in order to develop recommendations for strengthening program performance.
• Stay abreast of current literature relevant to HIV care and treatment and disseminate information to the SI team.

 

SMT / Stakeholder level

• Conduct multi-site analysis of health facility data on key reports required by the senior management team and stakeholders
• Compile and create trends for monthly, quarterly and  semi-annual reports
• Train other team members on DDIU best practices
• Update and continuously monitor the DDIU work plans and help with its implementation
• Facilitate internal DDIU workshops for shared experiences,
• Attend regional conferences as required

 

Local Partner Health Facility Level

• Increase health facility demand for quality information, methods, and tools, and facilitation of information use in decision making
• Help coordinate and provide training for data collection and analysis to the local partners and service providers
• Ensure regular, accurate monitoring reports from our health facilities (monthly, quarterly, annually) on all required indicators
• Provide DDIU training to stakeholders (health facility, Temporary Data Entry Staff, etc)
• Conduct site visits to each health facility and provide technical assistance
• Ensure regular, accurate reports from health facility (monthly, quarterly, annually)
• Provide additional trainings as necessary
• Provide quality control/assurance
• Perform other responsibilities as needed

 

Qualifications

 

• Masters in Public Health / Epidemiology/ Health Statistics
• At least 5-10 years experience in the public health arena, preferably working in ME of clinical HIV programs
• Experience working with SmartCare as a direct user, and providing technical support to health facilities in the use of an electronic health record system.
• 5 years of practical data use/ME experience,
• Excellent data analysis skills (SAS, Stata, SPSS, or Epi Info)
• Proficient in database management (SQL, Access)
• Have a good understanding of the Zambian health system
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Experience in implementing US Government-funded projects
• Excellent organizational skills including demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks, coordinate, and meet deadlines
• Ability to promote collaboration among Country Stakeholders
• Expert computer skills and experience working with Microsoft Office and HMIS
• Experience developing reporting tools for international settings
• The ability to work well under moderate pressure and skilled in trouble shooting, crisis management, and problem solving
• Must be available for domestic travel up to 50% and some international travel
• This position is open to Zambia citizens only.

 

Physical Demands

 

•  Regularly required to stand or sit, and move about the facility

 

Work Environment

 

•  Usual office working conditions free of disagreeable elements.

 

All applications for this position should be submitted online at www.futuresgroup.com via the Careers page.  Futures Group provides equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status.