Technical Associate

Locally known as the Walter Reed Southern Highlands AIDS Program, the Henry Jackson Foundation Medical Research International (HJFMRI) is an international non-governmental organization working in several countries conducting research studies and providing care and treatment to people affected by HIV/AIDS.  HJFMRI is funded by the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief PEPFAR. 

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHSW), HJFMRI has been leading a comprehensive HIV/AIDS care and treatment program in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania since 2004 with support from the President’s Emergency Plans for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  The program is based within the Mbeya Referral Hospital and has since extended to more than 100 health facilities in Mbeya, Rukwa and Ruvuma regions, which collectively represent a catchment area of about 6 million people.  Mbeya region is one of high prevalence regions in Tanzania and expansion of HIV care and treatment programs is critical.

Walter Reed Program is seeking qualified candidate to fill the position below.  Cover letters and resumes should be sent to the Human Resources Manager, P.O. Box 6396, Mbeya or e-mailed to;  jobswrpmbeya@gmail.com.  NOTE:  to be considered, applicants must put the TITLE OF THE JOB in the SUBJECT LINE. Deadline for submission of the application is Friday June 14^th, 2013. Those who do not meet the minimum requirements as detailed below should not submit applications

1.        Position:                 Technical Associate

Reports to:              M&E Director

Location:                 Mbeya, Rukwa and Ruvuma with occasional upcountry field travels.

Position summary:

The Technical Associate will be responsible for supporting the strategic information, monitoring and evaluation, and performance reporting in country covering four region supported by  Henry M. Jackson Foundation Medical Research International (HJFMRI), Walter Reed Program - Tanzania. The M&E Technical Associate is responsible  for identifying M&E needs, designing and maintaining data collection systems and for ensuring that all necessary information, from both routine reporting as well as from ad hoc data collection efforts and special studies, is collected, analyzed and used  accordingly for evidence based decision making. S/he will complete field-based reporting and M&E activities and, in cooperation with the CDC, the MOHSW, and HJFMRI Home Office, produce and disseminate results. The Technical Associate is responsible for ensuring the data collected is comprehensive, clean and valid, and will ensure that the HMIS, Data Quality Assurance and Data Demand Information Use training activities are conducted at the health facilities, district and regional level as directed by the Monitoring and Evaluation Director.

Overall Tasks and Responsibilities:

In coordination with the Monitoring and Evaluation Director, the M&E Technical Associate is responsible for the following WRP/HJFMRI activities in particular:

•       Support efforts to build field capacity in monitoring and evaluation and develops and strengthens evidence based data methodologies, collection, interpretation for decision-making and protocols;

•       Conduct evaluations, assessments, comparative analyses, and other related tasks in support of project reporting needs;

•       Provide technical support in the process of data quality assurance (DQA), data cleaning and summarization

•       Provide leadership for capacity building of the M&E team, including field-based M&E staff employed by the R/CHMTs and HJFMRI-supported health facilities, to improve national M&E systems, use of data and timeliness of reporting.

•       Support the development and implementation of a routine data quality assurance process to maintain adequate quality control in all aspects of M&E from data collection to results reporting. 

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities:

·         Provide technical assistance in the preparation of quarterly technical reports including M&E activities

·         Implement the WRP M&E system by providing technical support and capacity building to partners in data collection, verification, aggregation, and reporting.

·         Conduct data quality assessments and continued supportive supervision, and provide feedback on data quality issues to all partners; 

 

·         Support Paper-Based  Data Reporting System and Electronic Care and Treatment  Databases (NACP CTC2 Database and  Pharmacy Database )

Specific Duties for Support of Medical Partners

With the M&E team, plan for and conduct monitoring activities and ensure accurate and timely reporting submission, in particular:

·         Compile, analyze, and present data for reporting of program progress and impact, and quality assurance.

·         With the project technical staff, capture lessons learned and best practices, document and disseminate information, assist with developing presentations, abstracts, articles, etc.

Specific Duties for Support of Outreach Partners

·         Ensure standard data collection tools and reporting tools are used by all outreach partners.

·         Train and build capacity of outreach partners to monitor and evaluate all activities to inform future program planning.

·         Organize and conduct periodic meetings with local collaborating agencies, partners and stakeholders to discuss achievements and challenges and lessons learnt

Required Qualifications:

·         Bachelor degree preferably in Public Health, Information Technology  , Data Management,  Health Sciences, Epidemiology, Statistics or a related discipline.;

·         Minimum 3 years in the field of Monitoring and evaluation focused on supporting HIV/AIDS /PEPFAR activities• Knowledge of USAID and PEPFAR policies and guidance.

·         Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Swahili with proven ability to document and articulate results,

·         Knowledgeable in Monitoring and Evaluation, HMIS  and quality assurance methods and approaches (includes quantitative, qualitative and participatory);

·         Have a good grasp of the determinants, challenges and impact of the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Tanzania and the growing demand for effective response planning, monitoring and evaluation frameworks

·         Possess demonstrated skills in quantitative data analysis and data management as well as demonstrated analytical skills and experience in identifying and evaluating best practices and state-of-the-art approaches to be utilized by the project

·         Proficiency in statistical databases (e.g. SPSS, EPI-Info) as well as strong skills in Excel, Word, Access and Power Point

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

·         Coordinate and support implementation of care and treatment, PMTCT, PITC and TB/HIV in Ruvuma Region

·         Provide support to the Regional Medical Office and District Health Offices in planning, coordinating and supervision of regional wide scale up of Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) services

·         Monitor and evaluate of ART services in collaboration with HJFMRI M&E team, program performance in the region.

·         Coordinate ART related training activities for health workers in palliative care

·         Develop timely and accurate reports and documenting project lessons learnt and best practices

·         Provide an ongoing programmatic, management and financial oversight of funded ART activities required by the project.

·         Attend meetings both in Mbeya and where necessary in Dar es Salaam

·         Strengthen linkage of ART services and community HIV/AIDS services through collaboration internally and also with other key stakeholders in the region.

·         Ensure improved linkages between health facility cares with community palliative services provided by CHBC givers.

·         Strengthen and ensure continuum of care and a good flow of patient movement in the form of referral system to and from all health facility levels, home setting and the community.

·         Build capacity and provide technical support, project/programme and financial managerial support to NGOs and CSOs as well as to formal and inform community groups engaged in HIV/AIDS, PEPFAR funded activities.

·         Work closely with Outreach Coordinator to ensure strengthened linkage, coordination and partnership between the Regional/Council Health Management Teams(R/CHMTs), community local partners (NGOs/FBO) and their corresponding Council Multi-sector AIDS Committees (CMACs)

·         Also ensuring optimal use of available resources for the program under his/her jurisdiction.

·         Any other duties or assignment in the support of the programme

Qualifications:

·         Training as MD required.  Masters in Public Health or equivalent desirable.

·         At least 5 years of experience in HIV/AIDS programming and clinical experience in management of HIV/AIDS patients.

·         Ability to travel at least 40% of the time within the region

·         Clear understanding of Tanzania health structure and system

·         Diplomatic and culturally sensitive with excellent communications skills.

·         Demonstrated initiative, creativity and flexibility in problem solving.

·         Fluent in oral and written English.

Walter Reed Program is an equal opportunity employer; women are highly encouraged to apply.