Monitoring and Evaluation Program Officer

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: March 11, 2014

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION. 

The US Embassy is seeking an individual for the position of Monitoring and Evaluation Program Officer at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION 

The Monitoring and Evaluation Program Officer works under the supervision of the Monitoring & Evaluation Team Lead to expand relationships with and provide technical assistance and oversight to the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW), the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), Zanzibar AIDS Control Program (ZACP), and other partners in the implementation and strengthening of monitoring and evaluation of HIV program activities in Tanzania. The incumbent serves as the primary CDC contact for external partners for all issues related to CDC-supported monitoring and evaluation of HIV program activities. 

Serves as the Project Officer for Strategic Information components of multiple CDC-supported cooperative agreements in Tanzania and as a primary contributor to the planning, development, and review of the monitoring and evaluation components of the annual Country Operational Plan (COP) for Tanzania. 

The job holder will identify and recommend new evaluation strategies and development of improved program indicators to improve monitoring and evaluation of HIV program activities. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Planning and Coordination

15%

1. Job holder serves as a primary advisor in the planning and development of evaluation strategies and program indicators included in the annual COP for Tanzania. In collaboration with other USG partners, compiles and edits program activities for the COP. Participates in reviews of the plan and recommends revisions as needed. Recommends M&E program priorities to the Monitoring & Evaluation Team Lead. Develops funding announcements for cooperative agreements to provide assistance to external partners in developing and implementing programs to support strategic information program activities. Drafts technical requirements and statements of work (SOW) for cooperative agreement program announcements. Conducts technical reviews of cooperative agreement applications and makes funding recommendations based on technical merit of the proposals and consistency of budget requests with the intended use of funds. Participates with external partners in the development of work plans for implementation of activities following cooperative agreement awards. Reviews requests for supplemental financial assistance and reprogramming of funds and makes recommendations based on technical merit.
2. Job holder represents CDC Tanzania for monitoring and evaluation issues at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings with collaborators and attempts to influence partners to adopt appropriate evaluation strategies for their program activities. Acts as an expert national resource on matters pertaining to monitoring and evaluating HIV prevention and care programs.
3. Incumbent serves as a member and advisor on the USG technical working groups for coordination of monitoring and evaluation issues on a national level. The working group assesses and coordinates program needs and issues and ensures consistency in the implementation of best practices for monitoring and evaluation activities and recommends revisions to strategies, policies and guidelines.

Technical Assistance and Oversight

45%

1. Provides technical assistance and oversight to the MOHSW, ZACP and other partners in the development of appropriate program indicators and implementation of a broad range of effective evaluation strategies and methodologies to: 1) enable CDC Tanzania, MOHSW and other partners to improve intervention strategies and programs to reduce HIV risk behaviors; 2) improve the treatment, care and support of HIV/AIDS patients; and 3) improve organizational capacity to monitor and evaluate the process, outcome, and impact of HOV prevention and care programs. Oversees cooperative agreement activities and collaborates with funding recipients providing substantial USG involvement to ensure that grantees are meeting stated objectives under the cooperative agreement. Ensures that supported activities at multiple delivery sites conform to national standards, guidelines, and CDC technical strategies. Identifies and corrects problems, barriers, and issues impeding the effective implementation of monitoring and evaluation program activities. Serves as an expert technical resource in the specialized programmatic area to government, NGO, and other collaborating partners.
2. Oversees implementation of M&E program activities in CDC-supported partner organizations. Provides leadership, technical assistance and consultation to collaborating partners on specific M&E activities. Develops and maintains effective liaisons with program officer staff in implementing partner organizations to ensure that timelines and quality standards for implementation of program activities are met. Identifies staff training needs in implementing partner organizations and facilitates and participates in the planning and development of training programs, teaching modules, manuals, and educational materials to address identified needs. Builds staff capacity through mentoring. Keeps up to date with scientific developments, innovations, best practices and new approaches in area of expertise.
3. Participates in the design and development of M&E program activities, including improved program indicators and more effective evaluation strategies and methods designed to expand and improve the quality of data for evaluating HIV prevention and care programs. Provides expert advice and technical assistance to MOHSW and other in-country partners in the development of policy, guidelines and protocols for monitoring and evaluation projects.
4. Conducts site visits to provide technical assistance and oversight to partners in program implementation. Ensures adherence to established work plans and CDC and PEPFAR guidelines, policies and priorities.

Monitoring and Evaluation

40%

1. Provides technical assistance to the MOHSW and other partners in the design and implementation of tools, reporting instruments, and systems to effectively monitor and evaluate HIV prevention and care program activities. Serves as a technical resource in the design and development of information systems and databases to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of PEPFAR programs.
2. Maintains effective liaisons with program officer partner staff to ensure that partners meet monitoring requirements for supported cooperative agreement activities (e.g., quarterly reports, continuation applications, and supplemental applications). Reviews cooperative agreement narrative and financial reports to assess progress in meeting stated objectives and the status of expenditures in relation to planned budgets.
3. Conducts site visits to assess progress of partner organizations in meeting program objectives. Analyzes and evaluates program activities and writes reports on findings for presentation at national and international conferences and meetings. Provides guidance and technical assistance to partners in analyzing and evaluating program activities and developing reports and presentations for conferences and meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

1. Education: 
   Masters level degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics or related public health field required.
2. Prior Work Experience: 
   A minimum of three to five years of working experience in public health programs (planning and evaluating public health programs) is required.
3. Language Proficiency: 
   Level IV (fluent) in English and Kiswahili (speaking, writing and reading) is required. Incumbent must be able to compose complex written documents.
4. Knowledge: 
   The job holder must have a broad and in-depth knowledge of evaluation of public health programs. The position requires an in-depth understanding of the structure and functions of CDC-Tanzania, including a detailed knowledge of CDC’s role and function in support of the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR); CDC and USG policies, guidelines and procedures for administration of cooperative agreements; and intra-agency procedures for coordination with CDC Atlanta and the American Mission in Tanzania. The job holder must also have a detailed knowledge of the host country operational environment, including a detailed knowledge of the structure and operations of the MOHSW and the environment for health care delivery and issues commonly encountered in the evaluation of public health programs at the national, regional, district and community levels in Tanzania.
5. Skills and Abilities: 
   The position requires excellent judgment and strong analytical skills for making independent and sound decisions regarding the planning and implementation of public health program evaluations. The position requires excellent demonstrated interpersonal and leadership skills as well as skills in developing and maintaining effective contacts in the Government of Tanzania, the US Government, NGOs and other partners. Must possess excellent writing skills and computer skills.

SELECTION PROCESS

When fully qualified, US Citizen Eligible Family Members (USEFMs) and US Veterans are given preference. Therefore, it is essential that the candidate specifically address the required qualifications above in the application. 

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy. 

TO APPLY

Interested candidates for this position must submit the following for consideration of the application:

1. Universal Application for Employment as a Locally Employed Staff or Family Member (DS-174). A hard copy of the application form (DS-174) is also available at the American Embassy, gate 3; or


2. A combination of both; i.e. Sections 1 -24 of the UAE along with a listing of the applicant’s work experience attached as a separate sheet; or


3. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information found on the UAE (see section 3A below for more information); plus


4. Candidates who claim US Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application. Candidates who claim conditional US Veterans preference must submit documentation confirming eligibility for a conditional preference in hiring with their application.


5. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

3A. If an applicant is submitting a resume or curriculum vitae, s/he must provide the following information equal to what is found on the UAE. 

Failure to do so will result in an incomplete application.

A. Position Title
B. Position Grade
C. Vacancy Announcement Number (if known) 
D. Dates Available for Work
E. First, Middle, & Last Names as well as any other names used
F. Date and Place of Birth
G. Current Address, Day, Evening, and Cell phone numbers
H. U.S. Citizenship Status (Yes or No) & status of permanent U.S. Resident (Yes or No; if yes, provide number) 
I. U.S. Social Security Number and/or Identification Number
J. Eligibility to work in the country (Yes or No) 
K. Special Accommodations the Mission needs to provide 
L. If applying for position that includes driving a U.S. Government vehicle, Driver’s License Class / Type 
M. Days available to work
N. List any relatives or members of your household that work for the U.S. Government (include their Name, Relationship, & Agency, Position, Location) 
O. U.S. Eligible Family Member and Veterans Hiring Preference 
P. Education 
Q. License, Skills, Training, Membership, & Recognition
R. Language Skills 
S. Work Experience
T. References

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO

American Embassy
Human Resources Office
P.O. Box 9123
Dar es Salaam

POINT OF CONTACT

Telephone: 229 4000, Ext: 4137/4148/4233/4024
Fax: 2294726

CLOSING DATE OF THE POSITION: March 11, 2014.