Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning officer

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PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing heath challenges.

As part of the new Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) strategy for 2022-2026, increased attention and priority is being given to country preparedness and quality monitoring, including enhancing the community engagement initiative. In addition, high risk areas have been identified for prioritization.

In the DRC, particular focus in now on the provinces of Haut-Lomami, Tshopo, Mongala, Kinshasa, Haut Katanga, Equateur, Mai-Ndombe, Maniema, Lualaba and Tanganyika, where there has been significant co-circulation of cVDPV1 and cVDPV2 since September 2022. Halting these outbreaks is an absolute priority for the national polio program because of the low level of immunity to type 2 polio in the country after the "switch" from tOPV to bOPV in 2016, and the risk that the DRC poses to neighboring countries by exporting the virus and also allowing unidentified chains of transmission that lead to operational mismatch with current risks. It is essential to reach and maintain high-quality AFP surveillance at the sub-national level in order to rapidly detect suspect cases of polio, including wild poliovirus and cVDPVs in DRC to reach the surveillance indicators for certification.

The river strategy project will address the challenges and barriers to reaching communities in health zones located along rivers and islands that have historically been missed by both Routine Immunization and the polio program. It is designed to fill the gaps in immunization surveillance and planning in remote, conflict-affected areas that are often neglected by the GPEI.

For this work, the PATH DRC office is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer to provide technical assistance to provincial and health zone-level stakeholders in Haut-Lomami. The MEL Officer will be responsible for implementing reliable monitoring / evaluation mechanisms to measure performance against anticipated results, document learning, and support programmatic adaptation for improved performance. The MEL Officer will collaborate with all River Strategy project staff (to varying degrees) and externally, with the Ministry of Health services in particular the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) and implementing partners in the field, to meet the project’s and donor’s expectations.

Main responsibilities will include:

Participate in the establishment of standards, tools, and processes for the management of the project’s MEL approach

Set up data collection systems and mechanisms to support implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan for river strategy activities.

Manage data reporting system and technically assist the Project Manager in the presentation of reports to Partners and Donor.

Regularly look at and discuss project data to support its use in planning and implementation

Implement learning agenda by supporting documentation and synthesis of emerging evidence and occasional rapid evaluation approaches

Lead internal approach to adaptive learning by facilitating pause and reflect sessions, after-action reviews, and other approaches to help the project adapt based on implementation experience

Support the use of all immunization data collection tools, including DHIS2

Provide technical assistance to PEV antennes, health zones and health facilities for quality assurance and improved use of data for decision-making.

Support the implementation of adaptive learning approaches as part of the project’s support to the immunization program

Support the training of PEV antennes and health zone data manager in the analysis and use of immunization data (with a focus on the contents of DHIS2)

Support the organization of monthly immunization performance review meetings in the PEV antennes and in health zone level

Support and organize formative supervision based on data from health zones and facilities

Monitor the promptness and completeness of Health Zone data reporting to the national health information system (DHIS2)

Contribute to the identification of potential areas for action research in the field in collaboration with the MEL country team.

Contribute to the sharing of best practices in the implementation of immunization activities in health zones by following and highlighting successful examples through "success stories".

Required Skills and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in public health, Statistics, Demography, Social Sciences or Equivalent

Professional experience of at least (03) three years in a similar position, in monitoring and evaluation as well as health information management.

Mastery of the national health information monitoring system as well as experience in immunization.

Skills in data quality assurance methods and data analysis and use

Experience in research methods and translating data and evidence to program and policy change

Excellent writing and communication skills.

Skills in planning and monitoring activities, (can be able to organize work).

Autonomy, sense of initiative and anticipation, good ability to solve problems.

Competence in data analysis and visualization tools such as: Excel, R, Python, Tableau, Power BI.

Computer skills (World software, Excel, PowerPoint, and other specific software, including internet browsing and various Office applications).

Be able to work in a team within a "multidisciplinary team and to work in a multicultural context.

Have a global knowledge of donor rules and particularly the knowledge and operation of USAID.

Having a perfect knowledge of French; English is an asset.

Working conditions:

The incumbent will be based in Haut-Lomami.

PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.

PATH is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment.

PATH does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, caste, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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