Project Leader / Deputy Chief of Party: Adaptive Learning and Data Full-Time

Organization Overview

The International Development Division focuses on improving the lives and economic well-being of people in lower and middle-income countries. We command technical expertise in health, agriculture, climate change, food security and governance—as well as in international evaluation. Our multi-layered health portfolio includes policy, health promotion and disease prevention, health finance, and health systems management. In partnership with government clients and local experts, our high-quality programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are known for impact and innovation.

Job Summary

Efficiencies for Clinical HIV Outcomes (ECHO) is a $209 million project to support the Government of Mozambique’s achievement of HIV/AIDS epidemic control and establishing a sustainable, government-led HIV response by 2023 in provinces where USAID is the primary clinical support partner. The objectives of the project include strengthening the essential public health services for HIV epidemic control at national, provincial, and district level to ensure long-term sustainability of the HIV response, reaching and maintaining 95% HIV treatment coverage and viral suppression in designated geographic regions, ensuring that Mozambique is utilizing the latest evidence for rapid scale up and maintenance of effective HIV interventions, and providing the Government of Mozambique with data, measured findings and recommendations necessary to make key service delivery decisions.

The DCOP Data Science and Learning (DCOP: ALD)  is a full time position based in Beira, reporting to the Chief of Party and is responsible for overseeing the monitoring and evaluation (M&E), knowledge management, and learning. The DCOP: ALD will be in close contact with the COP, Medical Directors, and USAID to understand the project’s data and knowledge needs and how it evolves over time. S/he will have familiarity with PEPFAR Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting 2.4 (MER) indicators and definitions and will provide oversight and guidance on all aspects of data and knowledge management with an emphasis on information use and learning and streamlining processes.

The DCOP: ALD’s primary responsibilities are to (1) Ensure the strategic vision of the project’s activities; 2) Organize and coordinate the process of routine data collection, analysis, interpret, and report on project results all levels of the project, ensuring effective use of program information within the project and with stakeholders; and 3) Ensure data quality.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Strategy and Coordination

• Provides strategic vision for how ECHO will use routine data and information for continuous learning to achieve its goals in the most efficient way possible;
• Supervises the SI Director, the National Learning and Development Manager, and the Knowledge Management Digital Health Specialist to implement the information use and learning vision effectively;
• Identifies in coordination with the SI specialist the most suitable systems, tools and processes for the information use and learning strategic vision and oversees their implementation;
• Liaises with Abt’s Data Science and Enabling Technology (DSET) Division to ensure that ECHO is using the most suitable technology solutions for its data, knowledge, and learning needs;
• Instill a vision of people centered-information approach to the ECHO Information Systems;
• Oversees the development and implementation of an integrated project communication strategy that promotes messages about the project’s activities, achievements, and impact to key audiences through diverse media;
• Liaises with Abt Corporate Communications department and other Abt communications staff
• Together with the Technical Director and SI Director, implement the technical principles guiding the program;
• Together with the Technical Director and SI Director, provide direction and be responsible for technical outcomes of strategic information activities;
• Provide technical assistance around strategic information and MER in support of technical excellence within the project.

Applied Learning into Practice

• Liaises routinely with the COP, DCOP:GS, Medical Directors, technical staff, and USAID to understand the project’s daily needs for data, knowledge, and learning and ensures that the information use and learning strategic vision is responsive to those needs;
• Establishes a strong culture of information use and learning across all ECHO staff;
• Oversees the development, implementation and quality execution of the monitoring and evaluation and reporting (MER) Plan.

Systematization

• Oversees documentation and communication activities related to/using project data in both written and oral presentations, including work plans, quarterly and annual program reviews, assuring results-oriented, reader-friendly reports;
• Oversees the review and institutionalization of protocols for internal communication through a variety of forums (such as weekly operational meetings, monthly progress reports, quarterly reviews, and annual work planning) to harvest and document the tacit and explicit knowledge generated by the project’s technical and M&E activities, and establishment of a coordinated flow of information among project staff and partners, including OGAC, MISAU, and Abt headquarters

Capacity Building and Local Transition

• Develops the vision for the transitions of responsibility for evidence generation and use to MISAU, partner NGOs, and other local actors and oversees its implementation.

Preferred Qualifications

• A master’s degree in statistics, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, data management, information systems, public health or related degree and a minimum of 10-12 years of experience in the field of M&E, Information Systems, or Strategic Information related to health projects OR a Ph.D. in one of these courses of study and a minimum of 8-10 years of experience in at least one of these relevant fields;
• At least five years of experience in collecting, analyzing, and managing donor funded project data; PEPFAR monitoring experience preferred;
• The ability to influence program policy and operational decisions, demonstrated by previous experience in leading the development and implementation of instruments, tools, and or protocols used in the measurement of program outcomes;
• Demonstrated ability to set and implement effective strategic visions;
• Proven ability to implement and/or oversee successful data use strategies;
• Ability to work and lead in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment and implement swift adaptations to changes in context;
• Demonstrated leadership working with other technical experts in M&E and research;
• Demonstrated capacity to oversee development/implementation of work plans, reports and presentations;
• Strong skills in word processing, Excel, and other programs used for data analyses and data presentation;
• Knowledge on statistical/research packages such as SPSS, Stata, MatLab, nVivo, Sprectrum etc. is desired;
• Good understanding of data and databases;
• Previous experience communicating the results of a large donor-funded health project to an external audience preferred;
• Strong oral and written skills in Portuguese and English are required.

Minimum Qualifications

• (15+) years of experience and a master degree OR the equivalent combination of education and experience. This experience would include 1-5 years of management experience.

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce.  Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer:  Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.