Field Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Wanted at Ministry of Health

BACKGROUND
The Kingdom of Lesotho is among four countries participating in the Southern Africa Tuberculosis and Health Systems Support Project funded by the World Bank. This is a five year project with overall objectives to: (i) improve coverage and quality of TB control and occupational lung disease services in targeted geographic areas of the participating countries; and (ii) strengthen regional capacity to manage the burden of TB and occupational diseases.

Lesotho is one of the 30 high TB burden countries in the world with an estimated annual incidence of 788 TB cases per every 100,000 population. Seventy four percent of TB cases are co-infected with HIV. TB treatment success rate has not gone beyond 74%, TB case fatality ratio is high and only a small proportion of TB re-treatment cases are offered testing for drug resistant TB bacilli. The mortality rate in TB/HIV co-infected TB patients is 223 per 100,000 population. Additionally, MDR-TB is on the rise with 3.2% and 6.8% of new and retreatment respectively TB cases are estimated to have MDR-TB. Despite Lesotho’s high burden of TB, TB/HIV and MDR-TB cases, the TB case detection rate is 49% which means more than half TB are not diagnosed and treated.

The Ministry of Health National Tuberculosis Control Program wishes to contract qualified and experienced candidates for the mentioned positions:

Job Summary
Under the general supervision of the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Field Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer will serve personnel providing support in monitoring and evaluating activities for the Ministry of Health – National TB Programme. S/he will assist and report NTP Manager regarding M&E implemented activities. S/he will be responsible for supporting the districts in the implementation of M&E plan of the programme. The position will require frequent travel to the districts. The use of process evaluation for continued improvement of National TB programme operations will be an additional role.

Scope of Work
The incumbent will work as part of NTP Staff under the supervision and guidance of the M&E Officer. The Field M&E officer will have the following duties:

• Support the implementation of M&E plan by ensuring that the implementing partners (Districts) are adhering to the plan

• To supervise data collection through implementing partners and ensure that quality of data is adhered to and ensure availability of accurate and up-to-date data for TB Control and TB/HIV on regular basis

• Conduct regular supportive supervisions to the districts and facilities to provide technical support in filling different data collection tools

• Provide technical support to DHMTs during supportive supervisions to the facilities

• Support the districts during the quarterly reviews and provide technical support in data analysis and report writing at the district level.

• Provide technical support on M&E and evidence-based recommendations on action items after quarterly reviews at the district level

• Ensure that implementation of district plans are aligned to NTP monitoring and evaluation system

• Participate actively in programme planning process of the programme data quality activities at the district level

• Participate in workshops, seminars, to identify gaps and weaknesses in M&E and plan appropriate actions for improvement together with M&E Officer

• Participate in regularly in NTP meetings and other stakeholders meetings as appropriate to identify issues and to report program accomplishments and challenges

• Partake in the develop quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports for NTP

• Ensuring mentoring and training of district TB coordinators and other teams to foster capacity building on M&E knowledge.

• Support and participate in supportive supervision, Data Quality Audits (DQA) and Routine Data Quality Assessments (RDQAs) at the district level

• Conducts M&E assessment to the private and Non-governmental organisations working under NTP to assist them to develop M&E plans, tools, and reports.

• Accomplish others tasks related to monitoring and evaluation as per the need of programme as assigned by NTP manager

Duration of Assignment

• Initial one-year contract, subject to review after the first year with possibly of extension dependent on performance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Public health, M&E, statistics, Economics, Public Administration or related field with more than 3 years’ experience in monitoring and evaluation activities in health

• The field M&E officer must have strong experience in data management in health and preferably TB or HIV programme

• The Incumbent must have good understanding of monitoring and evaluation concepts, and strong understanding and experience of using routine health information systems.

• Computer literacy in Microsoft package and excellent use of Excel, PowerPoint and statistics software such as Epi-Info, Access, SPSS, SAS, N-VIVO and/or STATA is required.

• The applicant is also required to have good understanding of and familiarity with health systems in Lesotho.

Required Competencies
In addition to the above, the successful candidate is expected to demonstrate the following competencies:

• Experience in monitoring and evaluating of Health systems in Lesotho

• Experience of field data collection of national programmes

• Experience of technical report writing

• Familiar with monitoring and evaluation practices in Lesotho health sector

• Strong communication and facilitation skills and ability to establish good working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders in a sensitive environment. S/he must be able to respond quickly to requests for information

• S/he must demonstrate strong interpersonal and motivational skills and sensitivity to the different environment as well as the ability to work with minimal supervision

• Strong data analysis and interpretation. S/he must have ability to write clearly and concisely, and have sound quantitative and qualitative skills

• Analytical and research skills are added advantage

• Time management and ability to prioritise multiple tasks

• Self-motivated person able to work without close supervision

• Able to work effectively in a diverse team environment and travelling to different districts independently for M&E related activities

Compensation:
A competitive salary will be offered as per Kingdom of Lesotho norms for public officers and World Bank guidelines

Interested and suitability qualified candidates should forward their applications personally or electronically indicating the advertisement and position on the subject line of letter and envelope together with detailed curriculum vitae indicating work experience, current remuneration and copies of testimonials (day time telephone contacts, names and telephone contacts of 3 referees to reach the undersigned not later than April 7, 2017) to:

Procurement Manager
Procurement Unit
Ground Floor, Room G03
Ministry of Health
Corner Constitution & Linare Roads
Kingdom of Lesotho

Further information can be obtained from the following during office hours [08h00 to 16h30 local time]:
boopanentai@gmail.com, rangoananam@yahoo.co.uk and qlejota@gmail.com

Only shortlisted and successful candidates will be contacted.