Job Title: Senior MERL Officer

Application Deadline: April 27, 2022

Internal/External Vacancy Announcement

Project HOPE is an international NGO of more than 500 engaged employees and hundreds of volunteers who work in more than 25 countries, responding to the world’s most pressing global health challenges Project HOPE seeks experienced professionals to support an anticipated immunization project in Ethiopia. This anticipated project will be for one year. The position is contingent upon receipt of funding for the project.

Code of Conduct

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment. Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability and transparency.

Project Background

This investment will be implemented by Project HOPE to support the Federal Ministry of Health's (FMOH) effort to eradicate polio by rapidly expanding IPV/bOPV coverage within IDP camps and surrounding communities in Oromia, Amhara, Somalia, and Afar regions. The project's goal is to achieve 90% coverage of the bivalent oral polio vaccine (bOPV) and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) and promote polio-free communities. Project HOPE will work with the government to perform regular, high-quality polio SIAs using revised woreda (district) level micro plans and a campaign-style mobile IPV/bOPV and other antigens using vaccine administration modalities that are context-specific. The activities will be monitored on a regular basis utilizing digital tools.

POSITION TITLE: Senior MERL Officer

REPORTS TO: Senior Program Manager

DUTY STATION: Addis Ababa

MINIMUM HOURS OF WORK: 40 Hours per Week

Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide technical support and oversight for data driven planning and implementation of IPV/bOPV and other immunization services for IDPs and surrounding communities of Oromia, Amhara, Afar and Somali regions
• Track / monitor performance of national and regional IPV/bOPV activities regularly and identify areas of improvement and document best practices.
• Work closely with the regional and national level project team and government counter parts (EPHI and MOH) related to the IPV/bOPV activities in the IDP camps and surrounding communities.
• Support the tracking mechanism for the EPI commodity/ vaccine supply chain system at health facilities and advocate for and liaise with GAVI to ensure the availability of additional vaccines
• Participate in meetings, consultations, technical working groups related with EPI, VPD surveillance teams at the MOH/EPHI in monitoring and evaluation of the polio activity.
• Ensure the availability of Up To Date monitoring data for IPV/bOPV team and the zero-dose evaluation team at Project HOPE and local implementing partners per FMoH’s policy and immunization strategies.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports, briefers or other documents to summarize progress in IPV/bOPV immunization; conduct regular data review and trend analysis.
• Prepare and present technical presentations at different level (national and regional meetings, Global Health Team of Project HOPE HQ, the donor, FMoH, partners and others).
• Monitor and analyze equity trends and issues related to IPV/bOPV and other immunization activities among IDPs and apply these analyses to national level programs.
• In collaboration with PH’s MERL Director and other staff, lead, oversee and facilitate the gathering and analysis of immunization data (pre- and post-intervention and routine program) for reporting and improving program design and monitoring.
• Participate and contribute to the production of analysis, communications materials, talking points, briefers, and reports.
• Work closely with the Senior Immunization/Surveillance Advisor seconded to (FMoH/EPHI)
• Supervise, mentor and coach the Data quality Assurance Specialist, Regional/Cluster Immunization Specialists MERL Officers and Social Mobilization Officers working at the regional level  
• Lead the development of M&E tools (Data Collection and reporting tools) for the project in line with FMoH’s guidelines
• Work with PH’s MERL and Digital Health team to develop the digitalization, data collection and tracking using CommCare platform
• Provide training for project and other government entities as appropriate
• Performa regular data quality checks at all levels
• Perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and the Country representative

Job Requirements

REQUIREMENTS

• Masters in M&E, Public Health or BSc/BA degree in statistics or equivalent in development Studies, Social science, Economics, or other related fields with minimum of 5 years of relevant work experiences on the health sector
• Experience in M&E of EPI / surveillance Project is required
• Experience in data collection tool development, coordination and supervision of baseline/end line surveys.
• Experience in data encoding, data analysis and report writing.
• Excellent analytical, teamwork, negotiation and demonstrated ability to interact professionally with culturally and linguistically diverse staff, clients, and consultants.
• Demonstrated computer skill (Word, power point, Access, etc.) and also working knowledge of data management systems including skills in use of analysis software like Microsoft Excel, SPSS, STATA.
• Experience of digital health information management like CommCare, ODK, HMIS and DHIS is required.
• Excellent written and interpersonal communication.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can send their CV and cover letter through THIS LINK