Strategic Information Management Director, Zambia Integrated Health Project Pact

Pact Overview

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant.

Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Position Purpose

Pact seeks an experienced Strategic Information (SI) Management Director for the USAID/Zambia Integrated Health Activity (ZIHA). USAID/Zambia intends to award a $120M contract to support the USAID and PEPFAR objectives of 95/95/95, and to provide service delivery and technical assistance to improve MNCH and FP/RH services. ZIHA will improve, sustain, and further integrate HIV/AIDS, MNCH and FP/RH services at the health facility and community levels and ensure that client-centered, high-imPact, high-quality services are available to Zambians. This is anticipated to be a five-year activity. This position is contingent upon award and is anticipated to be based in Lusaka.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership in organization and coordination of data collection, management, systems, analysis, interpretation, and use of data at all levels.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Plan, taking into consideration the contract deliverables and conditions, including capacity building and robust monitoring of all activities.
• Manage all M&E staff and ensure the team is responsive to the needs of ZIHA. Train, supervise, and mentor the MEL team.
• Develop and lead the roll out of activity-specific MEL tools in collaboration with relevant MEL staff, partners, and other activity staff.
• Support any Pact partners in developing data collection plans, activity results frameworks (input, output, outcome, and imPact), and relevant indicators and targets for result areas.
• Integrate and implement adaptive management and collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) approaches, tools, and strategies throughout the activity.
• Partner closely with Pact headquarters to design and integrate developmental evaluation activities within the project, and to develop a Developmental Evaluation Plan that will include intervention areas to be monitored and evaluated for real time program improvement throughout the life of the project.
• Lead the development and institutionalize the utilization of centralized project data management and case management systems.
• Design and conduct MEL trainings for Pact partners on topics that may include MEL practices, adaptive management data quality, data analysis, and managing evaluations.
• Develop high quality quantitative and qualitative methods and participatory methodologies to monitor program quality for performance and results.
• Lead routine analysis of data for learning and adaptation; visualize and summarize data and communicate with senior staff.
• Integrate the use of innovative technologies, data platforms, and GIS mapping for data collection, management, and reporting.
• Collaborate with other staff and Pact partners to develop, review, and finalize monthly, quarterly, and annual MEL workplans and budgets.
• Oversee the development of donor reports, ensuring that Pact meets all donor reporting requirements for MEL.
• Liaise with counterparts at international, government, non-government agencies involved in related activities and collaborate in promoting high quality results and complementary efforts.
• Serve as liaison to USAID MEL staff and other USAID implementing partner MEL staff.
• If needed, coordinate with an external evaluation team contracted by USAID to conduct a performance evaluation.

Basic Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher in public or global health, statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, health information system (HIS), or relevant field.
• A minimum of 8 years progressive leadership and experience in M&E and/or strategic information for large-scale, complex, international development assistance programs is required.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience managing diverse teams of professional staff is required.
• Experience in Southern Africa preferred, preferably in Zambia.
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods.
• Experience in data analysis and data visualization with Excel, SPSS or other related software.
• Demonstrated experience with data management and case management systems.
• Experience with strategic information systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with USAID MEL requirements and CLA tools and approaches.
• Experience developing results frameworks, logical frameworks, or similar tools for project design.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and managing operational research and evaluations.
• Demonstrated experience in synthesizing and analyzing various data sources for learning and recommendations for programming adaptations.
• Experience training other organizations in MEL topics and methods.
• Effective writing and data visualization skills. Excellent interpersonal, writing, and English language oral presentation skills.
• Demonstrated skills in problem solving and consensus building.
• Ability to travel within Zambia and occasionally internationally when health and safety concerns regarding COVID-19 diminish

Preferred qualifications

• Zambian nationals are encouraged to apply.
• Experience with DHIS2 platform and mobile data collection software.
• Understanding of USAID and PEPFAR standard indicators.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.