Vacancy

Employment Opening – Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

The Embassy of the United States of America in the Kingdom of Lesotho seeks an individual for the position of Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist.

BASIC FUNCTIONS OF POSITION:

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E) Specialist works under the supervision of the Strategic Information (SI) Team Lead and serves as primary PEPFAR/Lesotho point of contact for HIV related M & E program activities in Lesotho.  The incumbent provides advice, guidance and direction to the appropriate Government of Lesotho (GOL) ministries including the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) and the National AIDS Commission (NAC), local government, and to other donors collaborating in the implementation and strengthening of monitoring and evaluation of HIV program activities. The incumbent collaborates with PEPFAR/Lesotho implementing partners to assure effective management of the information in the PEPFAR/Lesotho database, including regular update of data, report generation and dissemination of results. The incumbent has a key role in the development and review of the M&E component of the annual PEPFAR/Lesotho Country Operational Plan (COP). The M&E Specialist assists in identifying and recommending new evaluation strategies and in the development of improved program indicators and monitoring tools to enhance monitoring and evaluation of HIV program activities. The incumbent monitors and evaluates progress of assigned projects, identifying technical, personnel, logistical and financial problems and makes or recommends revisions as necessary to overcome obstacles and constraints to progress.  This position identifies training needs and participates in the development and implementation of training courses for partner organizations.  The incumbent represents PEPFAR/Lesotho on monitoring and evaluation and data management issues at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with collaborators and donor agencies.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:                               

I. Program Management                                                                                          (60%)

1)  Develops and maintains effective liaisons with M& E program manager and program officer staff in MOHSW and NAC and other implementing partner organizations to ensure that timelines and quality standards for implementation of program activities are met.  Acts as a technical resource on matters pertaining to monitoring and evaluation of HIV prevention and care programs.  Provides technical assistance and consultation to collaborating partners on specific surveillance projects and M&E activities. Develops technical requirements for Scope of Work (SOW) for contracts to support data collection and data management projects.  Participates in the technical review of proposals.

2)   Provides technical assistance to the MOHSW, NAC and other external partners in the development of appropriate program indicators and implementation of effective strategies, tools, reporting instruments and systems to effectively monitor and evaluate program activities that provide data for decisions that will enable PEPFAR/Lesotho, MOHSW, NAC and other partners to improve organizational capacity to monitor and evaluate the process, outcome, and impact of HIV prevention and care programs.  Technical assistance provided by the incumbent serves to improve the capacity to implement best practices for M&E HIV program activities.   

3)   Incumbent oversees assigned PEPFAR/Lesotho cooperative agreement and other funded activities and collaborates with funding recipients providing substantial USG involvement to ensure that grantees are meeting stated M & E objectives.  Ensures that supported activities at multiple delivery sites conform to national standards, guidelines and PEPFAR technical strategies and meets human subject requirements. This involves regular site visits and meetings with representatives of each organization to review progress.  Identifies and corrects problems, barriers, and issues impeding the effective implementation of monitoring and evaluation of program activities.

4)   Provides updated technical information to partners as it becomes available. Identifies staff training needs in implementing partner organizations and facilitates and participates in the planning and development of formal training programs, manuals, and educational materials to address identified needs.  Builds staff capacity through mentoring.  Keeps up to date with scientific developments, innovations, best practices and new approaches for M & E of HIV/AIDS and related health programs.

II. Administrative Management                                                                     (25%)         
                                    
·    Responsible for the development, implementation and ongoing maintenance of technical and administrative program files for M & E activities.  Program files include reports, meeting summaries and minutes, and copies of pertinent sections of all funding agreements Prepares and presents briefings for VIP visitors, participates in making arrangements for visits and serve as spokesperson as required on matters related to M&E. 
·    The incumbent is a key advisor in the planning and development of M & E strategies and program indicators included in the annual COP, and has a primary role in compiling and editing M&E program activities for the COP.  Recommends M&E and related surveillance program activities, including revisions as needed, to the SI Team Lead.  Participates in developing technical requirements for funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) for funding agreements supporting M&E program activities. Conducts technical reviews of the M&E portion of cooperative agreement and other funding applications and makes funding recommendations based on technical merit of the proposals and consistency of budget requests with the intended use of funds.  Participates with external partners in the development of work plans for implementation of M & E activities following funding awards.
·    Manages the strategic information collection and reporting process, ensuring that personal data integrity and security of information in the reporting databases are carefully guarded.  Responsible for the development, implementation and ongoing maintenance of technical and administrative program files for M&E activities. 

III. Interagency Coordination                                                                         (10%)

·   Job holder represents PEPFAR/Lesotho for M&E issues at various technical, policy and strategic planning meetings with the MOHSW, NAC and other collaborators and works to influence implementing partners to adopt appropriate M&E evaluation strategies for their program activities.  Briefs agency officials on the results of such meetings and prepares written reports for submission to other interested parties

IV. Other Duties as Assigned                                                                               (5%)

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

a.   Education:
Completion of Bachelors Degree in public health, epidemiology, demography or related medical science field is required.
b.   Prior Work Experience:
Three to five years of progressively responsible program, project management experience. At least one year of this experience must be in the field of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of public health programs, including experience in providing M & E training and/or mentorship or other capacity building activities at an individual and group level  in an international organization, USG, or NGO is required.
c.   Post Entry Training:
The incumbent will be expected to possess the necessary technical training and skills required to perform the duties and responsibilities required of the position.  Post entry training will be focused primarily on PEPFAR and HHS/CDC established policies, procedures and regulations that govern: specific activity management, including monitoring and program assessment/evaluation and procurement systems. Necessary post entry training will be provided on-site or at Regional or Atlanta based facilities.
d.  Language Proficiency:
Level IV (fluency) in both written and spoken English is required.
e.  Job Knowledge: 
Strong knowledge of theoretical and practical concepts of monitoring and evaluation and working knowledge of, epidemiology, surveillance, and survey methods required. Thorough knowledge of the theory, principles, policies, implementation, and evaluation of USG supported HIV/AIDS programs. Broad perspective and thorough knowledge of the principles of public health programs and practice including knowledge of organizational and operational concepts and practices applied by public, private, or non-profit agencies and organizations engaged in health related endeavors. Knowledge of routine health information systems in developing countries, and knowledge of HIV reporting systems
f.  Skills and Abilities:
·    Exceptional ability to use the Microsoft Office Suite software: Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, PowerPoint is required.  Excel skills will be tested.; Skill in at least one other of the more common epidemiologic data analysis software programs (EPIINFO for example) is required.
·    Ability to readily analyze, understand and discuss new M & E program design, management, and implementation approaches.
·    Skills necessary to write clear and concise documents, reports, program and policy guidelines, directives, articles for peer review; skill and ability to orally present programmatic matters clearly to an audience.
·    Strong degree of judgment, maturity, ingenuity and originality to interpret strategy, to analyze and identify priority actions, to coordinate varied schedules and sources of information and to generate and complete work plans within short time frames.
·    Demonstrated ability to identify priority actions, generate and complete work plans within short time frames.
·    Strong interpersonal communication and negotiation skills with the ability to represent the PEPFAR/Lesotho with other GOL and partner organizations.

POSITION ELEMENTS

14.  POSITION ELEMENTS

a. Supervision Received:
The M & E Specialist receives broad and general guidance from the SI Team Lead and the CDC Country Director. Within this framework, incumbent is responsible for planning, coordinating, and conducting assigned activities. The incumbent bears must be able to work independently.

b. Supervision Exercised:
This position will not have duties that involve direct line management of staff, but will work in an advisory capacity providing information that will allow PEPFAR/Lesotho and its partners to better determine overall monitoring and evaluation needs.  This includes project management monitoring of up to 25 different partners/contacts.

c. Available Guidelines
Guidelines are available for many of the duties required, and consist of mission statements; reports; cooperative agreement standards, CDC, USAID, UNAIDS and WHO monitoring and evaluation guidance and standards, general policy, program reviews, scientific literature, PEPFAR and agency regulations.  Incumbent monitors these guidelines and uses own judgment to determine areas of need for revision of policies, regulations, and standards or need for specific training activities.

d.   Exercise of Judgment:
The incumbent’s expertise, specific knowledge and experience demand the ability to resolve even the most difficult M & E related problems independently. As a recognized expert in the science and technology of M & E, provides scientific advice and consultation in devising solutions to critical problems by developing approaches consistent with current best practices. The incumbent has the discretion, authority and ability to manage these projects, to make day to day decisions on direction and approach and adjust plans to meet emerging issues. 

e.    Authority to make commitments:
Within established guidelnes provided by supervisor and  CDC Country Director, incumbent is fully responsible for technical issues, but major administrative issues often require discussion and arbitration with several parties.  Incumbent consults with superiors for coordination purposes before  making major commitments. Incumbent is responsible for problem resolution of  logistical or management related issues that arise in project implementation and  is expected to resolve most issues independently. A major portion of responsibilities include influencing the overall direction of the National M & E process in Lesotho. As a result, the sphere of influence and range of assistance provided to individuals and numerous agencies is significant.  The incumbent will be responsible for providing overall direction and technical assistance in the development of a long term national M & E strategy that will include the basic elements required for completion of PEPFAR/Lesotho reporting requirements described in the annual Country Operational Plan.

f. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts:
Contacts are made to exchange ideas, information, and data, to formulate policy, and to develop cooperative efforts and  projects related to assuring effective M & E systems in Lesotho. Externally, the incumbent has frequent contact with MOHSW, NAC, other donors and stakeholders and PEPFAR/Lesotho implementing partners. Internal USG contacts within the PEPFAR/Lesotho Team, the SI Technical Working Group and other relevant technical working groups are made to meet the technical, administrative and management responsibilities of the incumbent.
The purpose of contacts is to obtain, clarify or provide factual information of a highly technical nature and to plan and coordinate work efforts or resolve problems associated with collaborative projects.

g.      Time Required to Perform Full Range of Duties: Six months

When equally qualified, Appointment Eligible Family Members (AEFMs) and U.S. Veterans will be given preference.  Therefore, it is essential that the candidate address the required qualifications above in the application.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION CRITERIA:

1.  Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget, and residency status in determining successful candidacy. 

2. Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.
3.  Currently employed AEFMs who hold a FMA appointment are ineligible to apply for advertised positions within the first 90 calendar days of their employment.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates must submit the following, or the application will not be considered:

1. Application for U.S. Federal Employment (SF-171 or OF-612); or

2. A current resume or curriculum vitae that provides the same information as an OF-612; plus

3. Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application. All forms are available from the Embassy Human Resources Office.
 
4. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO:

Human Resources Office
P.O. Box 333,
Maseru. 100.
Tel: 22-312-666
Fax: 22-310-116

E-mail:  infomaseru@state.gov

SALARY RANGE:  166, 462 – 249, 694

OPENING DATE: October 23, 2009

CLOSING DATE: November 06, 2009

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

POINT OF CONTACT

HR Assistant
Telephone: 22-312-666 (ext 4160)
FAX:  22-310-116