Monitoring & Evaluation

1. Terms of Reference for Senior Fellow – Monitoring & Evaluation

The M&E Fellow will assume a pivotal role in supporting the implementation of various health policies and strategies, including the Digital Health Roadmap, healthcare financing strategy, and health data initiatives within the Ministry of Health (MoH). The Digital Health Roadmap is geared towards expediting the integration of health data and its interaction with digital health solutions, encompassing electronic M&E tools like the electronic Integrated Supportive Supervision Visits (eISSV) within the national health system.

Given the numerous digital innovations currently undergoing pilot programs in Sierra Leone, the M&E Fellow will collaborate with the Digital Health Senior Fellow, the Digital Health Overseas Development Institute Fellow, ICT Unit Manager, M&E Unit Manager, and HMIS Unit Manager. Together, they will work on developing an evaluation framework to assess the maturity of digital health solutions operating within the healthcare ecosystem.

The core responsibilities of the M&E Fellow will involve the creation and implementation of robust M&E frameworks, M&E Plans, and systems, and processes. These will be designed to effectively monitor progress, evaluate impact, and facilitate continuous learning and accountability for health interventions. Furthermore, the M&E Fellow will closely engage with key stakeholders to establish comprehensive monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning mechanisms. The goal is to build and maintain a credible digital health database that supports evidence-based decision-making and enhances the effectiveness of healthcare interventions.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Framework Development:

• Support the M&E Specialist and Unit Managers and Senior Fellow with leading the development and implementation of a robust MEAL framework, incorporating relevant indicators and data collection tools tailored to digital health interventions.
• Co-design with the M&E Specialist and Unit Manager and Senior Fellow monitoring and evaluation plans to comprehensively track progress, measure outcomes, and assess the impact of digital health initiatives.
• Work effectively with the M&E Specialist and Unit Managers to facilitate stakeholder engagement and feedback mechanisms to ensure inclusive inputs and collaboration in the M&E framework and drive the one plan, one budget, and one report concept and practice.
• Provide technical support to other DPPI units, directorates, MDAs to mainstream monitoring and evaluation in all aspects of policy and strategy development, planning, implementation; co-design M&E activities, including developing M&E plans; identifying appropriate performance indicators; developing logical frameworks and theories of change.
• Working with the M&E Unit Manager and Senior Fellow to establish mechanisms to ensure accountability, transparency, and participation of beneficiaries and stakeholders in joint projects design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

 

Database Management and Data Use:

• Utilize the digital health database DHIS2 (PresTrack app; e-Wall dashboard app, etc) to support data collection, storage, and analysis for various digital health initiatives.
• Monitor data security, data integrity, and compliance with data protection regulations and the Ministry of Health organizational policies.
• Support the M&E Specialist and Unit Managers to provide oversight and technical assistance to district M&E teams on data management, data analysis, data security, and data quality assurance.

 

Data Collection and Analysis:

• Support the M&E teams and District Health Management Teams in creating relevant data visualizations (using Tableau, PowerBI, R Shiny) and interactive dashboards for programmatic M&E tracking.
• Utilize advanced quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques to assess the effectiveness and impact of digital health interventions.
• Interpret and synthesize data findings, presenting results in a clear and actionable manner to inform strategic decision-making.
• Leverage technology and digital tools for data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Support health research and national health surveys.

 

Learning and Knowledge Management:

• Support the M&E Specialist and Unit Managers to organize and facilitate learning reviews (quarterly, half-yearly, and annual) and knowledge-sharing sessions to disseminate findings, best practices, and lessons learned from varying health interventions, including digital health interventions.
• Assist the M&E Specialist and Unit Managers and Senior Fellow in developing and providing training and technical assistance to Ministry of Health staff and partners to build their MEAL capacity.
• Support the M&E Specialist and Unit Managers to integrate learning outcomes and recommendations into project planning and decision-making processes.

 

Data Quality Assurance:

• Support the M&E Specialist and Unit Manager, HMIS Unit, ICT Unit, and Senior Fellow to establish rigorous data quality assurance procedures to ensure the reliability and validity of data collected for MEAL and database purposes.
• Support the M&E and HMIS Teams, Research and Publication Specialist to conduct routine data and national surveys quality assessments and implement corrective actions to maintain data integrity.

 

Collaborative Partnerships:

• Support the M&E Specialist and the Senior Fellows, DPPI, other MoH programs, directorates, MDAs, and technology experts to work collaboratively and strengthen data-driven decision-making and maximize the impact of digital health interventions.
• May represent the M&E Specialist and Senior Fellows of the Ministry of Health in external meetings and forums related to health MEAL and database management.

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Desirable:

• A graduate (BSc/BA), Merit (2:1) or First Division preferably.
• A Sierra Leonean, either local or from the diaspora.
• Willingness to pursue a master’s degree while working over a 2-year period at the Ministry of Health.
• Willingness to transition into the Scheme of Service to secure a permanent position at the Ministry of Health following the 2-year fellowship.

 

Expectations: (Candidates may have a combination of some or all of the following attributes)

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, health informatics, epidemiology, monitoring & evaluation, medical statistics, health economics, or a related field.
• At least 1-3 years+ of experience in healthcare monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning roles, preferably in the development sector or NGOs.
• Some or moderate work experience in developing and implementing MEAL frameworks and managing databases for health programs or projects.
• Experience in promoting accountability, learning, and knowledge sharing within organizations or projects.
• Strong quantitative data skills, including in the design of data collection tools, the management of databases, and analysis of quantitative data.
• Some or moderate experience in designing and conducting evaluations, impact assessments, and learning studies.
• Working knowledge and willingness to expand database proficiency in one or more data analytics or programming software i.e., SPSS, Stata, R, Tableau, PowerBI.
• Excellent written, oral, and cross-cultural communication, presentation, and report-writing skills.
• Demonstrated strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and data analysis skills.
• Familiarity with digital health technologies, health information systems, and data protection regulations is advantageous.

To apply, please send your application (a mandatory cover letter and an updated CV with at least 3 references) to the following email addresses: recruitment@mohsihpau.gov.sl by: 4:00 pm Local Time, Monday 26^th February, 2023.  

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• Only email applications sent to the above email address will be included in the pool of applicants to be assessed by MOH. No hand deliveries will be accepted. Please also note that your CV should contain your full contact details such as residence address, working mobile telephone number, working email address, as well as those of your three referees.

• Selected candidates will be required to sign a contractual agreement with the Government of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health.

• The recruitment will initially be for a period of 2years and thereafter an annual extension subject to performance and funds availability.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION IS: – 26^th February, 2023