MINISTRY OF HEALTH
INTEGRATED HEALTH PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION UNIT
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
RECRUITMENT OF DATA ANALYSTS FOR THE REPRODUCTIVE AND CHILD HEALTH DIRECTORATE
Background
The Reproductive and Child Health Directorate (RCHD) within the Ministry of Health (MoH) is responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all national Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) programs in Sierra Leone. These programs generate a vast amount of data from various sources, including the national DHIS2 system, specific program databases, surveys (e.g., MICS, DHS), and research studies.
Effective utilization of this data is paramount for evidence-based decision-making, targeted interventions, quality improvement (QI) initiatives, and timely reporting to national and international stakeholders. While data collection efforts are ongoing, there is a critical need to strengthen the RCHD’s in-house capacity for rigorous data analysis, interpretation, and compelling visualization to translate raw data into actionable intelligence. This Data Analyst position will be pivotal in bridging this gap, directly supporting the RCHD’s strategic objectives and contributing to improved RMNCAH outcomes across the country.
Position: Data Analyst (2)
Location: Freetown
Job Purpose
The Data Analyst will provide specialized technical expertise in health data analysis, interpretation, and visualization specifically for Reproductive and Child Health programs within the RCHD. The role involves transforming complex RMNCAH data into clear, actionable insights to inform program planning, monitoring, evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives, thereby fostering data-driven decision-making within the Directorate.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
Under the direct supervision of the Director of RCHD and with technical guidance from the technical assistant, the Data Analyst will perform the following key responsibilities:
Data Management and Preparation:
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Work closely with the RCHD M&E team, and technical assistant to ensure consistent and high-quality data collection from all RMNCAH programs.
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Extract, clean, transform, and validate RMNCAH data from various sources including DHIS2, program-specific databases, survey datasets, and routine facility reports.
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Identify, investigate, and resolve data inconsistencies and errors, collaborating with data focal points at district and facility levels.
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Ensure data integrity, accuracy, and adherence to established data quality standards.
Data Analysis and Interpretation:
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Perform comprehensive statistical analysis of RMNCAH program data to identify trends, patterns, outliers, and areas of concern or success.
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Conduct routine (e.g., monthly, quarterly, annual) and ad-hoc analysis of key RMNCAH indicators (e.g., ANC attendance, skilled birth attendance, family planning uptake, maternal and child mortality trends, MPDSR findings).
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Analyze disaggregated data by geography, age, gender, and other relevant demographics to identify inequities and target interventions.
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Support programmatic evaluations by conducting quantitative analysis of baseline and end-line data.
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Apply appropriate statistical methods to answer specific programmatic questions and test hypotheses.
Data Visualization and Reporting:
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Maintain interactive data dashboards, charts, graphs, and maps using modern data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, or DHIS2 dashboards) to present RMNCAH data insights clearly and concisely.
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Generate regular (e.g., monthly, quarterly) analytical reports, briefs, and presentations for the RCHD leadership, MoH management, and partners.
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Tailor data visualizations and reports to specific audiences (e.g., clinical staff, program managers, policymakers) to maximize impact and understanding.
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Ensure all reports are well-structured, easy to understand, and visually appealing, translating complex analytical findings into actionable recommendations.
Support to Quality Improvement (QI) and Programmatic Decision-Making:
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Work closely with RCHD program managers and QI to identify specific data needs for QI initiatives.
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Provide data insights that highlight areas for QI interventions and help monitor the progress and impact of such initiatives.
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Facilitate RCHD data review meetings, presenting findings and guiding discussions towards evidence-based programmatic adjustments and actions.
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Support the development of data-driven annual work plans and strategic documents for RCHD.
Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer:
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Contribute to building the data literacy and analytical capacity of RCHD staff, program managers, and relevant district-level personnel.
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Provide mentorship and on-the-job training on basic data analysis techniques, data interpretation, and utilization of dashboards.
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Document data analysis methodologies, code, and reporting procedures to ensure reproducibility and knowledge transfer within the RCHD.
Collaboration and Coordination:
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Act as a key technical liaison between the RCHD and other MOH Staff with the Health Intelligence Center (HIC)/situation on data quality, DHIS2 data management, and interoperability issues.
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Collaborate with M&E and data teams from other MoH Directorates and external partners as required, to ensure data coherence and integration.
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Work withdistrict to replicate national level data analysis and interpretation at district situation room
Qualifications and Experience
Education:
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Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics, Physics, Demography, Public Health, Software Engineering with Multimedia/Computer Science, Economics, Biostatistics, or a related quantitative field from a recognized university.
Experience:
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Minimum of 2-4 years of progressive professional experience in data analysis, statistical modeling, and reporting, with a strong preference for experience within the public health or health sector.
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Demonstrated experience in working with large, complex datasets, ideally from routine health information systems like DHIS2.
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Proven experience in developing and maintaining interactive data dashboards and compelling data visualizations.
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Experience in supporting program monitoring, evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives through data use.
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Familiarity with RMNCAH programs, indicators, and the Sierra Leone health system context is highly desirable.
Technical Skills:
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Advanced proficiency in statistical programming language/software
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Expertise in data visualization tools: Microsoft word, power point and DHIS2 analytics dashboards.
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Strong proficiency in DHIS2: Experience in extracting, analysing, and building analytics on DHIS2 data.
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Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel: (pivot tables, complex formulas, data analysis tools, macros).
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Solid understanding of relational databases.
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Knowledge of data cleaning, validation, and data quality assurance techniques.
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Familiarity with geographic information systems (GIS) for mapping health data is a plus.
Competencies and Attributes:
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Analytical Thinking: Exceptional ability to analyze complex data, identify patterns, interpret results, and draw actionable conclusions.
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Problem-Solving: Proactive in identifying data challenges and developing innovative solutions.
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Attention to Detail: Meticulous in data handling and analysis, ensuring accuracy and precision.
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Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in english to convey complex technical information to diverse audiences (both technical and non-technical) clearly and concisely. Ability to prepare high-quality reports and presentations.
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Teamwork and Collaboration: Ability to work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team within the RCHD and collaborate with other Directorates and partners.
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Proactivity and Initiative: Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and work independently.
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Integrity and Ethics: High level of professionalism and commitment to data privacy and ethical principles.
Reporting and Supervision
The Data Analyst will report directly to the Director of the Reproductive and Child Health Directorate for administrative and programmatic guidance. Technical oversight, methodological support, and adherence to national data standards will be provided by the Health Intelligence Center (HIC)/situation within the Directorate of Policy, Planning and Information (DPPI). Regular performance reviews will be conducted jointly by the RCHD Director
Performance Indicators
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Timeliness and accuracy of routine RMNCAH data analysis and reporting.
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Number and quality of interactive data dashboards and visualizations developed and maintained.
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Evidence of data insights being used to inform RCHD programmatic decisions and QI initiatives.
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Feedback from RCHD staff and management on the clarity and usefulness of analytical outputs.
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Contribution to strengthening data literacy and analytical skills within RCHD.
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Effective collaboration with the HIC and other stakeholders on data-related matters.
Contact Information
Applications should be submitted electronically to the following email address: awsuma@mohsihpau.gov.sl for the attention of zainabjuhehb@yahoo.com by: 4:00 pm Local Time, Wednesday 30th July 2025. (Note: only scanned copies of original certificates should be submitted.
Application should be addressed to:
Atten: Alpha Umaru Jalloh
Team Lead / Funds Management Specialist
Integrated Health Projects Administration Unit (IHPAU)
Ministry of Health,
Address: 23 Cantonment Road, Off King Harman Road
Freetown, Sierra Leone
no later than ………………………………………………………
Remuneration:
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To be determined by employer by SRHR Project
IMPORTANT NOTE: 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.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview and selected candidates will be required to sign a contractual agreement with the Government of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health.