: Data Demand and Use Specialist

About Us

Futures Group develops and delivers innovative, locally relevant, evidence-based solutions to improve the health and well being of people around the world. Since 1971, we have assisted governmental and non-governmental agencies, foundations, and the private sector by designing, implementing and evaluating programs in HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, population and family planning, maternal and child health, infectious diseases, and gender. Futures Group has deep expertise in policy and advocacy, research and strategic information, health markets and private sector engagement, modeling and economic analysis, patient monitoring and management/HMIS, strategic consulting, and program management.

Project Summary

The USAID-funded MEASURE Evaluation Project is a 5-year, global project that provides assistance to USAID countries in the monitoring and evaluation of health programs including HIV and AIDS. The overall project goal is to build the sustainable capacity of individuals and organizations to identify data needs, collect and analyze technically sound data, and use that data for health decision-making. ¬

Position Summary

MEASURE Evaluation/Nigeria seeks a candidate for the position of Data Demand and Use Specialist based in Abuja, Nigeria. MEASURE Evaluation/Nigeria implements a diverse set of activities intended to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) capacity of the Government of Nigeria, specifically NACA, Federal Ministry of Health (Department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics and the HIV/AIDS Division (NASCP)), the Federal Ministry of Women’s Affairs and Social Development (FMWASD), state governments in Lagos, Anambra and Kano, as well as Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

This position will involve providing technical assistance, training and coaching to the Government of Nigeria at the national and sub-national levels to strengthen the collection, flow and use of M&E/HMIS information. Modes and media through which technical assistance is provided are diverse and include: facilitating large workshops, working one-on-one with local partners around Nigeria, and independent work conducting quantitative data analysis and developing workshop materials.

Key Responsibilities

The position holder will work in a team comprising MEASURE Evaluation in-country and US-based staff to carry out the following: • Lead project activities that implement the MEASURE Evaluation DDU Framework including application of MEASURE Evaluation core data use tools and methods, and other data use approaches. • Work with international and country-level partners to institutionalize DDU tools, training curricula and approaches. Develop partnerships and new activities. • Implement data use capacity development and training activities. Develop work plans, budgets and project reports specific to DDU. • Assist with monitoring, evaluation and reporting of data demand and use activities. Prepare success stories and case studies as required. Be actively involved in the development, production and dissemination of information products by partners at all levels; • Support the process for identifying and documenting DDU needs and relevant emerging issues and the implementation of planned response among partners; • Participate in technical working groups and data review meetings, and provide technical assistance in the development of strategies to integrate data use approaches and tools into Project and partner activities. • Provide technical support to MEASURE Evaluation/Nigeria team and country collaborators in improving the demand for and use of data in decision-making. This includes creating awareness among colleagues and counterparts of the importance of data use; • Provide assistance in the integration of DDU strategy with other MEASURE Evaluation strategies and approaches in order to achieve organizational objectives and goals; • Participate in the preparation of MEASURE Evaluation overall plans for the country and reports to Mission and Project headquarters; • Perform other assigned functions relevant to MEASURE Evaluation work in Nigeria.

Qualifications

• Post graduate degree in public health, economics, sociology or a related field; • Minimum of 5 years work experience in monitoring and evaluation of public health programs, especially in the coordination of related activities leading to effective management and use of health information at national and sub-national levels; • Sound understanding of data use and decision making process at different levels of health care delivery and management in Nigeria; • Experience in strengthening the demand for data and facilitating the use of information in the decision-making process at different levels – from the facility and programmatic level up to the national level; • Demonstrated experience in facilitating meetings with broad groups of stakeholders representing the government, international donors, universities and institutions, programs, communities, and health facilities; • Demonstrated skills in training and capacity building through technical assistance and coaching/mentoring. This includes strong skills in public speaking, curriculum development, and delivering trainings and workshops; • Demonstrated quantitative skills, including use of Microsoft Excel, STATA, SAS or SPSS, and skills in analyzing, interpreting and communicating information to a variety of stakeholders. Applicants should describe experience with secondary analysis and developing briefs to communicate different types of data to different groups of stakeholders; • Strong writing skills and experience in reporting to international donors, including the US Government; • Ability to work independently and multi-task on a number of activities with minimal supervision; • Willingness to work with a team of Nigerian and US-based staff in a challenging environment with short deadlines and a demanding portfolio of activities; • Willingness to travel throughout Nigeria.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to stand or sit, and move about the facility

Work Environment

• Usual office working conditions free of disagreeable elements.

All applications for this position should be submitted online at www.futuresgroup.com via the Careers page. Futures Group provides equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status.