Evidence Action Data Collection and Quality Consultant Job in Zomba, Malawi

Vacancy: Consultant - Data Collection and Quality
 

Deadline to Apply: Rolling Basis
 

Start Date: ASAP
 

Reporting To: Senior Associate MLIS – Data Collection and Quality
 

Location: [Zomba], Malawi with domestic travels
 

We are looking for a Consultant - Data Collection and Quality, a member of the Monitoring Learning and Information Systems (MLIS) Team.

About Evidence Action: We are a new organization that scales development interventions whose value has been demonstrated through the use of randomized evaluation. 

The Organization targets cost-effective interventions that can improve the lives of millions. It crafts resilient business models for long-run success, identifying innovative, appropriate financing mechanisms and building best practice operational models. 

Two successful interventions (Deworm the World Initiative – DtWI and Dispensers for Safe Water – DSW).

The Organization is also operating a new program in cooperation with the Government of Kenya, called the Greatness United (G-United).

About Monitoring Learning and Information Systems (MLIS) Team: The MLIS team embodies the evidence-based nature of Evidence Action’s work and enables us to be a data-driven organization. 

The team provides services across Evidence Action Africa region in meeting the following outcomes:

• All ongoing program monitoring needs met (including M&E design and quality data collection)
• Programs delivered with access to timely and useful data for day-to-day programmatic planning and decision making
• Analysis and research conducted to support program improvements (including operation research, market research and cost-efficiency analysis)
• Support with timely, useful and clear information for evidence-based decision making (including provide support to connect the dots)
• Support provided to regional leadership for new programs and partnerships for exploration and evaluation
• Standards, systems and processes setup for delivery of all functions (monitoring, analysis, research, information systems and quality data)

The MLIS team works towards these outcomes through four sub-teams that work closely together to deliver quality, timely and useful information:

• Learning and Communication (L&C): This team is responsible for supporting the program teams with timely information in innovative, useful and clear ways to translate analysis and research to evidence-based decision making and action.
• Monitoring, Analysis and Research (MAR): This team is responsible for ensuring that all ongoing program monitoring needs are met and analysis and research is conducted to support program improvements.
• Management Information Systems (MIS): This team is responsible for ensuring that the all programs have access to timely and useful data for day-to-day programmatic planning and decision making through a cloud-based multi-user system.
• Data Quality and Management (DQM): This team is responsible for ensuring access to quality and timely data to meet all ongoing program needs; including monitoring, information systems and analysis and research.

About the Position: The Consultant –DSW-M Data Collection and Quality is a member of the DQM team on the larger MLIS team, and is responsible for ensuring the collection of quality data to meet ongoing program needs, with a primary focus on the DSW-M program monitoring activities. 

Goals and Responsibilities
 

Manage Data Collection Activities for the DSW-M Program:

• Manage DSW program data collection activities as maybe assigned, including, field-based data collection and phone-based data collection for both quantitative and qualitative research.
• Actively participate in data collection as maybe required in order to meet monitoring and evaluation targets
• Work with DSW program teams to train and manage all staff collecting data to ensure quality data collection; including tracking all data collection activities and conducting back-checks/spot-checks
• Based on the sampling guidelines, support regular sampling of field activities for deployment and develop and manage an efficient field schedule for all project field operations
• Maintain an efficient system for tracking data collection activities, and support data tracking systems developed by the MIS team to make sure that no data collected from the field is lost in the process of data flow.
• Manage deployment of M&E staff to other offices to support expansion monitoring activities or any other data collection activities at the away office as needed.
• Actively participate in the supervision of data collection activities and check on the quality of data collected through occasionally conducting back-checks and spots checks on the field staff.
• Update MLIS and program leadership on the data collection progress across all DSW field offices as needed.
• Serve as the primary person of contact between DSW field offices on matters data collection and monitoring and the MLIS team, and actively maintain a robust and dynamic feedback system between DSW field offices and MLIS, including feedback on data collection instruments and any other unexpected happenings from the field.
• Manage standards and best-practices for collecting; including conducting back-checks/spot-checks and documentation of field activities.
• Manage and contribute to innovative systems and tools to train staff and plan activities

Manage Field Team Finances and DQM Data Collection team:

• Support the development of program budget and management of data collection finances, including identifying and making timely financial request and returns as well as tracking data collection expenses
• Working in collaboration with Area Coordinators, oversee the process of hiring and onboarding DSW M&E FOs.
• Support Area Coordinators (administrative supervisors) in maintaining records of attendance, staff leave, extra days worked and related HR documents for timely submissions to the HR as required.
• Supporting procurement of goods, including sourcing for quotations, purchasing of office supplies and verifying the delivery of goods as necessary
• Ensure proper management and storage of data collected, and documents and equipment that belong to the MLIS team.
• Ensure administrative and field operation related documents, activities and  protocols are well documented.

Collaborate with other teams for improved service delivery to programs:

• Work closely with Area Coordinators in the daily management of field staff in line with the division of responsibilities under the matrix system, and contribute to the field staff occasional evaluation of performance.
• Work closely with the program team to make sure that all ODK surveys and forms are timely programmed and rightly translated as needed.
• Through Manager – DQM, forward any feedback concerning programming of electronic data collection instruments to Senior/Associate – Programming.
• Through Senior Associate – Data Collection, work with the IT team on establishing the right hardware and software requirements to collect timely and quality data.
• With support of Senior Associate  - Data collection, work closely with the procurement team to procure necessary material for data collection as per the procurement policy
• With guidance from Senior Associate Data Collection and Quality, support in other MLIS data collection and monitoring activities as needed.

To Apply
 

Please email your CV and application letter to copy kenyajobs@evidenceaction.org with the subject line “Data Collection and Quality-Malawi”

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by phone and email for an interview.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

The Organisation is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), adhering to the laws that prohibit discrimination in the terms and conditions of employment. 

The Organisation’s HR policy provides equal employment, volunteer, and service opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin or ancestry, religion, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, marital status, veteran status, disability (including HIV/AIDS), or any other status protected by applicable law.