Mozambique: Strategic Information (SI) Unit Manager

Reporting to the Country Representative, the Strategic Information (SI) Unit Manager provides overall leadership, management and technical direction on SI-related activities for all projects and studies managed by ICAP-Mozambique. Ensures that all SI activities are planned and implemented in consistency with ICAP’s SI program, and expectations set by donors and the Ministry of Health and other governmental entities in Mozambique. Maintains overall responsibility for the ICAP team’s conduct of routine and specialized monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities, targeted research and evaluation initiatives, and knowledge management. The Strategic Information (SI) Unit Manager liaises closely with the staff and leadership within the SI Unit and other units at ICAP headquarters in New York City.

This position is grant funded.

Location: Maputo, Mozambique

Major Accountabilities

Technical responsibilities:

• Provides technical direction to all ICAP Mozambique projects on SI issues, including research, evaluation, and review of routinely collected data to monitor and evaluate programs and improve performance.
• Identifies short and long-term objectives toward strengthening information systems in country and developing proposals to accomplish these goals.
• Promotes data quality assessments and provides feedback to ICAP, MOH, donors and staff to reinforce the quality standards.
• Directs the implementation of DHIS2 and/or other information systems and data collection and management tools.
• Oversee implementation and/or expansion of Electronic Patient Tracking Systems in ICAP supported Health Facilities in provinces where ICAP operates.
• Implements training and on-going technical mentorship on SI for ICAP-Mozambique for M&A and clinical staff based in the districts.
• Serves as a resource to ICAP in the evaluation of ongoing programs, as needed.
• Develops, implements and analyzes data from research initiatives and public health evaluations as needed in coordination with research teams.
• Works with a variety of collaborators within Mozambique on projects and activities related to SI.
• Contributes to the documentation of program successes including the development of manuscripts, abstracts and posters.
• Serves as the in-country focal point person for all M&E related components (including narratives) of proposal/grant applications and ongoing reporting including semiannual and annual reports, interim progress reports, and continuation applications as required under various funding awards.
• Leads efforts of ICAP in Mozambique related to developing key indicators, data collection tools and information flow to meet project needs.

Management responsibilities:

• Oversees development and monitoring of annual work plans and budgets to support Strategic Information activities.
• Manages SI-related human resources including regular appraisal of staff.
• Promotes skills, technical capacity and abilities to be performed by SI staff.
• Organizes, conducts and attends national and international SI-related technical meetings to inform and improve program planning and implementation.
• Develops professional/expert networks within and beyond Mozambique that could be utilized to support ongoing SI-related work in Mozambique.

Advocacy responsibilities:

• Promotes collaboration between various in-country stakeholders involved in SI-related projects and activities.

Reporting responsibilities:

• Leads ICAP in Mozambique’s efforts to comply with government and donor agencies’ reporting guidelines and monitor accuracy of data included in all projects reports.
• Supports all ICAP in Mozambique programs/projects with the development/maintenance of tools/databases to assist with data analysis and reporting.
• Ensures that program activity data reported by ICAP are verified by quality assurance procedures and ensure quality, timely reports on projects progress to ICAP headquarters, PEPFAR, and other stakeholders and donors.
• Reviews regular reports (including quarterly, semi-annual and annual progress reports; both internal and those addressed to funders) and provides feedback on the quality and timeliness of all submissions.

Education

• Requires a Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology or related discipline. MD or PhD preferred.

Experience, Skills & Minimum Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in the design and implementation of SI-related HIV/AIDS programs, projects and activities, or a related area in low-resource settings.
• Strong data management and analytical skills.
• Ability to use computer software programs including MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and statistical programs such as SPSS, SAS, STATA, or R.
• Knowledge of and practical experience in health-related research and associated ethical requirements.
• Knowledge of and experience in health information management systems and database maintenance.
• International health program development and project management experience.
• Extensive experience in supervising staff with a demonstrated ability to motivate staff and build effective teams.
• Excellent (fluent) English written and verbal communication skills. Portuguese professional level language skills are an added advantage and strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent team building and capacity building experience.
• Field-oriented and comfortable with a team approach to program implementation and able to manage several major activities simultaneously.
• Ability to build strong working relationships with government officials, international donors, and technical and administrative staff, with direct experience in Mozambique.
• Demonstrated experience working with USG donor and technical agencies (e.g., CDC).

Travel Requirements

• Travel (up to 20%) within Mozambique may be required.

Please send an application letter and CV by email with a subject title “Strategic Information (SI) Unit Manager” to icaphr@columbia.org.mz

Please do not attach any certificates when submitting on line. Only short listed applicants will be contacted.