United States of America: Research and Metrics Advisor II

Program Overview

Pathfinder’s Research and Metrics Unit (RMU) provides technical assistance to field offices to design and oversee project performance monitoring, compliance, management information systems, assessments and evaluations, , operational and other implementation science studies, protocols and instruments, analysis plans, while ensuring adherence to ethical data collection standards. Every Advisor is responsible for ensuring that we plan for and collect appropriate, relevant, high-quality data and use it for program learning and action. The team’s expertise lies in developing organizational standards, SOPs, methods, measures, and tools to enable programs to collect and use meaningful qualitative and quantitative data. All of these efforts aim to provide program managers and technical advisors with high quality data in ways that can inform their decisions. The Unit is also growing its competencies in knowledge exchange and structured learning activities to help facilitate the use of data for decisions and action. The high-energy, fast-paced, highly analytic and collaborative Research and Metrics team is multidisciplinary with expertise in public health, sociology, epidemiology, biostatistics, management, design thinking, and qualitative research methods.

Position Purpose

The Research and Metrics Advisor II is responsible for collaborating with other Unit members to develop and implement Pathfinder’s Research and Learning strategy and work plan, which includes responsibilities related to performance monitoring, compliance and data quality, data use, knowledge exchange, and implementation science and learning. His/her main responsibility is to provide direct assistance to field staff in country offices and projects to ensure sound and high quality performance monitoring, compliance and data quality, data use, knowledge exchange, and implementation science and learning is designed and carried out. The Advisor will work closely with field staff to enable projects to fulfill their performance management and reporting responsibilities using meaningful data, and provide evidence for program learning. This involves gaining a full understanding of PI programs with which he/she works and may involve development of new tools for data collection, communication with other HQ and field staff, planning for and selecting consultants and providing targeted training as needs arise. S/he is also responsible for collaborating with other Unit staff to design operations and other research studies.

Key Responsibilities

Works with designated Pathfinder International Country Office and project staff to:

• Develop sound M&E, Research and Learning plans for project proposals, including appropriate selection of final project indicators and data sources, and M&E team work plan to ensure effective implementation. This may include responding to questions from donors.
• Conceptualize, develop and implement appropriate system(s) for collecting monitoring and evaluation data to enable each project to report to stakeholders and use data to track achievement of goals and objectives, make programmatic decisions and take necessary actions.
• Create and adapt data collection tools, as appropriate, including monitoring tools and forms, survey questionnaires, key informant interview schedules, facility assessment and supervision tools, and training materials.
• Provide thought leadership to countries and the RMU team related to designing mixed-method, quasi-experimental studies, calculating sample size, identifying appropriate research methods and tools, and conducting descriptive and inferential analysis using appropriate software tools.
• Assist project staff to develop and implement monitoring and evaluation standards, guidelines, procedure manuals and data management guidelines for their office/projects.
• Mentor project staff to design and/or oversee implementation of project household surveys and other data collection tasks. This may include developing survey protocols and terms of reference for consulting firms, critically reviewing consultant reports and other deliverables, assisting with ethical clearance procedures.
• Provide support and guidance to other members of the RMU team, including orientation to Pathfinder processes and materials, as appropriate, and review of documents written by team members.
• Initiate new guidance documents and other materials to improve M&E knowledge and skill development across the organization.

The research and metrics advisor will also work with Unit staff at headquarters to:

• Develop and implement Pathfinder’s Research and Learning strategy and related policies, guidelines and standard procedures
• Draft M&E, Research, and Learning plans for proposals and review proposals from the data collection and evaluation perspectives.
• Disseminate Pathfinder International standards and operating procedures, as appropriate.
• Provide relevant training to Pathfinder staff, as needed.
• Develop resources and tools for Pathfinder staff and projects, as needed.
• Assist project staff to disseminate information on Pathfinder project results and findings through written reports, conference presentations and publications.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Basic Requirements

• An advanced degree (Master’s minimum, DrPH/PhD preferred) in demography, epidemiology, statistics, social sciences or related field.
• At least 6-8 years of progressively responsible experience in monitoring and evaluating FP, RH, HIV and/or other health programs.
• Experience living and working in a developing country highly desired.
• Advanced training and demonstrated experience in quantitative research methods, especially applied statistics and inferential analysis; training in mixed methods, or health economics is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with various constituencies including donor agencies and local partners.
• Experience designing performance monitoring and/or conducting mixed-method studies in the areas of reproductive health/family planning, HIV/AIDS, post-abortion care, adolescent health or quality improvement preferred.
• Experienced user of software packages, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and at least one statistical software package (EPI-INFO, STATA, SPSS, SAS or similar).
• Demonstrated success with packaging and presenting data to a wide range of stakeholders for decision making and action.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English required; fluency in French is a plus.
• Proven ability to work independently and with attention to detail.
• Excellent organizational skills and proven team player.
• Ability to work well with people from different cultures.
• Ability to travel extensively (approximately 35% time).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in designing and conducting mixed-methods studies, costing studies
• Experience in designing health management information systems
• Knowledge of USAID, PEPFAR, and other donor reporting guidelines and requirements.
• Experience in use of data for program management and decision-making.

http://www.pathfinder.org/about-us/join-our-team/