Technical Advisor, Informatics USAID Project Vacancies – Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP)
Job Title: Technical Advisor, Informatics
Organization: Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP)
Reports to: Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor
Job Location: Kampala, Uganda
About Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs:
Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP) is a leader in strategic communication and research that facilitates access to information and exchange of knowledge to improve health. CCP has more than 60 projects that employ staff in more than 40 countries around the world. CCP has unparalleled experience as a global center for Social and Behavioral Change excellence. Through its projects, CCP harnesses the power of social and behavior change communication to encourage the adoption of healthy behaviors in the projects implemented worldwide.
Project Background:
The Social and Behavioral Change Activity (SBCA) is a five-year program implemented through a cooperative agreement between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID/Uganda) and Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP). The vision of USAID’s Social and Behavioral Change Activity is a Uganda where individuals and communities are not just healthy, but resilient, supported by strong adaptable systems and institutions to lead productive lives. The SBC Activity supports the Government of Uganda (GoU) and US government (USG) implementing partners to design and implement Social and Behavioral Change (SBC) communication initiatives that contribute towards reduction in Maternal and Child mortality, Malaria prevalence, Total Fertility rate, new HIV infections, TB prevalence and improved Nutrition out comes, resilience and improved SBC systems and expertise.
Job Summary: The Technical Advisor – Informatics will lead the SBCA team to set up an appropriate data, reporting and workflow management technology-based system to ensure that stakeholders have the data they need to engage in iterative learning, testing, and adaptation of all elements of SBC. He/she will develop a strategy to define the objectives of information management for the SBCA, and devise an action plan at each stage of the information management cycle (including data or information requirements, data collection, processing, analysis, presentation, reporting and use) to achieve all the established objectives. Working closely with the Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Technical Advisor, the Technical Advisor – Informatics will ensure that the information management system is linked to the national information systems across sectors, as appropriate.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead the mapping of available information management systems that may be relevant to SBC to identify, and/or define the optimal infrastructure for addressing the SBCA data, reporting and learning needs.
- Support the development and/or implementation of a user-friendly platform (the solution) for SBC information, knowledge, data capture and storage with powerful data visualization and reporting features. The solution will have built-in incentive features to drive the SBCA management team and other stakeholders to use the system, in support of the CLA agenda.
- Adapt existing health and SBC information tools and data capture systems to project-specific data collection and data dissemination needs and ensure accessibility and usability of systems for SBCA and implementing partner teams.
- Perform overall management of the information management system.
- Support the development and implementation of data quality control measures that will monitor accurate and complete capture of program data.
- Support strategic data analyses, reporting and visualization approaches for relevant project information and present it in the format most useful for its analysis (e.g. reports, maps).
- Provide regular maintenance and querying support for the information management solution to address system troubleshooting and bug resolution.
- Provide full training in the use and management of the system through a combination of user and database administration workshops, user guides, e-learning courseware, and capacity-building sessions with external stakeholders to ensure national capacity and ownership of the system.
- Conduct capacity strengthening activities on the information systems software, data visualization, data analysis, crafting messages and advocacy; with the goal of creating a culture that asks the “how” and “why” questions necessary for the successful implementation and adaptation of the SBCA project activities.
- Develop and ensure adherence to policies that ensure the security and confidentiality of CCP and SBCA identifiable data, including adherence to relevant national and international standards and Open Data guidance.
- Provide regular and adhoc reports from the system as required by CCP, MoH and USAID.
- Remain informed of current issues regarding health and SBC informatics applications and trends in the field by review of current literature and involvement in professional networks; is alert to any implication of new technology or trends in uptake for project and program activities.
- Performs any other duties assigned by the supervisor.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- The applicant must hold a Masters’ degree in Statistics, Biostatistics, information Management, Demography or related field. Further training in information systems or related fields will be an added advantage
- At least 10 years of experience carrying out information management tasks on large international development projects or government institutions
- A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a programming, performance monitoring and/or evaluation role with an international development organization.
- Previous experience of working for SBC/SBCC or health communication programs is an added advantage.
- Oral and written fluency in English.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Ensures appropriate and timely data related support to the SBCA team and field programs.
- Technical expertise in information management and database set up and management.
- Expertise in computer information systems such as iHRIS Suite, Microsoft office, MATLAB, Microsoft Visual Studio, Virtual machines, ArcGlS, Navision, Adobe suite, Borland, JCreator, SQL, WampServer, WinRAR, Nero, Xilosoft, iTunes, image burn and related programs is highly preferred.
- Programming expertise in any of the following; PHP, Java, Visual basic, Perl, MATLAB, C, C#, Prolog Database: Apache, MySQL, Access, Oracle.
- Experience working with databases such as DHIS2, DATlM, HIBRlD, iHRlS, TraiNET. FTMS and PRS is highly desired.
- Ability to lead a team of Health information experts and consultants.
- Proficient in data analysis, monitoring and evaluation and Geo-information Science and Technology experience.
- Ability to lead survey design, planning, implementation and report writing.
- Proven ability to support government in the development, monitoring implementation of health sector plans and generation of performance reports.
How to Apply:
All applications must be submitted using the web form at the link below