AMHF Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator / Specialist

Background: Africa Mental Health Foundation (AMHF) is a non-governmental organization whose main mandate is to conduct mental health and substance use research to inform policy, practice, and the provision of innovative, appropriate, affordable, available and accessible mental health and substance use services to all.Position Summary: Africa Mental Health Foundation is looking for a Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator / Specialist to be engaged on FULL-TIME basis on an annual renewable contract depending on performance and availability of funding.
Number of Posts: 1
Job Title: Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator / Specialist
Reporting to: Project Coordinator / Manager and Principal Investigator (of TEAM)
Location: Nairobi, Upper hill office with frequent travel to rural research sites Contract Duration: 1 year renewable upon performance and availability of funds
Line of authority:
Line management: The post will be Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Coordinator/Specialist reporting directly to the Project Coordinator/Manager. The person will work closely with the project officers, biostatistician, research and ethics officer, research assistants and the data entry clerks.
Additional technical support will also be provided by Mary DeSilva (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine).
Purpose of the job: The M&E Coordinator/Specialist will work closely with program and research teams to develop and implement the AMHF monitoring and evaluation plan to track outcomes, assess research activities, and contribute to the refinement of AMHF projects.
Core responsibilities will include setting up and supporting teams to carry out the monitoring system, ensure that management personnel, and other decision makers, have timely and precise information regarding project progress, outcomes and, when possible, ensure that program impact is accurately measured and documented.
Fostering and advancing the training of, and adherence to, key M&E principles, practices, and approaches for research and project staff is a critical component of this job.
Key Responsibilities:

Provide continuous M&E advice and training to staff at AMHF, and collaborating partners, on the M&E systems and initiatives;

Ensure solid objectives and outcome / impact indicators are identified and developed;

Design and carry out research projects related to M&E as required, ensure they meet the desired outcome, meet user needs and filter through to evidence-base for planning and decision-making;

Assist in the development of the evaluation methods in collaboration with Project Coordinator/Manager and project officers;

Provide support to country project team on impact monitoring and Theory of Change processes;

Develop data control and quality management tools and systems together with the PI, research and ethics officer and the biostatistician;

Work with the PI, Co-PI, Project Coordinator/Manager, biostatistician, research and ethics officer and other project staff to develop appropriate quantitative and qualitative data tools for M&E;

Spearhead and supervise the collection, processing, and analysis of both qualitative and quantitative data;

Maintain M&E trackers, manage online data collection and storage system, and research database;

Ensure continuous implementation of performance monitoring plans and log frames with the help of the project manager;

Proactively maintain visibility by providing ongoing updates of the M&E process starting at project conception stage through to after post project learning;

Works as a liaison to outside data-generating entities to develop and maintain partnerships for sharing and using data;

Work with the biostatistician to summarize and write findings for scientific papers and other manuscripts;

Work with project staff, communication officer, and management team to ensure that data is available and up to date, for guiding dissemination through appropriate channels;

Conduct and oversee literature reviews for design of research projects, preparation of publications, and planning and evaluation in collaboration with the project manager;

Design, prepare, and review reports from analyses of data, literature reviews, and other information.

Orally present findings to diverse audiences. Review and prepare responses to requests for information;

Act as a focal point for information and evaluation related requests;

Develop and provide recommendations to high-ranking officials about the results.Other duties

Any other reasonable duties that the PI or Line manager at AMHF may requireDimensions
People – This position will be supporting members of the public in our study areas and working alongside a team of researchers and project officers. This position is part of the AMHF Management team.
Flexibility – This role will require flexibility in terms of mobility – travelling to the study sites in different parts of Nairobi, Machakos and Makueni counties.
Nature and Scope
Comply with regulations including the Data Protection Act, as well as the AMHF Foundation’s policies and research governance framework, and show a commitment to personal development, in order to deliver high quality work.
The AMHF is a team within which everyone must work on their own initiative, prioritise work, and assist with the overall efficient running of the Foundation to create a positive work environment for employees and a professional resource for stakeholders and members of the public.
The key responsibilities above give a broad outline of the functions of the post. However, these duties must be approached in a flexible manner.
The post holder will be expected to adapt to changing circumstances and undertake other duties appropriate to the grade of post as allocated by the direct supervisor and as part of working as a team to ensure the Foundation achieves its Mission, Vision and goals.
Knowledge
The M&E Coordinator / Specialist must have:

A good understanding of mental health and the impact of mental health problems on people’s lives.

Good knowledge of mental health services in Kenya.

A strong understanding of mental health research including qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.

A good understanding of research tools and relevant data analysis software.

Knowledge and experience in data management, M&E, quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Knowledge and experience in summarising data and developing themes for research publications.

Good command of written and spoken English and Kiswahili.Skills
The M&E Coordinator / Specialist must:

Be confident working in teams showing excellent team membership qualities.

Be an excellent communicator – both oral and written using well developed skills.

Be a highly organised and efficient worker, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet set deadlines.

Pay attention to detail as demonstrated through proof reading and accuracy in writing for different audiences.

Enumerate and be able to organise research information, producing summary reports as required by the PIs.

Have the ability to work with qualitative research methodologies and analysis approaches using qualitative data.

Be proficient in the use of qualitative and quantitative software packages (STATA, Nvivo, SPPS and SAS).

Have excellent computer skills, particularly in using Microsoft Office software (Word, Access, Excel, Outlook etc.).Experience
The M&E Coordinator / Specialist must have:

Experience of working in a research team especially in public health.

Experience of setting up and facilitating data collection and management process.

Experience of mental health research in Africa and specifically Kenya.

A good understanding of paper writing and publications.Competencies

Quality: Maintain quality in own work and encourage others to act consistently with policies, legislation and procedures (including research governance framework).

Information: Gather, analyse and report on a range of information effectively using appropriate methods and sources. Report the data and information at the agreed time using presentation, layout, tone, language, content and images appropriate for its purpose and the agreed recipients.

Communication: Communicate effectively using a range of different media, including email, telephone, social media and web. Maintain accurate and complete records consistent with legislation, policies and procedures. Ensure effective communication with a range of people on a range of matters; constructively managing barriers. Evidence ability to develop and maintain communication in difficult situations and with people on difficult matters recognising and reflecting on the barriers to effective communication, modifying responses where necessary.

Personal development: Take responsibility for their own development by assuming an active role in learning opportunities and to be able to identify own learning needs and evaluate the impact of learning activities.Qualifications

Masters degree in Public Health, Health Statistics, Epidemiology and/or another related health sciences discipline, from a recognized university;

Experience in evaluation design, or qualitative and quantitative research methods and analysis;

Experience and/ or a strong interest in mental health research;

Willingness to participate in mental health research and publications.Application Instructions:
We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to send applications including a detailed CV as an attachment to info@amhf.or.ke
Applications should be received by close of business 25th September, 2015.
Kindly do not attach your testimonials/certificates.
Please bring both original and photocopies of your testimonials when invited to the interview.
For any additional clarification before the deadline, call: +254750775142.
NB: Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.