[Remote] Consultant, MLE Strategy (Kangaroo Mother Care Pilot)

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Evidence Action is a global health organization delivering data-driven interventions to improve lives. The Consultant for MLE Strategy will design, develop, and implement an MLE system for the Kangaroo Mother Care pilot, focusing on monitoring and evaluation framework development and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Revised pilot MLE concept note - Review the existing MLE concept note, pilot proposal, and budget; identify gaps, outdated assumptions, and areas requiring alignment with the program team; produce a revised concept note signed off by the Global MLE-S team and program leads
• Formative research report - Design in-country formative research, including development of data collection tools (structured observation guides, health worker, caregiver, and community health worker interview guides) to assess bedside log reliability and feasibility of proposed data systems; support or lead in-country data collection and analysis; document findings and implications in a formative research report
• Evaluation framework - Finalize the evaluation framework in collaboration with the Global MLE-S team and in alignment with the Global program team and country team, including indicator definitions, sampling approach, sample size calculations, evaluation methodology, and data flow documentation
• Process monitoring plan - Design a process monitoring approach to track implementation fidelity at pilot facilities, including a schedule of data quality spot-checks and structured check-ins with facility focal points; where feasible, support KMC indicator integration into DHIS2 as part of the broader TA model
• Data collection instruments package - Develop all data collection instruments ready for piloting at the start of Phase 2: bedside log and neonatal register additions, daily ward summary templates, facility survey instruments (baseline, endline), and data validation tools; include community survey instruments if community-level coverage data is determined to be a priority during the framework design
• Finalized instruments and data quality assurance protocols - Oversee pilot-testing of all data collection instruments, make revisions as needed, and produce data quality assurance protocols including data verification approaches
• Baseline report - Oversee baseline survey implementation including enumerator training and quality monitoring; deliver a baseline report with findings and implications for program design
• Process monitoring outputs - Implement the process monitoring approach designed in Phase 1, producing summary outputs for the program team at the frequency established in the design
• Endline survey and data validation report - Oversee endline facility survey implementation including enumerator training and quality monitoring; conduct data validation exercises to assess the accuracy and completeness of KMC data captured across facility source documents (bedside logs, neonatal registers, and ward summaries); where KMC indicators have been integrated into DHIS2, extend the validation to compare facility source records against DHIS2 reported data and calculate verification adjustment factors
• Program performance reports - Produce reports covering facility-level KMC coverage, implementation quality indicators, and adjusted program estimates, as well as data quality dashboards for government partner review meetings as needed
• Pilot report - Support production of the pilot report, including evaluation analysis, data quality findings, cost-effectiveness inputs, and recommendations for program adaptation and scale-up decisions
• Learning synthesis - Contribute to a synthesis covering what worked, what did not, and what would need to change for Phase 2
• Participate in regular coordination meetings with the Global MLE-S team and country program team, including scheduled check-ins and ad hoc calls as needed
• Contribute MLE inputs to government partnership discussions and MOU development throughout the program
• Flag emerging issues, timeline risks, or scope changes proactively to the Global MLE Strategy Director
• Accommodate periodic meetings across West Africa and US Eastern time zones as agreed with the team

Skills

• Advanced degree in public health, epidemiology, statistics, public policy, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of MLE experience in global health programs, with demonstrated experience designing and implementing MLE systems for facility-based and community-based health programs in low- and middle-income countries
• Strong quantitative skills, including experience with sampling design, survey implementation, and data analysis (proficiency in Stata or equivalent required)
• Experience developing data quality assessment and verification methodologies
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage MLE workstreams with limited in-country support
• Excellent written communication skills, including experience producing clear, decision-oriented reports for program and donor audiences

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