Senior Data Analyst Consultant – Uganda IRS Impact Evaluation job at PATH

Senior Data Analyst Consultant – Uganda IRS Impact Evaluation job at PATH

PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing heath challenges.

Project Background
PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships, and expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing health challenges.
The U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) Evolve project is the flagship vector control partnership funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) that supports the planning, implementation, and monitoring of malaria vector control programs, including epidemiological and entomological monitoring, indoor residual spraying (IRS), distribution of insecticide treated bed-nets (ITNs), and larval source management. PMI Evolve is strengthening the capacity of local institutions, including countries’ national malaria programs, district health offices, and research institutions to independently conduct vector control programs. The project is also responsible for program evaluation and conducting operations research on new vector control innovations. PMI Evolve is incorporating gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) and climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives as cross-cutting themes with the overall goal of ending malaria faster. As a core PMI Evolve partner, PATH provides technical assistance and strengthens capacity in the use of integrated data to guide vector control deployment decisions and to evaluate their impact. See www.pmievolve.org for more information.

PMI has supported IRS in Uganda since 2006. IRS using non-pyrethroid formulations has been deployed annually in up to 16 districts of north-eastern Uganda since 2017 with funding from both PMI and the Department for International Development, now the Foreign, Commonwealth, & Development Office (FCDO). Following the 2020 campaign, the number of targeted IRS districts was reduced as FCDO exited five districts in a phased manner. The PMI-funded IRS footprint was also reduced to seven districts by 2023. IRS in north-eastern Uganda led to substantial reductions in malaria case incidence over the course of its sustained implementation through 2019. However, in recent years there has been a resurgence in malaria burden across Uganda, including in those districts continuing to receive IRS. In 2022, the Global Fund supported the introduction of non-pyrethroid IRS to nine previously unsprayed districts of the West Nile region. Annual implementation in those districts has continued through 2024, and the impact of IRS in that region has not been previously studied.
PMI Evolve is undertaking an IRS impact evaluation with the primary aims of (1) assessing the overall impact of IRS campaigns implemented in 16 districts of northeastern Uganda, (2) assessing the impact of re-introducing partial IRS in four mid-northern districts where it had previously been withdrawn, and (3) assessing the impact of introducing IRS in nine West Nile districts. The evaluation will assess the impact of IRS on both epidemiological and entomological indicators of malaria transmission.
PMI Evolve through PATH will engage a consultant to co-lead the design and implementation of an IRS impact evaluation. This work will be inclusive of the design and implementation of the approach to the impact evaluation. The work will be undertaken under the technical oversight and coordination from colleagues at PATH, PMI Evolve, and PMI.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
• Reside and work within Uganda. Applicants who are citizens or lawful permanent residents of Uganda will be given preference.
• Hold an advanced degree in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics, or related field.
• Have a minimum of 2 years of demonstrated experience in public health data management and analysis, including experience applying statistical methods such as generalized linear models and interrupted time series models.
• Have strong data management and analysis skills in at least one statistical programming language (R or Stata preferred).
• Have demonstrated ability to collaborate and work effectively with colleagues, partner organizations, national and international stakeholders, and personnel at all levels.
• Have excellent communication skills and writing skills in English.

Preferred applicants will have:
• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in malaria control including vector control (knowledge of IRS programs preferred), and knowledge of Uganda malaria strategy guidance and policy documents, history of malaria control, epidemiological trends, community context, and key indicators.
• Experience working or collaborating with the Uganda National Malaria Control Division (NMCD).
• Demonstrated experience promoting data use for decision-making, preferably at the national level in Uganda or at the regional level in eastern Africa.

Roles and responsibilities:
The specific tasks for the Consultant under this scope of work are listed below. The Consultant will carry out these tasks with technical support from and in close collaboration with an evaluation specialist from PATH.
1. Co-write a comprehensive impact evaluation plan inclusive of identification of data sources, primary epidemiological and entomological outcomes of interest, and description of the analysis methods to be used. The impact evaluation plan must be reviewed and approved by PMI Evolve and PMI.
2. Conduct data cleaning and analysis in collaboration with a PATH evaluation specialist according to the agreed-upon impact evaluation plan and within the agreed-upon timeframe, including:
• Access, clean, and analyze routinely reported data from the Uganda health management information system (HMIS), climate and environmental indicator data (e.g., precipitation, temperature), population data, malaria control intervention data, entomological data, geospatial data such as administrative shapefiles and health facility geocoordinates, and other relevant data sources identified over the course of the activity.
• Apply and refine statistical modeling methods as described in the impact evaluation plan.
• Maintain data- and code-management practices, including documentation of methods and analytic pipelines to ensure replicability of analyses.
3. Co-produce dissemination products within the agreed-upon timeframe including a slide deck presentation summarizing impact evaluation methods and results; and co-author a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The slide deck presentation and manuscript must be reviewed and approved by PMI Evolve and PMI.
4. Participate in weekly check-in calls with the PATH team to provide updates on progress achieved and to discuss inputs/feedback on specific deliverables and any challenges in carrying out the scope of work.
5. Participate in routine check-in calls with PMI, PMI Evolve, and NMCD/Global Fund as requested.
6. Co-lead and participate in dissemination of results, including remote and in-person presentations to national and international partners and dissemination at international conferences (contingent on project funding availability).
7. Liaise with the Uganda NMCD, technical advisors from PMI and PMI Evolve, and the PMI Evolve Uganda team as needed throughout the work, including engaging local stakeholders during evaluation plan development and to review data sources, analysis methods, interim outputs, and final results.

Materials:
The Consultant will need to furnish their own equipment (e.g. laptop, webcam, etc.). Provision of statistical software packages is negotiable as necessary to complete the work.

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