Background

The USAID/Zambia MEL Platform will provide USAID/Zambia, implementing partners (IPs), and local country stakeholders with demand-driven performance monitoring and evaluation technical assistance, analytical services, and logistical support services to ultimately improve and ease Mission burden to engage, analyze, and communicate the impact of USAID programming in Zambia. The activity includes a Learning Hub that will help USAID/Zambia disseminate and mainstream data-driven evidence, expand collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) opportunities among USAID and its IPs, and enhance local engagement through an easily accessible, collaborative, and supportive environment that fosters innovation.

The Information Management Specialist reports to the Communications Specialist. The position will be full-time and be based in Lusaka, Zambia with travel throughout the country. Only citizens and residents of Zambia will be considered.

Scope of Work

The Information Management Specialist will provide the following support to USAID/Zambia over the life of The MEL platform:

• Designing and implementing the Data Management Plan for the USAID/Zambia MEL platform which outlines how data will be collected, stored, accessed, secured, and shared throughout the project lifecycle. Plans must be in line with USAID’s regulations on data privacy and security.
• Establishing processes for sharing data securely with IPs, stakeholders, and USAID staff while adhering to data privacy and security protocols.
• Creating and maintaining integrated datasets for diverse pools of data from both within USAID/Zambia (Indictor Data (PEPFAR, F Standard, and custom indicator) GIS data, etc.) and from external sources (Government of Zambia, Academia, World Bank, UN etc.).
• Creating clear and compelling reports and dashboards that effectively communicate data insights to USAID staff, project partners, and beneficiaries while considering their needs and technological access.
• Working closely with USAID/Zambia staff in the program, technical, and front offices to understand their data needs and developing solutions that keep them informed of key trends.
• Producing supplementary content for portfolio reviews, stocktaking exercises, and other events that require data to facilitate CLA.
• Consolidating and analyzing datasets using statistical and qualitative research software.
• Developing infographics for senior decision makers that summarize complex data in creative and insightful ways.
• Disaggregating and tracking key data that complies with priority agency policies on gender, localization, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).
• Working closely with the GIS Specialist to develop compelling maps and geospatial presentations.
• Complying with contractual data reporting requirements including submitting datasets that are free of personally identifiable information (PII) to the Development Data Library (DDL).

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in information management, statistics, data science, international development or related field.
• At least five (5) years of work experience in information management, ideally in a international development context.
• Strong understanding of data management best practices, including data quality control and data governance principles.
• Proven experience developing and implementing Data Management Plans (DMPs).
• Experience with data analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, R, Nvivo) and data visualization software (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Experience with database management systems (e.g., MySQL, SQL Server).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor communication for diverse audiences
• Strong analytical skills, interpersonal skills, and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of Monitoring Evaluation and Learning frameworks, methodologies and principles highly desirable
• Experience with USAID or US Department of State programs highly desirable.
• Strong analytical skills, interpersonal skills, and presentation skills.

Location

Lusaka, Zambia.