Data Analyst-MERIAM 2.0 Project

Country Office: Ethiopia

Work Base: [Addis Ababa]

Availability: As Soon As Possible

Salary Scale: As per the organizational scale

Insurance - (Life, Group Personal Accident, and Medical Insurances are covered by the organization policies).

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position.

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger leads the global movement to end hunger. We innovate solutions, advocate for change, and reach 24 million people every year with proven hunger prevention and treatment programs. As a nonprofit that works across 50 countries, our 8,300 dedicated staff members partner with communities to address the root causes of hunger, including climate change, conflict, inequity, and emergencies. We strive to create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good.

Action Against Hunger USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network. As an independent NGO, Action Against Hunger USA currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Zambia, and Haiti. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $100 million in programs and approximately 1,800 permanent staff based in New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi, and country offices. Additional growth is anticipated.

Summary of the position

Under the direct supervision of the MERIAM 2.0 Project Manager and in collaboration with other Nutrition and Health technical team, the data analyst will provide high-level advanced data analysis support to a project:  Enabling Anticipatory Action for Acute Malnutrition in Practice through strengthening the Early Warning System Project (MERIAM). S/he will support mapping and make use of existing Early Warning Systems and nutrition data sources such as seasonal assessment using IPC analysis, routine nutrition and health surveys, HMIS for predictive analytics, early warning systems, and anticipatory nutrition action. S/he is expected to support and apply practical data analysis and coordination techniques to leverage and strengthen existing Early Warning Systems towards the usability of information and design better anticipatory nutrition action in disaster-prone areas.

Purpose, Engagement, and Delivery

Purpose: The project aims to develop innovative acute malnutrition prediction models in humanitarian contexts in Ethiopia and sensitize and empower humanitarian stakeholders to use predictive analytics for acute malnutrition in key decision-making to anticipate and respond effectively to acute malnutrition. The Job purpose is therefore to provide advanced data analysis support to the Enabling Anticipatory Action for Acute Malnutrition in Practice through strengthening the early warning systems Project (MERIAM 2) project in Ethiopia.

Engagement: The data analyst will engage with MERIAM project Manager and Action Against Hunger Nutrition and Health Program Managers in Hararghe and Borena and other health and nutrition team in respective abases and capital offices,  government offices including Disaster Risk Management Offices at national, sub-national, and local level, health offices and other implementing partners and UN agencies.

Delivery: The data analyst is expected to analyze and deliver high-quality data that will help in enabling Anticipatory Action for Acute Malnutrition in Practice by strengthening the early warning systems and the generation of the local predictive model. S/he will produce high-quality reports on the project and share them with the MERIAM 2.0 Project manager using standard reporting tools and technical guidelines. S/he is also expected to collaborate with HEARO and University partners in developing or utilizing new approaches for data analysis which could be constructed as part of the methodological framework underpinning the data analysis for MERAIM 2.0. 

Essential Job Duties 

Lead, Coordinate, Design, and Implement project data management.  (60% LoE)

• The data analysis will have the primary responsibility of leading, coordinating, designing, implementing and monitoring, and supporting project-specific data in the Action Against Hunger Ethiopia mission.

Specific duties include: 

• Lead in managing project data, which entails collecting, analyzing, and synthesizing qualitative and quantitative data toward achieving desired project outcomes.

• Lead and support in customizing data collection tools, contextualizing and implementing predictive models and analytics for anticipatory nutrition actions, which entails retrospective and timely collection of data, and receiving needs and feedback from stakeholders.

• Support in data collection, regular data review, and analysis of monitoring indicators and adaptive learning approaches in collaboration with capital and base MEAL team.

• Support and participate in developing or enhancing existing data collection and analytics methods which could be constructed as part of the methodological framework underpinning the data analysis for MERAIM 2.0 to enhance data use and management for anticipatory nutrition action targeting project staff and local partners.

• Support the full application of predictive models and testing their impact in decision-making and effect on operational framework towards nutrition anticipatory actions at various levels.

• Support mapping of existing Early Warning System, including seasonal assessment using IPC analysis, routine surveys, HMIS, diseases surveillance systems, etc.

• Provide support in designing anticipatory nutrition action by gathering, interpreting, and synthesizing relevant data, generating reports and evidence for internal and external partners, etc.

• Engage regularly in national and sub-national Nutrition Information Working Groups towards an enhanced and functional Early Warning System, Coordination, and collaborative mechanisms.

• Provide targeted capacity-building training and continuous mentoring and coaching of field-based staff and government frontline health workers, HIS focal points in advanced data collection, analysis, and visualization techniques as a way of improving local capacities on data usage for anticipatory nutrition action and local adaptation.  

• Engage in Technical handbook and user’s guide preparation for data management, including collection and analysis.

• Support and participate in project-specific evaluations and assessments. 

• Participate in regular meetings organized with HEARO and University partners and provide the necessary updates and feedback.

• Perform other duties as assigned by MERIAM 2.0 Project Manager.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning.  (40% LoE)

Specific duties include:

• Ensure quality and standard data management and monitoring approach for the project at the capital and field level, putting in place clear data collection methods and tools, reporting, feedback, analysis, and reporting mechanisms.

• Undertake periodic Data Quality Assurance (DQA) in project intervention areas in collaboration with the MEAL team and Quality Improvement Specialist. 

• Participate in reviewing and evaluating the effects of the predictive models on operational frameworks, reporting to the Action Against Hunger team and university partners for learning.

• Provide technical assistance to all project staff based in capital and field level

• Provide a high-level summary and detailed inputs for periodic project reports.

• Provide regular mentoring and coaching on data collection, analysis, visualization and reporting techniques at

• Collaborate and support in producing knowledge products (case studies, lesson learned, blogs, and articles) 

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Will not have direct supervisory responsibility but provide technical guidance to base nutrition and health team on data quality, analysis, visualization, and reporting.

Fiscal Responsibility

•                N/A 

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the data analyst is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with interruptions.

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made available in the office to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions, Travel, and Environment

• The duties of the position require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Could be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.

• The data analyst will make regular and frequent travel to remote health facilities,  field offices, and government offices.  Hence, s/he must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations that may include the necessity to walk long distances, eat a limited diet, and/or reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents.  

• While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high-security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.

Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse 

• Foster an environment that reinforces values of women and men, and equal access to information.

• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.

• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.

• Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.

• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, and children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.

• Value and respect all cultures. 

Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA)

• Beware of the minimum operating standards of SEA.

• Protect and prevent others from SEA.

• Report SEA.

• Strictly comply with AAH child protection and SEA policies. 

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in information science, epidemiology, statistics, or related studies from an accredited university or college and at least 5 years of relevant experience in the field of nutrition and health research, nutrition surveillance and survey, and Early Warning System (EWS) in the context of the humanitarian setting.

• Master’s or other advanced degree in a similar field of study with more than 3 years of relevant experience is preferred.

• Experience in implementing and leading nutrition and related research with managing nutrition and health data, review of research protocols, and designing data collection tools is highly desirable.

• Familiarity with the national and regional EWS and strategies, policies, and anticipatory plan of action for crisis response is desirable.  

• Exposure and participation in national and subnational Early warning System coordination and technical working groups are preferred.

• Experience working in the Oromia region or having a good understanding of the context is preferred. 

Required Skills and Competencies 

• Strong technical skills in data mining, analysis, interpretation, visualization and presentation.

• Experience in using statistical software such as SPSS, STATA, and R is highly desirable.

• Advanced computer skill in MS Office Suite and statistical software such as SPSS and Stata is required. A skill on “R” is a plus.

• Data visualization skills using tools such as Power BI and other soft wear is highly desirable.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.

• Ability to take initiative and prioritize multiple tasks as well as self-direct with minimum supervision.

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate closely with immediate manager, other staff, and government offices.

• Genuine interest and commitment to the mission and principles of Action Against Hunger.

• Proven abilities to set priorities, multi-task, and work collaboratively across technical disciplines. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication in English is mandatory and Speaking of more than one local language is a plus.

How to Apply

If you are interested, please send your application composed of none returnable CV, a Covering Letter with “Data Analyst-MERIAM 2.0 Project” written in the subject line, and three references, applicants to the following addresses:

Through THIS LINK

NB: Only shortlisted applicants will be communicated and the selection process includes a technical test and an interview.

All candidates should apply online at https://careers.actionagainsthunger.org/ Action Against Hunger-USA provides all staff with an attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment