ThaiNGO

Job Title: Routine Data Specialist

Reports to: Chief of Party

Program Summary:

With funding from the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), RTI International is implementing Inform Asia: USAID’s Health Research Program through September 2023. Inform Asia promotes the use of strategic information for decision-making, policy, and advocacy in Thailand and Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). The specific objectives are to:

1. Strengthen malaria surveillance systems for the detection, notification, and response of malaria cases

2. Support the national programs to evaluate strategies and tools for implementation and scale-up

3. Support the national programs to generate, analyze, and use strategic information.

Inform Asia provides direct technical assistance to the national malaria programs of Thailand and Lao PDR to strengthen surveillance systems to capture essential datasets and promote the use of strategic information to accelerate malaria elimination. The team is based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Job Summary:

Working alongside the Division of Vector Borne Diseases (DVBD) within Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), the Routine Data Specialist will build expertise in using essential datasets to drive malaria elimination. Using his/her skills in quantitative data analysis and diplomacy, the Specialist will coordinate regular data reviews, provide coaching and feedback opportunities, and strengthen use of national and subnational data on malaria cases and drug efficacy. The role will work in partnership with other technical leads within the Inform Asia program (Chief of Party, Monitoring & Surveillance Specialist), DVBD focal persons, and other agencies housing relevant data at the MOPH.

The Specialist is anticipated to make a significant contribution to building capacity in data reviews and data use at the national level, building a foundation for future work at subnational levels. This may also include encouraging DVBD staff to take ownership of routine data by encouraging them to develop a research or data analysis idea, analyze the data, and write an abstract summarizing the main points of their analyses. Results may be included in scientific articles and conferences. He/she will also participate in meetings, trainings, and workshops as required to ensure best practices and lessons learned are captured and disseminated.

The Specialist will also contribute to technical content for DVBD- or partner-led trainings in malaria surveillance. This may include assessing provider skills and competencies in malaria case and foci investigation, outbreak identification and response, and data interpretation in health promotion hospitals.

The Routine Data Specialist is also expected to lead fieldwork examining strengths and challenges in Thailand’s malaria patient follow-up protocol. As such, experience with qualitative research methods and best practices is an asset for the role.

Essential Duties:

• Develop and manage relationships with DVBD, technical partners, development partners, and consultants;
• Mentor DVBD staff and subnational counterparts in regular data review, analysis, and use;
• Extract, clean, and analyze routine malaria data from surveillance databases, including Malaria Online and the integrated drug efficacy surveillance (iDES) system;
• Draft data collection tools and protocols;
• Collect, clean, and analyze qualitative data from fieldwork;
• Prepare data tabulations, reports, and presentations to support Inform Asia activities;
• In collaboration with staff from RTI, Inform Asia, and partners, support the development of scientific manuscripts on malaria elimination in Thailand;
• Contribute to project monitoring by collecting and analyzing data on key indicators;
• Support preparation of quarterly and annual progress reports on the status of project implementation; contribute to other project reports such as annual work plans;
• Provide technical input for the Communications and Knowledge Management Officer to develop communications products;
• Participate in key meetings with DVBD, USAID, and implementing partners;
• Represent the Chief of Party if called upon to do so; and
• Perform other program and project activities as assigned.

Minimum Required Education & Experience

Master’s degree in public health, statistics, or related field and 3 years of experience or Bachelor’s Degree and 6 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge and experience working with routine health information systems
• Understanding of malaria elimination or other infectious diseases
• Excellent knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, and at least one statistical analysis package
• Ability to work well with others and contribute to team spirit
• Highly functional both verbally and in technical writing in English and Thai
• Ability to work independently
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Proactive communicator and problem solver

Preferred Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge and experience working with USAID-funded projects or other donor-funded projects
• Knowledge and experience working with Thai government agencies
• Excellent knowledge of qualitative research methods and best practices

Physical/Mental Demands

• Ability to work on site in Bangkok and Nonthaburi 40 hours per week, with some flexibility due to COVID-19
• Ability to travel within Thailand up to 25% time

Disclaimer

The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

How to apply: https://rtiint.taleo.net/careersection/.rti_External_Careers_International/jobdetail.ftl?job=200VY