Job Description

Consultant

Health Information, Epidemiology, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (HIERME) Technical Expert - South Africa

Company Profile

Palladium is a global company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on the lives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health, water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, and transformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges; and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have a workforce of 3,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions, races, languages, and gender identities.



Palladium develops and delivers innovative, locally relevant, evidence-based solutions to improve the health and well-being of people around the world. Since 1971, we have assisted governmental and non-governmental agencies, foundations, and the private sector by designing, implementing, and evaluating programs in HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, population and family planning, maternal and child health, infectious diseases, and gender. Palladium has deep expertise in policy and advocacy, research and strategic information, health markets and private sector engagement, modeling and economic analysis, patient monitoring and management/HMIS, strategic consulting, and program management.

Background

Palladium is implementing the USAID-funded Translating Data for Implementation (Data.FI) award. Data.FI is a $180 million, 5-year project which serves as USAID's primary mechanism for data, technology, and health information systems to support HIV activities across strategic PEPFAR countries. Data.FI is part of a suite of large-scale global HIV programs that USAID has awarded and represents the next generation of HIV/AIDS programs. Data.FI plays a key role in USAID's goals of helping partner countries on their Journey to Self-Reliance and transitioning local organizations to prime recipients of USG funding.



The overall goal of the Data.FI project is to improve global, regional, and national in-depth analyses of HIV epidemiologic and program data that can be directly applied to expedite the achievement of PEPFAR targets to attain and sustain control of the HIV epidemic. The focus also includes directly supporting host country governments and implementing partners to further enhance existing health information system platforms to inform management responses to well-defined gaps in HIV/AIDS programming. In order to ensure rapid access to high quality data, Data.FI works towards: accelerating data utilization to rapidly course correct and take to scale cost-effective and impactful activities, models and approaches required to attain and maintain HIV epidemic control; scaling and optimizing in-country health information system capabilities to collect, exchange, adapt, govern, and visualize information in order to track the attainment and maintenance of HIV epidemic control; and supporting the transition of prime funding and implementation to capable local partners.

Position Summary:

Palladium, through Data.FI, is currently seeking a skilled and motivated short term consultant to join our team as a Secondee: Health Information, Epidemiology, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (HIERME) Technical Expert to support the implementation of the revised Data.FI award in South Africa (SA) under the terms of the PEPFAR -GHSD Waiver.



Data.FI South Africa supports the National Department of Health (NDOH) HIERME cluster in its role of providing strategic leadership for the building of coherent systems to generate evidence for the use in planning, service delivery and performance management of critical and life-saving health programs. This position provides technical expertise to the National Department of Health (NDOH) in South Africa, supporting the development of integrated health information systems, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks, and strategic planning. The consultant will assist the NDOH in using data-driven insights for effective HIV and TB program management, reporting, and decision-making to ensure high-quality care and treatment services are sustained and optimized.



In this pivotal role, you will be at the forefront of providing high-level technical expertise to the HIERME Chief Directorate in coordinating strategic work of the NDOH, responding to urgent and special assignments as requested by the executive, and providing ongoing support and debriefing to the NDOH executive through quarterly reports which are presented to Parliament and Cabinet.



This position requires technical expertise in strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and reporting. You will be expected to use your experience of health information systems in South Africa to support the development and analysis of data-focused services that will contribute to building the overall capacity of the NDOH. If you are a dynamic and seasoned individual driven by the passion to use data for meaningful impact within the realm of public health in South Africa, we invite you to join our team at Data.FI. Your role will be pivotal in enhancing the efficacy of the NDOH in using data for program monitoring, reporting, evidence-based decision-making and sustainable strategic planning.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Planning technical assistance

Provide technical assistance in strengthening Strategic Planning at NDOH Provide technical expertise in facilitating alignment of the Departmental Strategic Plan in line with other relevant government frameworks, including the National Development Plan


2. M&E technical assistance

Review and strengthen the NDOH M&E Framework, focusing on health systems strengthening, communicable and non-communicable diseases Assist in developing the departmental results framework for the next 5 years Provide technical assistance to periodic reviews of the National Indicator Data Sets, guiding the development of appropriate indicators Utilise technical expertise in M&E and health information systems to advise new programmes in setting up tools and systems for the systematic collection, analysis and reporting of data Provide technical support in implementing the South African Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Plan


3. NDOH reporting at national and global levels

Provide technical support in reviewing and reporting on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Draft high-level reports for Minister of Health and the NDOH Director-General


4. Results framework development and information analysis

Lead development of an integrated results framework for an emerging initiatives health information, monitoring and evaluation system Assist in the analysis and consolidation of relevant information to inform NDOH short, medium and long-term plans and performance improvement.

Required Qualifications:

A post graduate (NQF 8) qualification in Public Health/ Population/ Demography/ Development Studies and/or other relevant Social Science disciplines is an advantage. At least five (5) years' working experience with the public health sector at a middle/senior management level is necessary. Proven previous experience working with or supporting the NDOH Health Information, Epidemiology, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (HIERME) is highly advantageous Understanding of the health information, strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation landscape in South Africa is highly advantageous. Demonstrated experience and knowledge of WebDHIS is highly advantageous. Proven knowledge of health-focused software development and deployment in the South African context is also an advantage. A proven track record in establishing Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks and systems is required. Proven expertise in developing and evaluating strategic plans, particularly those related to the public sector is also required. Excellent data analytics and report writing skills are necessary, including the ability to navigate, extract and synthesize data from various information systems and sources for high level reports. Good communication (written and verbal) skills are required, along with good facilitation and negotiation skills. Knowledge and understanding of Results Based Management techniques is an advantage. Experience with project management and stakeholder expectation management is highly advantageous. A driver's license is required.


Please note that this is a short term, full time seconded consultancy position.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and we will be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding

We define Safeguarding as "the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm". We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process.



Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.



Please note that interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.