Data Management and Coordination Associate Job in Kenya

Organization: Evidence Action

Position: Associate – Data Management and Coordination

Reporting to: Senior Associate – Programming and Data Management

Location: Kisumu, Kenya

Start Date: ASAP


Deadline: Application will be reviewed on a rolling basis

About Evidence Action: Evidence Action scales proven development solutions to benefit millions of people around the world.

We fill the gap between knowing 'what works' and having impact at scale. We implement cost-effective interventions whose efficacy is backed by substantial rigorous evidence. We identify innovative, appropriate financing mechanisms and build best-practice operational models.

We voraciously self-evaluate, learn, and improve our models for scaling with a commitment to transparency on progress, impact, and value for money: Our flagship programs are:
  • Dispensers for Safe Water is an entrepreneurial program scaling the chlorine dispenser system – a proven, innovative, and low-cost approach to increase rates of household chlorination. This year the program will reach over five million people in Africa providing safe drinking water to vulnerable populations.
  • The Deworm the World Initiative actively supports the scale-up of school-based deworming programs worldwide to improve children’s health, education, and long-term development. We partner with governments to support their work as part of our strategy for financial sustainability and in order to ensure integration with other health and education initiatives.
About Monitoring Learning and Information Systems (MLIS) Team

The MLIS team embodies the evidence-based nature of Evidence Action’s work and enables us to be a data-driven organization. 

The team provides services across Evidence Action Africa region in meeting the following outcomes:
  • All ongoing program monitoring needs met (including M&E design and quality data collection)
  • Programs delivered with access to timely and useful data for day-to-day programmatic planning and decision making
  • Analysis and research conducted to support program improvements (including operation research, market research and cost-efficiency analysis)
  • Support with timely, useful and clear information for evidence-based decision making (including provide support to connect the dots)
  • Support provided to regional leadership for new programs and partnerships for exploration and evaluation
  • Standards, systems and processes setup for delivery of all functions (monitoring, analysis, research, information systems and quality data)
The team provides services across Evidence Action’s Africa Region through three sub-teams that work closely together to deliver quality, timely and useful information:
  • Data Collection and Information Systems (DIS): Responsible for training, data collection and logistics of M&E activities in the field. Information systems ensure that the program have access to timely and useful data through a cloud-based multi-user system.
  • Design, Data Processing and Analysis (DPA): Responsible for data management, analysis and research. DPA ensures that all ongoing program monitoring needs are met and analysis and research is conducted to support program improvements.
  • Data Innovation, Accountability and Learning (DIAL): Responsible for supporting the program teams with timely information in innovative, useful and clear ways to translate analysis and research to evidence-based decision making and action. DIAL also seeks out innovative ways to engage with program and is responsible for internal communications.
Position Overview: The Associate – Data Management and Coordination is a member of the PDM sub-team and the larger MLIS team, and is responsible for quality data management for both paper and electronic data across all the country programs including Kenya, Uganda and Malawi. 

This is an exciting position that will involve managing data officer(s) and data entry clerks, cleaning and submitting data to program teams or analysis team for analysis. 

The person must be systematic and loves working with big data. 

S/he will work closely with other MLIS team to ensure data is entered as error free as possible while adhering to set timeline

Goals and Responsibilities

Manage Data Entry and Management
  • Lead the development of interfaces for data entry and manage data entry vendors and process, and make sure the process is done as per the agreed upon timelines,
  • Coordinate data entry process of all paper data in accordance with data entry protocols
  • Work closely with the data collection team and data officer to ensure that hard-copies are filed and stored safely in a secure, well-organized, and well-documented repository, and the scanned paper data, where applicable, is stored safely
  • Conduct discrepancy checks between data entry records, perform error checks and other data quality checks on the entered data
  • Develop and implement a robust system of tracking forms for data entry so as to clearly distinguish those that have been entered against those that haven’t been entered.
  • Handle and take responsibility of all equipment used for data entry, including laptops, tablets, flash drives etc
  • Keep track of any recurring data quality issues arising from the exercising with a viewing of informing when re-training is needed.
  • Instantly make available entered data for further processing and use by the data team.
  • Support the development of comprehensive data entry training manuals to suit the needs of different programs
Data Cleaning
  • Support data cleaning needs across all Evidence Action  programs within the 3 countries of operation
  • Be able to generate, clean and provide ad hoc datasets as may be required by  different programs
  • Be able to multi task data cleaning assignments for different programs.
Team Management
  • Coordinate the training of data entry staff.
  • Supervise the activities of the data entry casuals by ensuring that they all meet their daily targets, log the work done and conduct random checks on the quality of their work
Qualifications, Experience and Skills
  • Minimum Bachelor’s degree in economics, statistics, or any other relevant field
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience in quantitative research methods and data management, preferably with large and/or complex datasets.
  • At least 1 year full time experience conducting data cleaning using STATA for large datasets (mandatory)
  • Experience in working with and programming data entry interfaces using a variety of applications both purchased and open source. Knowledge of CSPro, Epidata, Blaise, Openclinica and Access will be an added advantage (CSpro and/or Epidata highly preferred)
  • Well conversant with the use of MS Office application especially Excel.
  • Ability to work under pressure in a working environment that changes suddenly to accommodate new data needs
  • Strong interpersonal and communications skills to work effectively with a team that is geographically dispersed.
  • Self-directed/self-motivating personality, with proven ability to manage demands from multiple supervisors while adhering to program deadlines and priorities.
  • Strong critical and analytical thinking skills
  • Intellectual flexibility and willingness to form and adjust opinions based on evidence
  • Quick to learn, motivated to self-teach and capable of independently translating new knowledge into practice
NOTE: Please specifically illustrate the above desired qualifications in your cover letter by giving examples from your experience.

In addition, this position requires a candidate to:
  • Have a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and policy in the development field
  • Be enthusiastic to develop personally and professionally as part of a growing global team
  • Possess a strong attention to detail and a genuine love of working with data.
How to Apply

CLICK HERE to apply online