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MakSPH-METS Position: Monitoring & Evaluation Officer -NTLP

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The Makerere University School of Public Health Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (MakSPH-METS) Program is a five-year (2020-2025) CDC-funded Cooperative Agreement. The MakSPH-METS program emerged out of the growing recognition of the importance of evidence-based decision making for an AIDS Free Generation in Uganda. The overall purpose of the Program is to establish coordinated and effective national and district systems for the management of strategic information for a robust HIV response. We seek to recruit dynamic, competent, and experienced candidates to fill the position of Monitoring and Evaluation Officer -NTLP

Title:Monitoring and Evaluation Officer
Department:Department of National Disease Control
DivisionTuberculosis and Leprosy Division
Reports directly toData Manager & Epidemiologist
Reports indirectly toAssistant Commissioner of Health Services/TB & Leprosy
Responsible for:None
Duty station:MoH/NTLP offices, Wandegeya
Status:Full time
Commitment:One Year, Renewal is Subject to Funding & Performance

General Description of the National TB and Leprosy Program

The National TB and Leprosy Division (NTLP) is a division under the Department of National Disease Control in the Ministry of Health whose overall functions are to establish country wide quality diagnosis and treatment services for TB and Leprosy and to coordinate the implementation of TB and Leprosy control activities.

Job Purpose

The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer is recruited by METS on secondment to work with the National TB Leprosy Division (NTLP) headquarters in Wandegeya, Kampala. The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer will work closely with the technical team at NTLP to support establishment of an integrated electronic case-based surveillance system (eCBSS) for TB and leprosy, will support in strengthening the quality of data in DHIS2, support in conducting supply chain related Monitoring and Evaluation and institutionalized web-based data collection at NTLP.

Key functions and responsibilities will include:

  1. Support establishment of electronic TB/leprosy Case Based Surveillance System (eCBSS) (40%)
  • Support the establishment of case-based surveillance system for TB/leprosy
  • Together with the TB Epidemiologist, provide support to the design and development of the eCBSS to meet the project needs within time and cost constraints in collaboration with the consultant
  • Support the pilot testing of the eCBSS
  • Resolve end user hardware and software issues in a timely and professional manner in collaboration with the consultant
  • Perform system monitoring and analysis, and performance tuning to track system performance
  • In collaboration with the consultant, troubleshoot system hardware, software, networks, and operating systems
  • Develop system access criteria, monitor, and control all system access; and implement security controls to secure computer system and ensure data integrity
  • Provide IT support to the user community by interfacing with them.
  1. Support in strengthening TB/leprosy Data Quality (40%)
  • Monitoring and reviewing data that is entered in DHIS2 and eCBSS checking for completion and accuracy on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis
  • Data cleaning – identifying, assessing and resolving any data quality issues.
  • Working with districts and regional structures to resolve any data quality issues.
  • Developing data use and data quality best practice guidelines and providing user training.
  • Providing ad-hoc support to ensure that best practice is followed.
  • Addressing the root cause of data inconsistencies and recommending improvements.
  • Ensuring that the program has complete and accurate data to support decision making.
  • Measuring and reporting to management on the progress of data quality improvement.
  • Conducting periodic data analysis as
  1. Monitoring & evaluation support for TB/leprosy Supply Chain (10%)
  • Support the coordination of the reporting and ordering for TB medicines in a timely manner and the follow up of non-reporting facilities.
  • At the end of every cycle, retrieve, analyze, and provide information on reporting rates, consumption data and patient statistics from the TB medicines web-based ordering and reporting system (TWOS) and any non-web-based orders submitted to the warehouse for bimonthly reporting
  • In collaboration with the MOH/DHI, routine monitoring of system uptime and maintenance of the system and support update and maintenance of the MoH health facility inventory and periodic update of TB accredited facilities
  • Conduct logistics trainings in use of TWOS and provide technical support to system users
  • Review TWOS logistics data and identify facility based logistic gaps for periodic Facility Data Quality Assessments
  • Prepare periodical TB data quality reports
  1. Support establishment and institutionalization of online/web-based data collection for TB/leprosy
  • Lead establishment of online data collection, management, and analysis efforts
  • Together with activity leads, participate in the development of survey, support supervision and assessment web-based data collection tools
  • Support capacity building for web-based data collection
  • Lead in data management and analysis for generated data
  • Support in dissemination of support supervision, data quality assessment results to stakeholders

Position minimum qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Quantitative Economics, IT/Computer science, or Epidemiology/Biostatistics and/ or any other relevant qualifications

Desired Experience & Qualifications

  • At least 4 years of working experience in Monitoring and evaluation in the context of TB/HIV/AIDS or any other health related program area.
  • Strong skills in data analysis and vast experience in working with DHIS2
  • Experience working with large databases and data analysis
  • Experience developing and or automating dashboards
  • Strong skills in oral and written English
  • Experience with HIS applications that are currently used in Uganda for disease surveillance
  • Expertise in documentation, presentation tools, and project management tools

How to apply:

Detailed Job Descriptions can be found at: https://mets.or.ug/career/ or  https://bit.ly/NTLPofficer

Qualifying candidates should submit motivational letter, resume with contacts of three (3) professional referees and copies of all relevant academic documents as ONE PDF FILE to mets[at]musph.ac.ug by 5:00pm on 15th January 2022. Clearly indicate the position you are applying for in the email subject. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

MakSPH-METS is an equal opportunity employer; all qualified candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Health

MNCH e-Post Issue 122: Integrated Intervention Package Increases Health Facility Births – New Study

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Pregnant woman with midwife. Photo by Iwaria Inc. on Unsplash

By Joseph Odoi

In a significant stride towards improving maternal healthcare outcomes, a recent study conducted by researchers has shown that an integrated intervention consisting of peer support, mobile phone messaging, and provision of mama kits at the household level is successful in increasing the proportion of facility-based births. This groundbreaking research comes at a time when Uganda is still grappling with a very high maternal mortality ratio estimated at 336 deaths per 100,000 live births and neonatal mortality rate also at 22/1000 live births.

In the 2024 BMJ Published study titled “Can an integrated intervention package including peer support increase the proportion of health facility births? A cluster randomized controlled trial in Northern Uganda by researchers namely;  Dr. Victoria Nankabirwa and a team including David Mukunya, Grace Ndeezi, Beatrice Odongkara, Agnes A Arach, Vicentina Achora, Levi Mugenyi, Mohammad Boy Sebit, Julius N Wandabwa, Paul Waako, Thorkild Tylleskär, and James K Tumwine, sought to evaluate the effect of the integrated intervention package on increasing the proportion of health facility births compared to routine government health services. Read More

Click here to View the full MNCH e-Post Issue 122

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CALL for Applications for the SMART4TB Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) Scholar Program

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CALL for Applications for the SMART4TB Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) Scholar Program.

SMART4TB Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) Scholar Program
Cohort 2 Phase 1 Now Open for Applications
Applications Due March 14 2024
Call for applications

Supporting, Mobilizing, and Accelerating Research for Tuberculosis Elimination (SMART4TB) is an initiative made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) that aims to transform TB prevention and care. SMART4TB has launched an important capacity strengthening activity, the Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) Training and Mentorship Program. The program’s main objective is to train and support young investigators to develop, implement, and lead their own studies aligned with their national and local TB research priorities.

Investigators within 10 years of receiving their most recent degree or who are new to TB research, based at an institution participating in SMART4TB studies, and supported by their local institutional leadership will be eligible for participation in the program. The program has 4 sequential phases, each with specific eligibility criteria and deliverables required before advancing to the next phase.

Completion of all 4 phases will require the ESI to commit to an intensive training curriculum that includes: 1) Specific courses focused on competencies required for the design, implementation, and analyses of TB research 2) Close 2:1 mentorship from both a local and a SMART4TB faculty research mentor; and 3) Access to technical support consultations from SMART4TB experts.

Progress from one Phase of training to the next Phase will be a competitive process and is not guaranteed. ESI who successfully complete all Phase 1 requirements (Scholars Program) will be eligible to apply and compete for Phase 2 (Fellowship Program). Phase 2 applicants that are approved by SMART4TB and USAID will be required to identify a local senior research mentor. ESI enrolled in Phase 2 will also be matched with a SMART4TB faculty co-mentor. The SMART4TB Training and Mentorship Committee (TMC) will monitor the ESI’s progress throughout the program and assess the quality of the training and mentorship provided to the ESI. In Phase 2, each SMART4TB Fellow will be mentored to develop a full research proposal for which they will serve as lead investigator. ESIs who receive approval and support to initiate their research project can apply for Phase 3 and Phase 4 of the program.

Prerequisite
Phase 1 Eligibility and Application Process ESI interested in applying for Phase 1 of this program must meet the following criteria:

  • Having a PhD as the most recent degree or are new to TB research; and
  • Be from a National TB Program (NTP) or institution/site participating in SMART4TB
  • USAID-approved studies; and
  • Have a letter of support from their local SMART4TB site/institutional leadership (signed on institutional letterhead).

All applications will be reviewed by the SMART4TB ESI Mentorship Advisory Committee. Final selection of Phase 1 participants will require USAID approval. Selected ESI will be notified by email.

The Secretariat, SMART4TB Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) Scholar Program Walimu
Unit 4, Plot 5-7, Coral Crescent
P.O Box 9924 Kampala-Uganda
Deadline for receiving applications: 14th March 2014 by 5pm.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Additional information
To apply for Phase 1 of this program,
please click: https://jhmi.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0NiIqASiPJ92GRE
For details about the Phase 1 curriculum and the progress report from the first Cohort, please see the attachments.

For an overview of SMART4TB,
please click here: https://tbcenter.jhu.edu/smart4tb/
For more information about SMART4TB Capacity Strengthening Activities,
please click: https://tbcenter.jhu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/TA6 Overview.pdf

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Makerere University Research shows challenges facing Forcibly Displaced Persons (FDPs) with Chronic Disease in Northern Uganda

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Left to Right: Dr. Esther Nanfuka Kalule, a postdoc fellow on this study; Emma Ikwara, a researcher at CHDC; PhD student Onesmus Kamacooko at CHDC and Dr. Ritah Nakanjako interacting after the colloquium.

By Agnes Namaganda

Preliminary findings from a study by Child Health and Development Centre (CHDC) -Makerere University have revealed several challenges faced by Forcibly Displaced Persons (FDPs) with chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. This study is specifically looking at FDPs in northern Uganda. Accessing food, water, medicine, clothing, toilet facilities, privacy and support is a challenge for healthy FDPs but for those with chronic diseases, these provisions may mean the difference between life and death.

According to Drs, Ritah Nakanjako and Esther Nanfuka Kalule, who are post-doc fellows at Makerere University, FDPs with chronic diseases are unable to access facilities with medicines. Speaking at the February monthly colloquium of CHDC, Dr. Nanfuka said, “Medicines and medical forms are sometimes forgotten by these patients yet some do not know the names of their medicines. For others, these medicines get finished along the way due to the abrupt movements.” These disturbances in the continuity of care affects their health and wellbeing.

Left to Right: Dr. Esther Nanfuka, Dr. Ritah Nakanjako, Dr. Godfrey Siu who is giving the presenters feedback about their presentation and Dr. Aggrey Dhabangi.
Left to Right: Dr. Esther Nanfuka, Dr. Ritah Nakanjako, Dr. Godfrey Siu who is giving the presenters feedback about their presentation and Dr. Aggrey Dhabangi.

As an example, she referred to the constant need to monitor blood pressure or blood sugar for these FDPs. “Even when facilities are available, you may not have the money to refill medicines or you may not remember the name of the medicine.” She added that the stress and trauma of this kind of situation usually exacerbates these conditions.

Speaking about the rationale for doing this research, Dr. Nakanjako said that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are largely unrecognized and inadequately addressed in humanitarian settings, something which the Red Cross calls ‘a neglected crisis’.  Yet, studies conducted among refugees and asylum seekers across the world report a high burden of NCDs. Uganda hosts over 1.5m refugees, the highest proportion in sub-Saharan Africa with the majority comeing from South Sydan.

“The objective of this study is to examine the experiences of FDPs- which will contribute to knowledge on innovative ways of chronic disease care. This will also contribute to the management of NCDs in humanitarian, low resource settings,” Dr. Nakanjako explained.

Dr. Godfrey Siu (Left) and Dr. David Kyaddondo who is the Principal Investigator of this project interacting with other members of CHDC after the CHDC monthly colloquium which takes place every last Wednesday of the month.
Dr. Godfrey Siu (Left) and Dr. David Kyaddondo who is the Principal Investigator of this project interacting with other members of CHDC after the CHDC monthly colloquium which takes place every last Wednesday of the month.

This 5-year study that started in 2022 will run till 2026 and is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation under the Mobility-Global Medicine and Research Fund. It is a collaboration between three institutions; Makerere University, the University of Copenhagen, Denmark and the Sudan Centre for Strategic and Policy Studies in South Sudan. This research is taking place in Nyumanzi Reception Center in Adjumani district; Nyumanzi Refugee Settlement also in Adjumani district; IDP Settlements in South Sudan; and the Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement in Yumbe District.

Other challenges revealed by the FDPs with chronic diseases include the fear of drinking recommended amounts of water before or during travel to manage urine and to avoid stop-overs for security reasons.

After arrival at Nyumanzi Reception Centre in Uganda, these FDPs with chronic diseases do not receive any special care. It is only those with communicable diseases like TB. Cholera or Covid19 that get special care. Other challenges include; “a limited range of drugs, maintenance of cold chains for insulin, rationed water, lack of drinking water, lack of sanitary facilities and the congestion.

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