Marie Slopes Uganda (MSU) is a marketing-focused, results-oriented social business that uses modem management and marketing techniques to provide family planning and reproductive healthcare across every district of Uganda. We aim to contribute 15 points to Uganda’s contraceptive prevalence rate by 2015, saving and improving many thousands of Ugandan lives. MSU has 25% of the market share in modem contraceptives and, in 2010/2011, safely delivered 50,000 babies and contributed 4 points to Uganda’s contraceptive prevalence rate. MSU has enjoyed 20% year on year growth since 2007. MSU is part of a global network, Marie Stopes International (MSI), and subscribes to MSI goal and mission, to prevent unwanted births and to ensure individual’s rights to Children by Choice not Chance.Job Title: SMS Technologies Project Manager
Location: Head Office – Kampala – Uganda
Reporting To: Senior Research Monitoring and Evaluation Manager
Duration of Contract: Six Months with possible extension
Marie Stopes Uganda is seeking an SMS Technologies Project Manager to provide critical support to the rapidly expanding portfolio of eHealth (particularly mHealth) projects. The position is funded by Marie Stopes International (MSI), with the role based in the MSU Support Office in Kampala. This position will coordinate the implementation of the new MSU SMS system which will enable data collection and communication between MSU and its various service delivery channels (social franchisees, outreach teams, community health workers, social marketing and centres) using mobile phones. Other responsibilities will include supporting the design and implementation of other eHealth projects, including a smartphone pilot.
The SMS Technologies Project Manager will report to the MSU Senior Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Manager in Kampala, and receive technical support from the MSI Innovation & Best Practice and Management Information Systems teams based in London.
The successful candidate will have excellent project management and communication skills, and will be able to sustain close and collaborative partnerships with both MSU and MSI staff. A strong background (formal education and/or experience) in public health and/or information systems is required. Experience of implementing projects involving information and communication technologies, ideally eHealth or mHealth projects in low- resource settings, is also required.
Key Responsibilities:
Note: All tasks will Involve coordination with several key teams based within MSU (Information Technology, Research, Monitoring & Evaluation (R,M & E), Social Franchising, other service delivery channels) and MSI (Innovation & Best Practice, Management Information Systems, Research).
Coordinate the implementation of the MSU SMS System:
Liaise with the external software provider (currently being engaged) and the appropriate MSU teams, to ensure all software requirements are met (including technical testing)
Assist the R,M&E and social franchising teams in developing the data collection system for BlueStar social franchisees (including paper tools and SMS reporting)
Coordinate a field pilot of the SMS system with existing voucher service providers to assess system operation, stability and functionality.
Following the field pilot, coordinate necessary modifications to the SMS system
Lead the design and development of training materials for the SMS system among BlueStar social franchisees and field management staff, and assist in training delivery as required
Liaise with other MSU service delivery channels (community health workers, outreach, social marketing, centres) and the R.M&E team to assess specific needs of each channel for the SMS system. In conjunction with the relevant MSU service delivery channel and the R.M&E team, coordinate the piloting and implementation of the SMS system for data collection and communication
Facilitate linkages between data providers (service providers) and data users (relevant MSU teams) to ensure appropriateness and usefulness of data collection mechanisms
Coordinate the ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the SMS system, including quantitative and qualitative data collection, data analysis and results dissemination
Troubleshoot any emerging issues with the SMS system
Provide regular updates to relevant MSU and MSI teams regarding SMS system design and implementation
Work closely with the R.M&E team to ensure the integration of the SMS system within the wider MSU management information system (MIS)
Ensure the structure and operation of the SMS system is well documented, with appropriate MSU staff (e.g. IT team) able to fully understand and maintain system operation Support the design, implementation, evaluation and dissemination of other eHealth projects
In conjunction with the relevant MSU and MSI teams, coordinate the design and implementation of a smartphone pilot within MSU (service delivery channel is yet to be determined)
Coordinate an investigation into the use of use of mobile money within MSU programs, including benefits and costs
Support other eHealth projects as required (e.g. client-side mHealth initiatives, electronic capture of HealthyBaby voucher program)
Support data collection, analysis and dissemination of results for eHealth initiatives
Ensure the coordination of eHealth activities within MSU, and between MSU and MSI.
Regularly liaise with the relevant MSU and MSI teams to ensure coordination of all eHealth activities, including the SMS system and integration with the MIS.
Provide regular updates to the relevant MSU and MSI teams, and MSU senior management, regarding the SMS system and other eHealth projects.
Requirement:
Qualifications:
Degree level; preferably in public health and/or information technology.
Advanced degree in a relevant field desirable
Experience.
Experience in project coordination and management, ideally in East Africa (or other low resource settings)
Experience of implementing projects involving information and communication technologies, ideally eHealth or mHealth projects.
Experience in database management and/or software programming desirable but not essential.
Experience in sexual or reproductive health or family planning desirable but not essential
Skills:
Exceptional project management skills
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
Proven competency in coordinating multiple tasks, assignments and deliverables
Comfortable using information and communication technologies
Familiarity with using databases.
Quick learner.
Creative and critical thinker.
Attitude/Motivation:
Pro-choice.
Motivated personally and professionally to develop.
Persuasive, outgoing, personate, able to use own initiative but a good team player.
Strong commitment to the mission of MSI.
Salary: - USD/month
How to apply:
To apply: Please send a CV and Cover letter by email to jobs@ mariestopes.or.uq or by post to the Human Resources and Administration Manager, Plot 1020, Kisugu-Muyenga, P.O Box 10431, Kampala-Uganda, quoting the position title by 6.pm on or before 7 February 2012.
Marie Stopes Uganda is an equal opportunities employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Marie Stopes Uganda is thankful to all applicants for their interest but only candidates who meet all requisite criteria and are short listed will be contacted.
Strictly no telephone Calls will be accepted