Monitoring & Evaluation Officer (Polio)
Organizational Context
UNICEF's core mission is to champion the rights of every child globally, focusing on equity for the most disadvantaged. In Afghanistan, UNICEF partners with the Ministry of Public Health and other global entities to eradicate polio. This involves conducting numerous immunization campaigns annually across all provinces, engaging thousands of frontline workers and generating vast amounts of operational data. The scale and speed of these campaigns necessitate robust support for data verification and timely payment processing.
Job Purpose
This role supports UNICEF's national polio eradication efforts in Afghanistan by providing critical monitoring and evaluation support. The assignment focuses on managing the large volume of operational data and payment records generated by numerous annual immunization campaigns. The incumbent will verify data, process payments accurately and on time, coordinate follow-ups with regional teams and the call center, and ensure all documentation is audit-ready. This role is essential to prevent delays, reduce errors, ensure financial compliance, and mitigate reputational risks associated with the polio campaigns.
Responsibilities
The Monitoring & Evaluation Officer will be responsible for two main areas: payment and roster verification for polio campaigns, and monthly program data cleaning for routine reports. For campaigns, this includes compiling regional submissions, creating unique IDs to detect duplicates, running predefined checks for inconsistencies, cross-checking attendance against rosters, preparing payment files, and monitoring the payment dashboard. For routine reports, responsibilities involve receiving and validating monthly files, cleaning data by applying standard rules, harmonizing location names, deduplicating records, and producing analysis-ready datasets with data quality summaries. Additionally, the role involves following up with the call center on reported cases, tracking issues to closure, and submitting summaries of actions taken while protecting personal information.
Work Experience
A minimum of three years of relevant experience is required, specifically in information management and data cleaning within the public health sector. Experience applying validation rules, detecting duplicates, and maintaining change logs is essential. Familiarity with health program data platforms (e.g., DHIS2, ODK) and experience with polio or routine immunization programs are advantageous. Strong computer literacy, including MS Office, and database management skills are also required.
Skills
Key competencies include accountability, adaptability, creativity, judgment, planning, professionalism, and self-management. Technical skills encompass information management, data cleaning, documentation, and reporting. Expertise in public health and immunization is crucial. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills are needed to work effectively with diverse partners in a challenging environment.