Celebrating twelve years of innovative and collaborative work, Athena Infonomics has established itself as a data-driven global consultancy that leverages social science research, data science, and technology to provide user-centric, context-specific solutions and advice to decision makers. Our multidisciplinary and multi-cultural team of 70+ professionals spread across Asia, Africa, DC and London exemplify extensive experience in designing and applying research methods to co-design and co-produce useful research that is inclusive and relevant. Athena Infonomics has a strong presence in Ethiopia, implementing activities focused on strengthening institutional capacities to deliver safe, equitable, and sustainable water and sanitation services.
Ethiopia is experiencing a high rate of urban population growth. The urban population has increased by 6.2 percent annually since 2011, meaning that nearly 1 million people are added to the urban population every year. Consequently, Ethiopian cities have been struggling to reach and maintain a basic level of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services for its growing citizenry. Cities are becoming increasingly polluted, affecting quality of life, and jeopardizing economic growth and stability.
The purpose of the five-year USAID-funded Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (UWASH) Activity is to support accelerated access to safe, adequate, inclusive, and resilient WASH services targeting urban and peri-urban areas. This will be achieved through four complementary objectives:
• Enable and professionalize WASH service providers
• Foster Markets for Pro-Poor and Inclusive WASH Services
• Strengthen WASH planning, budgeting and service delivery oversight
• Strengthen accountability among urban WASH sector actors
Athena Infonomics will be a part of the UWASH team, led by Chemonics, with major subcontractor Population Services International (PSI) and complemented by JG Afrika. Under UWASH, Athena Infonomics will focus on strengthening the data ecosystem to improve WASH services across all regions, cities and peri-urban areas of implementation.
The Data Systems Manager will be primarily responsible for leading a team of data analysts and delivering high quality and timely WASH services related to standardizing datasets and procedures, generating high quality data to be used by decision-makers, strengthening government capacities for data collection, management and use and increasing access to information and transparency, among others. The Data Systems Manager will serve on the Evidence, Accountability, and Governance Team and will report to and collaborate closely with the MELA Director.
• Responsible for leading a team to implement activities such as baseline assessments, standardizing data sets, performance reporting alignment, capacity building efforts, and reviewing existing datasets and planning tools to compile existing WASH sector performance data.
• Develop system for data collection, reporting criteria and records; research and compile data for activities; and support report writing for a variety of tasks.
• Build a platform for hosting capacity and performance data from service providers, cities, and UWASH to track impact and generate evidence.
• Lead implementation of data management capabilities and oversee incorporation of functions such as: data quality, privacy and security, standardization, access and retrieval, storage and archival, data audit.
• Develop glossaries, profiling, scanning, processes for curating data, templates, performance data standards, best practices, and standard operating procedures for WASH systems. Ensure proper adoption and utility.
• Strengthen and provide ongoing support for data and information sharing within UWASH and among sector stakeholders; identify data daps, raise the awareness of the impact of identified data gaps, and develop interventions to address those gaps.
• Collaborate with and consult a diverse range of stakeholders, including donor agencies, implementing partners and government officials at the national, regional, and town/woreda levels.
• Strengthen the capacity of a diverse range of stakeholders and their data systems to ensure effective monitoring and reporting against key performance indicators.
• Monitor activity timelines; track relevant document submissions; monitor and ensure maintenance of relevant audit files.
• Contribute to adaptive management and learning sessions and resources as needed.
• Understand requirements and support implementation of data systems while remaining compliant with USAID and Athena Infonomics policies.
• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Computer Science, Information Technology, System Administration, International Development, or equivalent, with a strong background in sanitation, public policy, international development, and/or governance; postgraduate degree preferred
• At least 5 years of work experience in international development in a position related to data collection, analysis, and systems management; USAID experience is an advantage
• At least 3 years of work experience managing a team
• Experience in performance measurement, designing surveys, sampling and observation approaches, and accurate data recording and reporting
• Strong knowledge of systems, networking software, hardware, networking protocols and database languages such as SQL, R, or Python; Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets; data visualization software such as Tableau, "software as a service" (SaaS) to help gather, measure, organize, and analyze data
• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience working with Ethiopian stakeholders, including donor agencies, CSOs, and public institutions at all levels
• Possess a strong familiarity with the political, economic, policy and educational context in Ethiopia
• Ability to explain complex data/concepts/methodologies to different audiences
• Knowledge of USAID systems and regulations, including performance monitoring, reporting, and procedures in the WASH sector
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English; fluency in Afaan Oromo is an advantage
• This position requires the successful completion of relevant due diligence checks (including references), and client approval
• The successful candidate must not be subject to employment restrictions from a former employer (such as a non-compete) that would prevent the candidate from performing the job responsibilities as described
• Only candidates who have required work authorization(s) in Ethiopia will be considered
The Data Systems Manager will work in the UWASH office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with travel to other parts of Ethiopia as needed.
The Data Systems Manager will serve through the end of the contract, unless terminated in accordance with Athena Infonomics policy and Ethiopian law.
Interested applicants can send their CV and a cover letter to career@athenainfonomics.com. Please state in your cover letter your current location, expected salary and availability to start. Please mention “Application for Ethiopia UWASH Data Systems Manager 2023” in the subject line.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further steps.
At Athena, we function in an outcomes-based work environment with flexible hours and a high level of autonomy. Professional development and thought leadership are key elements of our business model: we support our team members' professional growth through on-the-job training, and we encourage the cultivation of our colleagues’ personal brands through participation in panels, events, publications, and other thought-leadership opportunities. We embrace a transparent, open work environment with meaningful leadership pathways for those with inventive ideas and initiatives.
Athena Infonomics is an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.