Field Monitoring Officer - J-PAL Africa

The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) is a global network of academics who specialize in conducting randomized evaluations of social policies/programmes to generate scientific evidence about what works in the fight against poverty. J-PAL’s policy team analyses and disseminates research results and builds partnerships with practitioners and policymakers to ensure that policy and programmes are informed by scientific evidence, and effective programmes are scaled up.

J-PAL Africa seeks a Field Monitoring Officer to support the implementation of the Scaling Access to Safe Water in Africa (SASWA) program in Rwanda. The program seeks to increase access to and use of safe water treatment products by working closely with government health systems and frontline health workers. 

The Field Monitoring Officer will report to the Policy Manager and will be the program's key point of contact at district level and will be responsible for coordinating, planning, and monitoring day-to-day implementation of the program across participating health centres and health posts. They will work in close collaboration with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) and district health leads to ensure that program activities are delivered on schedule, to a high standard, and in line with the approved implementation plan. The role will also involve supporting the training of health care workers and community health workers (CHWs), and ensuring that implementation challenges are identified, escalated, and resolved in a timely manner.

We are looking for someone with strong organizational and planning skills, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and sound problem-solving abilities. The ideal candidate will be able to work independently in the field with minimal supervision while staying closely aligned with the central program team.

Requirements for the job:

• A Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related field.
• 1–2 years of experience in field coordination, program/project management, or health program implementation, preferably within a community or public health setting.
• Strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to manage multiple activities and priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, health workers, and community members.
• Sound problem-solving skills and good judgment, with the ability to identify issues early and respond proactively.
• Strong written and verbal reporting skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently in the field with minimal supervision, while staying closely aligned with the central program team.
• Proficiency in Kinyarwanda and English; French is an advantage.
• Comfortable using smartphones/tablets and basic data collection or reporting tools.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently within the district, including to remote health posts.

Advantageous:

• Prior experience working with or alongside government health structures, such as RBC and district health offices.
• Experience supporting or delivering training for health care workers or community health workers.
• Familiarity with the district's health system, geography, and local context.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordination and stakeholder engagement: Serve as the primary district-level contact for the program, maintaining strong working relationships with RBC, district health office staff, and leadership at supported health centres and health posts. The Field Monitoring Officer will represent the program at district-level coordination meetings and other relevant forums, providing updates and gathering feedback from stakeholders. The role will also involve liaising with RBC focal points to align field activities with national and district health priorities and guidelines.
• Planning and logistics: Develop and maintain detailed district-level work plans and activity schedules, in coordination with RBC and J-PAL. The Field Monitoring Officer will plan and organize logistics for field activities, including training sessions, supervision visits, and outreach events. This will include planning for venues, transport, materials, and participant coordination. The role will also involve tracking and managing program resources at district level, including equipment, supplies, and materials needed for health centre and health post activities, and ensuring timely procurement, distribution, and accountability of program materials, including Sur’Eau, subsidy cards, enrollments and redemption registers.
• Training support: Support the planning, organization, and delivery of training sessions for health care workers and community health workers (CHWs), in line with program training protocols. This will include assisting in preparing training venues, materials, and participant lists, and helping to facilitate sessions where required. The Field Monitoring Officer will also provide on-the-job coaching and follow-up support to trained health workers to reinforce learning and correct application of protocols.
• Monitoring and quality assurance: Conduct regular field visits to health centres and health posts to monitor whether program activities are being implemented as intended. The Field Monitoring Officer will track progress against work plans and key program indicators and maintain accurate, up-to-date field records. The role will also involve identifying implementation gaps, bottlenecks, or deviations from protocol and working with health facility staff and CHWs to address them. The Field Monitoring Officer will prepare and submit timely, well-documented reports on field activities, progress, and challenges to the Policy Manager, flag emerging risks or challenges promptly, and propose practical, workable solutions.
• This is a six-month, field-based position based in Kirehe, Musanze or Nyagatare. The Field Monitoring Officer will be expected to work closely and regularly with district health authorities and RBC counterparts. The position will require frequent travel across the district to health centres and health posts, including some hard-to-reach areas, with occasional travel outside the district for program meetings or training.