Monitoring, Evaluation & Research Manager (Community Health)

SCOPE / PURPOSE OF JOB / JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation & Research Manager (Community Health)

Programme: NORA Patient Navigation – Phase 3: Community Settings Breast Cancer Early Detection & Awareness Location: Cancer Research Malaysia (Subang Jaya, Malaysia)

Background

The Patient Navigation Programme (PNP) aims to downstage breast cancer presentation by strengthening community-level awareness, early symptom recognition, breast self-examination (BSE) practices, and timely referral to health facilities.

Building on the Agents of Change (AOC) model implemented in rural Sarawak, the programme integrates community empowerment and hospital referral pathways to address barriers such as lack of awareness, fear, transportation challenges, and difficulties navigating the health system.

The Monitoring, Evaluation & Research Project Manager (Community Health) will play a key role in planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating community-based educational and referral interventions.

This role focuses on programme design, monitoring, evaluation, and research, and will work in close partnership with a separate field implementation team responsible for direct community delivery.

Key Responsibilities

1. Study Design & Evaluation Framework

• Lead the design of the programme's monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework.

• Define key indicators, outcome measures, and success metrics aligned with study objectives.

• Develop study protocols, data collection methodologies, and evaluation plans.

• Ensure alignment with ethical standards and research governance requirements

2. Monitoring System Development

• Design and implement data collection tools, templates, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

• Establish systems for routine monitoring of programme outputs, outcomes, and quality.

• Ensure data quality assurance processes, including validation, audits, and standardisation.

• Train and guide field teams on data collection processes and tools.

• Conduct focus group discussions and community interviews as part of process and outcome evaluation.

3. Data Management & Analysis

• Support data management processes, including maintaining databases and ensuring data is accurately recorded.

• Conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis to assess programme effectiveness.

• Interpret findings to generate actionable insights for programme improvement.

• Apply appropriate statistical and qualitative analysis methods.

4. Research & Knowledge Generation

• Lead operational research and evaluation studies related to community interventions.

• Develop research outputs including reports, policy briefs, and academic publications.

• Prepare presentations for stakeholders, partners, and conferences.

5. Collaboration with Implementation Team

• Work closely with the study implementers to align evaluation design with field realities.

• Provide guidance on feasible data collection approaches in rural and community settings.

• Translate research findings into practical recommendations for implementation teams.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Health, Health Sciences, Nursing, Social Sciences, Psychology, Community Development, or related fields

• Prior experience in community-based research, public health interventions, or health promotion

• Ideally with demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple responsibilities.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, especially with rural and diverse communities

• Ability to work independently in field settings and as part of a multidisciplinary team

• Experience in data collection, analysis, basic monitoring and evaluation, or qualitative research methods

Desirable Attributes

• Strong interest in community health, women's health, and cancer early detection

• Experience working with lay health workers, community volunteers, or patient navigation programmes

• Familiarity with breast cancer awareness, BSE education, or referral systems

• Proficiency in local languages or dialects relevant to the intervention communities

• Cultural sensitivity and respect for local customs and norms