Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Consultant at UNICEF

Job Number: 522836
Location: Adamawa State
Work Type : Consultancy
The Duration of this contract: 6 months

Background

• The maternal and new-born mortality and morbidity in Nigeria is one of the highest in the world with an estimated 576 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births (NDHS 2013). Infant and under-5 mortality rates in the past five years are 69 and 128 deaths per 1,000 live births, respectively. Under-5 mortality rate is estimated at 108.8 per 1,000 live births for 2015 as per the interagency model on U5R[1]. Globally, undernutrition contributes to 45% of all under-five deaths in 2011(Black et al, 2013) and this probably holds same for Nigeria. Nigeria contributes about 10% of the global burden of maternal deaths and 10 % of burden of children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (NNHS 2015). An estimated 110 Nigerian women die each day with a greater proportion occurring in northern Nigeria where the health and nutrition indices are poorer. Due to combination of the high mortality rate and its large population size, Nigeria has the second largest number of under five deaths in the world and the 2nd highest number of stunted under five children next to India.
• Health and Nutrition indices are particular very poor in the northern part of Nigeria. Maternal and infant mortality rates are 3-4 times the national average. In Adamawa State, 15% of adult women were underweight/thin while 11.6% were overweight/obese while in Kebbi 16.6% were underweight/thin and 23.8% overweight/obese.  Both conditions are associated with negative nutritional outcomes in childhood. Low birth weight, among other causes, is indicative of the poor nutritional status of the mother.  The prevalence of acute malnutrition stunting stood at 32.9 % among under five children (NNHS 2015) with the highest prevalence in the northern region
• The poor health and Nutrition indices in Nigeria may be attributable to four main problems identified with Nigeria’s health system which include: i)Governance and stewardship: Autonomy of the 3 tiers of government (Federal, State, and Local Government Administration (LGAs) has led to duplication of efforts, weak governance and lack of accountability; ii)Human and Financial Resources: Inappropriate allocation of human and financial resources with greater support to tertiary and specialized care, instead of primary health care; iii)Coverage: Low coverage of core maternal, newborn ,child health and nutrition interventions, and iii) Limited access to health and nutrition services due to financial and socio-cultural barriers.
• Federal Ministry of Health, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, in collaboration with UNICEF and in partnership with European Union launched the new EU-MNCHN project which seeks to contribute to addressing the sub-optimal status of health and Nutrition for women and children in Adamawa, Bauchi and Kebbi States characterized by high maternal and childhood deaths.
• The goal of the project is to assist the Governments of Bauchi, Kebbi and Adamawa in line with their State Strategic Health Development Plans (SSHDP) to reduce maternal, newborn and child deaths by significantly improving the health and nutrition status of women and children under 5 years by ensuring an equitable and strengthened primary health care delivery system. For that, a multi-pronged approach that will strengthen primary health care systems, build community resilience and strong governance is needed. Systematic interventions in health and nutrition including HIV/AIDS, complemented with water, sanitation, social protection initiatives, and strong governance structures are bound to be more effective and efficient than single or vertical initiatives. In order to support the the SMOH and SPHCDA in the implementation of project interventions at the state level, and deliver appropriately, UNICEF intends to provide technical assistance through recruitment of state consultants that will work in collaboration with the state team leader and state government stakeholders to implement and monitor MNCHN project in Adamawa, Bauchi and Kebbi states.

Rationale

• Monitoring and evaluation is a key component of the project management cycle. This position is to support the State ministry of health, State primary health care development agency and other partners in monitoring and evaluation of the EU-MNCHN project in the states while strengthening the monitoring and evaluation system in the states and building local capacity, focused mentoring for relevant staff involves with data collection in local facilities and communities in Adamawa, States.
• The consultant will support the SMOH, SPHCDA and other partners in the monitoring and evaluation of the EU-MNCHN project implementation of various strategies and interventions that will strengthen partnership for policy reforms, sector governance and stewardship at LGA level, increased transparency and accountability, capacity building, provision of sustainable and scaled-up integrated MNCHN service delivery with equity and community participation.

Purpose of Assignment

• To provide technical support in monitoring and evaluation of EU-MNCHN project at both planning and implementation stages all its components which seeks to contribute to addressing the sub-optimal status of health and nutrition for women and children in Adamawa States.

Major Tasks to be Accomplished
State and LGA:

• Work with the SMOH, SPHCDA and other partners to support planning, implementation and review of M&E activities at the supported health facilities
• Support SMOH and SPHCDA by providing technical assistance in strengthening the M&E system at the state and LGA levels
• Support SMOH and SPHCDA in the collation of EU –MNCHN project data from implementing health facilities at state level
• Support SMOH and SPHCDA in the drafting of EU-MNCHN project annual work plan for the state work plan
• Support state to write timely project reports

Health Facility Level:
Priority areas of work to be supported at this level on the EU-MNCHN project (Training, data collection tools, supportive supervision) including but not limited to the followingSet up and implement a quality data collection system at the facility level

• Ensuring that the M&E data tools are available at all service delivery points in adequate quantities.
• In collaboration with state and LGA Trainers, organize and conduct trainings for health services providers in the use of the data collection tools, and analysis of data of the integrated high impact interventions.
• Support the end user monitoring of equipment and supplies provided to health facilities.
• Participate in on the Job Training, Supportive Supervision and mentoring of health workers related to data collection and ensure report is timely done and submitted.

State Level:

• Support setting up/organization of structures for monitoring and evaluation of EU-MNCHN implementation
• Support the report writing for the EU-MNCHN project in the state
• Support the regular and timely collation of EU-MNCHN project activity data
• Support and ensure that DHIS 2.0 platform in the state is updated with service data from the EU-MNCHN project
• Â Support and conduct the end user monitoring of supplies and demand for MNCHN services in communities and households.
• Support the conduct of baseline, mid-term and end-line evaluation of the EU-MNCHN Project
• Monitor implementation of updated Mama/CHEW/CBNC kits as entry point for promotion of desired health seeking behaviour and link with immunization/polio related activities.

End Product:

• Annual State work and operational plans
• Quarterly DHIS and PHC review reports
• Monthly progress reports containing iCCM and outreach services data, stock update, etc.
• Reports of Workshop/Meetings with actionable recommendations.
• Quarterly reports of milestones achieved to advance project implementation.

Minimum Qualifications

• University degree in Social Sciences, Public Health, Monitoring and Evaluation and/or related technical field.
• Three years experience working on monitoring and evaluation of health projects.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN working language an asset. Knowledge of local working language of the duty station an asset.
• Knowledge of the latest developments and technology in M&E field.
• Knowledge of DHIS 2.0 platform for health data collection and collation.
• Ability to make timely and quality judgments and decisions and very good training skills.
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
• Willingness to travel to remote regions of the country
• Initiative, passion and commitment to UNICEF's mission and professional values.