Call for Expression of Interest for Consultant to Analyze Data from Tracer Study on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Household Graduation in Nigeria 4 Children Project at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Scope of Work
Call for Expression of Interest for Consultant to Analyze Data from Tracer Study on Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Household Graduation in Nigeria.

Number required: One
Location: The activity is desk-based and can be carried out from any location in Nigeria.
Duration: 23 days – effective 2nd April 2018 (based on Milestones detailed below).
CRS contact person: MEAL TA, 4Children, Nigeria.
Objective: To carry out statistical analysis of Tracer Study on OVC household graduation data and prepare standard report on the findings based on the analysis.

Background:
In January 2016, 4Children began a two-year, USAID- funded technical assistance project in Nigeria. The overarching objective of the scope of work(SoW) is for 4Children to provide TA to USAID and CDC IPs in responsible graduation and transition1 of OVC, households, communities, LGAs and states as part of the PEPFAR pivot and reflective of PEPFAR 3.0 priorities. The SoW also included a focus on supporting prioritized actions and strategies for the geographic areas identified by PEPFAR as scale-up local government areas (LGAs). The technical assistance provided by 4Children over the period aimed at achieving the following:
Development of guidance, strategies and tools to support improved HES and parenting.
Strengthened case management, linkages among and referrals between community and clinic based OVC services, including strategies for reaching more children living with HIV (CLHIV) within the OVC population.

As noted in the following sections, there does not appear to be commonly understood or standardized definitions for graduation and transition in the OVC community in Nigeria. However, in other documentation, graduation and transition in OVC programming have been defined as follows: Graduation: A point at which all actions identified in the case plan have been completed and the child and caregiver are stable and secure enough to meet their own needs (e.g. financial, protection, emotional, health and education) without the assistance of the case manager. A case manager may monitor the status of a stable and secure child and caregiver for a period prior to graduation to ensure the child and caregiver are unlikely to require additional support in the future. Transition: The transfer of a child and his or her caregiver from direct PEPFAR support to support provided by another source (e.g. government, community, a program funded by another donor, etc.)
Strengthened capacity of government systems (LGA and state level) to advocate, plan for and use funds for OVC.
Strategies for delivering critical OVC services at clinical facilities.
Guidance and examples of interventions targeting adolescent girls and young women that address their increased vulnerability to both child protection concerns and HIV and can be easily integrated into existing programming.
The overall goal of OVC programming is to build the resilience of families and children affected by HIV/AIDS so that they can meet their health, economic, education and social development needs. Households are graduated when they have achieved both the goals set out in the care plan and the goal of the OVC program, and can meet their needs without ongoing support of the OVC program. It remains unclear whether the effects of OVC program interventions on beneficiaries (at the point of graduation) will be sustained in the post-graduation periods. 4Children was therefore commissioned to conduct a tracer study to generate information on the post-graduation wellbeing of OVC and households towards contributing to national and global knowledge and learning on the OVC household graduation for improving future programming.
The study primarily involved tracing a sample of graduated households to understand the perceived changes in OVC wellbeing (in relation to health, education, protection, nutrition and access to other basic needs) since graduation from United States Government(USG) supported OVC program in Nigeria. The data collected largely has variables in the form of categorical and numeric types (predominantly of ordinal scales). 4Children seeks to hire an external consultant to analyze the data collected (which will be made available in both Microsoft Excel and SPSS file formats) prepare a quality report.

Specific tasks:
The Consultant will be responsible for the following:
Carry out exploratory analysis of the data and prepare dummy tables to advise 4Children on required data analysis and outputs.
Execute standardize statistical (descriptive and inferential) data analysis procedures based on approved protocol and as appropriate.
Prepare a standard report that presents and discuss the findings of the study in line with standard scientific report writing.
Milestones for the consultancy
S/N
Milestone
Due Date
Estimated LOE

1)Required briefing on the study and data obtained from 4Children
Data analysis plan submitted
Exploratory data analysis carried out and dummy tables submitted.
Review meeting of Exploratory data analysis [1 Hour via skype]
6 April, 2018........5 days

2)Full output of data analysis and accompanying interpretations submitted for review.
Two review meetings of Focused data analysis outputs [1 Hour(each) via skype]
20th April, 2018......10 days

3)First draft report detailing and discussing the tracer study analysis findings in-line with standard report format submitted to 4Children team
27th April, 2018.........5 days

4)Final report detailing and discussing the tracer study analysis findings in-line with standard report format submitted to 4Children team
4th May, 2018........3 days
Total 23 days

Competencies and Expertise

• Master’s Degree in Epidemiology, Statistics or Demography is required [Ph.D. preferred].
• Sound knowledge of, and expertise in longitudinal analysis of large dataset is mandatory.
• Proven skills in use of data analysis software like STATA or SPSS is desirable.
• Familiarity with programming and/or research on orphans and vulnerable children is desirable.
• Demonstrable previous experience with similar assignment.
• Experience in report writing on large scale research.
• Strong knowledge and use of Information communication technology e.g. access skype.
• Independent worker with ability to produce results within very short timelines.
• Period of Performance: The period of performance will be a total of 23 days between 2nd April and 4th May 2018 according the stated milestones.

Daily Rate and Payment: Daily rate will be determined by 4Children Nigeria team based on CRS
policy for setting daily rates for consultancies. Payment will be provided upon invoices for deliverables based on milestones.
Supervision, Reporting and Oversight: The coordinator’s main point of contact will be the 4Children Technical Advisor- Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning in Nigeria. The consultant will also at some points receive inputs from the Case Management and Referrals Technical Director, Household Economic Strengthening Technical Director, and 4Children Global MEAL Staff.