Consultant for Review of Independent Review Committee (IRC) at TA Connect

Level of Effort: (Two weeks – 10 working days)
Location: Abuja, Nigeria.
Background:
Technical Advice Connect LTD/GTE (TAConnect) is an innovative Technical Assistance (TA) delivery platform, conceptualized by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to respond to State
TA priorities to promote sustainable improvements in State Primary Healthcare (PHC) systems' performance and increase the uptake of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and
Adolescent Health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) services.
The core function of the IRC is to independently evaluate the proposals of shortlisted TAConnect partners to select and recommend the optimal TA Partners for each TA deployment. The IRC
will also provide other technical advisory services as required by the Executive Director or the Board.
The current IRCs tenure will be expiring soon and TAConnect is seeking to review its
performance before a new engagement and increase the number of IRCs in the database.
Objective:
The objective of this short-term consultancy is to provide technical and advisory services to TAConnect in the following areas:
1. As an independent consultant to review the performance of the current Independent Review Committee (IRC) for the purpose of recommending whether to renew contracts
of members that met performance expectations or drop those that performed below the expectations.
2. To expand the number of expertise of IRCs in the database to cover other needs of TAConnect. The organization is integrating healthcare financing, supply chain management, and gender advocacy into its portfolio of Technical Assistance (TA)
3. To increase the number of consultants to include both university lecturers and private individual consultants in the database to improve efficiency.
4. Review the entire process of IRC for effectiveness and efficiency Scope:
This scope of work (SOW) sets forth the services to be provided by the Independent Review
Consultant.

Selections:
Develop a transparent and credible comprehensive process of selecting new IRC from conducting a needs assessment to developing an IRC database.
Develop IRC Terms of Reference (ToR).

Performance Review

• Set criteria for evaluating the current IRC performance
• Comprehensive evaluations of IRC including their performance
• Evaluation of individual IRC performance during the review period.
• Identify the gap or weakness in performance for improvement and efficiency

Define deliverables.

• Reconstitute New IRC
• Recommend successful and credible consultants to TAConnect board/management.
• Define expected deliverables with timelines of IRC
• Any other task assigned by the TAConnect management/board consistent with the scope of this review.

Job Qualifications

• Minimum of master’s degree or equivalent in the relevant field of social sciences, Management, required; advanced degree preferred.
• At least 8-10 years of relevant field experience as an independent consultant reviewer in the humanitarian and development sector.
• At least 5 years of experience in reviewing grants and proposals is required.
• Understanding of multiple donor compliance frameworks is strongly preferred including but not limited to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, DFID and/or EU regulations preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and skill with administrating solicitations for sub-awards, assessing potential sub-recipients and the proven ability to oversee a team that is
• responsible for monitoring sub-recipients.
• Prior management experience developing workflows, processes, and templates is strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and prioritization skills.
• Excellent oral and written English skills required.
• Advanced computer skills in MS Office programs, particularly Excel.
• Ability to work effectively with an ethnically diverse team in a sensitive environment.

Reporting Requirement

Final Activity Report detailing the tasks performed for the period in line with the ethical requirements of principal duties and responsibilities stated above, and as may be assigned within
the period, progress made on tasks, achievements, and challenges. The report will be reviewed and signed as technically satisfactory by the TAConnect board/management before processing
payment.

Accountability
 
Reports Directly to Board of Directors
SELECTION CRITERIA
While the exact set of criteria will usually vary based on the nature of the assignment, the following criteria are generally applicable for the evaluation of the potential consultant:
S/N Details Mark
s
1 Academic and professional qualifications capacity to carry out the assignment.

20

2. Work experience, relevant skills,
knowledge and its adequacy for the
assignment.

50

3. Experience reviewing proposals for
BMGF or related
development/humanitarian
agencies.

15

4. Suitability considering age, skills
(training, computer skills,
proficiency in English and others).
15

TOTAL 100