LQAS Supervisor - Plateau at Malaria Consortium

Purpose of the Assignment

• The purpose of this ToR is to engage research personnel that will carry out data collection for EoC evaluation based on the LQAS approach.
• The MC Senior M&E (SMEO) for the different states will serve as State Consultants for the activity, carrying out analysis and interpretation based on the LQAS approach.
• The M&E Manager for the PF-SMC project will serve as the National Consultant, reviewing data and compiling reports from the state consultants.
• The consultants and supervisors will train data collectors and oversee data collection process while other personnel will carry out the actual data collection using an electronic platform.

Scope

• The EoC evaluation will be conducted in the nine states and FCT Abuja supported by PF where SMC is being implemented.
• The process will involve identification, selection, and training of supervisors at the training of trainers (ToT) and subsequently, data collectors in the states.

Methodology

• The aim of the EoC evaluation is to assess SMC coverage and adherence of community drug distributors (CDDs) to treatment protocol immediately and not more than 5 days after each cycle of treatment.
• The findings will be analyzed and any ward (lot) scoring less than 80% will be targeted for corrective measures in their area of poor performance, for improvement in subsequent cycles. (see details in the annex).

Type of personnel required for the evaluation

• Independent Supervisors : A total of 66 Independent supervisors will be recruited (Bauchi - 9, Borno - 3, Kebbi - 6, Kogi - 10, Nasarawa – 6, Plateau - 8, Sokoto - 11, Oyo - 3, FCT Abuja – 3, Zamfara - 7).
• The independent supervisors will be responsible for the supervision of the data collectors.
• These, along with the data collectors, will be trained physically at a 2-day ToT by the National consultants.
• The training will focus on overviews of SMC, data collection protocol/methodology, data collection instruments, art of data collection, inter-personal communication, supervision skills, facilitation skills, and the use of electronic platforms.
• Each of these supervisors would be involved in basic analysis of the data collected. Additional supervision will be provided by Malaria Consortium M&E and Research core staff (M&E Manager, Surveillance and Operations Research Specialist, Technical Specialist and Senior M&E Officers).
• Administratively, the M&E Manager, with oversight from the Technical Specialist, will coordinate the eight states and FCT Abuja, while Senior M&E Officers would coordinate in their respective states.

Specific Activities for the personnel

• Attend a 2-day physical training that will be facilitated by survey consultants.
• In conjunction with the state consultants, supervisors, facilitate training of data collectors using adult learning approaches of facilitations (discussions, role plays, demonstrations, and simulations).
• Provide supportive supervision for data collectors using appropriate supervision checklists.
• Oversee data collection processes, including logistics and community entry and mobilization.
• Provide necessary information to clean data.
• Write a report on the data collection process, outlining the best practices, the lessons learnt, challenges, achievements, and recommendations. Each supervisor will write reports for their supervision areas, and the State Consultant will collate and write a consolidated report for the whole exercise for the state.

Specific Deliverables for the personnel
Each supervisor will be assigned a cluster of a maximum of 2 LGAs to supervise during data collection process. Each supervisor will ensure that:

• Participate fully in the two-day technical training led by National Consultants, demonstrating competence in data collection oversight and SurveyCTO usage.
• Support the facilitation of training sessions for Data Collectors using participatory, adult learning methodologies.
• Develop and submit a comprehensive Supervision Schedule aligned with LGA operational plans.
• Supervise data collection activities in assigned LGAs, using a standardized Supervision Checklist to monitor quality indicators (e.g., interview adherence, data completeness).
• Conduct real-time field validation and troubleshooting SurveyCTO data uploads.

Compile and submit:

• A Dataset Validation Summary for their supervised LGAs.
• A Supervision Process Report, documenting:
  • Field success and best practices.
  • Operational challenges and mitigation strategies.
  • Recommendations for future evaluations.

Profile Requirements Supervisor

• A minimum Degree (BSc / HND) in Social Sciences and Health related discipline.
• Experience in conducting public health research, particularly data collection.
• Experience in the use of modern technology in research – use of phones for data collection.
• Previous experience doing LQAS surveys is an added advantage.
• Ability to speak local language (e.g. Yoruba, Hausa, Kanuri, etc.).
• Familiarity with respect to the tradition and culture of the locality.
• Familiarity with terrain of the locality.
• Must be a female/mixed in selected states.
• Ability to pay attention to details.
• Must not be a staff of Government at any level or the SMoH.
• Must not be part of SMC personnel in whatever capacity (national, state, LGA, HFW, CHW, TA).
• Must not be blacklisted during the previous LQAS activities.