Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Consultant at Health Systems Consult Limited (HSCL)

Reporting: Director / Secretary BHCPF

Background

• The enactment of the National Health Act 2014 and the establishment of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) in Section 11 represents a watershed moment in Nigeria’s path toward providing equitable access to care for Nigerians, and Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Its implementation is to be based on the Guideline which stipulates the governance, administrative, funding, and monitoring mechanism for the Fund.
• The BHCPF represents a sustainable model for ensuring equity and financial risk protection for the nation’s vulnerable populations, by guaranteeing effective access to a Basic Minimum Package of Health Services, funded from not less than one percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), financial grants from local and international donors, partners, the private sector and philanthropic individuals. 
• The BHCPF is to be managed by a robust governance framework led by the Honourable Minister for Health at the federal level and Commissioners for Health at the state level who approve all proposals and reports at the respective levels. 
• The overall objective of the BHCPF is to ensure the provision of a Basic Minimum Package of Health Services (BMPHS) to all Nigerians and strengthen the Primary Health Care (PHC) system. 
• The Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) of the BHCPF functions as a national oversight group promoting robust collaboration amongst implementing agencies in the evolution and implementation of the BHCPF, reviewing annual work plans and budgets of federal and state implementing entities, as presented by implementing agencies, for endorsement. Review updates on the flow of funds, performance management and verification of results, evaluate periodic program reports submitted by the implementing agencies, review performance of the implementing entities based on a clear set of agreed-upon Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across the BHCPF program, and ensure that funds are disbursed, managed, and accounted for in a transparent manner and following the guideline.
• The overall objective of the BHCPF is to: Ensure the provision of a Basic Minimum Package of Health Services (BMPHS) to all Nigerians and strengthen the Primary Health Care (PHC) system. 
• The BHCPF secretariat seeks the services of a Monitoring and Evaluation consultant to provide technical support in the implementation of the fund.

Rationale for the Role

• The monitoring and evaluation function aims to ensure that the progress and results of the program are monitored, communicated, evaluated, and acted upon in a timely, efficient, and results-oriented manner.
• For this, the M&E Consultant will coordinate with the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) Secretariat in line with existing government monitoring and related evaluation policies, guidance, and tools.

Scope of Work 

• Under the Director and Secretary of BHCPF, the consultant will provide technical support on all M&E-related activities under BHCPF.
• The M&E consultant will develop an M&E framework and guidelines for the program.
• The M&E consultant will also be responsible for ensuring the proper implementation of M&E activities by BHCPF.
• Moreover, the M&E consultant will be required to provide ongoing technical support and quality assurance to ensure that M&E activities and reporting are implemented effectively, efficiently, and harmoniously. 

Specific activities for the consultant will include: The M&E consultant will carry out the following roles:

• Develop an M&E plan and system for BHCPF including data flow processes, indicators across access, quality, reducing financing barriers, strategic purchasing and primary health care systems strengthening
• Identify and recommend disbursement-linked indicators
• Develop an indicator reference dictionary for all the indicators
• Identify summary indicators for high level stakeholder reporting and more detailed indicator sets for programmatic reporting
• Liaise with the IT/Database consultant to identify the appropriate database (preferably one of those already in use by FMOH and its partners) and create automated monthly analysis reports for use at the federal and state levels
• Provide technical assistance to the different levels on data analysis and use of data for decision making
• Identify M&E capacity gaps at the different levels and recommend training vendors
• Supervise M&E training at the different levels to ensure that standards are adhered to and expected results are achieved 
• Analyze the performance of the fund against targets 
• Support report writing and dissemination of high-quality analytical work that will contribute to the local knowledge base related to the implementation of the BHCPF Program.
• Collaborate with the Communications Consultant to ensure that relevant data and evidence form the centrepiece of communication products disseminated.
• Facilitate information dissemination and dialogue with key stakeholders and strategic use of data.
• Participate in project management meetings and provide input to findings from data reviews.
• Recommend operations research that can generate more detailed and valuable findings that cannot be obtained through routine monitoring.

Qualifications

• The consultant should be a senior professional with an advanced degree in a relevant field and a minimum of 5 years of experience.

The candidate should bring to the position:

• Master's or Doctoral Degree, preferably in Social Sciences or another relevant field.
• Experience in developing and deploying M&E systems
• Experience in designing tools and strategies for data collection, analysis, and production of reports.
• Proficiency in data analysis using software tools such as R, Stata, SPSS, and NVIVO, 
• Excellent understanding of results-based management.
• Ability to produce well-written reports that demonstrate excellent analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to travel and work to meet tight deadlines.
• A good understanding of BHCPF and other health financing-related projects.

Duration Of Consultancy

• The duration of this consultancy is 12 months, with the possibility of extension.