National / Lead Consultant at Malaria Consortium

Background

• Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) and Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) are life-saving health interventions delivered hitherto through siloed periodic mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns to children below five years of age.
• While SMC has recorded high acceptability and coverage (often above 95%), VAS coverage has been below 46%, nationally (NDHS 2018).
• Given WHO’s recommendation that delivery of health interventions be integrated where possible to maximize effectiveness, implementation research was designed to improve Vitamin A coverage through integration with SMC campaigns delivered through a common door-to-door approach. The study is being conducted in Niger State.
• The State has 25 LGAs with Minna as its administrative center. The target population for the SMC+VAS integrated campaign is primarily children between the age range of 6-59 months.

Purpose of Assignment

• The purpose of this Term of Reference (ToR) is to engage research consultant that will conduct endline qualitative survey (FGDs and KIIs).
• The Consultant will oversee the entire qualitative aspect of the project, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery and providing technical guidance and leadership to the research team.

Scope

• The scope of the study will focus on evaluating the effectiveness (coverage and quality) of VAS co-implementation with SMC when implemented at scale. It will also assess if integrating VAS into SMC reduces the uptake of other key MNCHW interventions.
• The endline evaluation will be conducted 25 Local Governments in Niger State where SMC+VAS integrated campaign is being implemented.
• The KII component of the qualitative research will be conducted among state level stakeholders in Niger State.
• This will entail engaging and training of data collectors, who will conduct the data collection as well as transcribing. Data will be collected using paper-based FGD and KII guides, notes and voice recorders.

Specific Tasks

• Lead Consultant shall be responsible for the qualitative component of the endline survey
• Train all data collectors for qualitative component survey
• Coordinate field testing of the FGD and KII guides
• Revise FGD and KII guides based on findings from field testing
• Liaise with Project Manager to prepare list of key informants and FGD participants and arrange for interviews and FGDs
• Conduct key informants’ interviews at State level
• Prepare quick brief after field work to debrief PM and Senior Research Officer
• Prepare data analysis plan for FGDs and KIIs
• Collate and summarize all transcriptions
• Conduct data analysis and report writing
• Collate and submit all assessment materials including soft copies of all FGDs and KIIs data sets
• Prepare and submit the report in MS word and a summary of key findings in MS PowerPoint slides

Qualifications and Experience

• A post-graduate Degree in Social, Behavioural or Health Sciences
• At least 5 - 7 years’ experience in conduct and management of qualitative studies
• Demonstrated expertise in rigorous qualitative research design, data collection and data analysis techniques
• Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings, draw practical conclusions, make recommendations and to prepare well-written reports in a timely manner
• Experience in leading evaluations, surveys, and analysis is highly desirable.
• Experience in the use of qualitative statistical softwares such as Nvivo and Atlas Ti etc
• Demonstrable experience in data transcription
• Ability to work within stipulated time frame
• Demonstrate report writing skills for qualitative study;
• Preferably a female (preferred in the core northern states), but males are encouraged to apply
• Experience, knowledge and clear understanding of Nigeria Northern context.
• Hausa language is necessary.

Evaluation Deliverables:

• Collated and summarized transcript
• Data analysis report submitted
• Key findings in power point presentation
• Quality of report and findings
• Timeliness and adherence to the timeline.