Team Lead (Senior National Consultant) at Malaria Consortium

Evaluation Approach and Framework

• This qualitative evaluation will adopt an implementation research approach grounded in structured frameworks to understand how the Perennial Malaria Chemoprevention (PMC) intervention is delivered, perceived, and sustained within the Osun State context.
• The evaluation draws on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to explore multiple domains across different levels of the health system, while also integrating constructs from the Implementation Outcomes Framework (IOF) and the PIET-T model to assess the potential for adaptation, effectiveness, and broader transferability.
• Together, these constructs form the analytical foundation for the evaluation, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of both the operational performance of PMC and the broader systemic factors that influence its implementation and future scale-up.
• This would guide tool development, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

Purpose of the Assignment

• The purpose of this term of reference is to define the scope, objectives, methodology, deliverables, and responsibilities for conducting this qualitative evaluation on the operational feasibility of PMC delivery through Nigeria’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) platform.

Scope of work

• The study will involve in-depth interviews (key informant), Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Case studies interviews.
• The target participants are caregivers, stakeholders, healthcare workers and health administrators in the selected health facilities, communities and the catchment population at the state level. Eight (8) Local Government Areas in Osun State will be selected for the study - Ayedaade, Ede South, Atakunmosa West, Iwo, Irewole, Ife North, Obokun and Egbedore.
• The study will also cover stakeholders at the federal level to gain insights into their perspective of PMC operational feasibility, policy adoption and scale-up.
• The results will provide evidence to support PMC scale up in Nigeria
• The scope of this evaluation also covers end-to-end management of the qualitative evaluation, including evaluation design, finalization of tools, training, data collection, field coordination, data analysis, reporting and dissemination.
• The evaluation team will be guided by a predefined framework with seven constructs to explore stakeholder perceptions, implementation realities and operational feasibility of the PMC intervention.

Responsibilities

• The Team Lead will provide overall leadership and coordination of the qualitative evaluation.

Specific Tasks for Team Lead:

• Review the qualitative protocol and adapt it to a feasible methodology and approach for field implementation; submit the revised protocol for approval by the PMC technical team.
• Develop or adapt evaluation tools and guides for qualitative data collection (IDIs/FGDs) and case study guides to ensure they are context-specific and translated into Yoruba where needed.
• Draft a comprehensive activity timeline with clearly defined milestones and deliverables.
• Adapt standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ethical guidelines for qualitative data collection and team engagement.
• Develop a training manual and facilitation guide tailored to the qualitative methodology and adapted tools.
• Prepare a detailed training plan and agenda and train data collectors.
• Lead the training of data collectors and supervisor, emphasizing consent processes, interview techniques, and proper use of tools.
• Conduct a field pre-test of the adapted tools and revise them based on feedback from the pre-testing exercise.
• Coordinate the overall qualitative data collection process across selected sites and supervise field teams to ensure adherence to protocol.
• Conduct in-depth interviews (IDIs) for the state and national stakeholders
• Support survey teams in securing community entry and obtaining permissions from local leaders and stakeholders prior to data collection.
• Conduct spot-checks on a sample of interviews to ensure appropriate respondents were selected and ethical procedures were followed.
• Monitor daily fieldwork and provide real-time support and feedback to maintain data quality.
• Provide oversight on the daily debrief sessions with data collectors and supervisor to review field challenges and implement corrective actions.
• Validate transcripts and translated interview records at 100%
• Analyse data, conduct thematic coding and qualitative analysis of transcripts using the approved analysis plan.
• Prepare and submit a detailed final report highlighting key findings, lessons learned, and actionable recommendations.
• Adhere to ethical standards in handling sensitive data and contribute to ensuring participant confidentiality and data security.
• Submit a PowerPoint presentation, policy briefs and 2-page infographic advocacy brief summarizing key findings for dissemination to the PMC project team and stakeholders.

Key Deliverables

• Finalized and contextualized FGD / IDI guides translated into local language(s) with Observation checklist.
• Approved qualitative data analysis plan using agreed evaluation framework.
• SOPs and ethical guidance for fieldwork finalized and shared.
• Training curriculum and facilitation guide for data team developed and implemented.
• Supervision and quality assurance reports from field visits.
• Thematic coding outputs and summary of emerging themes.
• Preliminary qualitative evaluation reports with conclusions and recommendations.
• Final policy briefs and infographic for policy advocacy
• Presentation slide deck of findings for stakeholders.
• Analysed datasets
• Full Data Analysis report of study findings
• End-of-assignment summary report of lessons learned, and challenges faced.
• Final evaluation report.

Requirements
Person specification for Team Lead (Senior National Consultant):

Essential:

• A Ph.D in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Demography, Sociology, or a closely related field with at least 10 years of relevant consultancy experience in Nigeria or the West African region.
• Demonstrated expertise in the design, conduct, and analysis of qualitative field surveys, including use of thematic or framework analysis.
• Proven experience in leading research teams at national, state, and LGA levels, including coordination with government, partners, and stakeholders across service delivery and policy levels.
• Experience in analysing qualitative data in line with CFIR construct of quality, fidelity, appropriateness
• Evidence of similar job in the last five years
• Extensive experience in writing high-quality technical reports and publications for public health projects, preferably in Nigeria or similar LMIC contexts.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills relevant to public health evaluation.
• Working knowledge of ODK/KoBo Toolbox or similar digital data collection platforms.
• Proficiency in Yoruba language for effective engagement during fieldwork and interviews.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

Desired:

• Deep understanding of the Nigerian public health landscape, including community systems, PHC services, and policy actors.
• Proven academic record, including authored peer-reviewed publications or technical reports.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams independently, manage tight deadlines, and work with minimal supervision.
• Experience in facilitating training, meetings, or stakeholder engagement workshops.
• Strong presentation, coordination, and interpersonal communication skills, adaptable across multiple stakeholders and cultural contexts.