Job Openings at Palladium Group

Reference No.: req11052
Locations: Ebonyi, Abuja, Bauchi, Kebbi, and Sokoto
Duration: April 1  – September 30, 2021

Project Overview and Role

• The USAID Integrated Health Program (IHP) is an expanded effort by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with the Government of Nigeria (GoN) to contribute to State-level reductions in child and maternal morbidity and mortality and increase capacity of public, private, and community health systems to sustainably support quality, integrated primary health care (PHC) services for reproductive health, family planning, and maternal, newborn, and child health plus nutrition, and malaria (RMNCH+NM).
• IHP is seeking a COVID Vaccine Communications and Mobilization Consultants (16) to support IHP’s support for the Covid vaccination roll out at PHC and community levels in the first phase of vaccine roll out for health workers at the Federal level, Ebonyi, FCT,  Bauchi, Kebbi, and Sokoto  states, which aligns with, supports, and complements the NPHCDA’s and State Government’s voice and interventions.

Purpose of Assignment

• To provide technical support to IHP partners at the national level and in Ebonyi, FCT,  Bauchi, Kebbi, and Sokoto  to communications and advocacy  to cover vaccine hesitancy and management of adverse effect, media and social media engagement, community engagement and social mobilization, risk and crisis communication, rumor management, and evidence generation.  

Scope of Work
Specifically, the consultant(s) will: 

• Support implementation of State level Covid communication strategy in Federal level, Ebonyi, FCT,  Bauchi, Kebbi, and Sokoto  
• Support the capacity-building and training of  media professionals/journalists on latest global, regional, and national evidence on Covid vaccine  to fight myths on vaccines and allay fears that lead to vaccine hesitancy.
• Lead efforts on social listening, rumor management by identifying platforms to listen to and set criteria for that listening, while identifying mechanisms for tracking and responding to rumors through mass and social media, print media, posters/job aids, and engagement with influential traditional, religious and community leaders. 
• Support media and social media engagement by providing up to date information through mass and social media (WhatsApp), including training and mobilizing journalists, supporting mass media campaigns, including in Audio Job Aids, posters, and printed job aids, flyers, pamphlets
• Work with Vaccine experts and state COVID vaccine teams to develop evidence based communications messages and print and disseminate factsheets, posters, job aids, flyers in collaboration with the IHP vaccine expert, HMIS consultant and the State COVID vaccine task team
• Risk and Crises Communication: Supporting the tracking, report and manage Adverse Events (AEFI) and the communication around them in collaboration with NPHCDA/WHO/NCDC through mobile phone calls and text messaging, hotlines. 
• Support the preparation of guides, tools and protocols and ensure the tools are developed, printed, and distributed to the states.
• Use social media to share evidence of vaccine efficacy and to manage misinformation on vaccines and allay fears that lead to vaccine hesitancy
• Work with  media professionals/journalists to create awareness and to fight myths TV, radio, newspaper
• Work with media professionals/journalists to inform health workers and the public of vaccination venues, registrations processes.
• and preparing procurement requests and invoices and tracking media information and misinformation.
• Support adaptation and or development  of COVID vaccine global, regional, and national behaviour change communication materials
• Track media reporting and information accuracy/fact vs. misinformation on Covid vaccine including articles, blogs on social media
• Keep up to date through weekly meetings with Palladium HQ STTA COVID vaccine experts and keeping abreast of NPHCDA rapidly emerging guidelines.
• Work with Palladium COVID Vaccine experts, IHP in Abuja and other COVID Vaccine state experts to develop training modules for grantees to deliver on COVID vaccine service delivery (counseling, organizing vaccination sites, vaccine hesitancy, AEFI management/crises management)
• Support IHP’s financial support to mass media spots, programs on TV, radio, newspaper, etc) by obtaining requests from the government
• Escalate any reported adverse effects of covid vaccine from global, regional, and national levels 
• Support development of fact sheets, job aids on covid vaccine 

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in Public Health, Journalism, Communication and Advocacy, Public Relations Sociology, or other related disciplines
• 3- 5 professional work experience in mass communications, risk and behavioral change communication and community engagement
• Experience developing key messages for various audiences. Experience using social media platforms and tools to communicate and engage with a variety of audiences
• Experience in managing communications in emergency situations and on sensitive issues
• Experience working on USAID programs, government of Nigeria or other international development organization is an asset
• Excellent research and analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal and team working skills and capacity to work in a multicultural environment
• Be a proactive resource to the State for all things COVID vaccine technical support, anticipating the needs, drawing from experience with other emergency vaccination programs such as polio and yellow fever.
• Consultant with experience with other emergency vaccine programs such as polio or yellow fever would be much preferred.

Expected Deliverables:

• Timely support provided to Vaccine experts and state COVID vaccine teams in implementation of National/State level Covid communication strategy ensuring these plans follow global and national guidelines and principles
• Communication metrics (# of media trained, media reached, media spots )are set and met
• Rumor management platforms and reporting mechanisms are identified and established
• Guidance on media and community feedback mechanisms addressing misinformation provided to appropriate authorities
• Mapping for media houses and journalists in focal sates to be trained in collaboration with relevant authorities
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Covid vaccine and Factsheets and Job aids on covid vaccine developed
• SOPs on Risk crisis communication developed
• Provide ongoing and regular monthly report 
• Support mass media jingles production for radio and TV.

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Ref No: req11050
Location: Kebbi, Nigeria

Project Overview and Role

• Palladium seeks an Integrated Primary Health Care (PHC) Advisor for the five-year, USAID-funded Nigeria Integrated Health Program (IHP) – Task Order 4 – Kebbi State.
• The goal of IHP is to contribute to state-level reductions in child and maternal morbidity and mortality and to increase the capacity of health systems (public and private) to sustainably support quality PHC services.
• The IHP Integrated Primary Health Care Advisor will provide technical guidance on and oversight of integrated primary health service activities, including capacity building at state, local government health authority (LGHA), facility, and community levels; providing expert technical assistance in integrated service delivery  in the areas of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health plus nutrition (RMNCH + N), with a focus on enhancing service delivery within a stronger, more sustainable health system.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance for implementing integrated primary health care services as per the PHCOUR, including integrated RMNCH + N at the state, the Local Government Health Authority (LGHA), the facility and community levels in IHP supported states (areas, LGHAs);
• Provide ongoing technical assistance and capacity building to relevant state level MDAs and technical working groups such as with the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHCDA), the LGHA, Ward Development Committees (WDCs), local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and PHCs to implement State strategies and plans that guide IRMNCH+N such as the PHCUOR, MSP, PHC revitalization, OIRIS, and rapidly scale-up integrated delivery of quality, high-impact  IRMNCH +NM services;
• Contribute to building the capacity of MTOTs, TOTs, relevant SPHCDA, LGHA and relevant HRH structures to use proven and sustainable skill building and learning approaches and quality improvement methodologies for the delivery of high-impact IRMNCH +N interventions at the community level and in public and private facilities;
• Work with relevant government technical staff, implementing partners and technical working groups providing expert contributions to adapt federal guidelines, tools and procedures for State implementation of quality integrated primary healthcare service delivery at scale;
• Provide technical support to the SPHCDA, LGHA and facilities in strengthening the relevant structures and systems required to strengthen quality improvement processes, in line with the national Quality of Care Strategy for MNCH, including routine integrated supportive supervision (ISS), establishing and maintaining effective Quality Improvement Teams, and development and implementation of quality improvement plans focused on measurable improvement aims, critical quality gaps and regular monitoring and analysis of key performance indicators at the community and facility levels including the private sector;
• Mentor during skill building efforts for health workers and relevant community-based structures in support of integrated service delivery, quality improvement, use of data for decision making and other skills required for effectively managing the reliable delivery of quality high impact, integrated RMNCH+N services at PHC and community level;
• In consultation with local stakeholders, help to prioritize meaningful RMNCH+N+M indicators (e.g. quality of care process and outcome measures) aligned with State and Federal monitoring guidance and tailored to the specific needs of SMOH, LGHA, PHC and community health workers.
• Analyze data needs and availability for provision of quality RMNCH+N+M care (e.g. point of care clinical decision-making) and for monitoring of prioritized performance indicators; address identified gaps, including content and quality of routine HMIS data (e.g. PHC registers, patient forms) and skills of SMOH, LGHA and health workers to calculate, visualize and interpret key performance indicators (e.g. as part of a dashboard.)
• Contribute to the development/review of SPHCDA/SMOH program strategies, annual workplans and budgets.
• Support timely, complete and accurate recording and reporting of PHC facility-based and outreach services and program progress including performance monitoring using approved program monitoring and reporting tools and prioritized performance indicators;
• As appropriate, collaborate with local Professional Associations to support clinical capacity-building and mentoring of providers (e.g. CHEWS, midwives, nurses.) Professional associations may include but not be limited to PAN, NISON, SOGON, NANNM, XX.
• Support collaboration with BREAKTHROUGH ACTION and seamless alignment of social and behavior change with service delivery, using the circle of care, especially at PHC and community level.
• Support advocacy efforts related to integrated delivery of RMNCH +NM with State Ministry of Health and SPHCDA for adoption of new evidence based RMNCH+nutrition best practices at health facilities and the community;
• Contribute to IHP continuous learning and adaptation (CLA) and the development of knowledge management products related to IRMNCH + N and apply lessons learned to improve the program design and implementation in IHP supported states.
• Contribute to IHP routine reporting, success stories and publications.
• Reports directly to State IHP Director

Requirements

• MBBS / MD or Nursing or Midwifery degree plus a Masters’ degree in Public Health, Nursing or a related field or an advanced post graduate degree in a related field is essential
• At least eight (8) years relevant experience in one or more of technical areas: Family planning, maternal health, newborn health, child health, nutrition
• Experience in integrated PHC service delivery at health facilities and community
• Experience implementing programs at the primary health care level is an advantage
• Familiarity with performance indicators in at least 2 technical areas
• Familiarity with applying quality improvement methodologies to improve quality of primary services, including identifying and overcoming critical gaps and monitoring performance indicators to guide continuous improvement
• Familiarity with Nigerian public and private sector health systems at the state, LGHA and community levels is highly desirable
• Knowledge of local culture and a deep understanding of the social, political and ethical issues surrounding the delivery of RMNCH +NM services
• High degree of proficiency in written and spoken English communication. Ability to speak Hausa
• Demonstrated experience managing stakeholders and building capacity at sub-national levels
• Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency delivering relevant IRMNCH +NM training packages and supporting retention of health worker competencies (e.g. through mentoring, supervision)
• Ability to function/work independently as well as part of a team
• Well-developed computer skills
• Ability to travel within IHP focal state at least 50% time

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Ref No: req11051

Introduction

• The USAID Integrated Health Program (IHP) is an expanded effort by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with the Government of Nigeria (GoN) to contribute to State-level reductions in child and maternal morbidity and mortality and increase capacity of public, private, and community health systems to sustainably support quality, integrated primary health care (PHC) services for reproductive health, family planning, and maternal, newborn, and child health plus nutrition, and malaria (RMNCH+NM). This effort is being expanded to include support to the Government for COVID-19 vaccination.
• IHP is seeking COVID Vaccine Reporting and Data Visualization Consultants (5) to support IHP’s technical assistance to Bauchi, Ebonyi, FCT, Kebbi and Sokoto States for the Covid vaccination roll out at PHCs and in communities.

Purpose of Assignment:

• To provide reporting and data use technical support to States’ emergency COVID vaccination response in Bauchi, Ebonyi, FCT, Kebbi and Sokoto States.
• Consultants engaged will support the respective State governments to ensure the quality of covid vaccinations data by ensuring valid reporting, and the optimal use of the resultant data.

Scope of Work
Specifically, Consultant(s) will:  

• Support State-level Covid vaccination reporting in Bauchi, Ebonyi, FCT, Kebbi and Sokoto States through training and retraining of vaccinators / front-line workers. To include the adapting of national training modules to be used during training workshops.
• Provide mentoring support to vaccinators / front-line workers for correct, complete and timely reporting on vaccination numbers and adverse reactions into DHIS2.
• Support the development and use of COVID vaccination data visualizations and dashboards to ensure that:
• Vaccine uptake is routinely monitored among target populations.
• Adherence for the administration of the two doses of vaccine is routinely tracked.
• GIS maps to show vaccine coverage spread to reduce inequalities are produced.
• Support the production of tools, guides and protocols, and ensure availability for use at various points of vaccine administration.
• Support the production and submission of routine reports on COVID vaccination response. Reports may include incidence, vaccine coverage and adverse events data, and sent to the appropriate body.
• Support the review, analysis and use of data from the COVID Hotline, particularly as it relates to the COVID Vaccine.
• Support the conduct of DQA on COVID Vaccine Data. This would include the conduct of training of Assessors, field work to carry out assessments, analysis of findings and supporting feedback and implementation of corrective actions.
• Keep up to date with NCDC and NPHCDA rapidly emerging guidelines for appropriate support to States for adoption.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Advanced university degree in Demography, Statistics, Social Sciences, Public Health, M&E, Statistics, Health Informatics, Health Information Management or related field.
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in designing and implementing monitoring, evaluation and learning tasks for complex health and/or development projects.
• Excellent research and analytical skills
• A strong understanding of National Health Information Management System and DHIS2 in particular
• Demonstrated experience conducting analysis of large data sets, data management and data use skills.
• Demonstrated experience in the use of GIS maps
• Strong verbal, listening, writing, and intrapersonal skills essential for effective coordination among several institutions and staff involved in a broad range of activities.
• Experience working with government partners, USAID, other donors, and implementing partners.
• Fluent in English (written and oral communication) and Hausa / Igbo.
• Be a proactive resource to the State for all things COVID vaccine technical support, anticipating the needs, drawing from experience with other emergency vaccination programs such as polio and yellow fever.
• Consultant with experience with other emergency vaccine programs such as polio or yellow fever would be much preferred.

Expected Deliverables:

• Monthly consultancy reports detailing progress on Scope of Work
• State GIS Maps showing Vaccination coverage
• Capacity Building (Training and Mentoring) reports
• DQA Reports
• COVID vaccination data visualizations and dashboards
• COVID Hotline Analysis Report