Malaria Consortium Nigeria is committed to tackling the large number of malaria cases and deaths in the country. Working in partnership with the Ministry of Health and other partners, we lead and support three major malaria control initiatives in the country: Support to the National Malaria Control Programme (SuNMaP); NetWorks and MAPS. Our areas of focus include:
Technical support for malaria control
Capacity building, harmonisation and training of health workers
Heath systems strengthening
Behaviour Change Communications and community outreach activities
Operational research, policy and advocacyJob Description
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 Assignments
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 for the State Consultants
Attend training to understand the study and their roles as stated above.
Arrange for selection of participants, and venue for discussion and interviews
Participate in field testing of FGD and KII guides
Obtain Inform Consent from respondents before the interview
Facilitate focus group discussion and key informants’ interviews assigned
Note taking and recording of interviews
Transcription of FGDs and KII notes and recordings
Facilitate summarization of transcripts
Keep the survey data confidential and safe
Submit FGD/KII audio recordings and notes to Lead Consultant (LC)
Prepare brief field report for submission to Lead Consultant
Evaluation Deliverables
Completed Stakeholders Basic Information Sheets
Recorded discussions and interviews
Complete set of transcribed notes of KIIs and FGDs
Summarized transcripts
Process report
Timeliness and adherence to the timeline
Qualifications and Experience
A Degree in Sciences, Social, Behavioral or Health Sciences
Familiarity with qualitative data collection and experience in transcription
At 3-5 years experience in the conduct and management of qualitative studies
Ability to work within stipulated time frame
Demonstrate report writing skills for qualitative study
Understanding of the context and setting of interventions in the north
Must not be part of SMC/IMNCH personnel in whatever capacity (National, State, LGA, HFW, CHW, TA or LM)
Must not be a staff of Government at any level and in any Ministry at the time of engagement/activity.
Hausa language is compulsory.