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 advocacyPurpose of the Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to conduct qualitative research to understand how participants feel and act towards a basic example of a behavioural intervention (low fidelity prototype) and then, after refining, test the more developed example to increase insecticide treated nets (ITNs) in selected areas of Osun state in Nigeria.
Scope of Work
The qualitative work to be conducted under this service contract agreement involves the following components:
5 to 6 focus group discussions with 6-8 participants per group, of a duration of around 90 minutes for the low fidelity prototype testing
5 to 6 focus group discussions with 6-8 participants per group, of a duration of around 90 minutes for the high-fidelity prototype testing
The study will employ a purposive sampling strategy to maximise the range and diversity of the sample, ensuring that we have a diversity of participants across criteria which may influence mosquito net use.
Focus groups will be conducted in person (face-to-face) in groups of 6-8 participants and will take place in a communal space in participants’ communities. Topic guides have been designed drawing on results of initial exploratory research.
We will seek input from potential users and frontline workers through user testing focus groups which will explore participants’ actions, behaviour, and attitudes towards the prototypes.
User testing focus groups will support the study research aims by allowing participants to directly interact with the intervention and provide feedback to improve its acceptability and effectiveness.
We will conduct user testing of a low-fidelity prototype of the intervention through focus groups with potential end-users. Following initial focus groups, we will incorporate user feedback received to refine the intervention. We will develop a high-fidelity prototype of the refined intervention and conduct user testing focus groups to explore participants’ attitudes towards and interactions with the high-fidelity prototype. This will allow us to seek feedback and refine the intervention to increase its acceptability and likely effectiveness. Drawing on these findings and the behavioural science literature, we will then design a pilot intervention in collaboration with key stakeholders.
Focus groups will be led by a local researcher. A second research assistant will be present to take notes and record observations using a note-taking template developed by BIT. If participants consent to audio recording, the discussion will be recorded and transcribed.
All recordings will be transcribed and translated.
Specific Tasks for Supervisor
Support the translation and back translation of topic guides to the local language (Yoruba).
Support preparatory activities for training and for field data collection.
Participate in the training activity for conducting the data collection process and step-down training for interviewers.
Liaise with the project manager to obtain necessary research tools.
Promptly raise any methodological question arising during the data collection process which may affect adherence to the research protocol.
Coordinate the data collection process and assign daily tasks to interviewers.
Coordinate the identification and recruitment of FGDs participants.
Lead the scheduling of FGDs.
Coordinate the organization of FGD sessions.
Ensure that all recording devices are accounted for.
Oversee recording transcription and translation.
Collate and report daily issues and challenges to the Project Manager and the Principal Investigator.
Take responsibility for compliance with confidentiality and security procedures to ensure respondent privacy is protected.
Promptly report any safeguarding risks or incidents.
Deliverables for Supervisors
Translation of research tools into Yoruba.
Scheduling of FGD.
Incident log.
Summary daily reports.
Final supervision report.
Person specification: Supervisors
Essential:
B.Sc or M.Sc in a relevant academic field.
At least 3 years experience in collecting qualitative data.
At least 2 years experience in supervising qualitative research.
Practical knowledge of community entry & mobilization techniques.
Demonstrated experience in the management of qualitative data activities and enforcing data quality procedures.
Strong attention to detail.
Computer literacy to be able to work on electronic data collection applications.
Good facilitation skills.
Strong written and verbal skills in Yoruba, preferably mother tongue.
Strong written and verbal skills in English.
Desired:
Good communication skills and experience in participatory methodology.
Innovative, motivated, and able to work with minimal supervision.
Certification in M&E will be a plus.
Resident in Osun state.
Mother tongue Yoruba.
Quality Assurance:
Please note that you may be contacted or invited by the Malaria Consortium’s Project Technical Team to discuss progress of activities, deliverables and timelines as related to this assignment.
Compensation
Please note that all terms will be discussed and agreed with the project lead. Payments are subject to satisfactory and timely completion of all assigned deliverables and will be according to Malaria Consortium’s finance policies.