🇳🇬 Job Vacancies @ Malaria Consortium – 4 Positions

Malaria Consortium is one of the world’s leading non-profit organisations specialising in the comprehensive prevention, control and treatment of malaria and other communicable diseases among vulnerable and under privileged populations. We increasingly find our work on malaria can be effectively integrated with other similar public health interventions for greater impact and therefore expanded our remit to include child health and neglected tropical disease interventions.

We are recruiting to fill the following positions below:

1.) State Consultant
2.) National / Lead Consultant
3.) State Project Manager
4.) Senior M&E Officer

Job Title: State Consultant

Location: Niger

Job 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.

Application Closing Date
31st October, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• The Candidate shortlisted must be resident within the project implementation state.
• Kindly note that applicants who do not follow this specification will be disqualified.
• Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Kindly note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and as a result, the process may conclude before the advertised deadline.
• Therefore, early applications are highly encouraged.
• Malaria Consortium does not accept or ask for payment during recruitment.
• We also would not accept hardcopy CVs; all applications should be sent through the above link.

Job Title: National / Lead Consultant

Location: Niger

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.

Application Closing Date
31st October, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Interested and qualified candidates who are passionate and willing to contribute towards the achievement of our goals should kindly fill in the application form above
• Applicants who do not follow this specification will be disqualified.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Candidate shortlisted must be resident within the project implementation state.
• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and as a result, the process may conclude before the advertised deadline. Therefore, early applications are highly encouraged.
• Malaria Consortium does not accept or ask for payment during recruitment. We also would not accept hardcopy CVs; all applications should be sent through the above link.

Job Title: State Project Manager

Location: Kogi

Job purpose

• The Project Manager will be responsible for the overall management, coordination and harmonization of the Nigeria component of this multi-country multi-donor project.
• Lead project implementation activities ensuring consistency with the overall multi-country programme’s performance framework, and in line with Malaria Consortium’s core values.
• S/he will lead the project team in the states and liaise closely with the Senior Project Manager, keeping the Project Director in the loop.

Key accountabilities
Project Management (60%):

• Work with the programme team and other relevant personnel in the country office to lead activities for smooth project start up and planning in line with the SMC Malaria Project Implementation Plan.
• Work with the relevant personnel to prepare all necessary project start up and planning tools on time.
• To build and performance manage an effective and technically unsurpassed SMC project team in their states.
• Work directly with the SPM and be responsible for coordinating overall project implementation in the states and see that activities are carried out on time and within budget.
• Liaise regularly with the SPM to provide timely and comprehensive updates and reports as required.
• Liaise with other partners relevant for successful SMC malaria implementation in the state.
• Line manages an effective and technically sound SMC project team in the state.
• Liaise with state stakeholders to get their buy-in and ensure effective implementation of SMC activities in the state.
• Ensure the mass drug distribution campaign is carried out according to guidelines, and in compliance to donor funding requirements.
• Organize and participate in the training of State, LGA and community volunteers' teams involved in the distribution activities.
• Participate in the state and LGA level microplanning meetings for the distribution activities.
• Be responsible for timely financial accountability for any disbursed funds for project activities in the state.
• Support SMOH to develop SMC scale – up plan especially in the period after the project period.
• Duty of care on all campaign personnel.
• Work with the project team to develop and implement annual work plans.
• Work closely with the SPM to prepare the programme monitoring and evaluation plan in conjunction with the Project M&E Manager. Work with the project team to implement it.
• Work with the country finance team and project finance associate to prepare and track progress of project and activity budgets.
• Be responsible for zonal project budget management and reporting.
• Be responsible for preparing project progress report, which is submitted to the SPM and regional programme director quarterly, including narrative reports on a timely basis.
• Work with finance team and SPM to prepare quarterly financial reports.
• Work with the relevant country personnel and the SPM to prepare an exit strategy and to implement it, to see to the smooth end of the programme.
• Coordinate with other donors and implementers to ensure complementarity of implementation of the SMC malaria project in project states by leveraging resources and harmonizing efforts where possible.
• Work with the Country Communication Manager, the Country Technical Coordinator, SPM, for social mobilization to see that a programme communications strategy is developed and implemented.
• Coordinate the documentation of SMC supported activities in form of activity-specific reports and ensure proper archiving of such for easy access and reference.
• Contribute to SMC coordination meetings in form of progress updates and power point presentations.
• Be responsible for quarterly lessons identification and learning documentation and dissemination.
• Be responsible for building functional partner relationships among the project’s stakeholders.
• Oversee project partners inputs and subcontractors’ activities to deliver harmonized, aligned and effective outputs.
• Manage risks to Malaria Consortium including financial, reputation and security in a challenging environment.

Technical contributions (10%):

• Work with the project teams, SPM and the Country Technical Coordinator to determine technical support needs to implement the project effectively and with high quality. Liaise with the Country Technical Coordinator to obtain regional or global technical support.
• Contribute to the development and production of dissemination documents to allow wider sharing of Malaria Consortium’s experiences, lessons and successes.

Technical performance management and Quality Assurance (20%):

• Take the lead in monitoring and evaluating project performance.
• Keep abreast with evidence and best practices that are related to the project.

Representation (10%):

• Work with the Country Director, Country Technical Coordinator and SPM to participate in national level meetings and workshops to represent Malaria Consortium at programmatic and coordination events,
• Work with the Country Director, Country Technical Coordinator and SPM to keep key national stakeholders abreast with the project.
• To exert influence and to advocate for Malaria Consortium’s key technical positions and promote best practice in SMC interventions.

Qualifications and experience

• Postgraduate or Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Epidemiology or another relevant specialty is a minimum requirement.
• Extensive experience of working at national or state level in developing countries.
• Excellent project planning, management and monitoring & evaluation skills.
• Experience managing project budgets.
• Proven leadership skills and team leading.
• Experience in advocacy and policy influencing.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Experience on SMC-supported project.
• Advance knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Work-based skills and competencies:

• Proof of strong interpersonal and negotiating skills
• Experience in using participatory adult learning techniques and previous experience in mass drug distribution campaign activities.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills are also needed.
• Understanding of public health issues in Nigeria

Application Closing Date
18th October, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Job Title: Senior M&E Officer

Location: Plateau

Job Jurpose

• The Senior M&E Officer will serve as the main focal person for all Research, MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) activity which include data validation, DQA, coordination meetings, capacity building in data quality and supportive supervisory visit to strengthen health management information system in SARMAAN II project in the state. S/he will assist and report to the M&E manager regarding the monitoring and evaluation of project activities.

Scope of work

• The incumbent will work as part of the project team under the direct supervision and guidance of the M&E Manager and indirectly through the SARMAAN II project Director for the attainment of the project goal.

Key working relationships:

• The officer working under the line-management of the M & E Manager and in close collaboration with the state, LGA, community actors, stakeholders and partners would deliver aspects of the project as per the specified job tasks and expected deliverables.

Key Accountabilities
Technical contributions 50%:

• Plan and implement M&E activities related to SARMAAN II in the approved work plan under the guidance of the Project Director and SCTC
• Ensure high quality data are available on a regular and timely basis for programmatic decision making
• Manage the information-gathering process for results and performance reports, in addition to other briefings, summaries, papers, presentations, etc. for various audiences as needed. (I suggest ‘manage the data collection and management processes before, during and after each round of mass SARMAAN II drug administration, including sentinel site monitoring)
• Coordinate the documentation of SARMAAN II activities in form of reports and ensure proper archiving of such for easy access and reference
• Assist State project managers to develop robust monitoring plans for quantitative and qualitative reporting on project performance indicators.
• Adapt and maintain a high quality database for the project in line with the regional standards.
• Contribute to work plans, sub agreements, budgets, pipelines, technical reports, and deliverables.
• Routinely monitor project performance against targets and prepare periodic reports on M&E activities for SARMAAN II Project.
• Participate in project assessments, evaluations and design including development of survey protocols

Program Management (10%):

• Support State senior M & E officers with coordinating program management activities, by ensuring that the staff provide the needed technical support and ensure coordination meetings hold at the LGA and state levels.
• Work with state Senior M & E officers staff to ensure that reports are obtained from all health facilities within the state through appropriate state-specific mechanisms.
• Ensure and support State M & E officers undertake monitoring and supervisory visits to health facilities and ensure that action plans are developed for identified gaps.
• Support state Senior M & E officers with ensuring that all items in the action plans from health facilities are addressed and all outstanding gaps are closed.

Accountability (10%):

• Support programming staff to engage key populations in monitoring and evaluating program’s performance and to incorporate participatory methods into M&E systems in Nigeria.
• Orient program staff and partners on the basic principles and practices of beneficiary accountability in Nigeria.
• Support the development and implementation of feedback and response channels to reflect the preferences of community members and beneficiaries.
• Ensure that beneficiary feedback is adequately documented, addressed, analysed, and utilized by program teams.

Knowledge Management and Learning (20%):

• Ensure that state M&E and program teams regularly review and accordingly adjust M&E plans and tools in the light of changes and needs in the field context based on monitoring data and reflection sessions.
• Support learning-to-action events and reflection sessions to systematically analyse data for programmatic use for the state, and to document and incorporate lessons learned into program design and implementation.
• Conduct regular data review and analysis for feedback to states for program improvement, and for updates to national level (MC and government).
• Support program staff in key activities including development of a learning agenda, organizing regular learning events, supporting operations research, and reflecting, documentation, and communication of learning initiatives.
• Support knowledge management systems and practices to gather, document and share best practices with project team, MC country office, government and technical partners. Collaborate with M&E and program staff to develop learning briefs, project bulletins and other materials for dissemination.
• Promote adoption of the best practices in knowledge management by other project staff and government partners.

Representation (10%):

• Liaise with technical counterparts in the State Ministry of Health, and other local stakeholders engaged in malaria activities in Nigeria.
• Participate in events/ meetings related to Monitoring, Evaluation and research, including quarterly Principal Recipient and Sub-recipients quarterly review meetings.
• Actively participate in the M&E Community of Practice and government M&E staff.

Qualifications and Experience
Essential:

• Degree in Statistics, Demography, Mathematics or any other relevant quantitative relevant discipline
• Minimum of 5-years’ experience
• Demonstrable contextual knowledge of local issues, community priorities, social and cultural constraints and realities related to community assessment, project design, evaluation and implementation
• Cognate experience in monitoring and evaluation of community-based interventions is highly desirable
• Experience in managing HMIS and CLMS as well as familiarity with Nigerian public sector health systems will be added advantages.
• Experience in survey design and implementation, development of data bases and analysis and write up of survey results
• Demonstrated skills in data management and quantitative data analysis

Desirable:

• Fluency in written and spoken English

Work-based skills and competencies:
Essential:

• A solid understanding of health systems strengthening
• Proficiency in database management especially DHIS; Excel, Word, PowerPoint and demonstrable experience with statistical software packages (Stata, SPSS, Epi Info)
• Strong analytical skills and experience interpreting a strategic vision into an operational model
• Proven writing, communication and presentation skills in English
• A collaborative and flexible style, with a strong service mentality
• Facilitation and coordination skills
• The ideal candidate must be attentive to detail, highly organised, flexible and self-motivated with excellent communication skills in written and oral communication
• He/she must clearly display the ability to effectively prioritise and perform tasks to meet tight deadlines

Desirable:

• Skills in qualitative research.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online