International Consultancy- The Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) consultant- South Sudan

Contract

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Purpose of Activity/Assignment: Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager and Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, the Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS) Consultant has the responsibility for supporting and providing guidance and technical assistance for the preparation, implementation and completion of the MIS to the UNICEF Office and the South Sudan Ministry of Health (MoH), the implementing partner. The MIS consultant will advise the implementing partner (especially the MoH, sampling and data processing experts) during survey planning, questionnaire design, sampling, training, fieldwork, data processing, data analysis and dissemination, ensuring that MIS protocols are being followed at all times. The MIS will communicate effectively between UNICEF CO and the implementing partner, responding promptly to MIS related needs and issues as they arise.

The MIS consultant will be responsible for coordinating and supporting the work of other resource persons providing technical assistance to the MIS process. He/she will work in close collaboration with the MoH’s national technical team, the CCM, other stakeholders and will represent UNICEF in meetings and workshops in relation to the survey.

Key Objectives of the Malaria Indicator Survey:

• To assess the prevalence and incidence of malaria in South Sudan.
• To measure the impact of malaria control interventions in South Sudan.
• To identify any geographical and demographic disparities in malaria burden in South Sudan.
• To provide data for monitoring progress towards malaria control and elimination goals.

Scope of Work: The MIS consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

Main Tasks related to the Job 1. Provide the technical and managerial support to MIS; 2. Develop and present the MIS methodology, tools and guidelines to UNICEF, MoH and other partners/stakeholders 3. Oversee each stage of the survey process and ensure that the MIS protocols are being followed and the survey standards are being met by the implementing partner; 4. Communicate regularly with the UNICEF Health team and other UNICEF offices, if needed) responding to all MIS related issues in a timely manner; 5. Provide MIS progress reports to the UNICEF Health office every 2 weeks; 6. Co-ordinate the work of implementing partner experts and and other resource persons assigned by the MIS to support different survey stages; 7. Work with and provide all necessary information to any other experts; 8. Ensure that Sampling, Household data collection and Data Processing are carried out at key survey stages and coordinate the feedback and response between the UNICEF and MoH and any other implementing partners; 9. Ensure that all recommendations are standardized by all relevant parties (field teams and field supervisors for Household expert recommendations, data entry teams and supervisors for data processing expert recommendations); 10. Ensure that all survey-related documents and deliverables (questionnaires, manuals, expert reports, final report and datasets) are properly archived throughout the survey process; 11. Participate and/or lead all MIS steering and technical committee meetings; 12. Ensure that lessons learned, problems and good practices are documented throughout the MIS process.

Specific Tasks In consultation and collaboration with the UNICEF, the South Sudan MoH and NBS, the MIS consultant will be responsible for ensuring the following activities:

1. Survey Planning:

 A survey plan/document, survey timetable and budget have been finalized;  The Memorandum of Understanding between UNICEF and the implementing partner has been understood by both parties and signed;  CCM members are invited to participate in key meetings and briefed;  A technical committee has been formed and the relevant technical experts are invited to participate;  Survey supplies have been procured and distributed in time for training and data collection;  MIS questionnaires:  Appropriate UNICEF programme staff, MoH and other key stakeholders are involved in reviewing the customization of relevant sections of the MIS questionnaire;  Questionnaires undergo translation and back translation process;  Questionnaires including an electronic one have been pre-tested and pre-test report produced;  Questionnaires have undergone technical review by the UNICEF and MoH before finalization. Sample design:  Sample design is finalized through consultation with MoH and/or NBS  Sample design has undergone the technical review process by the MIS technical survey committee. Data Entry Templates:  Data entry template is developed and customized  Data entry template has undergone the review process before finalization.  Ensure that constant communication flows between UNICEF and MoH and/or NBS if necessary  Field check tables are regularly run by the technical teams involved, shared with field supervisors and used during field supervision missions to improve the overall quality of the survey. Manuals:  MIS supervisor and interviewer manuals have been customized for the country specific context.  MIS supervisor and interviewer manuals have been extensively used during training  Field forms (Interviewer’s control sheet, Supervisor’s cluster control sheet, GPS forms, etc.) have been adapted to country context, have been used during training and made available to all teams for use during data collection

2. Listing, Training, Field Work, Data Entry:

 Listing is planned and performed according to MIS guidelines;  Training schedules are adequately adapted to meet the county context;  Appropriate resource persons are identified to facilitate training i.e. in the case of use of bio-markers  Contribute to the fieldwork personnel training;  Fieldwork is planned and performed according to MIS guidelines;  Further monitor the fieldwork based on data from field check tables;  Participation from the UNICEF CO staff has been organized to assist in monitoring data collection;  Field Check tables are regularly used for field supervision and shared with the entire technical team  Data entry room and server, hardware, and software are properly arranged and a working data entry and backup system is established;  Monitor data entry and processing.

3. Data Analysis and Report Writing:

 Weights are included in the datasets and datasets are reviewed by UNICEF RO and/or HQ before the final report writing commences;  Final datasets undergo the technical review process  Preliminary tabulations are reviewed by UNICEF and MoH;  Coordinate and participate in the preliminary report writing so that it is written according to MIS standards;  Organize presentation of preliminary findings if and as requested  Coordinate and participate in the report writing so that final report is written according to MIS standards;  Final report undergoes the technical review process by UNICEF, MoH /CCM and/or NBS  Coordinate the production and distribution of the final report;  Coordinate the implementation of the dissemination plan (posters, CDS, leaflets, etc) with CO, RO and HQ  Organize and facilitate presentation of final report through national and regional seminars;  Organize wide dissemination of the final report and main results;

Key Malaria Indicator Survey Deliverables include: 1a. MIS MoU between UNICEF and MoH b. MIS survey plan/protocol 2. Survey questionnaires, manuals and electronic data entry screens 3. Sampling frame, 4. Data Collectors Training report and field data collection report 5. Quality data collected, cleaned and in an electronic database, 6. Final reports including detailed data tables

Work Assignment Overview Tasks/Milestone: Deliverables/Outputs: Timeline Weighted Percentages Developing the MoU, survey protocol in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

1. MIS MoU between UNICEF and MoH b. approved MIS survey plan/protocol 1st March – 19th May (15 Days) 5% Development of household survey (HH) sampling frame with MoH and/or NBS.

2. MIS HH survey Sampling frame 22nd – 26th May 2023 (5 Days) 5% Developing of survey tools, manuals and electronic data entry screens in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

3. Survey questionnaires, manuals and electronic data entry screens 29th May – 27th June 2023 2023 (22 days) 10% Conducting a training of trainers (ToT) for survey enumerators and supervisors including tools pretesting. 4. ToT report and sub-national training reports, including a list of trained enumerators and supervisors 28th June – 14th July 2023 (13 days) 20% Supervising the field work, including data collection, cleaning and quality control.

5.Field work report, including a summary of data collection and quality control activities 6. Quality data collected, cleaned and in an electronic MIS dataset produced 17th July – 18th August 2023 (25 Days) 20% Conducting data analysis, including statistical analysis and interpretation of results.

7.Data analysis report, including statistical tables on all key and sub-level indicators stratified by age, sex, administrative locations and urban/rural 21st August – 13th October 2023 (40 Days) 20% Writing a report on the results of the survey, including recommendations for future malaria control efforts in South Sudan

8.Final statistical report on the results of the MIS, including recommendations for future malaria control efforts in South Sudan (to be peer reviewed & validated) 15th October – 1st December 2023 (35 Days) 20%

Total 155 Days

Minimum Qualifications required: Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• A master's degree or higher in public health, epidemiology, biostatistics or a related field.
• At least 8 years of experience in conducting malaria surveys or related research.
• Strong skills in data analysis, statistical analysis, and report writing.
• Familiarity with malaria control efforts in South Sudan and the region.

A range of specialized skills: • Excellent oral and written communication skills and report writing. • In-depth analytical and problem-solving skills. • Excellent facilitation skills, training skills and ability to organize and implement training. • Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and proven interpersonal skills. • Experience in building successful relationships with government counterparts, UN agencies, CSOs and other relevant stakeholders. • Ability to cope with hardship conditions. • Knowledge of computer management skills including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint software.

Language Requirements: English

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s Core Values of

• Care,
• Respect,
• Integrity,
• Trust,
• Accountability
• Sustainability (CRITAS)

Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

1. Builds and maintains partnerships
2. Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness
3. Drive to achieve results for impact
4. Innovates and embraces change
5. Manages ambiguity and complexity
6. Thinks and acts strategically
7. Works collaboratively with others.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

All applications must be accompanied with detailed technical and financial proposal.