National Individual Contractor-Technical Assistance for the Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) surveys, Freetown, Sierra Leone, 6 months (Office-based)

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, hero!

How can you make a difference?

Please access UNICEF Sierra Leone information here and here

Purpose and objectives:

The overall purpose of the assignment is to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to use the LQAS method to complete baseline surveys for the SWBO Campaign in the Moyamba District and the PHC interventions in the Bonthe and Karene districts, and midline and end line surveys for the ICSD project in the Moyamba district. The findings of the LQAS surveys will inform decision making for ongoing programme implementation as well as performance evaluation of the projects and programmes.

Specific objectives

• Baseline Rapid Health survey of i. mothers of infants 0-5 months and pregnant women, including adolescents to examine the uptake of exclusive breastfeeding (using LQAS methodology); and ii. health care workers (health workers in Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) hospitals and Periphery Health Units (PHUs)) and community health workforce (Community Health Workers (CHW)-Peer Supervisors (PS) and Mother Support Group (MSG) lead mothers) to assess knowledge to engage with pregnant women, mothers, parents and caregivers to facilitate uptake of exclusive breastfeeding in the Moyamba district
• Midline and Endline household surveys of i. mothers of children 0 to 23 months of age to examine knowledge and practices of health and nutrition, with a focus on early childhood development; and ii. mothers of children 24 to 59 months of age to examine knowledge and practices related to child health, nutrition and WASH
• Baseline household survey of target groups of the PHC interventions to examine families’ knowledge, attitudes and practices related to health and nutrition care
• Of the above household surveys, identify survey Supervision Areas (SAs) with “inadequate” performance and SAs with “adequate” performance to support ongoing programme decision making, adjustments and future programming.
• Complete the above through the MoHS and District Health Management Teams (DHMTs), building their capacities and leaving in place mechanisms for similar and ongoing periodic assessments.

Methodology and Technical Approach

The consultant will be based in Freetown and will be embedded with the MoHS Directorate of Planning, Policy and Information (DPPI). The Consultant will provide technical guidance and coaching to DPPI officials tasked with leading the surveys. S/he will be required to be present in Moyamba, Bonthe and Karene districts for key survey activities including training of enumerators, field data collection, and feedback on survey findings.

Specific Tasks of the Consultant

The consultant will work under the overall guidance of Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist of the MoHS DPPI. S/He will work very closely with the DPPI Data Manager, who will be the Survey Coordinator. The UNICEF Health Specialist (Systems Strengthening) will provide supervisory oversight of the consultant. The consultant will perform the following tasks:

• Review, contextualize and finalise survey methodology
• Review and finalize survey data collection tools
• Coordinate the development and configuration of electronic data collection app. in tablets
• Supervise training of survey enumerators on using LQAS method in surveys
• Supervise field data collection and institute and manage a system for daily cleaning of data uploaded during field data collection
• Supervise comprehensive review and cleaning of data immediately after data collection
• Supervise DPPI, Directorate of Food and Nutrition (DFN), Directorate of Primary Health Care (DPHC), Directorate of Reproductive and Child Health (DRCH), Moyamba, Bonthe and Karene DHMTs and Enumerators in analysis of collected data
• Write comprehensive survey reports
• Supervise feedback meetings and community accountability sessions
• Present survey findings to DPPI, DFN, DPHC, DRCH, Moyamba, Bonthe and Karene DHMTs and UNICEF and make further recommendations on institutionalizing the use of the LQAS method in MoHS and district programme implementation.

Please see the full ToR attached ToR National Consultant _ LQAS Survey _ SWBO Integrated CS PHC _ advertised.pdf

Management, Organization and Timeframe

The position will be managed and supervised by the UNICEF Health Specialist (HSS) and DPPI Senior M&E Specialist. The consultant will provide weekly updates on the activities implemented and deliverables achieved. The fees of the consultant will be processed by UNICEF with submission of his/her monthly progress report along with deliverables certified by the supervisors.

The duration of the consultancy is 160 working days.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

An advanced university degree is required in Public Health, Social Science, Demography, Computer sciences, Geographic Information Systems, Statistics, Epidemiology, Health Education, or a relevant field.

Experience

• A minimum of five years of professional work experience
• Post graduate Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Health, Community Development Studies, Social Sciences or related field
• Propose approach and methodology in responding to the objective of the assignment
• Possess inter-disciplinary knowledge in relevant experience in conducting baseline assessments, project/programme monitoring and evaluation, program management and reporting, supportive supervision, mentoring and coaching.
• Excellent report writing skills – demonstrated by the submission of three sample reports
• Excellent analytical and communication skills
• Demonstrated understanding of the Sierra Leone Health System
• Reference information of at least two similar assignments executed in the last three years

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. 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.

Remarks:

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/.Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.