Overview
Sightsavers works across thousands of communities in 13 states in Nigeria, directly and indirectly through partners, providing services targeted at eliminating avoidable blindness and other debilitating diseases through its eye health and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) programmes. A fundamental strategy employed in its NTD programme is the preventive chemotherapy for control and elimination of five NTDs viz Lymphatic Filariasis; Onchocerciasis; Schistosomiasis; Soil Transmitted Helminths and Trachoma. This is achieved through effective Mass Drug Administration (MDA) to populations at risk of infection in communities for Oncho/LF treatment and schools for Schistosomiasis on an annual basis.
MDA delivery is considered effective when it meets specified geographical and therapeutic coverages as defined by WHO making monitoring of coverages an important aspect of the MDA process to determine programme performance. Monitoring of coverage relies on routinely reported data which are aggregated from the records of community drug distributors (CDDs).
Sightsavers currently implements MDAs for the 5 PCT NTDs in more than 200 LGAs across 13 states in Nigeria and as part of determining performance of the MDAs, it will implement coverage evaluation surveys in some of these LGAs following drug distribution to validate reported coverages.
Sightsavers Nigeria is therefore desirous to pre-qualify eligible and experienced consultants (firms/individuals) to provide consultancy services for its coverage evaluation survey as will be required from time to time.
Locations
Sightsavers will be implementing up to 12 CES in about two – four LGAS across Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Kogi, Kebbi, Niger, Sokoto, Taraba and Yobe States before the end of 2023. The duration of the exercise will vary according by state but will be for a minimum of 6 days per state.
Roles and responsibilities
- Support the development/modification of existing data collection tools to be fit for purpose.
- Ensure appropriate sampling methodology is applied.
- Lead the training of the field data collectors and closely monitor them during field data collection to ensure adherence to the agreed protocol and methodology.
- Coordinate field data exercise and ensure data collectors work within the stipulated time frame and all data collected using the mobile application.
- Assure data quality through supervision of teams and review of database.
- Submit draft report no later than two weeks after the field exercise to Sightsavers using an agreed reporting template.
- Present findings to key internal and external stakeholders.
Role of Sightsavers
- Refine and approve the final set of questions in consultation with the consultant.
- Orientate the consultant on Sightsavers’ processes and guidelines.
- Agree with the consultant the methodology and tools to be used for the exercise.
- Identify and convene enumerators for the exercise including training arrangements.
- Coordinate and consolidate feedback from relevant staff on the draft report.
- Sign off the final report.
This is a highly varied and involved consultancy opportunity and this is not an exhaustive list of duties or required professional skills. Please see the Terms of Reference for full details.
Consultant’s Profile
- Previous work experience in successfully implementing similar assignments in Nigeria.
- Knowledge of NTDs
- Qualification/experience in Public Health, Social Sciences, Epidemiology, other relevant fields
- Demonstrated ability to ensure data quality management.
- Demonstrated ability to use preferred statistical packages.
- Research ethics certification
- Must have prior experience of leading population-based surveys (ideally compact segment sampling)
- Facilitation skills
- Experience in electronic data capture
- Report writing skills.
- Ability to build strong working relationships.
- Tact and persuasive ability
Next Steps
To apply for this exciting opportunity, please submit your/your teams CVs, and complete our Expression of Interest (EOI) form during the application process. And submit any examples of previous similar work.
Candidates are welcomed to demonstrate their ability to match the person specification by expanding on how their experience, training and/or qualifications might have provided them with the knowledge or skills required for the role. Successful candidates will be appointed on merit.
We anticipate that interviews will take place during the week commencing 25 September and the evaluation process will include an oral interview.
Closing date: 17 September 2023
As a global equal opportunities employer, Sightsavers is committed to embracing diversity throughout our workforce by creating an inclusive environment that reflects the many cultures and locations where we work. Our workforce will be truly representative of all sections of society and we will actively promote the inclusion of individuals with a disability. Sightsavers is a Disability Confident Leader and qualified people with a disability are particularly encouraged to apply.
Sightsavers is an employer that does not tolerate any form of harassment and has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All potential candidates will be subjected to rigorous background checks and controls.