Lead Pediatric Medical Consultant at Palladium International Development Nigeria Limited - 6 Openings

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with corporations, governments, foundations, investors, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Lead Pediatric Medical Consultant

Subject RFP #: TO3 / TO4 / TO5 / 217727 / Consultancy / Fixed Price Contract-2020-0008
Locations: Bauchi, Kebbi and Sokoto
Terms of Reference / Specifications: Provision of Technical Assistance on Management for Severe Cases of Malaria, Pneumonia, and Medically Complicated Acute Malnutrition in Bauchi, Kebbi and Sokoto States (Severe Malaria, Respiratory Illness and Malnutrition in 31 Hospitals across three states: Bauchi (10), Kebbi (10), Sokoto (11))
Project: Integrated Health Program, Bauchi, Kebbi and Sokoto States’ Activities

Purpose

• Nigeria needs reliable referral hospitals at the secondary level to handle complex and severe cases of pneumonia, malaria and malnutrition which cannot be handled at the primary healthcare level. IHP is therefore expanding its scope of high-impact curative child survival interventions that target major causes of child deaths to secondary health facilities to reach one secondary hospital per local government area to address severe pneumonia and malaria and malnutrition.
• This will complement ongoing USAID-funded efforts on preventive measures at the PHCs such as promotion of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices and Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI). The work will also complement and build on any oxygen support therapy equipment and nutrition commodities and clinical trainings offered by UNICEF.

Type of Contract:

• This is a firm fixed price deliverable-based contract. The consultant is expected to satisfactorily accomplish the deliverables before he/she gets paid for that deliverable.
• The IHP Chief of Party reserves the right to confirm if a deliverable is delivered adequately or otherwise. No price change is expected after contract is signed. IHP will not pay for cost of any deliverable that is not complete, of quality or on time.

Anticipated Contract Term:

• The anticipated performance period for the consultancy is May 2021 to September 2021. As a firm fixed price consultancy based on deliverables, Palladium will only pay for deliverables that have met the standards and expectations of the program and which is also delivered within assigned timelines.

Project

• The USAID Integrated Health Program (IHP) is a five-year expanded effort by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with the Government of Nigeria (GON) to identify and provide technical support for rapid scale-up of proven interventions through improvement of service delivery and strengthening of health systems.
• The activity facilitates seven core intervention areas: health system strengthening (HSS), reproductive health/family planning, maternal, newborn, adolescent, and child health, and nutrition (RMNCAH +N). IHP supports the rapid scale-up of proven high impact interventions appropriate to each stage of life through improvements in the delivery of quality primary health care services, the strengthening of health systems, the reduction in supply side barriers to service access and optimizing each contact with a client. IHP works closely with state and local government in Bauchi, Kebbi, Sokoto, Ebonyi states and the FCT to support established health and development plans, build capacity and ensure ownership of interventions, systems, and results.
• The project promotes integrated packages of services in the seven core intervention areas of HSS and RMNCH+NM, ensuring that priority is given to mainstream gender and social inclusion and foster sustainability and country ownership. Over the years, USAID has supported the Government of Nigeria to strengthen reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services through a range of projects in the country and using a variety of capacity building methodologies.
• These projects contributed immensely to improving access to quality services through capacity building of various cadre of health workers at all levels to provide evidence based RMNCAH care. USAID projects in Nigeria have equally supported the development, review, and implementation of a range of national training guidelines and materials to strengthen health worker’s skills on RMNCH+NM.

Timeline

• Applications are expected to be submitted on or before the due date as shown on the front page of this RFP.
• Palladium will set up an evaluation committee who will meet to review all applications received within two weeks after the application period has closed. Top candidates may further be invited for an interview by the evaluation committee which will be conducted a week after the first evaluation. Depending on availability of the members of the evaluation committee and the exigences of the program, evaluation may be conducted at times which may be shorter or longer than stated here.
• Palladium will most likely issue the contract to the successful contractor from this process within 30 to 60 days after submission but reserves the right to adjust the timelines to suit program implementation plan. Palladium’s ability to issue such contracts may be contingent upon USAID approval and when donor approval is required, timelines for contract award may be longer than stated. Palladium hopes that the services to be rendered on this consultancy will commence in May 2021.

Clients:

• State Ministries of Health (SMOH), State Malaria Elimination Program (SMEP), Hospital Management Board (HMB), National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) and Integrated Health Program (IHP).

Rationale:

• Children in Nigeria continue to face steep odds of survival. It is estimated that one in every eight children under the age of five in Nigeria dies before his/her fifth birthday (NDHS 2018). Amongst the leading killers of children are pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhea. Severe acute malnutrition is also an important underlying contributor to many other child deaths and exacerbates morbidity and mortality from pneumonia, diarrhea, and measles.

Background

• The USAID Integrated Health Program (IHP) is a five-year expanded effort by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with the Government of Nigeria (GON) to identify and provide technical support for rapid scale-up of proven interventions through improvement of service delivery and strengthening of health systems. The activity facilitates seven core intervention areas: health system strengthening (HSS), reproductive health/family planning, maternal, newborn, adolescent, and child health, and nutrition (RMNCAH +N). I
• HP supports the rapid scale-up of proven high impact interventions appropriate to each stage of life through improvements in the delivery of quality primary health care services, the strengthening of health systems, the reduction in supply side barriers to service access and optimizing each contact with a client.
• IHP works closely with state and local government in Bauchi, Kebbi, Sokoto, Ebonyi states and the FCT to support established health and development plans, build capacity and ensure ownership of interventions, systems, and results. The project promotes integrated packages of services in the seven core intervention areas of HSS and RMNCH+NM, ensuring that priority is given to mainstream gender and social inclusion and foster sustainability and country ownership. Over the years, USAID has supported the Government of Nigeria to strengthen reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services through a range of projects in the country and using a variety of capacity building methodologies.
• These projects contributed immensely to improving access to quality services through capacity building of various cadre of health workers at all levels to provide evidence based RMNCAH care. USAID projects in Nigeria have equally supported the development, review, and implementation of a range of national training guidelines and materials to strengthen health worker’s skills on RMNCH+NM.

Roles and Responsibilities
In collaboration and consultation with IHP’s State Offices and targeted state governments, the Consultants will undertake the following activities:

Objective:

• IHP seeks six pediatric medical consultants / advanced pediatric clinical training consultants to support the State Ministry of Health (SMOH) and agencies to strengthen management for severe cases of pneumonia, malaria, and severe acute malnutrition (with medical complications) in secondary hospitals of Bauchi, Kebbi and Sokoto states.
• IHP seeks a Lead Pediatric Medical Consultant to adapt training protocols and lead a team of 6 pediatric medical consultants across three states. The lead medical consultant will support the State Hospital Management Board, Ministry of Health (SMOH) and agencies to strengthen management for severe cases of pneumonia, malaria, and severe acute malnutrition (with medical complications) in secondary hospitals of Bauchi, Kebbi and Sokoto states.

Rapid needs assessment, curriculum design, preparation for the Training of Trainer (ToT) and training readiness - May and June 2021:

• The Lead Pediatric Medical consultant will be responsible for leading the overall curriculum design effort in conjunction with the SMOH, the Hospital Management Board and IHP. This will include: a) curriculum review and adaptation of a training manual and job aides using existing (FMOH, WHO, UNICEF) resources; b) development of a remote/phone-based needs assessment among secondary facilities to identify training needs according to staff capacities, and available equipment/commodities in each facility; c) identification and organization of competency-based training exercises, pre/post-tests, mentoring checklists, organization of training schedules, and training of trainer workshop.
• All training materials and needs assessments must be reviewed and endorsed by the State Ministry of Health, the Hospital Management Board and IHP.

Mentor, Monitor and lead coordination of 6 pediatric medical consultant trainers across three states - July through September 2021:

• The lead pediatric medical consultant will also be responsible for providing quality oversight and coordinating all consultants named in this scope. This will be done in collaboration with IHP staff in the Abuja and the Headquarters office in Washington DC. The lead consultant will liaise with the Hospital Management Board and IHP in advance of the trainings to ensure the facilities are prepared to receive the training. The lead consultant will also provide follow-up mentoring and supervision of the secondary care in collaboration with the Hospital Management Board and staff.

Monitor a team of six consultants to carry out the following training requirements:

• When equipment and supplies are available, trainers will provide training in using oxygen equipment and nutrition commodities. When these supplies/equipment are not available, simplified training must be provided to refresh healthcare workers to provide optimal care using available equipment (or prompt referral to tertiary care if needed/appropriate).

Estimated length of trainings at each general hospital:

• Severe malnutrition (~ 6 days),
• Severe Respiratory illness (with oxygen therapy support) (~3 days)
• Severe malaria (~ 2 days)
• ARBP PC01 GL01 TL02 Request for Proposal 7 / 12

Needs Assessment/Criteria for Hospital Inclusion:

• Hospitals with the largest volume of cases and staff will be prioritized, along with hospitals that have oxygen equipment and nutrition commodities to treat severe malnutrition. In the event that another implementer has given similar trainings in a facility, another general hospital will be prioritized for refresher training.

Deliverables, Approximate Timeframe

• Phase I: Clinical Material Design
• Phase 2: Monitor, mentor and coordinate the work of 6 pediatric medical trainers

Eligibility Requirements / Required Technical Competencies
Qualifications and required experiences:

• MBBS, MD or a similar degree. A post graduate medical degree in relevant area such as Pediatrics (preferred) or Internal Medicine will be an added advantage.
• The candidate must possess at least 10-15 years professional experience in clinical practice/training and/or programs related to diagnosis and case management of medically complicated severe acute malnutrition, severe pneumonia, and severe malaria.
• Must be registered with relevant bodies such as the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and possess a valid practicing license.
• Have experience working with Ministry of Health (at federal and state levels) and implementing partners.
• Excellent knowledge of the Nigerian health facilities at the secondary level.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering capacity building workshops particularly competency-based, medical training.
• Experience carrying out similar assignments in Nigeria particularly at the sub-national levels.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office packages.
• The lead pediatric consultant shall have demonstrated expertise designing/adapting training curriculum, needs assessments, and clinical/mentoring checklists.
• Preferred: Trainers with certifications in oxygen therapy, severe pneumonia and respiratory illness, severe malnutrition are preferred.

Required personal competences:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Leadership, team building, coaching and mentoring capability
• Ability to engage and manage strategic stakeholders including government, implementing partners, academia and private sector
• Good communication skills (training, negotiation, moderation, representation, presentation and writing/documentation).

Due Diligence Requirements:

• Palladium conducts a due diligence search as part of our partner vetting and selection process. Please see Attachment A for a sample of the due diligence form.
• Any individual or Company must complete Due Diligence Questionnaire if selected for Award within 5 days (See Attachment A for the Due Diligence Questionnaire).

Restrictions for debarred or otherwise prohibited companies:

• As a USAID funded project, IHP does not partner with any debarred individuals or companies. Therefore, candidates and companies will be subjected to the approved systems of search which Palladium uses for vetting and certifying that potential contractors are not debarred.

Availability of Specific Registrations or Licenses to perform the Service:

• For Companies Application, contractors are required to submit their certificates of incorporation and any other industry certificates which enables them to operate in Nigeria and in the industry of this SOW.
• The Company must have a DUNS number or obtain one within 5 days of being notified of selection (see Attachment C for instructions for obtaining DUNS number).

Evaluation and Award Process
This is a Best Value Procurement. Palladium uses “Best value" to select the most advantageous offer by evaluating and comparing factors in addition to cost or price. Decision is taken by the evaluation team by considering the cost and non-cost evaluation factors with the intent of awarding to the contractor that will give Palladium the greatest or best value for its money. The evaluation committee shall review the proposal received using the following weights:

Technical and Management Approach - 20:

• Quality and benefits of the solution.
• Quality of the performance metrics and measurement approach.
• ARBP PC01 GL01 TL02 Request for Proposal 11 / 12
• Risks associated with the solution.
• Management approach and controls.
• Demonstrates strong understanding of the work required
• Demonstrates expertise in designing/adapting training curriculum, needs assessments, and clinical/mentoring checklists.
• Proposed activities are responsive to the RFP and are well thought out, organized and feasible.
• List of deliverables with due dates/timelines

Qualifications - 20:

• Educational background with evidence of degrees
• Professional qualifications (relevant to the consultancy) with certificates, licenses and other documentation
• Technical competencies relevant to this consultancy

Past Performance - 10:

• Evidence of quality of past work (letters of reference/recommendations, performance reviews)
• Samples of work done (reports, publications)
• Other evidence of quality of work and timeliness of work

Past Experience - 20:

• Key relevant achievements and capabilities
• Previous work experience (long and short term) relevant to this assignment
• Number of years of demonstrated practical and progressive experience

Price - 30:

• Financial proposal that includes cost per deliverable with total cost per deliverable broken down by: daily rate, travel, accommodation, per diem, material, communication (adherence to USAID cost principles – allowable, allocable and reasonable)

Total Possible - 100 Points:

• Palladium reserves the right to award under this solicitation without further negotiations. The offerors are encouraged to offer their best terms and prices with the original submission.

Procurement Integrity and Ethics:

• It is Palladium’s Policy that no gifts of any kind and of any value be exchanged between vendors/contractors and Palladium personnel. Discovery of the same will be grounds for disqualification of the vendor/contractor from participation in any Palladium’s procurements and may result in disciplinary actions against Palladium personnel involved in such discovered transactions.

Application Closing Date
11.59pm (WAT); 8th April, 2021.