National Consultants, (NLIMS) at the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) - 2 Openings

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) (formerly National Action Committee on AIDS) was established in February 2000 to coordinate the various activities of HIV/AIDS in the country.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: National Consultant, National Laboratory Information Management Systems (NLIMS)

Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Slots: 2 Openings
Employment Type: Contract
Duration:15 days

Background

• The National Medical Laboratory Services Policy (2021-2025) made a provision for the development of a National Laboratory information Management System. It states that; “there shall be improved data collection and laboratory information management system to facilitate good surveillance practices and timely response to epidemics and notifiable diseases. Similarly, it enjoined the government at all levels and relevant stakeholders to “establish a robust electronic Laboratory Information Management System that is linked to all the tiers of the laboratory.”
• There is currently no National LIMS that collect laboratory data from all disease programmes. To address this situation, two consultants were engaged by the Federal Ministry of Health during the RSSH I in (add year) with the support from Global fund through Management Systems for Health to support the development of the National Laboratory Information Management Systems (NLIMS).
• A national paper-based tool which can be converted to electronic tool have been developed for collecting and reporting laboratory data across program areas. This was developed through a robust collaborative process with inputs from country laboratory systems experts. FMOH (MLSD), NCDC, CHAI, FHI, CDC, NMEP, NTBLCP, NASCP, NLTWG and other key stakeholders. Consultants also led the development of Indicators to be tracked nationally. Data flow chart (from the facility to the National HMIS database), an SOP to guide the use of the paper and electronic tools as well as a system to ensure the quality of the data (paper based and electronic data) was also developed. It is expected that the tools developed will be piloted in 12 states after which evaluation will be done to finalize the National LIMS which will then be followed by scale-up in more facilities.
• The use of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is sub-optimal as most laboratory data collection and reporting tools are still paper-based. Each disease program has different LIMS, and data is not uniformly shared at the national level. Some laboratories, including stand-alone, have software that is not linked to HMIS.
• There are major gaps in laboratory service delivery data availability and quality in Nigeria. The use of multiple reporting tools (paper-based) for the same disease program by different health facilities based on supporting implementing partners and the existence of parallel laboratory information systems for data collection/reporting across different disease program results in considerable potential for duplication, overlap, and confusion. There is, therefore, the need for a harmonized approach to laboratory data collection and reporting from the health facility level that will be linked to the national DHIS-2 platform.

Specific Objectives

• To conduct review/assessment of the draft N-LIS tools (paper-based)
• To develop protocol for pilot testing of N-LIS paper-based tools
• To lead the pilot testing of the draft N-LIS tools (paper-based) in 12 states
• To finalize the draft N-LIS paper-based tools using findings from the pilot testing
• To assess available disease programs e-LIS and provide recommendation for establishment of integrated national e-LIS

Scope of Work
The scope of work and expected outputs/deliverables will be the following:

• Collect, review and analyze all the necessary documents to fully substantiate all stages of development of the National Laboratory Information System
• Collect, review and analyze all the necessary documents to fully understand the administrative framework for Laboratory Information Management Systems in Nigeria.
• Collect, review and analyze the international and national level approach for Laboratory Information Management System.
• Carry out stakeholder analysis to bring out the roles and responsibilities of key players and institutions that play a vital role in Laboratory Information System Management.
• Assessment, documentation and analysis of current LIMS tool
• Based on the processes mentioned above and in consultation with the Project Team, prepare a protocol for the pilot assessment of N-LIS draft tools.
• Based on the processes mentioned above and in consultation with the Project Team, prepare a comprehensive pilot assessment checklist and SOP for N-LIS
• Draft specific, detailed and practical steps for training and pilot testing paper-based tool in selected facilities (three facilities per 12 states for paper-based pilot
• Facilitate two working group consultations (organized by FMOH (MLSD)) and present the draft N-LIS pilot assessment results and revised N-LIS paper-based tool to the key stakeholders including NLTWG.
• Produce a well-written and detailed data analysis and report of the pilot testing of draft N-LIS tools.
• Produce a well-written and comprehensive report highlighting:
  • Current responses by key stakeholders in Laboratory Information Management System use in various facilities in the country.
  • Recommendations to strengthen linkages between organizations involved in the Laboratory Information Management System.
  • Resource Directory of all the relevant Government Departments / Ministries / NGOs with focal points.
• A detailed presentation to be made by the consultant after the completion of the assessment tool on the salient features of the tool at a NLTWG meeting organized by FMOH (MLSD) and NACA.

Duration of Consultancy:

• The duration of the consultancy is Fifteen (15) days (10 days for actual work and 5 days for facilitating training)

Number of Consultants Required

2 Persons:

• Note: each consultant should only propose to provide services in 6 states

Qualification / Experience

• A post-graduate or equivalent qualification / Degree in Medical Laboratory Science, Health Information Management, Laboratory Information Management System, Public Health, Health Programs Monitoring and Evaluation, Laboratory System Strengthening, Bioinformatics or any other relevant discipline.
• At least 5-7 years of prior work experience in dealing with health or specifically laboratory monitoring and evaluation interventions especially in the regional and international context.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in undertaking research especially in the area of Laboratory Information System.
• Demonstrated experiences and skills in facilitating stakeholder/working group consultations.
• Familiarity with Nigeria Lab Information System and NLIS including facility flow
• Relevant regional and international experience will be an added advantage.
• The project seeks to identify experts that fulfill the above criteria and have demonstrated ability of involving key stakeholders (Ministries, Departments, Agencies, civil society etc.) to provide relevant expertise and bring a wider perspective in developing the assessment tool.

Collection of Requests for Proposal (RFP) Document

• The Request for Proposal (RFP) can be downloaded from this link; https://www.naca.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2021.11-RFP-LIMS-Consulatnts.pdf

Application Closing Date
Monday, 16th December, 2021 (12 noon).