Consultant at Plan International

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian non-profit organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood, and enable children to prepare for - and respond to - crises and adversity. We believe in the power and potential of every child, but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant

Location: Nigeria

Project Overview

• ASPIRE project in Nigeria is a five-year (2021-2026) initiative supported by Global Affairs Canada that aims to improve the realization of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for adolescent girls and women, including vulnerable populations, in Bauchi and Sokoto states.
• Aligned with Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) and Plan International’s Global Policy: Gender Equality and Inclusion (GE&I), ASPIRE is guided by a feminist, multi-sectoral approach to improving women’s and girls’ agency and leadership, informing and empowering adolescents and young people with the right information and economic leverage to demand adequate SRHR information and services and advocate for government duty bearers to establish strong policies and programs that respond to their demands.
• ASPIRE will pursue partnerships that bring together government, civil society, coalitions, networks, national partners and associations to promote an integrated approach to SRHR, especially for adolescents.
• One of ASPIRE’s goals is to Strengthen health systems to provide gender and adolescent-responsive, inclusive, integrated and innovative SRHR, Mental Health and protection services for women and adolescent girls.
• To this end, Plan International Nigeria seeks an experienced consultant to conduct a Health facility assessment to help ASPIRE project prepare detailed the nature and extent of technical, equipment and supplies that will support the delivery of quality gender and adolescent-responsive and inclusive sexual and reproductive health services in assisted health facilities

Assignment Objective

• In Consultation with the Ministry of Health and State Primary healthcare development Agencies and Supported by Technical leads (M&E, Health, SRHR, Gender Inclusion), 60 health facilities will be assessed for indicators of gender and adolescent responsive and inclusive SRH services and Mental Health and protection services.
• The project plans to support the government to strengthen the health system to provide Gender and Adolescent responsive and inclusive (GAR&I) services i.e. ensure the selected HFs, are sensitive and responsive to their particular needs of Adolescents, women and youth, non-judgemental, gender-sensitive and ensures confidentiality and privacy. Specific attention should be paid to the Availability,
• Accessibility, Acceptability and Quality of SRH services. In addition, services should be scientifically and medically appropriate with personnel trained to care for children, adolescents and youth as well as adequate facilities and scientifically accepted methods including supportive supervision support (Plan International).
• The result of this assessment will be used alongside other assessments like construction assessment to develop the project approach to implementation including its SRH, mental health, protection, and Infection Prevention and Control measures at the facility level. Additionally, the HFA will also allow to collect data and provide a baseline value for one of the ASPIRE project contractual indicator.
• The staff of Plan International Nigeria and Plan International Canada will be the main users of the results of the Assessment. In addition, key stakeholders in the project, such as government ministries / executing agencies, partner NGOs, local authorities and communities are the parties interested in the results.

The 60 facilities are located in the following LGAs:

• Sokoto:Binji, Bodinga, Dange-shuni, Gada, Goronyo, Gudu, Gwadabawa, Lllela, Isa, Kware, Kebbe, Rabah, Sabon birni, Shagari, Silame, Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Tambuwal, Tangaza, Tureta, Wamako, Wurno, Yabo.
• Bauchi: Ninggi, Darazo, Misau, Bauchi, Kirfi, Das, Toro, Gamawa, Katagu, Jama’are

Specific Objectives

• To ascertain the adequacy/appropriateness of the package of services at health facilities in providing gender and adolescent responsive and inclusive SRH services including Mental health and protection.
• To understand providers’ technical competencies needs in provision of SRH and mental health care services to adolescents;
• To complement and support government/health systems development plans on gaps and challenges identified in providing GAR&I services that include basic characteristics of the health facilities, including adequacy of selected inputs (staffing, drugs and equipment) that are essential in providing effective SRH services to adolescents;
• Explore confidential and effective mechanism for adolescents and youth feedbacks about SRH services within the health facilities services including FP and maternal health services such as an exit interview form etc.
• Understand the current state of knowledge regarding provider bias
• Capture general attitudes of services providers’ (consultation behaviours and preferences) around adolescents’ use of SRH services (including FP), using human centred approach.
• To inform and set a benchmark for the ASPIRE project baseline contractual indicator.

Expected Deliverables

• Inception report
• Adapted Data collection tools
• Enumerator/supervisor training plan and report
• Pilot testing of tools before commencement of the assessments
• All raw data collected throughout the assessment
• Health Facility assessment report

Qualifications of Consultant(s)

• An understanding of SRHR-related issues in the context of Northern Nigeria. An advanced degree will be an added advantage.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in coordinating, administering and leading Health Facility Assessments or baseline/mid-term/end-line studies, including gender-sensitive data collection and entry or similar Assessments.
• Data management and storage, preferably for international non-profit organizations or multilateral/ bilateral agencies and multi-country studies;
• Demonstrated experience in facilitation and supervising data collectors/enumerators and data entry clerks to collect and enter data as per high-quality standards;
• Demonstrated experience in quantitative and qualitative data analysis;
• Knowledge and experience with SRH/FP/MNCH issues, MHPSS, Child protection GBV
• Knowledge of and experience in gender issues are highly preferred;
• Fluency in English and Hausa (spoken and written);
• Ability to produce high-quality work under tight timeframes;
• Ability to work jointly with Plan International Nigeria and Plan International Canada staff to integrate feedback as required.

Application Closing Date
31st January, 2023.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their Application Package (as stated in the TOR) to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the email.

Click here to download the full Terms of Reference (ToR)

Application Package and Procedures
Applications for the consultancy must include the following components. Detailed technical proposal demonstrating a thorough understanding of this ToR and including the following:

• Demonstrated previous experience in coordinating and administering studies of a similar nature
• Proposed plan for sources of secondary data with adequate consideration for coverage, relevance and quality of data; and travel cost per team of enumerators, supervision of enumeration teams, and quality control;
• Description of the proposed approach for addressing gender equality, adolescent friendliness and child protection considerations in methodology;
• Proposed steps to be taken for enumerator training, piloting/translation of tools, data collection, spot checking, data entry and management if needed;
• A proposed timeframe detailing activity and a schedule/work plan (including a Gantt chart) with the proposed number and cadre of team members (e.g. enumerators, size of enumerator teams and the total number of days in the field)
• Team composition (including sex disaggregation) and level of effort of each proposed team member, if applicable;
• A financial proposal with a detailed breakdown of costs for the study
• Itemized consultancy fees/costs
• Itemized field data collection expenses
• Itemized administrative expenses
• The validity period of quotations
• Curriculum Vitae(s) of all proposed staff outlining relevant experience.
• Names and contact information of three references who can be contacted regarding relevant experience.
• A copy of a previous report of a similar nature undertaken on: a) baseline or b) mid-term study or c) end-line study.
• A Consulting Firm profile (if applicable).

Important Information and Notice

• In-country transportation to be organized and budgeted by the consultant; 2) Enumerator training (including venue, materials, and refreshments) to be organized (with Plan International Nigeria`s guidance) and budgeted by the consultant.
• The proposal will be scored on both technical (methodology) and financial (budget) aspects weighted at 70% and 30% respectively.
• The firm selected as the preferred bidder may be subject to a capacity assessment as part of the due diligence/negotiation period.
• Plan International operates equal opportunities and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all areas of the international community. Women are encouraged to apply.
• It is understood and agreed that the Consultant shall, during and after the effective period of the contract, treat as confidential and not divulge unless authorized in writing by Plan International Nigeria, any information obtained during the performance of the Contract.
• Information will be made available for the consultants on a need-to-know basis. All required field visits will be facilitated by Plan International Nigeria staff.
• All ownership and copyright for final data collection and report produced during the Health Facility Assessment is held by Plan International. The Consultant shall treat as confidential and not divulge unless authorized in writing by Plan International Nigeria, any information obtained during the performance and after the effective period of the contract.
• Obligations regarding the non-disclosure of information and intellectual property rights will be specified in the contract for this consulting mandate.