Consultant, Mapping of Catchment Settlements in Zero Dose LGAs at John Snow Incorporated (JSI)

John Snow, Incorporated (JSI) - We are public health care and health systems consultants and researchers driven by a passion to improve health services and health outcomes for all.

Applications are invited for:

Title: Terms of Reference for the Mapping of Catchment Settlements in Zero Dose LGAs of Jigawa State

Location: Jigawa

Background

• John Snow Incorporated (JSI) is a US based not for profit organization that supports Nigeria to strengthen health systems. MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity (MRITE) is a subsidiary of the John Snow Incorporated. MRITE project is part of a suite of innovative awards funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to holistically improve family planning and maternal and child health in partner countries around the world. The project applies best practices and explores innovations to increase equitable immunization coverage in USAID-supported countries around the world. MRITE has improved immunization coverage across various states in the country including Lagos.
• Six Local Government Area (LGA) in Jigawa state are identified as Zero Dose. These LGAs are known to have unvaccinated children. Access to routine immunization services is crucial for safeguarding the health of children and preventing the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases. To ensure that children can easily access vaccination services, it is imperative to assess the proximity of these facilities to caregiver settlements.
• This assignment aims to ensure that all children/caregivers within these LGAs have convenient access to immunization services within a 2-kilometer radius of their settlements.

Goal

• The overall project goal is to increase immunization coverage within the LGAs by ensuring all children/caregivers have access to routine immunization services within 2 km of their settlements served by the Health facilities.
• Findings from the assessment will inform strategies/interventions to improve immunization uptake especially related to access.

Objectives
Two Consultants (Geo-spatial Expert and an Epidemiologists) will be engaged, and will be responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring strategies to ensure that children can access routine immunization services within a 2-kilometer radius of their settlements. The specific objectives include:

• Identify and map all settlements based on their populations within the six LGAs.
• Identify and map existing health facilities that offer immunization services within the LGAs.
• Assess the accessibility of facilities providing immunization service to settlements with a focus on ensuring all caregivers/children are within a 2-kilometer radius of a facility.
• Estimate the total population of each settlements
• Collaborating with stakeholders to develop strategies to enhance access to immunization services in settlements with limited proximity to healthcare facilities.

Scope of Work
Data collection:

• Collect data on settlements, including their locations, populations and geographic coordinates
• Gather data on existing immunization facilities to include location of Primary Heath facilities, services offered and catchment populations.

Mapping:

• Develop detailed maps that visually represent immunization facilities and their location in settlements
• Utilize quantum geographic information systems (QGIS) software for accurate mapping of facilities and settlements

Assessment of proximity:

• Calculate the distances between each settlement and the closest immunization facility using GIS tools
• Identify health facilities that are not within the 2-kilometer radius and require targeted strategies/interventions to increase access to immunization services

Recommend Improvement Strategies:

• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders including state officials, community heads and partner organizations/NGOs to develop strategies aimed at improving access to immunization services for children in areas with limited proximity to healthcare facilities.
• Develop a monitoring, evaluation and learning plan for teams that will implement planned strategies to assess effectiveness

Reporting:

• Analyze findings from assessment and develop insightful presentations in powerpoint
• Prepare a comprehensive report summarizing findings with maps and proximity assessment
• Make recommendations for further actions and improvements in access to immunization services

Methodology
The Consultants should adopt the following methodology:

• Appropriate engagement with state and LGA team
• Utilize GIS software for data collection, mapping, and distance calculations
• Collaborate with and update state officials, community heads and partners
• Ensure data accuracy and precision throughout the project

Deliverables
The following deliverables are expected from the Consultants:

• A comprehensive report on the assessment of proximity of facilities to settlements including maps and distance calculations.
• Insightful power point presentations of findings from assessment and analysis.
• Recommended improvement interventions for immunization uptake

Expected Duration of Assignment:

• The assignment is expected to be completed within fifteen (30) working days for the 2 consultants

Supervision:

• The technical officer shall report to a MRITE state team leads in Jigawa State for guidance and project oversight.
• All reports shall be submitted to the supervisor at the agreed timeline.

Qualification / Experience

• Required:  First Degree in geography, GIS, Public Health, Statistics
• Desirable: Masters/ Advanced Certification in QGIS, public health, statistics
• Work experience: Minimum of 5 years’ experience working on the field especially on health facility assessment and strengthening health systems
• Proficiency in GIS software for mapping and spatial analysis
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with fluency in written and spoken English
• Must possess strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and thought leadership abilities 
• Advanced proficiency with Ms. Office suite 
• Must be able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment

Submission of Proposals:

• Interested candidates should submit their proposals, including a detailed workplan and budget to the technical manager.

Application Closing Date
14th October, 2023.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their proposals, including a detailed workplan and budget to the technical manager via: [email protected] with "Mapping of Catchment Settlements in Zero Dose LGAs" as the subject of the email.

Note: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.