Lead Consultant (Qualitative) at Malaria Consortium

Malaria Consortium, established in 2003, is one of the world’s leading non-profit organizations specializing in the comprehensive prevention, control and treatment of malaria and other communicable diseases, among vulnerable and under privileged populations. We increasingly find our work on malaria to be effectively integrateable with other similar public health interventions for greater impact and therefore expanded our remit to include child health and neglected tropical disease interventions, and we are further piloting integration with vitamin A supplementation (VAS) intervention. We work in Africa and Asia with communities, governments, academic institutions, and local and international organizations, to ensure effective delivery of services, which are supported by strong evidence.

Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) and Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) are life-saving health interventions delivered hitherto through siloed periodic mass drug administration (MDA) campaigns to children below five years of age. While SMC has recorded high acceptability and coverage (often above 95%), VAS coverage has been below 46%, nationally (NDHS 2018). Given WHO’s recommendation that delivery of health interventions be integrated where possible to maximize effectiveness, implementation research was designed to improve Vitamin A coverage through integration with SMC campaigns delivered through a common door-to-door approach. The study is being conducted in both Niger and Bauchi State. The target population for the SMC+VAS integrated campaign is primarily children between the age range of 6-59 months.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Lead Consultant (Qualitative)

Location: Bauchi

Purpose of the Assignment

• The purpose of this assignment is to engage experienced Lead and State Consultants that will coordinate and conduct the qualitative component of an implementation study respectively in Bauchi State. 
• Term of Reference (ToR) is to engage research consultants that will conduct baseline qualitative survey (FGDs and KIIs). 
• The Lead Consultant will oversee the entire qualitative aspect of the project, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery and providing technical guidance and leadership to the research team.
• The qualitative study aims to explore the perceptions, experiences, and attitudes of key stakeholders—including caregivers, frontline health workers, and policy makers—regarding the integrated delivery of VAS and SMC, as well as the implications of removing and reintegrating VAS from the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) campaign.
• The State Consultants will play a pivotal role in ensuring the quality and integrity of data collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs).
• Specifically, the lead consultant will provide state-level technical oversight for the recruitment, training, and supervision of qualitative data collectors, ensuring adherence to ethical guidelines, study protocols, and high standards of qualitative research. 
• They will also be responsible for coordinating data transcription and translation, conducting daily quality assurance checks, and supporting the interpretation and documentation of findings in Bauchi state.

Scope of Assignment

• The scope of the study will focus on evaluating the effectiveness (coverage and quality) of VAS co-implementation with SMC when implemented at scale. 
• It will also assess if integrating VAS into SMC reduces the uptake of other key MNCHW interventions.
• The baseline evaluation will be conducted in 20 Local Governments in Bauchi State where SMC+VAS integrated campaign will be implemented. 
• The KII component of the qualitative research will be conducted among state level stakeholders in Bauchi State. 
• This will entail engaging and training of data collectors, who will conduct the data collection as well as transcribing. 
• Data will be collected using paper-based FGD and KII guides, notes and voice recorders.

Specific Objectives
Specific tasks for Lead Consultant (Qualitative):

• Lead the qualitative component of the baseline survey, ensuring adherence to survey methodologies and guidelines.
• Design training PPT slides for qualitative data collectors and train them on qualitative survey methods, including FGD and KII techniques.
• Coordinate field testing of FGD and KII guides, revise them based on findings, and ensure they are finalized and ready for use.
• Liaise with the Project Manager to prepare lists of key informants and FGD participants, and conduct key informant interviews at the state level.
• Develop a data analysis plan for FGDs and KIIs, collate transcriptions, conduct data analysis, and write reports.
• Submit all assessment materials, including FGD and KII data sets, and prepare and submit the final report in MS Word and a summary of key findings in MS PowerPoint.

Deliverables for Lead Consultant (Qualitative):

• Complete and cleaned data set (all audio files and transcripts from the KII and FGDs) submitted to the Snr M&E officer
• Detailed process and comprehensive data analysis reports that presents findings from FGDs and KIIs including recommendations submitted and approved by the Senior Country Technical Lead.
• A summary of key findings in PowerPoint presentation format. Submitted and approved by the Senior Country Technical Lead.

Type of Personnel Required
Essential:

• A Post-graduate Degree in Social, Behavioural or Health Sciences
• 5 - 7 years’ experience in conduct and management of qualitative studies
• Demonstrated expertise in rigorous qualitative research design, data collection and data analysis techniques
• Strong analytical skills and ability to clearly synthesize and present findings, draw practical conclusions, make recommendations and to prepare well-written reports in a timely manner
• Experience in leading evaluations, surveys, and analysis is highly desirable.
• Experience in the use of qualitative statistical software such as Nvivo and Atlas Ti etc
• Demonstrable experience in data transcription
• Ability to work within stipulated time frame
• Demonstrate report writing skills for qualitative study.
• Experience, knowledge and clear understanding of Nigeria Northern context.

Application Closing Date
Thursday, 24th April, 2025 (before 5:00pm).