State Consultant (Qualitative Survey) at Malaria Consortium

Established in 2003, Malaria Consortium 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: State Consultant (Qualitative Survey)

Location: Niger

Purpose of Assignment

• The purpose of this Term of Reference (ToR) is to engage research consultant that will conduct endline qualitative survey (FGDs and KIIs).
• The 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.

Scope

• 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 endline evaluation will be conducted in Bauchi and Niger States where SMC+VAS integrated campaign was implemented.
• The KII component of the qualitative research will be conducted among state level stakeholders in both States.
• 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 Tasks for the State Consultants

• Attend training to understand the study and their roles as stated above.
• Arrange for selection of participants, and venue for discussion and interviews
• Participate in field testing of FGD and KII guides
• Obtain Inform Consent from respondents before the interview
• Facilitate focus group discussion and key informants’ interviews assigned
• Note taking and recording of interviews
• Transcription of FGDs and KII notes and recordings
• Facilitate summarization of transcripts
• Keep the survey data confidential and safe
• Submit FGD/KII audio recordings and notes to Lead Consultant (LC)
• Prepare brief field report for submission to Lead Consultant

Evaluation Deliverables:

• Completed Stakeholders Basic Information Sheets
• Recorded discussions and interviews
• Complete set of transcribed notes of KIIs and FGDs
• Summarized transcripts
• Process report
• Timeliness and adherence to the timeline

Qualifications and Experience

• A Degree in sciences, social, behavioural or health sciences
• Familiarity with qualitative data collection and experience in transcription
• 3 - 5 years experience in conduct and management of qualitative studies
• Ability to work within stipulated time frame
• Demonstrate report writing skills for qualitative study
• Understanding of the context and setting of interventions in the north
• Must not be part of SMC/IMNCH personnel in whatever capacity (National, State, LGA, HFW, CHW, TA or LM)
• Must not be a staff of Government at any level and in any Ministry at the time of engagement/activity.
• Hausa language is compulsory

Application Closing Date
28th November, 2025 5:00 pm.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Interested and qualified candidates who are passionate and willing to contribute towards the achievement of our goals should kindly fill in the application form.
• Kindly note that applicants who do not follow this specification will be disqualified.
• Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Kindly note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and as a result, the process may conclude before the advertised deadline. Therefore, early applications are highly encouraged.
• Malaria Consortium does not accept or ask for payment during recruitment. We also would not accept hardcopy CVs; all applications should be sent through the above link
• Malaria Consortium is committed to protecting children and vulnerable adults and ensuring that all staff, partners, and representatives uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct. Our Safeguarding Policy outlines our responsibility to prevent abuse, harassment, and exploitation in all areas of our work.
• We expect everyone working with us staff, consultants, volunteers, and partners to adhere to this policy and our Code of Conduct.
• By following these standards, we help create safe environments and reduce any risk of harm in the communities we serve.