Consultant - USAID Funded COVID-19 Vaccination Adverse Effects Tracking at KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Nigeria

Posted on Wed 27th Apr, 2022 - www.hotnigerianjobs.com --- (0 comments)

KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation Nigeria, is a local non-profit public health organization firmly equipped with technical and administrative capacity in providing technical TB support services, strengthening TB services delivery, support health system strengthening and research in Nigeria. Our programs are designed to advance the WHO Global End TB strategy of creating a world free of TB. We employ a systems approach, using data-driven quality improvement methods to identify and address gaps in TB diagnostic and treatment services. Our work to end TB focuses on collaborative planning, design, and implementation, engaging the private sector, strengthening service delivery platforms, community structures and improving the quality of services.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant - USAID Funded COVID-19 Vaccination Adverse Effects Tracking Using USSD / WhatsApp Chabot Interface Technology in Nigeria

Vacancy Number: KN59
Locations: Kano, Kaduna, Imo Taraba, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, and Cross River

USAID Funded COVID-19 Vaccination Acceleration Project

  • This project seeks to promote COVID-19 vaccine access, acceptability, and uptake, while strengthening adverse drug reaction feedback and timely response, by leveraging on the ongoing USAID-supported TB LON 1 & 2 project structures.
  • This project has the primary objective of accelerating widespread and equitable access to and delivery of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccination to unvaccinated individuals at community and facility level in the seven selected USAID TB LON supported states (Anambra, Bauchi, Taraba, Cross River, Kano, Imo & Kaduna) in Nigeria, by supporting the NPHCDA’s SCALES Strategy. 

Purpose of the Assignment

  • The aim of this assignment is to provide a customized system which effectively follows-up on self-reported patient feedback about post-COVID-19 vaccination side effects and allergic reactions using USSD and WhatsApp Chatbot interface technology. 

Key Objectives
Objectives include:

  • Develop and deploy USSD and WhatsApp Chatbot
  • Train and support all COVID 19 SCALES project staff on use of new solution
  • Create awareness on the USSD codes and WhatsApp Chatbot Link to the target population
  • Monthly track, collate and provide report to KNCV indicators on COVID vaccine adverse effects.

Target States:

  • 7 KNCV TB LON Regions 1 and 2 states (Kano, Kaduna, Imo Taraba, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, and Cross Rivers) .

Specific TOR:

  • The consultant will be required to work within the study period and undertake the following assignments while also meeting the stated expectations from KNCV:

Project Approach

  • There should be Bulk SMS broadcast for creating awareness on USSD codes and WhatsApp Chatbot link to the target population. Participants who dial the USSD code or click the WhatsApp Chatbot link will be automatically recorded in a database for receipt of periodic messages on the occurrence of Post COVID-19 vaccination side effects or allergic reactions.
  • USSD code and WhatsApp Chatbot should send screening questions periodically to capture participants’ responses of possible Post COVID-19 vaccination side effects and allergic reactions.
  • A web API should mine data from the USSD and WhatsApp Chatbot service, collate and present in tables (reports) and graphs/charts (indicators). This application will be accessible to key stakeholders for indicator monitoring and data reporting. The tables and graphs should have filters to enable sorting of required data and should also be downloadable (in Excel or CSV format).

Technical Requirements
These should include:

  • Mobile Phone for USSD interaction
  • Smart Phone for WhatsApp Chatbot interaction

SMS service provider requirements:

  • WhatsApp Chatbot Integration service provider requirements
  • WhatsApp Chatbot Service provider.
  • A clean and intuitive interface for the visualization of user metrics

Data Requirements:
These include:

  • Vaccination ID/Phone Number
  • LGA
  • Patient’s identifying information
  • Date of last immunization
  • Type of vaccine received
  • Symptoms experienced after taking vaccine in the last 24 hours
  • Symptoms experienced on second or third day after taking vaccine
  • What was done/taken to ease the discomfort

Functional Requirements:

  • USSD Service: This should allow users to enter data through mobile phones, via USSD to enable data collection, tracking and follow-up of persons for signs and symptoms of side effects and reactions. It should not require an internet connection and should be supported by all mobile phones. Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) should allow mobile phone users to interact with the system from their device in real-time. A predefined session should start once a user dials in the correct code. This would help to gather data on users. The one-way SMS would be used mainly for informative and promotional purposes to raise awareness about the existence of a Post COVID-19 vaccination to follow up outreach.
  • WhatsApp Chatbot Service: This should work similar to the USSD service, but allow users to enter data through smart mobile devices using WhatsApp Chatbot two-way messaging interface. It does require an internet connection and is not supported by all mobile phones. A predefined session should start once a user clicks the WhatsApp link from the SMS broadcast. This would help to gather data on users.

User Interface Requirements:
In addition to functions required, the characteristics of each interface between the product and its user’s influences the execution of the requirements. There are key Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) principles guiding the user interface design, which includes:

  • Accuracy - Prioritize data accuracy, clarity, and integrity, presenting information in a way that doesn’t distort it.
  • Ease of use - Help users navigate data with context and affordances that emphasize exploration and comparison.
  • Scalable - Adapt visualizations for different device sizes, while anticipating user needs on data depth, complexity, and modality.
  • Display - Consistency is key when displaying similar items on the system so that users can become familiarized with the system components easily. The visual hierarchy should be used (grouping items of a similar type together). Color usage should not be distracting, and highlights or selections should not reduce contrast or interfere with the legibility of text. Abbreviations and acronyms should only be used in the application interface if they are commonly understood by all providers using it.

Performance and Availability:
Timeframe:

  • 24/7 availability for software and data, except for scheduled downtimes which must be agreed upon between the software developer and users to have the least impact on the user.
  • Ongoing monitoring of system integrity, to ensure that critical elements are maintained (ex. response time, adequate storage, etc.)
  • Geographical Coverage: USSD and SMS services will be available in all implementation states while the WhatsApp Chabot service and the visualization module can be accessed anywhere with internet access.
  • Disaster recovery: A specific set of procedures will be established to preclude data loss in the event of unforeseen events or system failure with the least impact on the users.
  • Data ownership: All data collected by the application will be solely owned and used at the discretion of the client, not the vendor.

Maintenance:
The team would provide the following implementation / support services:

  • Complete development and deployment of a WhatsApp, USSD and SMS system, as well as a web application.
  • Software updates if required
  • Updating Core functions & Modules
  • Updating host System Software
  • Security patches
  • Bug Fixing & Security checks
  • Server Maintenance
  • Functional Support
  • Server & Infrastructure monitoring

Security:

  • Permissions and Access Control.The Web-Based Monitoring platform will use a Role-Based Management Module to control access to resources. All functionality would be restricted through privileges accessed by logging in with correct credentials.

Costing:

  • The team would provide details cost for delivery of the services outlined in above. 

Implementation/roll out:

  • The finalized course content will be shared with the KNCV technical team for review and final approval before deployment. 

Expectations from KNCV:

  • USSD and WhatsApp Chatbot will be developed and deployed for creating awareness to the target population
  • Capacity building for all COVID 19 SCALES project staff on use of new solution will be provided in a very cost-efficient manner.
  • Monthly track, collate and provide report of Indicators on COVID vaccine adverse effects
  • Provide quarterly progress report and final project report.

Reporting Channels:

  • The consultant will report to KNCV Nigeria, Director Technical Programs    

Timeframe:

  • One year - within the life of the project. 

Who Are We Looking For?

  • MB.BS, MPH / M.Sc PhD or corresponding Degree in Epidemiology, Health Economics, Statistics, or in International / Global Health
  • Knowledge of and experience with quantitative and qualitative epidemiological research techniques as well as health policy and management;
  • Past experience in providing similar tracking using USSD/WhatsApp Chatbot interface technology support to public health programs in Nigeria
  • Skills in applying and using software for data collection & data validation;
  • Ability to work as part of a team and independently;
  • Ability to cope with stress and to organize and prioritize workload;
  • Excellent oral and writing skills in English.

Application Closing Date
6th May, 2022.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV, a Motivation Letter proof of prior experience and 3 Professional References which must be indicated on their CV to: [email protected] using the Job Title as the subject of the mail.