TERMS OF REFERENCE – RESEARCH ASSOCIATE IN TANZANIA

Background and Objectives

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is an African-led and Africa based international research institute committed to conducting high quality and policy relevant multidisciplinary research. Our research addresses important development issues and challenges facing sub-Saharan Africa in areas such as education, population, health, aging, urbanization and wellbeing. Our goal is to generate evidence for meaningful action, engage with policy makers in the region to disseminate our research findings, influence policy decisions, and improve the quality of life in Africa.

APHRC’s Data, Measurement, and Evaluation (DME) unit has been tasked to carry out an independent external evaluation and data quality assessment (EDQA) of the Digital Dividend (DD) Project implemented by PharmAccess International (PAI), and funded by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) in Tanzania. The DD project uses digital and mobile technology to combine three dimensions of care into a solution for access to better quality: (1) Access through a predefined care bundle in cost and package (MomCare), (2) clinical quality at the healthcare providers (SafeCare) and (3) actionable information to improve and incentivize patient-doctor interaction (MomCare app and SMS services).

EDQA’s Scope of Work

The assessment and evaluation will include the following activities: (1) Desk review of the Digital Dividends investment documents to inform the development of the assessment and evaluation protocol;(2) Support PharmAccess’ project dashboard for outcome tracking and recommendation for course correction;(3)Carry out regular data audits/spot checks in PharmAccess facilities where occasional coverage/outcome data is captured, and provide appropriate reports and recommendations for course correction, where necessary;(4) Conduct independent outcome data collection from non-PharmAccess facilities in Kenya and Tanzania, and build a dashboard to track coverage and outcomes, and (5)Conduct interim and end-line evaluations to compare trends in outcomes between PharmAccess and non-PharmAccess coverage.

Therefore, APHRC invites applications for a Research Associate in Tanzania to support the Evaluation Team in conducting the EDQA in Manyara and Kilimanjaro region. The EDQA will be carried out at three time points (March 2021, August 2021 and February 2022) unless otherwise advised by the Funder. For each of the three EDQA rounds, it is expected that that the Research Associate will commit between 20 – 30 working days to support the EDQA process. These days will be spread over a period of 2 months for each EDQA round. The specific roles and responsibilities of the Research Associate  include:

Roles and Responsibilities

• Review the EDQA protocol to ensure it fits the Local Country context
• Provide advisory on the selection of control arm of the study
• Review and translation of study tools to Kiswahili or any other local language as required
• Support in submission of the EDQA’s Protocol to the local Institutional Review Board(IRB), and obtaining of any needed ethical and regulatory approvals in Tanzania
• Participating in the selection of field interviewers and provide training
• Facilitate the EDQA team to gain access to the HMIS/DHIS2 systems and other relevant data sources
• Facilitate the data abstraction processes in the HMIS/DHIS2 systems and other relevant sources
• Oversee the field data collection, and analysis process
• Ensure that data is of high quality and participate in resolving queries as they arise
• Participate in conducting of data quality spot-checks in intervention health facilities
• Support the process of data quality assessment in the intervention health facility in Tanzania
• Contribute to drafting of the evaluation reports
• Disseminate EDQA findings through the provision of interim evaluation, periodic data quality assessment, and end-line evaluation reports, with recommendations to project partners. Dissemination activities will be mostly virtual.

Required Skills and Experience

• Must be a Tanzanian National
• A master’s degree in any health-related subject, A PhD will be an added advantage
• Candidates with professional experience in or having formal training in Impact Evaluation are highly encouraged to apply
• Ability to conduct individual research work and to disseminate results
• Proficient in English and Kiswahili languages (Verbal and written)
• Ability to write research reports and to effectively disseminate outcomes
• At least five years working in a research context
• Working knowledge in research and evaluation design
• Experience in conducting impact evaluation and data quality assessment.

Deliverables

Duration

The duration of the assignment is from March 2021 to March 2022. A phased approach will be employed based on the finally agreed-upon schedule of deliverables.

How to Apply

The applicant must provide, at a minimum, the following information:

• A cover letter, not exceeding one page, highlighting your qualifications and experience relevant to the terms of reference
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information for three professional references
• A financial proposal for each of the three EDQA rounds indicating your daily rates, and number of days to commit to (a) pre data collection activities, (b) data collection activities, (c) report writing activities and (d) dissemination activities.

If you meet the criteria above and are interested in this opportunity, please email consultancies@aphrc.org  and copy procurement@aphrc.org  with the subject: Research Associate in Tanzania . Applications will be received and evaluated on a rolling basis until the right candidate is identified. Incomplete applications will not be considered. APHRC will contact the shortlisted candidates only. Applications should be should be addressed to:

        The Human Resources Officer

African Population and Health Research Center, Inc

APHRC Campus, Manga Close, off Kirawa Road, Kitisuru

P.O. Box 10787-GPO, Nairobi

Website: www.aphrc.org

APHRC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the protection of vulnerable persons.