National Consultant

Job Title: National Consultant

Locations:

Bauchi

Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this engagement is to recruit experienced research personnel to support the implementation of quantitative and qualitative surveys under the SMC + VAS project in Bauchi and Niger States, including the Post MNCHW round 1, LQAS end-of-cycle 1 and 2, and Post MNCHW round 2 surveys.

The surveys will assess the coverage, quality, effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of co-implementing Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) with Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), as well as the effect of the integration on the uptake of other key MNCHW interventions across all the LGAs in both states.

The study will be conducted across 45 LGAs in the two implementation states (20 LGAs in Bauchi State and 25 LGAs in Niger State), excluding security-compromised LGAs where applicable. A multistage sampling approach will be used to select respondents from sampled communities and households across the LGAs.

For the quantitative component, a minimum sample size of 900 children per survey round will be targeted, amounting to approximately 1,800 children across both round 1 and 2 in the two states. A minimum of 45 clusters/communities will be sampled per survey, with approximately 20–25 households selected per cluster depending on the survey type.

Overall, the surveys are expected to cover about 1,791 sampled settlements/communities across both states (Bauchi = 323 wards; Niger = 274 wards), with eligible households selected from each sampled settlement. For the qualitative component of the Post MNCHW 1 and Post MNCHW 2 surveys, a National Consultant, State Consultants, who are also the interviewers will be engaged to coordinate and implement the qualitative activities, including training, field testing of tools, data collection oversight, transcription and translation, analysis, and report writing.

A total of 13 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) will be conducted, comprising 6 FGDs with Health Workers (HWs), 3 FGDs with Maternal and Chile Health (MCH) Focal Persons, and 4 FGDs with caregivers. In addition, 11 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) will be conducted, including 6 KIIs with state stakeholders and 5 KIIs with national stakeholders.

For the quantitative component of the Post MNCHW 1 and Post MNCHW 2 surveys, State Consultants and Data Collectors will be engaged to support household data collection activities using electronic data collection platforms such as SurveyCTO or KoboCollect. In Niger State, dedicated data collectors will be recruited and trained specifically for the surveys, while in Bauchi State, the survey will leverage the existing LQAS data collectors engaged by the PF-SMC project to support implementation and if need be extending the number of days worked.

The LQAS surveys 1 &2 will align with the existing planned SMC LQAS (cycle 1 &2/3) activities in the states and will assess SMC coverage, adherence to treatment protocols, and implementation immediately after each SMC cycle to support timely corrective actions where required.

The VAS project Senior M&E Officers (SMEOs) for Niger and Bauchi States will work closely with the engaged national and state consultants, as well as data collectors, and will also coordinate with the respective State M&E officers and SMC M&E Managers to ensure effective implementation of the assignment and integration.

The engaged State Consultants will support data analysis and interpretation in line with the LQAS methodology, while the National will be responsible for reviewing state-level analyses and consolidating final reports across both states.

The consultants and supervisors will train data collectors and provide oversight for the data collection process, while data collectors will be responsible for conducting field data collection using an electronic data collection platform.

Survey Components

Survey

Type

Methodology

Timing

Post MNCHW Survey 1

LQAs

Quantitative

Post MNCHW Round 1

End of Cycle 1 (LQAS)

Monitoring Survey

Quantitative

End of SMC+VAS Cycle 1

End of Cycle 2/3 (LQAS)

Monitoring Survey

Quantitative

End of SMC Cycle 2 or 3

Post MNCHW Survey 2

LQAsKII &FGD

QuantitativeQualitative

Post MNCHW Round 2Post MNCHW Round 2

Scope of Work

The surveys will be conducted across all 45 LGAs in Bauchi (20 LGAs) and Niger (25 LGAs) States, covering 323 and 274 in Bauchi and Niger respectively, 1,791 settlements/communities, and 20-25 households selected per cluster during each survey round sampled through a multistage sampling approach.

The quantitative surveys will target eligible children aged 6–59 months and women of child-bearing age (15–49 years), while the qualitative component will involve purposively selected state stakeholders, LGA officials, health facility workers, community drug distributors (CDDs), MNCH focal persons, malaria focal persons, and caregivers.

1 National and 6 State Consultants/ qualitative interviewers, 10-13 supervisors, 67-84 quantitative data collectors, will be engaged in each state to support the implementation of the Post-MNCHW and LQAS surveys under the supervision of the SMC-VAS Senior M&E Officers and the state MC/VAS teams.

Quantitative data collectors will administer structured electronic questionnaires using SurveyCTO-enabled handheld devices, while state consultants/qualitative interviewers will serve as moderators, note takers, transcribers, and translators for the Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) using semi-structured interview guides.

Pre-data collection activities will include stakeholder engagement and community entry, recruitment and selection of qualified field personnel, adaptation and translation of data collection tools into relevant local languages, household identification and respondent selection procedures, training of field teams, field testing/pre-testing of tools, and orientation on research ethics and informed consent procedures. For the qualitative component, State Consultants will conduct interviews and FGDs, take field notes, audio record sessions, transcribe recordings verbatim, and translate transcripts into English where applicable.

The qualitative component will also include daily uploading of audio files and transcripts to password-protected folders and real-time review of transcripts to ensure completeness and quality. Data quality assurance processes will include field supervision, spot checks, household revisits, validation of submitted forms, daily review meetings with field teams, use of in-built validation checks within electronic tools, and routine data cleaning and consistency checks by supervisors and consultants before final submission.

All data collection activities will be conducted in line with the approved research protocol, ethical standards, and Malaria Consortium quality assurance procedures to ensure the generation of high-quality and reliable evidence on the integration of SMC and VAS, and its effect on the uptake of MNCHW interventions.

Type of Personnel Required for the Surveys

The following personnel will be engaged to support the implementation of the Post MNCHW 1 and 2 surveys, and LQAS Cycle 1 and 2 surveys under the SMC + VAS project in Bauchi and Niger States.

Survey Component

Type of Survey

Personnel Required

Key Roles

Post MNCHW Survey 1 – Quantitative Component

Quantitative

State Lead Consultants and Data Collectors

Coordinate household survey implementation, train and supervise data collectors, oversee data quality assurance, conduct data collection and upload

SMC + VAS End of Cycle 1 (LQAs) Survey

Quantitative

State Consultants/Supervisors and Data Collectors

Conduct LQAS household data collection, supervise field activities, ensure adherence to LQAS methodology, data quality checks, and reporting

SMC Standalone End of Cycle 2/3 (LQAs) Survey

Quantitative

State Consultants/Supervisors and Data Collectors

Conduct end-of-cycle household assessments, supervise data collection activities, support data validation and reporting

Post MNCHW Survey 2 – Qualitative Component

Qualitative

National Lead Consultant and State Consultants

Coordinate and implement KIIs and FGDs, supervise qualitative data collection, transcription, analysis, and report writing

Post MNCHW Survey 2 – Quantitative Component

Quantitative

State Lead Consultants and Data Collectors

Support household data collection, field supervision, data quality assurance, preliminary analysis, and reporting

The assignment will be conducted in phases corresponding to the different survey rounds. Specific dates and deployment schedules will be communicated prior to each survey activity. Also, field activities will be conducted across all LGAs in Niger and Bauchi States. Personnel may be deployed to any assigned LGA based on project needs. All personnel that will serve as data collectors must be indigene of/ resident in the states (Niger and Bauchi)

Specific Tasks for the National Lead Consultant (Post MNCHW round 2 Qualitative)

Lead the qualitative component of the post-MNCHW round 2 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

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

Qualifications and Experience

A post-graduate Ph.D. or Ms.C degree in social, behavioural or health sciences

At least 10 years’ experience in conducting and managing 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 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

Evidence of research publications in Scopus journals

Demonstrable experience in data transcription

Ability to work within a stipulated time frame

Demonstrate report writing skills for qualitative study;

Experience, knowledge and clear understanding of Nigeria Northern context.

Application Closing Date

11th November, 2026; 5:00PM.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply below USING APPLY ONLINE NOW BUTTON

Application Instruction

Interested and qualified candidates who are passionate and willing to contribute towards the achievement of our goals should kindly fill in the application form above and submit their resume in PDF Format

Safeguarding Requirement

Candidates must complete the Malaria Consortium Safeguarding Course on Kaya using this link

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Kaya

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s you will be mandated to submit the certificate at the point engagement. Only candidates who provide a valid certificate will proceed with the engagement process.

Kindly note that applicants who do not follow this specification will be disqualified and

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.

NB: 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.

Safeguarding: 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.