Consultancy: Project Lead for GH PEARL in Liberia

Overview of GH PEARL Project:

Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Global Health Program Evaluation, Analysis, Research and Learning (GH PEARL) project aims to generate and use high-quality data and evidence, with the goal of strengthening policies and program implementation to improve health and save lives in low and middle-income countries. GH PEARL is a consortium led by the University of Carolina, which works together to assist countries in identifying and adopting proven and innovative approaches to improve the quality, coverage, and equity of Family Planning/Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health and Nutrition interventions at the global, regional, national, and subnational levels. Palladium, a member of the GH PEARL Consortium, is seeking a consultant to lead the implementation of a GH PEARL activity in Liberia. Depending on future funding, there is a possibility of extension and transition to a full-time position.

Summary of GH PEARL Activity in Liberia

The USAID mission in Liberia (USAID/Liberia) has asked GH PEARL to conduct third-party verification and quality of care assessments for the Government-to-Government Partnership for Improved Health Outcomes (“Health Partnership”). The Health Partnership is a partnership among the US Government, USAID/Liberia, and the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) and Ministry of Health (MOH).

GH PEARL will perform two activities to support the Health Partnership: verification of data reported by health facilities and quality of care (QoC) assessments. Both activities will take place principally on site in primary and secondary health facilities managed by the government or other entities in the following eight counties: Bong, Lofa, Nimba, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Grand Bassa, and Margibi.

Under the verification activity, the reported data to be verified include county service delivery and administrative indicators, which are a combination of MOH and Health Partnership-specific indicators. The QOC assessment will be implemented using the MOH Performance-based Financing [PBF] Quality Checklist. (GH PEARL is responsible to assess nine domains of care. Therefore, the entire checklist will not be implemented.)

Comprehensive analysis of data by health facility, by county, and nationally will be a critical element of this activity. These analyses will be used for several purposes: 1) An out briefing at each facility following the completion of a verification and/or a QoC assessment; 2) a meeting at each of the eight MOH county offices, following the completion of the verification and QOC exercises in that county. Aggregated results for the participating facilities will be presented in this meeting, along with highlights of performance at individual facilities; 3) a national-level meeting where county and national results will be presented to MOH senior leadership and USAID; and 4) a comprehensive written report to be submitted to USAID.

Overview of the Consultancy Opportunity

This is a 6-month consultancy opportunity to be based in Monrovia, with extensive domestic travel. The candidate must reside in Liberia and have a valid authorization to work in the country.

GH PEARL will contract with a local organization to support the verification activity and the QoC assessment, in addition to analysis and presentation of data, as described above. USAID expects GH PEARL to provide robust technical assistance, mentorship, and general oversight to the local organization, as well as quality assurance of their tasks, outputs and deliverables. These activities are the main purpose of the consultancy, along with cultivating relationships with the MOH and USAID/Liberia and representing the GH PEARL project in Liberia. The Consultant will need to provide frequent updates to the US-based activity management team and provide written documentation on progress as needed. Extensive travel to the eight forementioned counties is required. The consultant’s work will be overseen by the GH PEARL/Liberia Activity Lead. He/she will also work closely with the technical advisor.

Roles and Responsibilities

Leadership Activities:

• Cultivate and maintain a productive relationship with the local contractor that focuses on the collection, analysis and presentation of high-quality data; fidelity to the sampling frame; and problem-solving.
• Lead the local engagement with USAID. Understand their expectations and convey this information to the GH PEARL Activity Lead. Support the local organization in any engagement they may have with USAID.
• Oversee overall management and functioning of the local contractor. Raise queries and high-level concerns to the Activity Lead about the planning and execution of data collection activities, out-briefing meetings or other work of the contractor, their engagement with the MOH, etc.

Start-up Activities:

• The activity will commence by developing data collection protocols and an analytical plan, to be completed in collaboration with GH PEARL staff and USAID. The Consultant will play an active role in developing these protocols/plans.
• Provide feedback to refine the contents and methodology of the in-depth training for data collectors and field supervisors, which will be developed and implemented by the contractor.
• Participate in the training as an active learner to ensure a detailed understanding of how the verification and QoC activities will be implemented, as designed to support the Health Partnership.
• Provide feedback on the data collection implementation plan, which will include a one-week pre-test of data collection, followed by an after-action review. The project lead will be heavily involved the pre-test/kick-off week.
• Data collection tools for some indicator groups need to be developed by the contractor. The Consultant will verify the completeness and functionality of any such tools, which will be in Excel.
• Review the contractor’s plans to use any existing data collection tools (Excel-based or data entry apps) and verify they are sound.

Data Collection Activities and Out-briefings at Facilities:

• Provide frequent quality assurance of data collection activities and out-briefings at facilities, verifying that the contractor correctly follows protocols and SOPs.
• Provide results of quality assurance activities to the contractor orally and in writing.
• Verify that the contractor conducts verification and QoC assessment in a professional and organized manner that minimizes disruption to clinic operations and is consistent with the behavioral norms of the MOH.
• Stay abreast of the project schedule and assist with troubleshooting issues that are causing significant delays or other concerns.
• Summarize findings of field supervision activities in written weekly reports to GH PEARL and the local contractor. If requested, provide verbal or written updates to USAID on the same.
• Travel overnight to the 8 project implementation counties for approximately 3 weeks per month.

Reporting and Other Ongoing activities

• Write progress reports to concisely summarize planned and executed activities of this position and the local organization.
• Review draft presentations of findings to each county MOH. Mentor the contractor as needed in presenting results and managing these meetings, which can be sensitive. Participate in each meeting where the findings are shared (one meeting for each of the 8 counties).
• Provide guidance to the contractor on data analysis. Establish a routine, frequent process to review data and reports both individually and in collaboration with the contractor.
• Play a significant role in the planning, development, and delivery of the final presentation to MOH central staff and USAID. Prepare for the presentation and participate in a dry run/practice session with USAID if it is requested.
• Play a significant role in the planning, development, revision and quality assurance of the final written report, to be submitted to USAID. Collaborate with the contractor to implement a schedule that allows adequate time for review and feedback of report by USAID and GH PEARL, prior to the delivery of the report by the contractor.
• Liaise closely with the GH PEARL Activity Lead and Technical Advisor.
• Deliver other tasks require for the successful implementation of the activity as requested by the Activity Lead.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, monitoring and evaluation, epidemiology, demography, international development, economics, or related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in program monitoring as well as extensive experience in the collection, analysis and presentation (verbal and written) of a large volume of descriptive data.
• Demonstrated experience assessing data quality.
• Highly proficient in writing reports and giving presentations to high-level officials.
  2-3 years of experience working directly with USAID or another large donor, at the level typically required of a Deputy Chief or Party, Senior M&E Manager, or similar role.
• Familiarity with MoH policies, guidance and processes, especially as related to data quality assessment or counter-verification, QOC assessment, quality improvement, and similar.
• Familiarity with MOH indicators.
• Experience working with partners to strengthen their capacity, especially in the collection, analysis and presentation of data.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, especially PowerPoint and Excel are required.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills in English is required.
• At the time of application, the candidate must reside in Liberia and have a valid authorization to work in the country.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in public health, monitoring and evaluation, epidemiology, demography, international development, economics, or related field.
• In addition to an academic degree in one of the areas noted, clinical licensure in a health profession is a distinct advantage.
• Project management experience.
• Recent experience using MOH’s Health Management Information System.