End of Project Evaluation Consultant at Malteser International

To support our program in Nairobi County, Kenya, Malteser International is is seeking services of a consultant/s in conducting the endline evaluation for a quasi-experimental study aimed at determining the impact of M-Afya services on utilization of MNH services in Embakasi Sub-county Nairobi. The main learning question is: “Will a flexible payment plan for maternity fee increase the number of women seeking MNH services?”

Specific objectives of the study are:

1. To establish the effects of a flexible payment plan for maternity fee in increasing the number of women completing the 4 ANC visits
2. To examine the effect of a flexible payment plan for maternity fee in increasing the number of women seeking skilled delivery
3. To determine the effect of a flexible payment plan for maternity fee in increasing the number of women who receive postpartum care within 48 hours
4. To determine the maternal factors influencing the use of M-Afya services among women of reproductive age in Nairobi.

Study Design

The project will use a quasi-experimental study design, where a Community based survey will be conducted. The intervention group will be made of pregnant women in their 1st or 2nd trimester from the Community units in Embakasi served by the 10 Health Facilities offering the flexible payment plan (M-Afya services). The Control Group will be made of Pregnant women in their 1st or 2nd trimester from Kamukunji (non- intervention community units). Questionnaires will be used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics and other maternal factors relating to reproductive health of the mother including reproductive history, antenatal, delivery and postnatal care among the study participants. A total of 400 women will be identified as respondents (200 in intervention group, and 200 in control group). In addition to questionnaires, FGDs with both the intervention and control groups will be held to determine why they used or did not use the services and other factors that affected the utilization. Key Informant Interviews with the County and Sub-County Health Management Teams will also be conducted.

Responsibilities

The consultant will work as part of a research team to oversee the data collection process, data analysis and report writing of the study findings. The deliverables will include:

• Training report of the research assistants
• Data sets
• Summary of research findings
• Detailed report of the study findings

Qualifications and Competencies of the Consultant:

The selected consultant/researcher is expected to demonstrate the following qualifications and competences:

• Minimum academic qualification is at Master’s level.
• Previous demonstrated experience in conducting similar research projects
• Expertise in social science and /or public health research.
• Strong skills in quantitative and qualitative data analysis
• Strong comprehension, verbal, and writing capacity in academic English
• Familiarity in use of GPS mapping in data collection
• The consultant must have undergone or be willing to undergo a training on Protecting Human Research Participants
• Previous work experience in urban slums is preferred.

Personal Qualities

• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills
• Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a strong commitment to delivering quality
• Ability to cope under tight deadlines

Special clauses
Intellectual property: All data, reports, products, including drafts, are the exclusive property of Malteser International. Reproduction (total or partial), as well as publication, is prohibited without written authorization of Malteser International

Conditions:

• Starting date: 1^st June 2017
• Duty Station: Nairobi County, Kenya
• Duration of contract: 20-24 days
• Remuneration according to qualification and experience
• Kindly note that this a national position with a local contract

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.