John Snow, Incorporated (JSI) – We are public health care and health systems consultants and researchers driven by a passion to improve health services and health outcomes for all.

Job Title: Research Lead – Consultant

Locations: Abuja, Adamawa & Benue
Employment Type: Contract (60 Days)
Duration: July 2024 – September 2024

Background

• The HPV Vaccine Acceleration Program Partners Initiative (HAPPI) Consortium was awarded to JSI by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in October 2022 as Phase I of an anticipated two-phase project period. HAPPI project is managed by JSI in collaboration with Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), the International Vaccine Access Center (IVAC), Jhpiego, and PATH. Together, partners will enable global coordination efforts around HPV vaccine, in addition to supporting HPV vaccine introduction in Nigeria.
• In Nigeria, cervical cancer is a significant contributor to the morbidity and mortality of women. It is the second most common cause of cancer related deaths among women in Nigeria. Nigeria contributes a large proportion of the West Africa regional cervical cancer burden. HAPPI project
• John Snow Research Institute, Inc. (JSI), as the lead implementing partner for HAPPI, is a public health management consulting and research organization dedicated to improving the health of individuals and communities around the world. JSI leads immunization work and supports its country, regional and global initiatives through direct consultation, operations research, and the transfer and sharing of information and promising program approaches with those in the field.
• JSI is requiring a Research Lead consultant for the HPVVI learning to work with State based consultants in Abuja, Adamawa and Benue States. We seek candidates who have at least 5 years’ experience working with immunization programs and systems especially at the National level, to help evaluate strategies that protect children and  from vaccine-preventable diseases. The research will be focusing on lessons learned from the first phase on the HPV Vaccine Introduction in Nigeria

Job Summary

• We are hiring a qualitative research consultant proficient inhuman-centered design in Nigeria. The lead consultant will work with global and national HAPPI team to strengthen the qualitative assessment portion of the lessons learned from the recent HPV Vaccine Introduction, will interact with key Government and Non-Governmental Stakeholders, caregivers, community leaders, health care workers, and State/LGA-level managers,  with the aim to better understand their perception and key lessons from the vaccine introduction, including issues of availability, access, client experience of care, socio-economic factors, health care worker motivation, implications to health-seeking behaviors, and others, so as to inform HAPPI and NPHCDA to use the lessons in making improvements in the follow up phase of the introduction.

Specific Objectives of the learning research
The objectives of the HPV learning are to:

• Get the perception of the key stakeholders on the just concluded HPVVI in selected States.
• Identify and synthesize the drivers of vaccination and under-vaccination, with a focus on the drivers and determinants in selected States
• Document key lessons learned and share with next set of implementing States to make improvements
• Identify potential opportunities or solutions to overcome the observed barriers and root causes of under-immunization for HPV vaccine

Type of Study

• The lead consultant in collaboration with the State leads will develop or adapt protocols and data collection tools for  methods assessment. The consultant is expected to use a range of mix methods (one-on-one interviews, observational methods, workshop facilitation) including the human-centered design approach that is particularly intended to understand deeper motivations, behaviors, and barriers.
• We will incorporate HAPPI’s expertise to generate new and deep insights that are then used to design a range of possible interventions and solutions to support project implementation in the focal States.

Responsibilities of the Nigeria Research Lead Consultant
Specific responsibilities of the Nigeria Lead Research Consultant will include, but not be limited to, the following assigned duties:

• Attend kickoff and orientation sessions with national and central HAPPI staff
• Assist with adaptation of data collection tools, including semi-structured and open-ended interview guides, targeting family and community members, health workers, and health system managers
• Prepare field data collection and ensure implementation of the study
• Setting up and logistics of key-informant interviews (KIIs) at national, State, LGA, Health facility and community levels
• Semi-structured and open-ended key-informant interviews, at the community, LGA, State and/or National levels
• Daily and weekly reporting of KII findings
• Iterate data collection and workshop tools based on emergent findings, as needed.
• Lead qualitative data analysis and     r consolidation of results
• Develop a final study report
• Oversee quality of learning assessment
• Supervise and oversee the data collection team

Deliverables:
At the end of the 60 days assignment, the consultant will be expected to have delivered the following:

• Participate (initially) in the weekly/biweekly HAPPI’s meeting to consolidate ideas and provide feedback on the progress report
• Protocol with budget and data collection tools adapted or re- developed and submitted to IRB
• Field workers identified and trained for data collection. Orientation module developed.
• Data management system developed
• Workshops to provide feedback to stakeholder performed
• Final report and presentation slide deck developed, submitted to HAPPI and approved

Qualifications
Is a consultancy position in which the consultant must be based in Nigeria and for this position the candidate must have the following qualifications:

• Masters Degree in Design, Qualitative Research or Social science or related area. Comparable work experience will be considered.
• A minimum of 5 years of work in the area of research and health system or public health.
• Knowledge of HCD approaches
• Solid experience on Social Science or SBCC especially the Nigerian context.
• Knowledge of Immunization programme policies and strategies is desirable but not required
• Knowledge of the functioning of health system management and Health Programs at state, LGA, Health facility and community levels in Nigeria is desirable but not required
• Knowledge and familiar with the implementation of study protocols in Nigeria
• Strong communication, presentation and writing skills in English
• Excellent demonstrated leadership skills and works well in teams
• Excellent communicator, able to easily share information
• Ability to work under pressure and in complex environments with multiple tasks and manage personal stress levels
• Ability to work effectively and independently (with minimal supervision) in a wide variety of situations
• Availability for internal trips in Nigeria for research settings up to four weeks.

Application Closing Date
13th July, 2024.