Background Information
In Kibera, Kenya, the cost of health misinformation is life-threatening. Although community members are aware of the health facilities that exist in Kibera, there is a serious lack of health service utilization at these facilities. To address this dangerous gap, Curamericas Global, in partnership with Carolina for Kibera, and with support from Ronald McDonald House Charities, worked with Community Health Volunteers to provide health education and bridge the gap between health facilities and the community.
Purpose of the Consultancy
As part of national efforts to increase uptake of health services and increase knowledge on Maternal , Neonatal and Child health topics including antenatal care, handwashing and hygiene, danger signs in pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding, and emergency danger signs in newborns and during the postpartum period , CFK is planning to conduct an impact evaluation on the effectiveness of the Care Group Model in improving maternal and Child health outcomes as well as responding to health emergencies in Kibera slums The study will be aimed at identifying the component of the care group model that can be adopted and scaled up for health emergencies ,including COVID 19 response in other informal settlements in Kenya
Objective of the Rapid Assessment
The overall objective of the consultancy is to assess the impact of the Care Group Model on improving maternal and Child health outcomes, the effectiveness and sustainability aspects of the model in addressing the issues around health emergencies including COVID 19 response among women living in the informal settlements
Specific Objective
To evaluate in real time the effectiveness, efficiency and relevance of the care Group Model in improving maternal and child health outcomes in informal settlements
To identify challenges and bottlenecks and act as a real time lessons learning exercise on what works and what does not work in scaling up Care Group Model in other informal settlements in Kenya
To identify the key components of the model for scaling up for health emergencies including COVID 19 response
To collect joint and harmonized data that can be used in a summative evaluation of the sustainability of the Care group model in health emergencies response.
Main Tasks of the Consultancy
The consultant is expected to undertake the following tasks to:
Conduct inception meeting for the assignment and preparing an inception report
Gather and review of all necessary documents related to the assignment
Design the impact evaluation in consultation with CFK staff in a meeting with appropriate methodology, timing, roles and responsibilities of the team members, etc.
Develop and finalize the tools based on consultation with CFK staff, and conduct field testing
Recruit and implement the training for Research Assistants
Conduct key informant interviews, Focused Group Discussions with the relevant informants
Conduct the data cleaning, validation, entry, analysis and synthesis
Develop a database containing all the relevant information about the project beneficiaries including their names, location, type of services, accessed contact details, etc.
Develop and submit the draft evaluation report
Organize findings sharing workshop with the CFK staff, Government representatives, and other relevant stakeholders to seek their input on the findings
Incorporate feedback and finalize the report, and submit to CFK
Note
The assigned tasks will need to focus on the above-mentioned aspects, however, are not limited to them. Other associated tasks may and should be undertaken based on discussion and need.
Submit the final impact assessment report to CFK’s Office. The raw data, the database which has been cleaned (both qualitative and quantitative, including original field notes for in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, as well as recorded audio material), and data collection tools used in the assessment should be submitted together with the report.
Key Deliverables
An inception report with the detailed work plan, approach, appropriate methodology and implementing arrangements for conducting the impact assessment
Final tools/instruments of the maternal child health outcome assessment
Training report of required number of research assistants
Draft report which will be submitted within Seven (7) days after completion of the field work
Presentation of the key findings to the stakeholders
The final report of the assigned task which will be submitted within five days after the findings dissemination workshop with stakeholders
Database that will be developed containing detailed information of the project beneficiaries
Note:
All deliverables will be submitted in 2 copies; in hardcopy and softcopy in editable form.
The contents of the report will be analysed and final payment will only be made upon approval of the final Impact Assessment report by CFK.
Time frame
The assignment is expected to be conducted over a period of 20 days between January and February 2021
Role of CFK
CFK will provide all required background materials and programme documents to the consultant in a timely manner; and be the link between the consultant and the project sites in Kibera slums.
CFK will review tools and provide support in the evaluation process including identifying venues for discussion.
CFK will manage the consultancy contract, monitoring adherence to specified deadlines, facilitating access to required information. In addition, CFK will provide guidance throughout all phases of execution, approving all deliverables, and facilitating access to any documentation deemed relevant to the evaluation process.
The consultant will be responsible for guiding the entire evaluation process and all other specific responsibilities as stipulated in the TOR.
Expected Profile of the Consultant
The consultant is expected to hold the following qualifications in order to be eligible for this position.
Experience
Relevant academic qualification with preferably a masters in Population Studies / Demography, or related relevant field.
Relevant demonstrated technical knowledge, skills and extensive work experience in conducting researches and other studies.
Extensive understanding of urban informal contexts and technical areas of interest such as community health, girls’ empowerment and livelihoods.
Experience in undertaking similar work, specifically at the local (community) level.
Excellent writing and reporting skills.
Must have published at least one journal on access or provision of relevant maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent health services
Experience in conducting and publishing research as per the set guidelines and protocols provided by an institutional Review Board (IRB) or ethical review board/ committee
Knowledge and experience of using research/survey/mapping concept, approaches, tools, techniques, methodologies, sampling, etc.
Fluency in English and Kiswahili, both orally and written.
Skills and Competencies
Strong and sound analytical skills on gender analysis in overall aspects of designing and conducting of the impact evaluation
Excellent communication and facilitation skills as well as fluency in English
Ability to work collaboratively with multiple individuals and groups
Ability to produce high quality work under tight timeframes
Ability to develop high quality research/survey/assessment/reports in English
11. Ethical Considerations
All participants involved in the assessment are expected to be treated with dignity and respect, and participation in the study will be voluntary. Confidentiality and the right to privacy should be ensured. Consent will be obtained from all participants prior to their participation.
There will be nothing in the study which may be harmful for the respondents in terms of legal or ethical grounds. The research objectives will be clearly explained to all the respondents of the study before collecting data from them. The consultant/ will abstain from data collection from any person who will deny or show any reluctance in providing information. Written consent with signature or thumb impression of the respondents, therefore, needs to be obtained before collecting data. The researchers will be highly committed to the respondents to guard the privacy of their information and sources of data, as well as will put heartiest endeavour to be unbiased in collecting data. The research report will not reveal the identity of the respondents.
Interested applicants should submit Technical and Financial proposals electronically in PDF format, addressed to “The Head of Operations”, with subject line clearly marked “Impact Assessment on the effectiveness of The Care Group Model” via email on or before 21st January 2021 to: procurement@carolinaforkibera.orgAll applications should include the following:
Apply via :
procurement@carolinaforkibera.org