Term of Reference (TOR) for National Statistical Consultant
- Job title: Research Consultant
- Department: Health
- Consultant Profile: National Statistical Consultant
- Technical Support: Technical support of quantitative data analysis and reporting
- Project: Breaking Barriers in Access to Effective Malaria Treatment among Conflict-affected Communities of the South-West and Littoral Regions of Cameroon
- Reporting to: Operational Research Specialist
- Timeframe: 14 on-site working days over a one-month period
- Salary: Competitive
- Location of Support: Buea, in-person
1. Background
Cameroon is among the 10 African countries with the highest burden of malaria, which remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Vulnerable populations, particularly those affected by conflict, are at risk. In 2018, there were 6.2 million cases and 11,192 deaths due to malaria (WHO, 2019). Although the number of cases recorded within health facilities had been decreasing since 2011, progress seems to have plateaued in recent years. In the Southwest region, prior to the humanitarian crisis, malaria prevalence stood at 46.1%, with 60% of all interactions with the health system resulting from malaria. In 2017, the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon became embroiled in a violent conflict between the state military and non-state armed groups. This led to recurrent displacement cycles, with civilians seeking refuge in forests, farmlands, rural, urban, and peri-urban areas of the Littoral region and neighbouring Nigeria (Human Rights Watch, 2020) (OCHA, 2019). Consequently, the displaced population moved to areas with higher malaria endemicity, leading to increased incidence and prevalence.
Over 712,264 people (OCHA, July 2021) have been displaced by this conflict, and more than 37% of health facilities in the Southwest region are non-functional.
Despite this, little attention has been given to the impact of the crisis on the fight against malaria in these areas or to gathering evidence on the most effective ways of restoring primary healthcare under current conditions. The operational research program, Breaking Barriers, is focused on 80 conflict-affected communities in the Southwest and Littoral regions, encompassing both host and displaced communities. The primary goal of Breaking Barriers is to develop, implement, and evaluate scalable, replicable, and innovative approaches to enhance access to effective malaria case management through community-based services in conflict-affected and host communities in the Southwest and Littoral regions of Cameroon by 2024. Specifically, the project aims to:
- Identify at least two innovative solutions that are context-appropriate and have the potential to overcome local barriers, increasing coverage and quality of community-based malaria management in conflict-affected communities.
- Assess the feasibility and acceptability of the interventions among target populations, community health workers (CHWs), health facility workers, and health district and regional health authorities.
- Evaluate the interventions’ impact on coverage of appropriate malaria treatment by CHWS, including severe malaria cases.
2. Purpose of the assignment
The purpose of the national statistical research consultant is to provide technical support to the research team in the completion of quantitative data analysis and triangulation of qualitative and quantitative findings and to contribute to the development of the analysis report within the endline research phase of the Breaking Barrier project.
3. Scope/Payments
The national statistical research consultant will work in Reach Out’s central office located at GRA Buea, under the direct supervision of the Operational Research Specialist (ORS). Payments will be made once upon approval of all deliverables by the supervisor, including timesheets for actual work dates and consultant performance evaluations.
4. Primary Role
In collaboration with the ORS and Knowledge Management Officer (KMO), the national statistical research consultant will carry out the following specific functions;
- Quality control of collected data and document areas of concern related to the data collection and analysis
- Perform quantitative data analysis
- Contribute to development of data output models/visualizations
- Discuss and interpret data analysis outputs
- Triangulate qualitative and quantitative research findings
5. Expected outputs/deliverables
1. Weekly reports on the update of data analysis to the project management team to capture and measure the progress towards target
2. Detailed quantitative analysis report
3. Detailed triangulated findings from the qualitative and quantitative outputs
4. Detailed report of the endline studies
5. Present project findings to the project’s technical advisory group
6. Transport and Travel
NO allowance for accommodation, food and transportation since the position is based in the office.
7. Duration of work
The contract for this assignment is 14 days between the June 11th 2024 and July 10th 2024.
8. Profile requirements
Essential
- Hold at least a master’s degree or higher in public health, public health research or a related field. Justify a professional experience of at least five (05) years in similar roles conducting quantitative and qualitative research analysis.
- Excellent writing skills
- Familiarity with qualitative research techniques and analysis
- Familiarity with qualitative research techniques and analysis
- Demonstrable experience in statistical analysis
- Intercultural tact and awareness
- Fluency in English
Desirable
- Good working knowledge of the R software
- Good working knowledge of the SPSS/STATA software
- Good understanding of research methodology
- Experience of designing and conducting qualitative and quantitative research
- Demonstrable track record in producing technical publications
- Experience of working with stakeholders in Cameroon
- Fluency in French
9. Other information
The consultant will need to use his/her own laptop.
10. Composition of application file
- A letter of motivation not more than 02 pages with 1.5 spacing and a font size of 12
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- 02 References from previous employment
- Copy of highest academic qualification
N/B only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.
Application
Interested and qualified? Please submit the application file as a single pdf document to hiring@reachoutem.org, copying tanue@reachoutem.org.
Latest date: 15th May, 2024 at 17:00 GMT.
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