Malaria EQA Consultant - IHP - Nigeria

Malaria EQA Consultant – IHP – Nigeria

Company Overview:
Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits.

For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved – and is committed to continuing to improve – economies, societies and most importantly, people’s lives.

Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provid e equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status.

Project Overview and Role:

Background
The USAID Integrated Health Program (IHP) is an expanded effort by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) with the Government of Nigeria (GON) to identify and provide technical support for rapid scale-up of proven interventions through improvement of service delivery and strengthening of health systems. The activity will facilitate seven core intervention areas: health system strengthening (HSS), reproductive health/family planning, child health, maternal health, newborn health, nutrition and malaria (RMNCH +NM). Cross cutting areas including gender and social inclusion, sustainability and country ownership.

IHP aims to support the rapid scale-up of proven intervention s appropriate to each stage of life through improvement of service delivery and strengthening of health systems and optimizing each contact with a client. IHP works closely with state government in Bauchi, Kebbi and Sokoto states to support established health and development plans, build capacity and ensure ownership of interventions, systems and results. USAID through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) supports the Government of Nigeria to implement its national malaria elimination strategy and plan in selected states.

In fiscal year 2019/2020, IHP in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), State Malaria Elimination Programs, State Ministries of Health (SMOHs) and key stakeholders in Bauchi, Kebbi and Sokoto states is providing technical assistance for malaria diagnosis EQA system in selected health facilities.

Program Activity
Technical support by three (3) laboratory technical consultants to the State Ministry of Health (SMOH) and agencies on strengthening external quality assurance (EQA) for malaria microscopy and malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDT) in Bauchi, Kebbi and Sokoto states.

Clients
State Ministries of Health (SMOH), State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), State Malaria Elimination Program (SMEP), Hospital Management Board (HMB), Local Government Health Authority (LGHA), Integrated Health Program (IHP), and the US President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI).

Deliverables

Among other things, the consultant will deliver the following:
* Operational guidelines and detailed implementation plan for the state malaria QA system developed, integrating malaria QA into primary health care training and supportive supervision for PHCs.
* Establishment of a functional malaria quality assurance (QA) center in the state with capacity to lead quality improvement efforts.
* State malaria diagnostic capacity assessment report with key findings and recommendations.
* Training report of the state Lab Scientists on QA and laboratory supervision.
* Detailed mentorship plan for the state trained Lab Scientists/Technicians that will improve clinical competency and skills retention.
* Development of EQA operational plan which includes ISS schedule, and quarterly malaria EQA visits to selected facilities with documented reports and recommendations.
* Report of training on mRDT quality assurance at PHC level including attendance and list of trainees.
* Documented outcome of malaria QA implementation in the state and report of presentation at state malaria coordination fora.
* Detailed activity report of the consultancy, as well as routine monthly, quarterly and annual reports submitted to IHP

Payments are made based on delivery of approved deliverables. All deliverables must be of high quality and submitted in Microsoft Word and in a PDF format. The deliverable will not be considered final until approved by the Chief of Party (CoP).

Estimated Level of Effort: 120 Days

Period of performance of the consultancy: February 13, 2020 – August 12, 2020

Required Qualifications: Skills and Expertise Required

The desired consultant should possess the following:

Qualifications and required experiences:
* A post graduate degree in relevant profession such as Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Parasitology, Medical Microbiology and Public Health.
* The candidate must possess at least 5-6 years professional experience in malaria control program related to diagnosis and case management; also, technical expertise on and experience in malaria EQA systems and procedures.
* Must be registered with the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN); a WHO certified Malaria Microscopist will be an added advantage.
* Have experience working with Ministry of Health at federal and state levels, State Malaria Elimination Programs (SMEP) and implementing partners
* Excellent knowledge of the Nigerian health system at federal, state, LGA and community levels
* Demonstrated experience in developing and delivering capacity building workshops and in mentoring.
* Experience carrying out similar assignments in Nigeria particularly at the sub-national levels.
* Proficient in Microsoft Office packages.

Required personal competences:
* Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
* Leadership, team building, coaching and mentoring capability
* Ability to engage and manage strategic stakeholders including government, implementing partners, academia and private sector
* Excellent communication skills (negotiation, moderation, representation, presentation and writing/documentation)

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