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NATIONAL AGENCY FOR THE CONTROL OF AIDS (NACA)

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

CONSULTANT FOR OPERATIONS RESEARCH ON COMMUNITY-LED MONITORING(CLM) AND ITS EFFECT ON THE NATIONAL HIV RESPONSE.

EXTENSION OF CLOSING DATE

12^th July, 2024

Background

The history of responses to the HIV epidemic has made it clear that any response that does not have the full involvement of all critical stakeholders encounters challenges. A response must be designed such that it is all-embracing of key players. This implies that a response is guaranteed to be more effective when all concerned parties are involved in its design, development, implementation, and monitoring. Governments must ensure that in developing any response, both the beneficiaries and other critical stakeholders sit to address suitability, and effectiveness, and ensure that such response recognizes and protects human rights.

In the 2016 United Nations Political Declaration on Ending AIDS, the critical role of communities was affirmed, and member States recognised that to meet the Fast-Track Targets, community responses to HIIV must be scaled up and, thus, committed to at least 30% of services being community-led by 2030. The Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) component of the community response to HIV is an evidence-based advocacy by beneficiaries to improve accountability, governance, and quality of services they receive.

As Nigeria works towards achieving national and global targets and sustainable development goals, community-ted monitoring becomes critical in all spheres to ensure evidence gathering, rapid response to red flags, improved quality and impact of services, and accountability at the programmatic and policy levels. Furthermore, this level of monitoring ensures communities leadership and empowerment for a sustainable response to HIV. CLM can be used as a catalyst in the management of other health programs. However, CLM should not be confused with community-based HIV service delivery or with the routine collection and reporting of internal program data by community-led organizations.

Justification

Community-led monitoring (CLM) in Nigeria is a process initiated by, led by, and implemented by the beneficiaries. e.g. people living with HIV (PLHIV) networks, key populations (KP) and other affected groups, local community-based organizations, and other civil society groups on HIV.CLM conducted by service beneficiaries helps country programs and health institutions diagnose, and pinpoint persistent problems, challenges, and barriers related to HIV services uptake and retention at the community and facility levels. Operation Research aims to improve service delivery and client outcomes by identifying data-driven solutions that will overcome barriers and ensure beneficiaries access and receive optimal client-centered HIV services. This will provide much-needed information about which interventions and service delivery models work or do not work on the national HIV response. And the need to further analyze various frameworks used at the community level to improve access to HIV response. The study will be conducted in ten (10) in Nigeria (Anambra, Akwa-Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Nasarawa, Lagos, and Sokoto state).

Specific Objectives

Ø  To identify, assess, and document community-directed initiatives that improve access to HIV services.

Ø  To identify, assess, and document specific strategies for removing barriers to treatment access and retention for people living with HIV

Ø  To make recommendations to the government on the possible best strategy for CLM

Scope of work

The Operations research will be conducted in ten (10) states (Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Benue, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Nasarawa, Lagos, and Sokoto) in the country, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The consultant will provide technical oversight and coordination throughout the research process, including protocol development, implementation planning, data collection tool development, training, data analysis, report development, validation, and dissemination. The consultant will be supervised directly by the technical core team for the research, with oversight from the RM&E Department of NACA.

The specific tasks will include the following;

1.     Develop the research protocol detailing the methodology, sampling strategy, and data collection procedures and finalize with stakeholders.

2.    Develop data collection instruments, ensuring alignment with study objectives and research questions, and finalize with stakeholders.

3.    Responsible for and facilitate the customization of data collection tools in the ODK. Kobo collects RED Cap or other relevant software.

4.    Develop the data entry template, and data analysis plan, and share them with the technical core team for approval.

5.    Develop, training tools and train field researchers for the study, and also provide orientation for field monitors.

6.    Monitor field data collection, and quality of uploaded field data to ensure completeness and compliance with the protocol.

7.    Conduct quantitative data analysis using statistical software and qualitative data analysis using thematic analysis methods.

8.    Develop a comprehensive report for research and finalize with stakeholders.

9.    Build the capacity of NACA staff on manuscript writing and write a manuscript for publication from the study, targeting a reputable scientific journal.

10.  Build the capacity of NACA staff on quantitative and qualitative research methodologies and report writing.

11.   Provide the technical core to am with weekly updates throughout the research(via mail/physical).

Expected deliverables

1.     Comprehensive research protocol outlining the study methodology and detailed operational data management plan and timelines.

2.    Final clean data set in an Excel format

3.    Training and data management report.

4.    Prepare and present OR key findings to NACA and key stakeholders in PowerPoint presentations.

5.    Submit a comprehensive/harmonized technical and process report of the Operation Research in both soft and hard copies to NACA.

Duration of Consultancy

The duration of consultancy shall be Thirly days (30) working days and the consultant will be required to be available throughout the assignment.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

1.     Must possess at least a Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Global Health/Infectious diseases, or a related field. A PhD degree in a related field will be an added advantage.

2.    Minimum of 8 years of experience working in the National HIV/AIDS response, with at least 5 years of experience working in community research/survey-related activities.

3.    Minimum of 5 year’s experience leading in public health Data management, project evaluation, and/or operations research in Nigeria;

4.    Minimum of 5 years of experience in Quantitative and Qualitative research methodologies and analysis;

5.    Minimum of 3 years of extensive experience in the management of electronic data-capturing tools e.g. Kobo Collect:

6.    Excellent skills in Statistical software such as SPSS, STATA, and/or R and in Computer Applications such as advanced Excel, data entry, and performing structured literature searches.

7.    Expert in Scientific writing including abstracts and manuscripts with evidence of Peer-Reviewed publications in at least 2 journals, and one as lead author.

8.    Excellent communication, facilitation, writing, and capacity-building skills

9.    Ability to work within strict/tight deadlines.

Evaluation

The consultant’s performance will be evaluated based on the quality and timeliness of deliverables, adherence to the timeline, and effectiveness of recommendations.

Remuneration

The individual consultants will be paid based on the approved Global Funds budget

Termination of Appointment

The appointment of the consultant can be terminated at any point without notice if the firm is found to be incompetent or if they carry out other activities that are found deleterious to the progress of the project.

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) will make available the necessary documents and reports and other information concerning this assignment. You may obtain additional information at the following address: National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Ground Floor No. 3 Zinguinchor Street, Beside AEDC Office, Wuse zone 4, Abuja

A candidate will be selected on the basis of Fixed Budget of individual qualifications (Curriculum Vitae and Experience)

GUIDELINE FOR SUBMISSION AND OPENING OF CVS

Applicants must submit an updated detailed CV, which must be in English Language and submitted in two (2) hard copies one original & one copy) of the requested CV. The two copies shall then be enclosed and sealed in one (1) single outer envelope, and clearly marked at the topmost right corner “OPERATIONS RESEARCH ON COMMUNITY-LED MONITORING(CLM) AND ITS EFFECT ON THE NATIONAL HIV RESPONSE” and the Name, Address, Email and Phone Number of the Consultant boldly written at the back of the envelope, with acknowledgement to NACA office at the address below.

Deadline for Submission: The deadline for the submission of proposal should not be later than Friday, 16^th August, 2024 by 12 noon. The submission(s) received will be opened immediately after closing at NACA Conference Room in the presence of consultants that choose to attend.

Applicants are to note the following:

1.     CV Submission: Applicants must submit an updated CV.

2.    Educational Qualifications: Along with the CV, candidates should attach evidence of their educational qualifications.

3.    Research Methodology Analysis: Candidates must provide evidence demonstrating their proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative research methodology analysis.

4.    Statistical Software Skills: Candidates should attach certificates or documented proof of their skills in statistical software such as SPSS, STATA, and other relevant computer applications.

5.    Scientific Writing: Applicants are required to submit evidence of their scientific writing skills. This includes abstracts and manuals, along with proof of peer-reviewed publications in at least two journals.

6.    Supporting Documentation: All items mentioned in the qualifications must be supported with documented evidence

COLLECTION OF REQUESTS FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) DOCUMENT

The Request for Proposal (RFP) can be downloaded from this link;

https://naca.gov.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/RFP-Operational-Research-Consultant-CLM.pdf

ADDRESS FOR INFORMATION AND SUBMISSION OF CVs

Attention:

Head Procurement

National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) 

Ground Floor Room 1.0

No. 3 Zinguinchor Street, Beside AEDC Office, Wuse zone 4, Abuja

OR

Email: [email protected]

GLOBAL FUND CODE OF CONDUCT

You shall get acquainted with the global fund code of conduct for suppliers using this link below: https://www.theglobalfund.org/media/3275/corporate_codeofconductforsuppliers_policy_en.pdf

Accepting this invitation shall serve as an acknowledgement and agreement to abide by the Global Fund Code of Conduct for Suppliers.

NOTES/DISCLAIMER

i.  Late submissions will not be accepted.

ii. NACA shall verify any or all documents and claims made by applicants and will disqualify   consultants with falsified documents and claims.

iii. If it is determined that submitted documents and claims have been falsified, the consultant may face prosecution in a court of Law.

ii. NACA shall not be held responsible for any disqualified proposal as a result of any omission or deletion relating to the submission guidelines.

iii. This advertisement shall not be construe a contract to any Consultant, nor shall it entitle any Consultant submitting documents to claim any indemnity from NACA.

iv. NACA is not bound to shortlist any Consultant, and reserves the right to annul the bidding process at any time without incurring any liabilities or providing reason.

Signed

Management.