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Qualifications

Background:

WHO provided direct implementation of IDP/refugee malaria response plan in Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States from 2021 to 2023. Scaling up Malaria Response for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) was aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality associated with malaria amongst IDPs in these states. The response strategies, emphasized the need for a stratified approach towards malaria control in the affected states, outlined the provision of access to malaria case management at the community level as one of the priorities. Therefore, to ensure access to prompt diagnosis and treatment of malaria amongst IDP/refugees, malaria community case management was deployed. Community Oriented Resource Persons (CORPs) and Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) provided malaria services to cater for 423,949 IDPs/refugees across Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states at both IDP camps and host communities.

To gain a deeper understanding of the differences in malaria control efforts from the perspective of equity, or not at all, Impacte Sante Afrique, an international NGO, in collaboration with the National Malaria Elimination Programme, and with funding from the Global Fund implemented the Malaria Matchbox Assessment Project on Improving access to Malaria interventions by internally displaced persons and at-risk populations in Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states in 2020. The aim of this study was to identify equity barriers to access, uptake, and retention in malaria programmes in four states focussing on IDPs and refugees and examine the effectiveness of current efforts to reduce or remove equity barriers with a view to identifying opportunities to strengthen and scale up malaria interventions for greater coverage and impact in the region.

The WHO implemented the malaria matchbox recommendations for the IDP programme in these states. This led to inclusion of creating malaria awareness at households and Community levels using Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) to ensure adequate sensitization and awareness in the households and host communities. This was aimed at raising awareness in areas identified in the matchbox exercise for Nigeria which included: Knowledge hindered by lack of access to information, Lack of knowledge of where to go for health care; General knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Beliefs About Malaria; Negative Attitudes and Beliefs About Specific Malaria Interventions; Health-seeking behaviours; Physical and Environmental Barriers (Including Safety and Security); Financial Barriers; Problematic Experiences with Health Facilities; Influence of Gender Norms; and Gaps in Programmes or service.

Rationale:

To highlight changes in health seeking behaviour and document current barriers to access to malaria services through the Malaria IDP Project in Adamawa, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states of Nigeria from 2021 to 2023 funding cycle of the Global Fund.

Tasks of the Consultant :

• Develop study protocols, with inputs from all stakeholders from the four implementing states

• Define study methodology and approaches

• Conduct the study to:

1. Determine current challenges being encountered by the beneficiaries

2. Identify which challenges have been addressed over time among the IDPs

3. To determine what can be done differently to surmount identified BCC challenges among the IDPs

• Develop tools for data collection, and analyse the data

• Develop and submit reports with clear results and recommendations

Period of Consultancy:   November to December 2023

Qualifications and experience

Essential:  First university degree in Medicine

Desirable: Masters in Public Health or Epidemiology or Health Policy Development or Health Management and Planning

1. The consultant should have 5 years experience with requisite health systems strengthening background with specific in conducting surveys/research

3. Demonstrable experience in developing conducting surveys for complex operating environment

4. Evidence of previous relevant research/survey in the healthcare or another sector, preferably within Nigeria.

5. Experience with program implementation among IDPs/refugees in complex operating environment will be an advantage.

6. Be a team player and able to work under pressure