Qualitative Study Consultant - AQCESS Project

The Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous and self-governing international university, with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries over three continents. The Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health, East-Africa (COEWCH), based at AKU campus in Nairobi, Kenya, was launched in 2015 within AKU's Faculty of Health Sciences. The cross-university Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health serves as a platform for exchange of ideas, academic and research activities, implementation of projects and programmes, and development of best research and training programmes to serve the needs of the most vulnerable populations in low and middle income countries.

Through its MERL Unit, the CoEWCH also supports the monitoring, evaluation, research and learning of the Access to quality care through extending and strengthening health systems (AQCESS) project, which is implemented in Kilifi and Kisii Counties in Kenya. The project is funded by Global Affairs Canada, and executed by Aga Khan Foundation, Canada in partnership with members of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). The project goal is to contribute to the reduction of maternal and child mortality in targeted regions.

The Aga Khan University is recruiting a consultancy firm/consultant to undertake a qualitative endline assessment for AQCESS) project in the 2 sites in Nov- Dec 2019.

Responsibilities:

The objective of the qualitative assessment is to analyze changes that may have happened in those components of interest, between the start and the end of the project. Findings from the study will be used by AQCESS project partners to strengthen learning and to inform future programming.

Key components of this consultancy will include:

• Review of relevant background materials and data collection tools
• Organize key stakeholders for data collection, in consultations with the study lead social scientist and site managers.
• Conduct the data collection and analysis
• Transcribe, translate and document the transcripts.
• Write the report and submit to the AKU Principal Investigator.
• Assist in the recruitment and management of the Research Assistants.

Key Deliverables:

• Data transcripts
• Study report

Requirements:

The consultant is expected to apply either as a company or as an individual technical expert, and should possess the following minimum qualifications:

• At least a Master's degree in relevant discipline such as public health, social sciences research, operational research among other relevant others;
• Good understanding of the health sector and context in Kilifi and Kisii counties;
• Minimum of 7 years of demonstrated experience in qualitative and/or mixed methods research including training and supervising qualitative research assistants;
• Demonstrated experience in gender sensitive research approaches and gender analysis;
• Proven experience in conducting gender equality-related assessments;
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills;
• Well versed in the use of NVivo for data analysis;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Kiswahili;
• Strong leadership, planning and problem-solving skills;
• Must be able to work independently with excellent demonstrated teamwork and coordination skills

Potential consultants should only provide a quotation for supervisory fees for 30 days as the rest of the expenses air tickets, accommodation, enumerator's fees, transportation, research assistants and airtime will be covered directly by the Aga Khan University. In addition, successful consultants will be required to come with their own qualified research assistants (a male and a female).

For more enquiries pertaining to the assignment or application, contact Dr. Adelaide Lusambili via email on the address; adelaide.lusambili@aku.edu . Canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.