IOM seeks to recruit a qualified Consultant to support the Baseline Survey along with a Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) survey and SRH related service mapping and needs assessment for the Project “Promoting comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights for internal migrants and internally displaced populations living in 756 urban slums in Sylhet City of Bangladesh” Interested consultant/s are invited to apply by 31.05.2015 at the latest, referring to SVN ref. code. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
OPPORTUNITY FOR CONSULTANCY
Reference Code:
SVN-09/2015/C-BD1
Position Title:
Consultant
Duty Station:
IOM Dhaka
Estimated Starting Date:
10.06.2015
Classification:
UG-99 (IOM Salary Scale)
Type of Appointment:
Consultancy, 40 Days over a period of 2 months
Background:
IOM in collaboration with Anesvad (a Spanish organization) has initiated a project from May 2015 to improve the access to quality and comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) care services for internal migrants and internally displaced populations (IDPs) in 756 urban slums in Sylhet City in Sylhet Division of Bangladesh and thus to promote of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights by contributing to MDG5 and 6,.
General objective of the project is to contribute to the promotion of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights by contributing to MGD 5.B and progressing in MGD 5.A and MDG 6.A targets and indicators in Bangladesh. Specific objective of the project is to improve the access to quality and comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) care services for internal migrants and Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs) in 756 urban slums in Sylhet City Corporation of Bangladesh.
The expected results of the project are as follows:
Output 1: Strengthened capacity of duty bearers (health authorities, service providers, community leaders) in terms of providing effective and coordinated response in fulfilling Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) of male and female internal migrants and IDPs (right holders) living in urban slums of Sylhet City.
Output 2: Increased awareness on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) among male and female internal migrants and IDPs, especially the young population (right holders), living in urban slums of Sylhet City.
Output 3: Improved the provision of quality and comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) care services for underserved and vulnerable populations living in urban slums of Sylhet City, such as male and female internal migrants and IDPs (right holders).
To ensure sustainability, the project will focus on building the capacity of government health professionals and health facilities at the urban levels, and establishing a coordinated referral mechanism to promote the sexual and reproductive health rights of internal migrants and internally displaced population involving other duty bearers like the local government authorities, local NGOs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from different related sectors as well as the local community leaders and Voluntary Community Social Workers.
Reputed international NGO Marie Stops Bangladesh (MBS) will be actively involved in the community based interventions such as empowering the host community on the awareness of their sexual and reproductive health rights, providing SRH services through satellite clinics, establishing referral network and mobilizing the community members and leaders.
At the onset of the project, a baseline survey, need assessment and SRH service mapping will be conducted to assess the current situation in line with the set indicators as well as the knowledge, attitude and practices in the target areas in regards to sexual and reproductive health needs and rights of internal migrants and internally displaced population.
The Objectives of Survey
The major objective of the baseline survey and KAP survey is to collect information and baseline data for the project indicators as in the project planning matrix, adjust the targets based on the findings if necessary, and finalize the indicators for tracking progress of project interventions and finally to track the progress against the baseline status through a follow up survey after the project interventions.
It will also help determine the baseline status of the community in relation to sexual and reproductive health rights of internal migrants and internally displaced populations. The purpose of the study is also to identify the existing service providers/ facilities that provide sexual and reproductive health care and other forms of direct support to this issue and identify gaps and priorities which will contribute to the planning for strengthening the collaboration and referral linkages among service providers.
While the project targets both male and female internal and IDP populations, female migrants, especially those who are at reproductive age, are likely to have specific sexual and reproductive health and other direct assistance needs. The baseline survey should capture this gender aspect, including female’s accessibility to the existing services. The project also has special focus on those below 18 years of age (adolescents). Thus the baseline survey should capture gender and age disaggregated data as per the project indicators.
Scope of the Survey
The survey will collect baseline data for the project indicators, existing SRH services and understand the existing belief, knowledge, attitude, behaviour and practices in relation to sexual and reproductive health care seeking and sexual and reproductive health rights of internal migrants and internally displaced populations in the slum of Sylhet city. The key project indicators to be surveyed include:
Proportion of right holders from urban slums attending the SRH services available in project target area
Average waiting time for the right holders at clinics while receiving SRH services compared to baseline situation
Number of clients from the urban slum population expressing feeling of improved access to SRH services in project target area compared to baseline situation
Increment of at least one ANC visit and increase in at least four ANC visits in the last pregnancy among mothers in urban slums in project target area compared to baseline situation
Number of deliveries attended by skilled health professionals among women from urban slums in case of last delivery in project target area compared to baseline situation
Proportion of young students (female and male from 12 to 16 years) from the targeted schools having correct knowledge on STI and HIV.
Numbers of male and female young population (15 to 25 years of age) have changed their personal health behaviour compared to baseline situation.
Proportion of young girls using hygienic menstrual pads .
Proportion of adult urban slum population (male and female from 19 to 49 years) from the target area with acceptable attitudes and behaviours in relation to safer sex practice, FP method use and health seeking behaviour.
Systematic referral mechanism is in place
Number of referrals from community to primary health care centers and from primary centers to specialized care centres
Increment of contraceptive use among eligible couples in urban slums in project target area compared to baseline situation.
Scope of work for the Consultant/s
In close consultation and coordination with IOM, the following are the key activities and deliverables expected from the Consultant/Research team involved in conducting this baseline survey:
a) Review of related literature (Desk Review)
Though the scope of survey is defined by IOM, the Consultant/Research Team will review existing literatures on present sexual and reproductive health services, risks and gaps in services for the internal and IDP in slum areas especially in the context of Bangladesh to identify the necessary additional information to be collected as well as to back the research methodology and survey tools to be used.
The review may include:
Research publications (published and unpublished) on sexual and reproductive health issues
Relevant government health policies and care system for victims of internal and IDP‐ (if any, how they are being implemented and how is the access of victims to those policies, schemes and services);
Government reports and statistics related to SRH and internal migration and IDP‐ (if any);
Any other project/ program experience on SRH care provision for internal migrants and internally displaced populations in Bangladesh or other countries in the region;
The data gathered from the desk review will be used as a basis for the development of the research methodology and data collection tools.
b) Study design and Data Collection
To conduct the baseline survey and need assessment both primary and secondary data will need to be collected through project document review, work plan, in‐depth interviews with key informants (government officials, NGO personnel, community leaders, internal and internally displaced peoples etc.); survey with community respondents (male and female populations, host community); focus group discussions (internally migrants and displaced populations) and on-site observation of service facilities (both govt. and NGO facilities).
For this part of data collection, the Consultant/Research Team will be responsible for:
Developing the survey and mapping methodology, including determination of design, key informants, sample size and sample frame, data collection strategies and developing data collection tools and service mapping checklists
Translating the data collection tools into Bangla, pre‐testing and finalization of tools
Assigning the research team members for data collection and providing training to them in the field on the use of the tools and data collection methods and techniques, as well as ethical considerations including informed consent and confidentiality
Monitoring of data collection and necessary field visit to project areas for need assessment and key informant interviews (slums under the Sylhet city corporation areas)
Data collection in the field by trained researchers and coordination of field work especially in case of key informant in-depth interviews, FGDs etc. ensuring the quality and reliability of information
c) Analysis of information and writing the baseline survey and need assessment report
The Consultant is responsible for collating, synthesizing and analysing the data gathered; as well as the writing of the baseline survey report for IOM. The analysis will include both qualitative and quantitative findings. Therefore the Consultant will be responsible for the following activities:
Translation of collected information back to English,
Reviewing project matrix and reports, analysing collected information‐ both quantitative and qualitative.
Writing standard baseline survey report in respect to the project indicators and other key findings as defined in the scope of the survey.
Report should also include field observation findings, including probable challenges, and recommendations.
Prepare a separate report on needs assessment conducted in the existing primary health care centres under the City Corporation.
d) Review, editing and finalization of the report
A final draft of the baseline survey report will be submitted in electronic form for review by IOM (at least twice for reviews and adjustments), Anesvad and other stakeholders such as government authorities. The Consultant will appropriately address the comments and inputs provided by IOM, Anesvad and relevant government authorities. The Consultant/Research Team will submit both electronic and hard copies of final report to IOM.
Role of IOM
Provide a consolidated payment to cover the cost of data collection and consultation fees for the Consultant and Research Team.
Provide available documents and information in relation to SRH and internal migrants and IDP including the project documents.
Review the submitted draft of survey reports and provide technical inputs.
Support in contacting government and other relevant officials for interviews.
Support in conducting the needs assessment in the health care facilities under Sylhet City Corporation
Timeline
The timeframe for this survey is about 2 months. The study will start from mid-June, 2015 and end by middle of August, 2015. The Consultant along with the team is expected to work for around 40 days including week ends during this period.
A detailed timeframe will be agreed upon between the Consultant and IOM.
Tentative timeline for the baseline survey (subject to review upon practical scenario):
Activity
Timeline
Signing of the service agreement
10 June, 2015
Desk research and literature review completed
By 15 June, 2015
Develop the final survey and needs assessment methodology and design in consultation with IOM
By 22 June, 2015
Develop, pre-test and finalize the data collection tools as required (including translation in Bangla)
By 28 June, 2015
Recruit data collection and field assistant team (if required)
By 28 June, 2015
Train data collection team on the tools, interviewing techniques and ethical considerations
By 03 July, 2015
Completion of data collection, in-depth interviews, FGDs etc.
By 15 July, 2015
Transcribe the voice record to MS Word and translate the scripts into English (to be done by data collection team and translators)
By 20 July, 2015
Analysis of data and draft report submission for technical review and comments
By 5 Aug, 2015
Completion and submission of the Final Baseline Survey Report addressing review comments and feedback
By 15 Aug, 2015
Interim reviews and discussions between the consultant and IOM will take place at regular intervals and can be requested at any time by both the Consultant/s and IOM.
Supervision and Monitoring
The Consultant will work in close collaboration with the IOM focal person, National Programme Officer (Migration Health) and will report to the same on the progress and any other relevant issues. IOM in collaboration with the local partner NGO will support the Consultant in getting relevant data related to project and guide him/her in field data collection. The Consultant will be responsible for supervising and monitoring the data collectors working in the field.
Required Expertise and Qualifications
Education: Master’s degree in public health, population sciences, health economics, applied statistics, or other subjects of social science.
Professional and Related Experiences:
At least 5 years’ relevant experience conducting independent public health research- preferably with a focus on SRH (both quantitative and qualitative);
Strong understanding of and practical experience in gender issues, in particular women’s access to Sexual and Reproductive Health;
Proven expertise in data analysis and writing of research reports;
Experience of working with governments and communities; Good communication skills in native language and English. Excellent writing skill in English is a priority requirement;
Knowledge and experiences of Human Rights Based Approaches (HRBA) in health development programme;
Excellent time management and ability to produce quality outputs as per agreed deadlines.
Method of Application:
Candidates with the required qualifications should submit with the following by 31 May 2015 addressed to: IOM Dhaka Human Resources, House # 13/A, Road # 136, Gulshan-1, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh or e-mail to: DhakaJobs@iom.int
Proposals (not more than 6 pages) showing the methodology to be used, a work plan indicating timelines and demonstrating proof of experience in conducting organizational assessments; familiarity with assessment methodologies; ability to produce clear and concise reports and to work in a multicultural setting.
Proposed fee rates.
Complete CV of the consultant/s.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
IOM is an equal opportunity employer and women are encouraged to apply.
IOM Offices and vehicles have smoke-free work environment.