Summary
Date Posted: Tuesday, November 23, 2021 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Consultancy to support an evaluation study to generate an Evidence on acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of using Ag RDTs, Self-testing for COVID 19 in Uganda

Job Description
PATH is a global nonprofit dedicated to achieving health equity. With more than 40 years of experience forging multisector partnerships, and with expertise in science, economics, technology, advocacy, and dozens of other specialties, PATH develops and scales up innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing health challenges.

PATH with support from UNITAID, is implementing a one-year COVID-19 response STAR, Africa, Asia, Americas COVID-19 Preparedness (3ACP) project. PATH is leading project implementation in Uganda South Africa, Brazil, and India. The project’s goal is to reduce morbidity and mortality among COVID-19 infected individuals through simpler and earlier diagnosis and linkage to care.

The 3ACP project in Uganda will achieve direct public health impact by implementing several work streams in greater Kampala, focusing on the following work areas:
• Evidence generation on acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of COVID-19 services and delivery models focused on use of Ag RDTs, Self-testing for COVID 19.
• Evidence generation on Utilization of digital information systems to support reporting, surveillance, case management and client connectivity.
• Enabling environment for policy/guideline development and regulatory approval to accelerate access to effective test and treat solutions.
• Demand creation for increased access to COVID-19 services, including linkage to vaccination.
• Effective transition and scale up through linkages to national programs and other funding sources

PATH is seeking a consultant who will be responsible for day-to-day country-level project implementation in alignment with the funder’s specification, budgets and work plans by applying project management techniques.
The consultant will design an evaluation study to generate an Evidence on acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of COVID-19 services and delivery models focused on use of Antigen Rapid Diagnostics Testing kits (Ag RDTs) and Self-testing for COVID 19 among population of different back grounds in Uganda. The study design should include an evaluation and costing of distribution, referral and linkages models using monitoring data and STAR costing tools.
The consultant will work closely with PATH Uganda office, PATH HQ, local stakeholders and global partners working on 3ACP project to design and oversee the study.

Responsibilities:
The consultant will:
• Design evaluation study on acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of COVID-19 services and delivery models focused on use of Ag RDTs and Self-testing for COVID 19 among population of different population categories.
• Design the evaluation models survey instruments and related documents for the study
• Oversee the implementation of the study including collection of high-quality data.
• Conduct the data analysis and interpretation of survey results
• Write the final study report and participate in dissemination of the results

Breakdown of Activities and Deliverables
• Participate in protocol development: Report on protocol development process (7 days)
• Develop a plan for review for evaluation of the protocol on acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of COVID-19 services and delivery models focused on use of Ag RDTs, Self-testing for COVID: Plan to conduct the activities (3 days)
• Develop survey instruments for an evaluation-on-evaluation protocol on acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of COVID-19 services and delivery models focused on use of Ag RDTs, Self-testing for COVID: Survey instruments for review and approval (5 days)
• Develop database and data collection system (integrate with DHIS2): Final cleaned database (13 days)
• Complete study report: Final report on study (3 days)

Objective of the assignment
To support the development of messages and materials that will contribute to creating demand for HIVST services in target districts.
Target audience: Clients receiving COVID 19 services, service providers, middle, senior public health professional engaged in covid response at national level/Ministry of Health.

Scope of Work
The consultant will work closely with PATH Uganda office, PATH HQ, local stakeholders and global partners working on 3ACP project to design and oversee the study.

Duration of Performance
The study will be implemented during the fiscal year 2021-2022; with protocol development in Quarter 1 and evaluation of COVID-19 services and delivery focusing on use of Ag. RDT and COVID-19 self-testing in Quarter 2. The consultant will be required to support the protocol development process for 7 workings days in quarter 1 and then conduct the evaluation COVID-19 services and delivery in quarter 2 for 28 working days.

Required Experience
Minimum qualification includes the following:
• A Masters’ degree or PhD in public health, health informatics, epidemiology, or relevant field.
• At least 5 years of experience in health intervention analyses including leading the design and implementation of strong qualitative and quantitative research.
• Demonstrated capacity and professional experience in survey design implementation including sampling strategy, estimating sample size, data analysis.
• Demonstrated experience training research assistants and supervising a research team
• Significant work experience in developing or sub-Saharan African countries, with preference for experience in Uganda
• Previous experience working in Uganda would be an advantage
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Other Key Competences
• Knowledge of working with key/priority populations such as MSM, commercial sex workers, fisher folk, among others
• Demonstrable capacity to work closely with senior technical managers at the Ministry of Health to fast-track reviews and approvals of HIVST messages and materials
• Strong familiarity with approval processes of messages and materials at Ministry of Health
• Fluent in English and based in Uganda
• Ability to work under pressure
• Results Oriented and ability to think analytically.

Institutional Arrangement
• The selected Consultant will work under the supervision of the 3ACP Project Technical lead.
• The consultant is expected to act as a strong liaison between PATH, MOH 3ACP project.

Duty Station
1. The consultant shall be expected to report to the PATH office on a regular basis or work online as the conditions will permit.
The following documents must be submitted for review
• Letter of expression of interest (cover letter) and CV indicating all experience from similar assignments, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 60

Level of Education: Postgraduate Degree

Job application procedure
Applications should be sent to dabaho@path.org on or before 29th November 2021.
Please click here to apply.

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