A new data use resource, employment opportunities & a farewell note

(i) The first one is calling for proposals to conduct a series of six case studies on policy influence of impact studies. The case studies would identify factors that contribute to or impede evidence from rigorous impact evaluations to influence policy (including individuals, institutions, laws and regulations, as well as the approach used to communicate the findings) thereby improving the policy effectiveness of the evidence. This call is for the first design stage, which will provide the methodological framework for the research and identify the case studies. Deadline: June 25. See attached.

(ii) And the second one requests for proposals for an evaluation of 3ie's policy impact. Deadline: June 25. Also attached.

Details on selection criteria and how to apply is available in the detailed request for proposals attached.

 

Draft guides in English and French can be downloaded by clicking on the title of each guide. 

 

Ghana is currently implementing Global Fund Round 8 HIV grant through four principal recipients (PRs) namely the Ghana AIDS Commission, National AIDS and STI Control Programme (NACP), Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (PPAG) and Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). Accurately measuring the success of the programme and improving its management is predicated on strong M&E systems that produce and use quality data. In view of this, the collaborating PRs seek to strengthen the M&E system by assessing the individual PR’s M&E systems through the use of the Global Fund M&E System Strengthening Tool (MESST) and develop actions to address identified weaknesses and gaps.

These terms of reference provide description of services required under this consultancy.

Ghana has a generalized HIV epidemic with pockets of high prevalence among most-at-risk populations, namely men having sex with men and their female partners, female sex workers, prison inmates, most-at-risk youth (15-24), workers (miners, uniformed services, transport workers), and vulnerable groups such as young boys and girls and female porters, as well as population in some geographic areas which are disproportionally affected by the epidemic. The national HIV prevalence has remained stable and below 5% over the past 16 years. The current national prevalence is 1.7% and prevalence among pregnant women is 2.2% (2008 sentinel surveillance report: National AIDS Control Program/Ghana Health Services).

The critical  gaps in the national response include but not limited to 1) superficial understanding of HIV in many segments of the population including youth, and an inability to move people from general knowledge and awareness of risk to actually adopting safer behaviors; 2) insufficient targeting of most-at-risk populations (MARPs) and vulnerable groups; 3) slow integration of HIV and AIDS and Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH); 4) shortfalls in institutional and community capacities to rapidly scale-up comprehensive HIV services and 5) weak M&E infrastructure of all implementers among many other weaknesses The round 8 grant is aimed at addressing these challenges in the national response.

Recognizing that clients of most-at-risk populations serve as a bridge between most-at-risk populations and general population in HIV transmission, the Round 8 grant will combine the targeting of interventions to MARPS and vulnerable groups and the targeting of the general population. As part of health system strengthening measures directly related to HIV services, this Program targets blood safety, Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT), early infant diagnosis, and integration of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) services.

Stronger partnerships will be forged between the public health sector, civil society and private sector, during the implementation of the grant by multiple Principal Recipients: Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Services and Ghana AIDS Commission (public sector), Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana (civil society), Adventist Development and Relief Agency of Ghana (faith-based organization).

Goal:  To reduce new HIV infections in the general population.

To achieve Program’s objectives, the following key activities will be implemented:

-          Behavior Change Communication (BCC) and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) using various media;

-          Male and female condom distribution among most-at-risk populations, vulnerable groups and general population;

-          Counseling and testing (CT) – expand CT sites and integrate CT with SRH;

-          Stigma and discrimination reduction in all settings;

-          Community outreach through peer educators and in school settings;

-          Payment of National Health Insurance (NHI) premiums for PLHIV to increase their access to health services, including the management of opportunistic infections;

-          Strengthening and expansion of PMTCT services and early infant diagnosis;

-           Provision of STI prevention packages and increasing referral system for STI diagnosis and treatment;

-          Implementation of a comprehensive donor blood program to ensure universal access to safe blood;

-          Strengthening of civil society and institutional capacity building (capacity building of civil society organizations in coordination, management, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting);

-          Recruitment of workplace partners to implement a revised “HIV/TB Workplace Policy”

To conduct and facilitate an M&E system strengthening workshop using the Global Fund Monitoring and Evaluation Systems Strengthening Tool (MESST) to assess M&E system and data collection and reporting systems and to facilitate the development of action plans to address gaps. The consultant(s) will work closely with the Ghana AIDS Commission, the CCM, PRs, SRs and in-country partners.

a)      Assess the national M&E system and M&E Plan and capacities of the individual PRs and other implementers;

b)      Evaluate how the M&E activities of the implementing entities are linked and integrated within the National M&E System;

c)      Facilitate the development of a costed action plan to strengthen M&E systems.

The consultant(s) shall review all M&E system related documents, facilitate the MESST workshop and use the MESST checklist to undertake the following specific tasks:

Review the goals and objectives of the Round 8 HIV programs and evaluate how they relate to the National HIV and AIDS Strategic Framework 2006-2010 and the National M&E Framework 2006-2010. Assess the national HIV response and donor-funded projects, the indicators selected, their data sources, target-setting, and availability of baselines. Special attention should be given to identifying whether parallel reporting systems are being set up for donor-funded projects (i.e., outside the national reporting system). Review data dissemination and transparency, as well as the confidentiality of sensitive data. Check whether all the indicators for impact are clearly defined and linked to the broader national/grant implementation goals. Finally, review the budget amounts allocated to M&E and assess their adequacy.

Assess the data management systems of the PRs to determine if their M&E units possess the resources, procedures, skills, and experience necessary for M&E data management and reporting. Check whether the M&E units provide sufficient oversight, guidance, and support to sub-recipient or sub-reporting entities, and if feedback is provided to them on the quality of their reporting and on program performance.

Assess and identify the strengths and weaknesses of the programmes’ data-collection and reporting systems per programme area, including the ability to report valid, accurate, and quality data related to implementation. Check the feasibility of frequency of data collection and reporting and how the data sources are used to measure the targets and indicators stated.

Provide an overall assessment rating of the programme M&E plan. Facilitate and support individual PRs to develop a costed action plan to comprehensively address weaknesses, shortcomings, bottlenecks and gaps in the M&E system.

·         MESST Workshop report with relevant annexes including assessment report on each PR’s M&E system

·         Costed integrated Action Plan

·         Completions and submission of MESST checklists by PRs- 1^st Week of August

·         MESST Workshop-3^rd and 4^th Weeks of August2010

·         Costed integrated Action Plan- 4^th Week of August 2010

·         MESST Workshop report-4^th Week of August 2010

The Consultant must possess the following:

·         Masters Degree or its equivalent in public health or related field

·         At least 5 years post qualification experience in monitoring and evaluation or programme management at national or multi-national level

·         A  wealth of experience and demonstrable track record for conducting MESST workshops and assessments or similar assignments

·         Superior workshop facilitation and report writing skills

2.       Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor, American red Cross, Washington DC
Qualifications : Bachelors degree in monitoring and evaluation, public health or related field required, masters degree preferred. Minimum of five years relevant experience required including experience in developing countries. Experience conducting and/or supervising needs assessments and surveys, data analysis, project design, and evaluation required; preferably for both relief and development programs. Solid project management experience needed. Fluency in English is required and fluency in additional languages strongly preferred
Job Description : Summary
The American Red Cross seeks an experienced Monitoring & Evaluation Advisor, to be located in Washington D.C. to develop and carry out the objectives of the American Red Cross relief, recovery and mitigation framework.
Responsibilities
The M&E Advisor will provide technical assistance in the design, monitoring and evaluation of ARC activities in Haiti. S/he will report to the Director, Program Integration and work closely with the Monitoring & Evaluation Delegate to ensure the development and coordination of the planning, monitoring, reporting and evaluation systems of the American Red Cross in Haiti.
Specific responsibilities include
* Review and build on American Red Cross M&E tools and best practice methodologies.
* Ensure the quality of quantitative and qualitative methods and participatory methodologies used to monitor program quality.
* Ensure integration of cross-cutting themes, such as gender equity and environmental protection, in the M&E designs.
* Liaise with counterparts at international, government, non-government agencies involved in related activities and collaborate in promoting high quality results and complementary efforts.
* Ensure effective and relevant M&E systems are incorporated into projects and proposals considering technical suitability, donor requirements, resources and capacities.
* In conjunction with program managers, develop project-specific monitoring tools.
* Coordinate the design and implementation of baseline, mid-term and end of project evaluations, surveys, special studies, and other components of the M&E system as technical assistance needs arise.
* Routinely perform quality control checks of M&E work and improve processes and practices relating to M&E data analysis and management.
* Prepare and train staff, primary stakeholders, and implementing partners, as necessary, on general design, M&E concepts, skills and tools.
* Work with staff to ensure that lessons learned from project and program evaluations influence future project selection, design and implementation.
* Work with staff and external consultants in meeting the M&E needs of Haiti as needed.
* Facilitate strategic planning reviews, as needed.
* Support external evaluation missions.
* Represent the American Red Cross in Haiti to other movement and non-movement partners.
* Ensure the quality and timely submission of all required project reports (to National Headquarters, to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, to the Haitian Government, and others)
Qualifications
Bachelors degree in monitoring and evaluation, public health or related field required, masters degree preferred. Minimum of five years relevant experience required including experience in developing countries. Experience conducting and/or supervising needs assessments and surveys, data analysis, project design, and evaluation required; preferably for both relief and development programs. Solid project management experience needed. Fluency in English is required and fluency in additional languages strongly preferred The American Red Cross is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer
Requisition Number : NHQ2712
United States, Washington DC
Full Time / Part Time : Full Time
Shift : 1st - First Shift
Work Schedule : 8am-5pm
Percentage of Travel : 25% - 50%
Relocation Eligibility : Yes

 

 

You will provide leadership and coordination of monitoring and evaluation initiatives related to HIV prevention among adolescents and the protection, care and support of children affected by HIV and AIDS.

1.  You will provide technical support to the design of data collection, framework, methodologies for global monitoring of progress related to programme HIV prevention and protection interventions; and generate strategic information required by the organization for decision-making and advocacy.  You will assist in the introduction of new approaches and methods in programme monitoring and support scale-up of those approaches.
2.  You will develop the evaluation and research protocol and workplan, and ensure compliance to specific assigned objectives.  You will provide guidance and support to staff.  You will plan and organize evaluation & research training programmes, and identify training needs for the purpose of capacity-building in E&R.
3. You will analyze and evaluate data to assess achievement of objectives and recommend corrective actions, when necessary (familiarity with DHS and MICS data).  You will provide technical advice to programme staff and other counterparts on planning and management of integrated monitoring and evaluation.
4. You will facilitate Interagency Task Team (IATT) on M&E working groups: periodical update of the Working Group TOR; organize meetings; ensure feedback to the IATT Steering Committee on progress; provide technical input to and, where needed, leadership on the various activities undertaken by the Working Group. You will collaborate and network with UNAIDS co-sponsors and other technical experts on the IATT on children affected by AIDS and HIV and prevention among young people

 

Competencies of Successful Candidate

UNICEF is committed to diversity and gender equality in its workplace. Women and nationals of developing countries are strongly encouraged to apply.