Data Collectors (Quantitative Survey)

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Data Collector (Quantitative Survey)

Location: Niger

Purpose of the Assignment

• The purpose of this engagement is to recruit experienced research personnel to support the implementation of quantitative and qualitative surveys under the SMC + VAS project in Bauchi and Niger States, including the Post MNCHW 1 (baseline), LQAS end-of-cycle 1 and 2, and Post MNCHW 2 (endline) surveys.
• The surveys will assess the coverage, quality, effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of co-implementing Vitamin A Supplementation (VAS) with Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), as well as the effect of the integration on the uptake of other key MNCHW interventions across all the LGAs in both states..
• The study will be conducted across 45 LGAs in the two implementation states (20 LGAs in Bauchi State and 25 LGAs in Niger State), excluding security-compromised LGAs where applicable.
• A multistage sampling approach will be used to select respondents from sampled communities and households across the LGAs.
• For the quantitative component, a minimum sample size of 900 children per survey round will be targeted, amounting to approximately 1,800 children across both baseline and endline surveys in the two states. A minimum of 45 clusters/communities will be sampled per survey, with approximately 20–25 households selected per cluster depending on the survey type.
• Overall, the surveys are expected to cover about 1,791 sampled settlements/communities across both states (Bauchi = 323 wards; Niger = 274 wards), with eligible households selected from each sampled settlement.
• For the qualitative component of the Post MNCHW 1 and Post MNCHW 2 surveys, a National Consultant, State Consultants, who are also the interviewers will be engaged to coordinate and implement the qualitative activities, including training, field testing of tools, data collection oversight, transcription and translation, analysis, and report writing.
• A total of 13 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) will be conducted, comprising 6 FGDs with Health Workers (HWs), 3 FGDs with Maternal and Chile Health (MCH) Focal Persons, and 4 FGDs with caregivers. In addition, 11 Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) will be conducted, including 6 KIIs with state stakeholders and 5 KIIs with national stakeholders.
• For the quantitative component of the Post MNCHW 1 and Post MNCHW 2 surveys, State Consultants and Data Collectors will be engaged to support household data collection activities using electronic data collection platforms such as SurveyCTO or KoboCollect.
• In Niger State, dedicated data collectors will be recruited and trained specifically for the surveys, while in Bauchi State, the survey will leverage the existing LQAS data collectors engaged by the PF-SMC project to support implementation and if need be extending the number of days worked.
• The LQAS surveys 1 &2 will align with the existing planned SMC LQAS (cycle 1 &2/3) activities in the states and will assess SMC coverage, adherence to treatment protocols, and implementation immediately after each SMC cycle to support timely corrective actions where required.
• The VAS project Senior M&E Officers (SMEOs) for Niger and Bauchi States will work closely with the engaged national and state consultants, as well as data collectors, and will also coordinate with the respective State M&E officers and SMC M&E Managers to ensure effective implementation of the assignment and integration.
• The engaged State Consultants will support data analysis and interpretation in line with the LQAS methodology, while the National will be responsible for reviewing state-level analyses and consolidating final reports across both states.
• The consultants and supervisors will train data collectors and provide oversight for the data collection process, while data collectors will be responsible for conducting field data collection using an electronic data collection platform.

Specific Tasks for the Data Collectors (Post MNCHW -Quantitative and LQAs Cycle 1&2 surveys)

• Attend and actively participate in the training on data collection conducted by the Malaria Consortium M&E team.
• Conduct data collection in sampled households based on the LQAS methodology, including:obtaining written consents from respondents, administering interviews to the right participants and ensuring confidentiality of respondents’ personal data during and after interviews.
• Report any issues to the State Consultant and assist in solving problems.
• Conduct interviews in approximately 20–25 households selected per cluster households using the Survey-CTO data collection application and upload daily data onto the server.
• Meet daily targets of household visits based on the protocol and survey methodology.
• Collect high-quality data, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency of data collected.
• Meet daily targets and upload data onto the server in a timely manner.
• Maintain confidentiality of respondents’ personal data during and after interviews.

Deliverables

• Complete data set based on daily targets uploaded into the SurveyCTO platform.
• Process reports submitted and approved by the Senior M&E Officer.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of National Diploma in Social Sciences, Health-related or National Certificate of Education (NCE).
• Atleast 5-7 years experience in conducting public health research, particularly data collection.
• Knowledge of sampling techniques in conducting quantitative surveys.
• Experience in the use of modern technology in research, including the use of phones for data collection.
• Previous experience conducting LQAS surveys is an added advantage.
• Ability to speak local languages (Hausa/Fulani).
• Must be a resident of Bauchi State.
• Familiarity with the terrain, tradition, and culture of the locality.
• Ability to pay attention to details.
• Ability to write reports.
• Must not be a current government staff at any level.
• Must not be part of SMC implementation in any of the following capacities (national, state, LGA, HFW, CHW, FA, TA, or LM).
• Must not be blacklisted during previous LQAS activities.

Additional Requirements:

• The Data Collector will be required to work independently and as part of a team and travel to approximately 20–25 households selected per cluster households within Bauchi State.
• The Data Collector will be required to use their own phone for data collection, and must adhere to the study protocol, including all data collection and management procedures.
• All personnel that will serve as data collectors must be indigene of/ resident in the states (Niger State)