Study on Tuberculosis Private Sector Engagement
USAID Learns Contract
Hanoi, Vietnam
Apply here:
https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg02/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=SOCIIMPA2&cws=1&rid=3968 [1]
About Social Impact:
Social Impact (SI) is a global development management consulting firm which provides monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity building services to advance development effectiveness. In Vietnam, SI is implementing the USAID/Vietnam Learns program to support USAID staff and partners to implement more efficient, effective, and transparent programs.
** Note: Candidates are required to be Vietnamese citizens residing in Vietnam **
Position Background:
The National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTP) was established in 1986. The NTP is the primary entity, leading Vietnam in its planning to end TB by 2030. The private sector in Vietnam plays a clear role in the three key areas of tuberculosis (TB) care: diagnosis, referral, and treatment. However, there is no clear national understanding of the private sector’s role in any of these areas, or its effectiveness. There are assumptions about the quality and breadth of the private sector in the three core areas mentioned above, yet research activities to assess them remain limited in both quantity and quality. There is a sense that the number of cases receiving services from the private sector has increased, but there is no credible data to back up these assumptions.
Objective:
The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the scope and quality of private sector engagement in TB in the three areas of diagnosis, referral and treatment. The assumption is that answering the questions outlined below will provide local and international partners with the information they need to improve private sector involvement and reallocate resources in a way that meets specific needs on the ground.
Position Description:
SI is seeking two competent consultants to support the research assignment in support of the Government of Vietnam’s National Tuberculosis Control Program to better ascertain the role and potential of private sector service providers in helping to diagnose, refer, and treat tuberculosis. These two consultants will perform data collection, data analysis, and report writing and participate in conducting this study in two identified provinces/cities.
Over the long-term, the Government of Vietnam hopes to use this research to improve private sector engagement. In the long term, this will support better patient services by helping NTP link with and support private sector providers to improve TB diagnosis, referral, and treatment services.
The USAID Learns team has recently completed the first phase of this study in An Giang and plans to carry out the next phase in two additional provinces. We are working with the USAID and NTP to identify the two provinces/cities, one in the North and one in the South of Vietnam. These two researchers will work closely with a Manager and a Team Lead to complete this study in the two identified provinces.
Research Questions
Question #1: Based on the research, specify the estimated number of TB patients (and %) being treated in selected areas of Vietnam for TB related services, disaggregated by:
- Location (Province);
- Type of provider: a) Private; b) Public non-NTP, c) Public NTP
- Type of service: a) referral, b) diagnosis and c) treatment
Question #2: Based on the research, specify all identifiable service providers in the study areas known to offer TB related services, disaggregated by:
- Location (Province);
- Type of provider: a) Private; b) Public non-NTP, c) Public NTP
- Type of service: a) referral, b) diagnosis and c) treatment
Question #3: Provide an estimated number of service providers in study areas which have and have not connected to the NTP disaggregated by:
- Location (Province),
- Type of provider: a) Private; b) Public non-NTP, c) Public NTP
- Other key characteristic (if applicable)
Question #4: Examine the extent to which NTP guidelines might be met by private sector and public sector service providers (NTP and non-NTP). The analysis should be disaggregated by: a) Referrals, b) Diagnosis, c) Treatment, and d) Offer insight into main identified barriers in study areas.
- Question #4.1: What are challenges and barriers that prevent the service providers from complying with the NTP guidelines?
Question #5: Assess the extent to which service providers contribute to government reporting requirements and seem to meet required reporting standards. The analysis should be disaggregated by: a) Private; b) Public non-NTP, c) Public NTP service providers in study areas.
- Question #5.1: What are challenges and barriers that prevent the service providers from complying with the reporting guidelines?
Question #6: What is the level of satisfaction among TB patients in regard to TB healthcare services offered by the private sector and public sector service providers (NTP and non-NTP)? The analysis should be disaggregated by: a) Private/Public Sector and b) Study area.
Deliverables
Under the direction of the USAID Learns team and team lead, the researchers will contribute to the following deliverables:
- Research Design: Provide inputs to the research design based on the initial health facility survey and key informant interviews results
- Findings Conclusions and Recommendations (FCR) Matrix: Contribute to filling out an analysis tool through which data is triangulated and findings, conclusions, and recommendations specific to each research question are produced. Two FCR matrixes are expected, a preliminary document after the first full week of data collection, and a final matrix at the end of the data analysis period.
- Validation Event: Contribute to the preparation and delivery of an event where the team will present the preliminary findings of the research to USAID, NTP, and key stakeholders, or representatives of key stakeholder groups, who acted as respondents in the research process through a PowerPoint/Google Slides presentation and discussion. This event, supported by USAID/Vietnam Learns in Hanoi, will help validate findings in front of actors and develop/co-develop user-driven recommendations. The research team will consider partners’ comments, develop recommendations, and report accordingly.
- Utilization Event: Contribute to the preparation and delivery of an event where the team will present a refined PowerPoint/Google Slides presentation and instigate discussions for eventual users of the research. With support from USAID/Vietnam Learns in Hanoi, this event is intended to encourage agreement on how to operationalize recommendations, collaborate, and follow up on progress in preparation for activity extension.
- Out-brief: Contribute to the preparation and delivery of the outbrief - a presentation of the key findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the wider USAID/Vietnam Mission and NTP and related stakeholders through a PowerPoint/google slides presentation.
- Draft Report: Contribute to the preparation of a draft report with fully developed findings, conclusions, and recommendations, no longer than 30 pages excluding annexes, will be submitted to the USAID activity manager and Learns COR (by Learns). The format will include an executive summary, table of contents, methodology, findings, and recommendations. USAID/Vietnam and NTP will provide comments on the draft report.
- Final Report: Contribute to the preparation and review of the final report that incorporates responses to USAID’s/partner’s comments and suggestions. The report will be submitted electronically in English and translated into Vietnamese. The report will be disseminated within USAID and NTP.
Responsibilities:
Some specific activities that the researchers will undertake include:
- Work with NTP, USAID, and Learns to develop a plan to collect relevant data.
- Contribute to the development of the research design, methodology and data collection instruments (both qualitative and quantitative)
- Provide training to and monitor data collection firm in conducting quantitative survey.
- Conduct and take part in key informant interviews where feasible
- Review and support the production/Learns’ translation process of detailed notes from interviews, focus groups, and participatory sessions into reliable data sources
- Monitor the overall data collection effort and adapt the data collection based upon the quality and quantity of data iteratively collected
- File, index and organize data sources and materials on Social Impact’s server (SharePoint)
- Support the Team Lead in data analysis and the identification of findings, conclusions, and recommendations following analysis
- Support the writing of the draft evaluation report under direction from the Team Lead and review and update the report’s translation
- Actively contribute to the presentation of findings to USAID, NTP and key stakeholders.
Required qualifications and skills:
Detailed requirements for the position are as below:
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in conducting research and/or implementing related health sector programming;
- Demonstrated experience in both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis;
- Experience providing quality assessments of health care providers including private providers in Vietnam
- Demonstrated experience working with the government health care system in Vietnam, especially with TB’s organizations.
- Fluency in Vietnamese and in-depth knowledge of the operating environment in Vietnam preferred; and
- Demonstrated excellent writing and spoken English skills are required.
- Excellent oral communication and written skills
Level of Effort (LOE): Up to 35 days.
Expected timeline: February 2022 – June 2022 (subject to the timing on selection of provinces)
The closing date for application: January 16, 2022. Selection and interview will be performed on a rolling basis, and interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
To apply, please merge both your CV and a cover letter into one pdf file and submit it through the online portal.
To learn more about Social Impact, please visit our website: http://www.socialimpact.com
SI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.