Supervisor at Malaria Consortium

Job Title: Supervisor

Project Background

• Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, which bear the brunt of over 90% of the 250 million infections globally, and over half a million deaths each year. Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) are a well-proven method to reduce the chances of malaria infection, accounting for 68% of the cases averted between 2000 and 2015. Thanks to massive national distribution campaigns in these countries access to ITNs in many regions is high.
• However, there is still a significant gap between access to and use of ITNs – even when people have them they don’t always use them. This is a complex behavioural problem. Previous studies have highlighted barriers to mosquito net use such as concerns about chemicals, difficulties in hanging nets, and discomfort during use, and lack of relative risk perception from malaria. These barriers prevent full use of ITNs even when available. This requires a behaviourally informed approach to better understand and address these issues through targeted interventions.
• This research activities which draws from insights from our earlier qualitative exploratory study addressing barriers and facilitators, and culminating in the development of a prototype intervention, will comprise focus groups with a diverse sample of the population in areas with access to mosquito nets. We will conduct purposive sampling on geographical, socioeconomic, behavioural, and demographic characteristics to ensure a breadth and diversity of study participants. The study will focus on Osun state in Nigeria.

Purpose of the Assignment

• The purpose of this assignment is to conduct qualitative research to understand how participants feel and act towards a basic example of a behavioural intervention (low fidelity prototype) and then, after refining, test the more developed example to increase insecticide treated nets (ITNs) in selected areas of Osun state in Nigeria.

Scope of Work

• The qualitative work to be conducted under this service contract agreement involves the following components:
  • 5 to 6 focus group discussions with 6-8 participants per group, of a duration of around 90 minutes for the low fidelity prototype testing
  • 5 to 6 focus group discussions with 6-8 participants per group, of a duration of around 90 minutes for the high-fidelity prototype testing
• The study will employ a purposive sampling strategy to maximise the range and diversity of the sample, ensuring that we have a diversity of participants across criteria which may influence mosquito net use.
• Focus groups will be conducted in person (face-to-face) in groups of 6-8 participants and will take place in a communal space in participants’ communities. Topic guides have been designed drawing on results of initial exploratory research.
• We will seek input from potential users and frontline workers through user testing focus groups which will explore participants’ actions, behaviour, and attitudes towards the prototypes.
• User testing focus groups will support the study research aims by allowing participants to directly interact with the intervention and provide feedback to improve its acceptability and effectiveness.
• We will conduct user testing of a low-fidelity prototype of the intervention through focus groups with potential end-users. Following initial focus groups, we will incorporate user feedback received to refine the intervention. We will develop a high-fidelity prototype of the refined intervention and conduct user testing focus groups to explore participants’ attitudes towards and interactions with the high-fidelity prototype. This will allow us to seek feedback and refine the intervention to increase its acceptability and likely effectiveness. Drawing on these findings and the behavioural science literature, we will then design a pilot intervention in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Focus groups will be led by a local researcher. A second research assistant will be present to take notes and record observations using a note-taking template developed by BIT. If participants consent to audio recording, the discussion will be recorded and transcribed.
• All recordings will be transcribed and translated.

Specific Tasks for Supervisor

• Support the translation and back translation of topic guides to the local language (Yoruba).
• Support preparatory activities for training and for field data collection.
• Participate in the training activity for conducting the data collection process and step-down training for interviewers.
• Liaise with the project manager to obtain necessary research tools.
• Promptly raise any methodological question arising during the data collection process which may affect adherence to the research protocol.
• Coordinate the data collection process and assign daily tasks to interviewers.
• Coordinate the identification and recruitment of FGDs participants.
• Lead the scheduling of FGDs.
• Coordinate the organization of FGD sessions.
• Ensure that all recording devices are accounted for.
• Oversee recording transcription and translation.
• Collate and report daily issues and challenges to the Project Manager and the Principal Investigator.
• Take responsibility for compliance with confidentiality and security procedures to ensure respondent privacy is protected.
• Promptly report any safeguarding risks or incidents.

Deliverables for Supervisors

• Translation of research tools into Yoruba.
• Scheduling of FGD.
• Incident log.
• Summary daily reports.
• Final supervision report.

Person specification: Supervisors
Essential:

• B.Sc or M.Sc in a relevant academic field.
• At least 3 years experience in collecting qualitative data.
• At least 2 years experience in supervising qualitative research.
• Practical knowledge of community entry & mobilization techniques.
• Demonstrated experience in the management of qualitative data activities and enforcing data quality procedures.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Computer literacy to be able to work on electronic data collection applications.
• Good facilitation skills.
• Strong written and verbal skills in Yoruba, preferably mother tongue.
• Strong written and verbal skills in English.

Desired:

• Good communication skills and experience in participatory methodology.
• Innovative, motivated, and able to work with minimal supervision.
• Certification in M&E will be a plus.
• Resident in Osun state.
• Mother tongue Yoruba.

Quality Assurance:

• Please note that you may be contacted or invited by the Malaria Consortium’s Project Technical Team to discuss progress of activities, deliverables and timelines as related to this assignment.

Compensation
Please note that all terms will be discussed and agreed with the project lead. Payments are subject to satisfactory and timely completion of all assigned deliverables and will be according to Malaria Consortium’s finance policies.

Application Instructions:

The application deadline is 19th January, 2025 (5:00PM). Qualified and interested candidates can “CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT APPLICATION” It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply successfully for this vacancy.

Website:
Official Job Website: https://www.malariaconsortium.org/

Note

• For this position, previous working experience with MC and in SMC are added advantages.
• Applicants who do not follow this specification will be disqualified.
• Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Kindly note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and as a result, the process may conclude before the advertised deadline. Therefore, early applications are highly encouraged.
• Malaria Consortium does not accept or ask for payment during recruitment. We also would not accept hardcopy CVs; all applications should be sent through the above link.