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1. Background/Context

The Ministry of Health’s National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) has concluded data collection for the 8th Malaria Indicator Survey (MIS). The survey has collected data across malaria interventions and malaria-related burden which will be used to ascertain the progress being made toward the objectives and targets set in the national malaria elimination strategic plan. Using a representative probability sample, the MIS helps the NMEP to produce malaria prevalence and intervention coverage estimates for the whole country, provinces, and for rural and urban populations. The 2024 MIS was implemented in 199 standard enumeration areas (SEA) randomly selected from all 10 provinces of Zambia. In each SEA, 20 households per cluster, totaling about 3,980 households participated in interviews and all under five children in these households had their blood slide samples collected for malaria tests and other laboratory tests. Data was collected on smartphones using EpiSample.

The National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), with support from PATH, seeks to engage a consultant to analyze the data and to write the 2024 MIS report.

2.Assignment objectives

The main objectives of this assignment are:

• To clean the data and conduct preliminary analysis.
• To analyze and interpret the data in accordance with the survey’s research questions and objectives as outlined in the protocol.
• To produce tables and figures for the 2024 MIS report in line with the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) malaria surveys toolkit and consistent with the previous MIS reports.
• To produce the full 2024 MIS report based on the findings and consistent with the previous MIS reports.

3.Scope of work

Literature review: The consultant will review malaria literature on Zambia and in the region to understand the context in which the NMEP operates. Quantitative data analysis: using Stata and R software, conduct a quantitative data analysis that will culminate into generating information on the malaria situation in Zambia a) characteristics of households and women respondents; coverage of key malaria interventions including but not limited to vector control interventions, intermittent preventive treatment of malaria during pregnancy, malaria case management, social and behavior change, and malaria parasite and anemia prevalence and c) the consultant shall ensure that data is segregated in various categories that include but not limited to gender (sex), province, rural and urban, wealth quantile, and trends comparing data for each MIS since 2006 as applicable. Produce the 2024 MIS preliminary report: The consultant shall produce a preliminary report that will contain tables and graphs that will be presented to the NMEP for review, analysis, and comments. Produce the full 2024 MIS report based on the feedback from the NMEP.

4.Deliverables

• Data analysis plan: the consultant shall submit an inception report in which they will describe how they will clean the data, conduct the analysis, and produce the report. The inception report shall not be more than 15 pages.
• Clean data set: the consultant shall produce a clean MIS 2024 dataset and export it as a CSV file which will be submitted to the Ministry of Health.
• The data analysis script in Stata and R: the NMEP will share with the consultant existing Stata and R code however the consultant shall update the code to ensure that it captures all the needed variables for analysis.
• The draft report with tables and figures, the final report agreed by the NMEP Secretariat, and a slide deck of results using PowerPoint.

5.Duration of the assignment

This is a short-term consultancy assignment not exceeding six months

6.Required Qualifications and Experience

The lead consultant must meet the following criteria.

• Minimum of a Master’s degree in statistics, mathematics, epidemiology, public health, or other relevant social science qualification with at least 10 years of experience in the similar field.
• Previous demonstrated experience in MIS, Demographic Health Survey, Census, or data sets of similar magnitude as a data analyst and data interpretation expert.
• Must have hands on expertise and experience in the use of statistical software      particularly Stata and R.
• A high level of mathematical abilities and the ability to analyze, model and interpret quantitative data.
• The ability to plan work and meet deadlines, and to work with the team.
• Excellent professional English writing skills
• Experience of research publications in academic journals (peer to peer review)

7.Application Procedure

The consultant/firm is required to submit the following:

• Letter of interest mentioning competencies in Stata and R
• Team composition and CVs of key staff, CV must demonstrate actual use of Stata and R with at least three references
• At least two samples of previous work related to the requirements of this ToR.
• Financial proposal indicating a consultancy fee, number of days to complete the assignment and a breakdown of expenses.
• Copy of tax clearance certificate

Full terms of reference will be given to successful applicants.

Send your application to nfomis@path.org copy to japhet.chiwaula@gmail.com and stephenbwalyag@gmail.com online applications will not be accepted. The closing date for receiving applications is end of day Friday, 14th June 2024.

PATH is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity is valued.

PATH is an equal opportunity employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment.

PATH does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, caste, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.