Commodity Management Assessment (CMA) Specialist USAID Tanzania Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Adaptation (T-MELA) Activity At Social Impact

Social Impact (SI) is a global development management consulting firm. To advance development effectiveness, we provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity-building services. We work across all development sectors including democracy and governance, health and education, environment, and economic growth. Since 1997 we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.

Project Description:

On January 19, 2023, USAID/Tanzania awarded International Business Initiatives (IBI) and SI a four-year contract for the Tanzania Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Adaptation (T-MELA) Activity. This activity is to assist the USAID/Tanzania Mission with strategy- and activity-level performance monitoring, evaluation, and learning. This activity will also provide data gathering and verification, data visualization (including Geographic Information Systems), data quality assessments, impact and performance evaluations, assessments, organizational learning, and collaboration among USAID’s implementing partners and DO teams.

Background

The Tanzania Vector Control Activity (TVCA), funded by USAID and executed by Johns Hopkins University-Centre for Communication Programs, focuses on deploying insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) to combat malaria across Tanzania, including Mainland and Zanzibar. This five-year initiative collaborates with the Tanzanian Government, the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP), and other stakeholders, employing proven vector control methods to advance the country’s goal of eliminating malaria, a major public health issue. Recognized as a highly effective malaria prevention strategy, ITNs have been distributed through various mechanisms, including targeted mass replacement campaigns. These campaigns, integral since 2009-2010, aim to replenish ITN coverage in communities, ensuring access exceeds 40% on the mainland and 50% in Zanzibar, significantly reducing malaria transmission and incidence within high-risk areas. In its fourth year of implementation, TVCA will work with the NMCP, PO-RALG, and PMI to conduct MRC in all councils, wards, and villages of Geita, Simiyu, and Mwanza regions for mainland and 335 shehia of Zanzibar.

The ITN distribution mass campaign is carried out through a detailed implementation process that includes initial planning and coordination meetings with major stakeholders such as TVCA, NMCP, PORALG, and the Ministry of Health. These meetings set the stage for ITN procurement, establish distribution guidelines, and create a preliminary implementation timetable. Task forces focusing on planning, logistics, social behavioral change, and data management convene, leveraging WhatsApp for ongoing communication. Advocacy meetings aim to mobilize local stakeholders, stressing the significance of participating in the campaign, properly caring for, and using ITNs. Training workshops are conducted at both regional and ward levels to provide trainers and volunteers with the essential skills and knowledge needed, using various teaching strategies and hands-on activities. The process of registering households is meticulous, involving the collection and verification of detailed information, and is supported by social behavior change initiatives to encourage net usage. Logistics and supply chain management ensure the acquisition, transportation, and storage of ITNs, with a vigilant issuing process to guarantee that nets are delivered to the right recipients. The campaign also features community verification and technical support, alongside customized social behavior changes materials, to facilitate effective communication and engagement, all aimed at improving proper net use and care.

Starting from 2021/2022, TVCA has supported the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP) in enhancing and utilizing the existing Targeted Mass Replacement Campaign Management Information System (TMRC-MIS) for the mass distribution of ITNs in Lindi and Mtwara. Since its upgrade, the system has been deployed to facilitate household registration, logistics and supply chain management, and the issuing process during the mass issuance of ITNs.

Rationale and Statement of Purpose:

ITNs are crucial both financially and operationally, making thorough documentation and accountability essential, especially during Mass Replacement Campaigns (MRC) that significantly contribute to community distribution. Conducting a Commodity Management Audit (CMA) right after MRC operations is critical for monitoring the supply chain’s efficiency from the national to local levels, facilitating informed resource allocation decisions, enhancing reporting, increasing ITN accountability, and improving future planning and implementation. This audit also verifies the adherence to digital campaign systems and inventory management practices, assesses any losses, and evaluates local government operations in ITN distribution, providing insights to enhance logistics, supply chain management, and digitalization in mass distributions.

The CMA aims to enhance the Long-Lasting Insecticidal Net (LLIN) supply chain’s accountability and management. It focuses on documenting current accountability levels, identifying weaknesses, and recommending improvements for future campaigns to boost transparency and accountability. Additionally, the CMA evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of the commodity management system, ensuring adherence to logistical standards in ITN distribution campaigns and the use of digital systems.

Assessment Questions:

1. Efficiency of ITN Transfer and Distribution:
   1. How efficient and secure were the processes involved in transferring ITNs from the PSM to the Transporter, and subsequently to the council, ward, village levels, and distribution point levels?
   2. How efficient has the TMRC-MIS been in producing accurate data during implementation of the mass campaign?
2. Effectiveness of Distribution:
   1. To what extent was the ITN distribution effective in reaching the intended or targeted community members?
   2. What feedback has been gathered from Village Executive Officers, community volunteers, and LGAs regarding the strengths and challenges of the distribution process?
3. Stakeholder’s coordination and adherence to Logistics and Supply Chain Standards and TMRC Guideline:
   1. To what extent did the distribution processes and storage practices at the regional, council, and village levels align with established logistics and supply chain management standards and TMRC guidelines for ITNs?
   2. To what extent were the stakeholders (TVCA team, Ministry of Health, LGAs, and other stakeholders) coordinated in overseeing the ITN distribution process?
4. ITN misuse and existing mitigating measures:
   1. How does the misuse of ITNs for fishing affect the community’s health and local ecosystems, and what are the mitigation efforts implemented to address the problem?]
5. Effectiveness of SBBC Activities:
   1. How effective were the SBBC activities in raising awareness among community members about the mass distribution of ITNs, particularly during the phases of household registration and immediate pre-issuance of ITNs?

Position Description

SI is seeking CMA specialist to support T-MELA with the assessment of the Mass Campaign of ITN implemented by TVCA. The specialist shall be an English speaker with a deep understanding of the assessment methodology preferably commodity management assessment, this individual will liaise closely with the Team lead, Senior malaria vector control advisor, governmental bodies and provide technical leadership during the conduction of this important assignment. This is a consulting position with an estimated period of performance of March – November 2024. The estimated level of effort (LOE) for the Senior Technical Advisor will be 75 LOEs.

Responsibilities:

The CMA Specialist will provide key support to the evaluation in completing the following duties alongside the TL and Advisor:

· Document key interventions and results through a comprehensive desk review and contribute expertise and technical inputs to the work plan.

· Provide technical support in developing the commodity management assessment protocol/design including clear analysis plan.

· Support the development of commodity management assessment data collection instruments for both qualitative and quantitative approaches.

· In consultation with the Team Leader and Advisor, provide technical support to the qualitative and quantitative data analysis.

· Support the team in the identification of key stakeholders to be interviewed to answer the USAID-provided assessment questions.

· Schedule and interview key stakeholders and beneficiaries.

· Travel within selected councils and regions and conduct in-person and remote interviews and/or group discussions.

· Contribute to the assessment team’s collaborative production of the following high-quality deliverables.

· PowerPoint presentations to USAID/Tanzania

· Contribute to Drafting assessment Report

Deliverables:

With support from USAID/T-MELA and team members, the Team Lead will be expected to take overall responsibility for the production and management of the following:

1. Final Assessment Design: A detailed, full assessment design and work plan following an initial consultation with USAID that will include chosen methodologies and data collection tools.

2. Kick-off meeting/In brief: A PowerPoint/Google Slides presentation summarizing the methodological approach to be used to excute the assessment for USAID/T-MELA and key partners prior to the launch of data collection.

3. Findings Conclusions and Recommendations (FCR) Matrix: An analysis tool through which data is triangulated and findings, conclusions, and recommendations specific to each assessment 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.

4. Preliminary Findings PPT: The team will present the key findings to the wider USAID/Tanzania Mission through a PowerPoint/Google Slides presentation. The TL is expected to update this PowerPoint after the final report.

5. Draft Assessment Reports: A draft regional reports with fully developed findings, conclusions, and recommendations, no longer than 30 pages excluding annexes, will be submitted to the T-MELA COP who will submit to the USAID COR for T-MELA activity. The format will include an executive summary, table of contents, methodology, findings, and recommendations. USAID/T-MELA and key local stakeholders will provide comments on the draft report.

6. Final Reports: The team will submit a final report that incorporates responses to USAID’s/partner’s comments and suggestions. The report will be submitted electronically in English. The report will be disseminated within USAID and key stakeholders.

Qualifications and Skills:

The CMA Specialist must be Tanzanian who have/hold:

· At least 10 years of senior-level experience working on evaluation/assessment is desirable, with extensive experience assessing commodity’s Logistics and Supply chain is required.

· A postgraduate degree or PhD in public health, M&E, Statistics or a Related Field: Advanced education that offers deeper insights into evaluation methodologies, quantitative and qualitative research methods, and the application of these methods in health program evaluation is preferred.

· Expertise in Data Analysis and Statistical Software: Proficiency in using statistical software (e.g., SPSS, Stata, R) for data analysis. Ability to manage, analyze, and interpret large datasets to inform program improvements.

· Evaluation Methodology Proficiency: Strong understanding of both quantitative and qualitative evaluation methodologies, including survey design, sampling techniques, and data collection methods.

· Project Management Skills: Ability to manage assessment projects from inception through completion, including planning, budgeting, stakeholder engagement, and reporting.

· Communication and Reporting Abilities: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effectively conveying findings and recommendations to a variety of stakeholders, including program managers, donors, and policymakers. Skill in preparing clear and actionable reports.

· Experience in the designing of instruments for data collection including quantitative questionnaires, qualitative tools such as KIIs and Focus Groups using diverse technology.

· Excellent oral communication and written skills in English is a must.

· Experience working with international donors, especially USAID.

Level of Effort (LOE):

Expected up to 75 days. Only actual time spent is billable.

Expected timeline: March – November 2024

The closing date for application is February 23, 2024, at 05pm EAT. The 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 two different PDF files and submit it through the online portal.

Come join our energetic and innovative team! We offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of our company, work as part of a creative and committed team, and make a difference in the well-being of our world.

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, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. Please, no phone calls.