Individual Consultant for evaluation of IFRC Immunization Programme in Pakistan At International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies

Number of positions: 01 Position

Location for the evaluation of the programme: Pakistan (Killa Abdullah, Chaman, Sub-Division Wazir, and Bannu)

Planned timelines A total of 44 working days.

Start date: 1st November 2023

End date: 31st December 2023.

Overall objective:

IFRC, Country Delegation (CD) in Pakistan is implementing the immunization programmes with and through Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in super high-risk districts (Killa Abdulah, Chaman, Bannu, and Sub-Division Wazir aka FR-Bannu) of the country, since 2018. In order to improve the existing immunization programme and evaluate the impact/achievements, IFRC-CD is looking for an experienced and dynamic Evaluation Consultant who possess a demonstrable track record of doing programme evaluations, meeting challenging targets and deadlines.

The overall objective of this consultancy is to evaluate the 5-year Immunization Programme in Pakistan supported by IFRC, to strengthen immunization systems. The aim of this consultancy to evaluate the impact of implemented activities to deliver more vaccines to more children, reduce the number of zero-dose children and interrupt transmission of vaccine-preventable diseases. The evaluation consultant will assess the impact of the IFRC immunization programmes, including service delivery, through evaluation and assessment of coverage and disease surveillance data, validation of vaccination coverages and other key immunization program indicators.

Consultancy objectives / outputs:

The consultant would work very closely with the IFRC country health team, PRCS health teams at NHQ and focal persons for immunization at districts and provincial branches of PRCS to achieve the following:

1. Develop and monitor and design evaluation activities to track key process, output, and impact indicators related to the IFRC immunization programme in Pakistan.
2. Conduct the evaluation of programme activities by collecting relevant data and doing analysis of outcomes.
3. Consult and collaborate with the stakeholders on routine immunization strengthening planning and intervention methods and conduct evaluation and assessments of relevant activities in Killa Abdullah, Chaman, SD-Wazir and Bannu districts.
4. Conduct Focus Group Discussion (FGD) sessions in the districts where IFRC/PRCS has intervened for immunization to document the reach of community engagement activities and assess the perception of the community about IFRC, PRCS and immunization programme.
5. Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KII’s) with key stakeholders including district health officers, EPI coordinators, WHO and NSTOP officers, and community representatives, at district, provincial and national level to evaluate the implementation and assess the impact of the ongoing IFRC/PRCS immunization programme and identify gaps and develop recommendations for improving the programme performance.
6. Conduct a needs assessment both for areas where immunization activities are ongoing, and areas planned for expansion of activities.
7. Compile and organize data and information related to the immunization programmme activities, outcomes, and impact to support the final report.
8. Prepare final evaluation report and documents for internal and external distribution, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
9. Support the IFRC and PRCS Country Offices with the development and implementation of the new CDC Co-Ag ME&A Plan and EPMP review processes, including developing process indictors and clear outputs for measuring and monitoring program performance, develop a review and action workplan for monitoring and acting on performance indicators, updating the monthly reporting format, and technical support for immunization data analyses and visualization, as needed.
10. Conduct immunization ME&A capacity building and training to PRCS, IFRC, and other colleagues, as needed.
11. Deliverables and timelines:

• First Deliverable: Signing of contract between IFRC and the consultant.
• Second Deliverable: Immunization data validation in field, conduction of FGDs and Key Informant Interviews (KII) with local communities in four districts (Bannu, SD-Wazir, Killa Abdullah and Chaman) and submission of data validation report, FGDs report and KII report by 25th November 2023.
• Third Deliverable: Submission of first draft of evaluation and needs assessment report for the five-year CDC-supported IFRC immunization programme in Pakistan by 5th December 2023.
• Fourth Deliverable: Final Presentation to the IFRC Country and Geneva immunization, and submission of final Evaluation and Monitoring Plan for the upcoming year and final consultancy report for the evaluation of the 5-year programme, highlighting the impact/achievements of the programme and with clear recommendations for the improvement of programme in Pakistan by 20th December 2023.
• Final Deliverable: Feedback on the comments from IFRC Country and Geneva teams by 29th – 31st December 2023.

Payment Schedule

1. Completion of first Deliverable: 20% Payment
2. Completion of second Deliverable: 20 %
3. Completion of third Deliverable: 20%
4. Completion of fourth and fifth Deliverable: 40%

Methodology:

The proposed methodology will be as follows.

1. Desk review of the monthly/annual progress reports and all other reports regarding the immunization programme.
2. Field visits and conduct assessment of the key immunization indicators (e.g., coverages or all immunization antigens, rates of zero dose or under-immunized children), including ground validation of data in the union councils where PRCS is working or planning activities.
3. Key Informant Interviews (KII’s) with key stakeholders including PRCS staff, district health officers, EPI coordinators, WHO and NSTOP officers, and community representatives.
4. FGD’s with the local populations (both men & women) to understand and document their perception about the immunization and reasons for refusal from vaccination.

Geographical Outreach/Coverage

The consultant shall cover all the four districts (Killa Abdullah, Chaman, Bannu and SD-Wazir) where the immunization Programme is already implemented by PRCS with the support of IFRC.

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

• University Degree in Public Health or Social Sciences.
• Minimum three years of experience working in the health and/or immunization sector in complex settings.
• Sound knowledge of immunization program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Experience conducting evaluations and/or technical support to international public health programmes.
• Experience working with a range of stakeholders including international, national, and local partners.
• Strong diplomatic and interpersonal skills with experience working effectively as a team member in diverse, multidisciplinary environments.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities that are subject to change.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; excellent time and project management skills.
• Ability to travel to the field areas in Pakistan, especially to Balochistan and KPK provinces.
• Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.
• The ability to speak local languages (Pushto) is desirable.