Pathways research Consultancy At Tiko

Background and context

Tiko, (formerly known as Triggerise) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for young people in Africa. Tiko’s mission is to empower young people to make informed choices about their SRH needs by providing accessible, scalable, and verifiable services through a digital platform. Currently, Tiko has offices in five (5) Sub-Saharan markets namely; South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and Zambia, as well as in the Netherlands and Portugal.

Tiko is currently implementing the Pathways project; the world’s pioneering platform for sharing open data and insights aimed at informing effective action on the most significant challenges in RMNC+N. This innovative endeavor combines research acumen with strategic innovation, focusing on identifying and supporting vulnerable populations through advanced qualitative and quantitative methodologies.

Tiko is seeking the services of a research consultant (firm or individual) to support the Pathways research focusing on adolescent girls and young women. The ideal consultant will bring expertise in monitoring & evaluation, research and data analysis, strategic thinking, and a commitment to addressing key health challenges.

Scope of consultancy

1. Convene an inception meeting with Tiko and Sonder Collective to understand needs, and align on expectations and outputs
2. Review existing research documents such as the study approach, research tools, and draft protocol
3. Make recommendations on the overall approach for planned formative research, and for evaluation of the intervention
4. Co-lead the design of the formative research, develop and test research instruments for qualitative research with adolescents
5. Review and provide insights into the study IRB protocol
6. Support the submission of the study protocol to the IRB for expedited review
7. Lead the development of the scoping review protocol.
8. Lead the scoping review exercise, analysis, and reporting of the results.
9. Manage the actual research and ensuring in depth interviews and focus group discussions are conducted to the highest quality
10. Oversee data analysis, synthesis and produce a study report on factors leading to vulnerability in adolescents
11. Validate and disseminate the research report (master powerpoint)
12. Produce the final study report
13. Design program evaluation for intervention of cash transfer intervention in consultation with Tiko
14. Provide input into implementation of program evaluation as needed
15. Provide ongoing support and act as a trusted resource on research methods to Tiko.

Expected Output

• Inception meeting with stakeholders conducted to align on expectations and outputs
• Recommendation for formative research shared
• Formative research designed and research instruments developed, tested and approved by Pathways team
• Study protocol designed and approved
• Study protocol submitted to the IRB for expedited review
• Scoping review protocol designed and approved
• Scoping review conducted, analysis done, and reporting completed
• Research conducted to the highest possible fidelity
• Study report produced, disseminated based on qualitative research
• Plan for program evaluation developed

Qualifications

• Team leader holding an advanced degree (Master’s) in public health, other health services, behavioral science, medical sociology or a related field
• Proven experience in public health, scientific research, and evaluation.
• Proven experience working with national programs and international organizations on sexual and reproductive health, in limited resource settings for at least 8 years
• Company is legally registered in Kenya and has updated financial records
• Company has diverse technical skills relevant for the consultancy