Technical Support and Supervision Consultant for the Tiko Programme Endline Evaluation in Uganda At Tiko

Background and Context

Established in 2014, Tiko is a non-profit organisation that leverages technology and behavioural insights to design, implement, and scale access to sexual reproductive health (SRH) services among adolescents and young people (AYP) aged 15-24 years. Using the Tiko platform, Tiko Uganda connects low-income adolescents and young people with non-judgmental, quality-assured SRH services that meet their specific needs. We envision a world where all AYP have the power to choose where, when, and how they meet their SRH needs. Further, Tiko connects partners and actors across demand and supply to give young people access to quality SRH products and services, thereby enabling young people to: postpone or prevent unplanned pregnancies, know their HIV status, use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce their risk of HIV acquisition, adhere to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), screen for and obtain support to address mental health challenges and acquire the necessary skills to secure income or entrepreneurship opportunities.

In Uganda, Tiko has successfully established an ecosystem of partners, including private clinics, community pharmacies and public facilities, as well as Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). Our work in Kampala is dedicated to empowering adolescents and young people (aged 15-24 years) to access essential services, such as contraceptives, HIV testing, ART, PrEP and mental health. We achieve this through a multi-faceted approach:

• Empowering AYP to have a voice and hold providers to account to ensure that SRH, HIV and mental health services are responsive to their needs
• Leveraging the private sector (clinics, pharmacies and direct-to-consumer service providers) to provide SRH, HIV and mental health services for AYP, enabling them to make choices of where to access these services and complementing the public sector
• Enabling availability and visibility of near real-time service delivery data including individuals enrolled and referred for services, services provided, active clinics and service integration, among others
• Service integration and availability of SRH and HIV services – HIV testing, PrEP, ART, as well as mental health, enable AYP to choose where, when, and how they meet their health needs. The need to optimize the functionality of the Youth and Adolescent Peers (YAPs) programme to ensure that it fully achieves its stated mandate to contribute to the reduction of HIV-related morbidity and mortality among adolescents and young people living with HIV

Through these interventions, we aim to improve the agency of young people aged 15-24 years to take up and sustain the use of contraceptives, mental health services and HIV prevention and treatment services.

Purpose of the Technical Advisor Role

As part of our efforts to evaluate the impact and sustainability of the Tiko model, an endline evaluation of one of Tiko’s programmes in Uganda is being conducted with support from a primary consultant. The programme has been implemented in Kampala since August 2023. This endline evaluation focuses on the entire implementation period. It aims to capture lessons learned while providing insights into the effectiveness, impact, and sustainability of the Tiko programme in meeting its objectives. The evaluation will critically examine the design, scope, and implementation status of the Tiko programme, assessing its capacity to enhance access to services and empowerment for young people (AYP) and adolescent peer supporters (YAPS).

To ensure that this evaluation adheres to rigorous standards and generates actionable insights, Tiko is seeking an experienced Technical Advisor. This consultant will provide technical guidance and supervision to the evaluation consultant, ensuring the methodology, data collection, analysis, and reporting are of high quality and aligned with Tiko’s objectives.

The purpose of this consultancy, therefore, is to provide strategic oversight, technical guidance, and quality assurance throughout the endline evaluation process. The Technical Advisor will collaborate with Tiko’s project management team and the primary evaluation consultant to:

• Ensure the integrity and quality of the evaluation methodology.
• Oversee adherence to the project timeline, ensuring deliverables are met within set deadlines.
• Review and provide feedback on evaluation tools, data collection, analysis methods, and reporting.
• Support integration of gender equality, disability, and inclusion principles throughout the evaluation.
• Facilitate coordination and communication between Tiko, stakeholders, and the evaluation consultant.

Scope of Work

The Technical Advisor will undertake the following responsibilities:

A. Supervision of Data Collection and Quality Assurance

• Provide technical guidance during data collection, including reviewing field plans and scripted data collection tools on surveyCTO.
• Monitor data collection to ensure adherence to ethical standards, including safeguarding and child protection protocols.
• Offer guidance on the data collection processes for inclusivity, accuracy, and cultural sensitivity, particularly with hard-to-reach populations.

B. Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Review and provide input on data analysis frameworks and analytical approaches used by the evaluation consultant.
• Ensure that the analysis includes actionable insights aligned with program objectives and considers market, individual, and social impact levels.

C. Review of Draft and Final Reports

• Review and provide structured feedback on all deliverables, including the inception report, draft final report, and final report, ensuring clarity, quality, and rigor.
• Ensure that the report presents findings on key evaluation questions effectively, including any limitations or areas needing further investigation.
• Facilitate revisions with the evaluation team to address any identified gaps or improvements needed.

D. Strategic Guidance and Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide strategic guidance to Tiko and the evaluation team on stakeholder engagement, ensuring the participation of relevant groups.
• Assist in preparation and delivery of presentations to key stakeholders to share findings and recommendations.
• Offer advice on the implementation of recommendations and insights for the program’s next phase, ensuring the evaluation’s findings are actionable and relevant.

Deliverables

The Technical Advisor will deliver the following:

1. Deliverable: Data Collection Quality Assurance Report. Timeline: January 2025. Description: Findings from data collection supervision, highlighting strengths, gaps, and recommendations for improving quality and inclusivity.

2. Deliverable: Data Analysis and Interpretation Guide. Timeline: February 2025. Description: Technical guidance for the evaluation team on analysis techniques and reporting.

3. Deliverable: Final Report Feedback and Review. Timeline: February 2025. Description: Structured feedback on draft and final reports to ensure quality, relevance, and actionable recommendations.

4. Deliverable: Presentation (in collaboration with main consultant) of the study findings. Timeline: March 2025. Description: Presentation of findings and strategic advice to Tiko, summarizing evaluation insights, implications, and recommendations for program improvement.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal Technical Advisor should have the following qualifications:

• Advanced Degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, or a related field, with a focus on SRH, HIV, or adolescent health.
• Extensive Experience in program evaluation, particularly with SRH and HIV programs targeting adolescents and young people.
• Demonstrable expertise in evaluation methodology and data quality assurance, with experience in both quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Proven track record of supervising complex evaluations and providing technical support to research teams.
• Strong knowledge of gender equality, disability, and inclusion frameworks, with a demonstrated commitment to non-discrimination in program implementation.
• Proven Communication Skills to facilitate coordination among stakeholders, including government bodies, NGOs, and community organizations.
• Proficiency in English and knowledge of Luganda is an advantage.