International Short-term Expert to Lead the Final Evaluation of a Community Based Surveillance Model

The Avian and Pandemic Influenza Initiative of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), implemented by Abt Associates, is inviting international experts to lead the design and implementation of the final evaluation of the project’s Community Based Surveillance (CBS) model. The anticipated timeframe for the work is around Dec. 2011 – Jan. 2012.
The CBS model engages both human and animal health workers as village level collaborators and fills an important gap in the national surveillance system by providing up-to-date grassroots level information through active and passive surveillance. The model was developed and piloted in 123 communes within 18 districts of five provinces (Can Tho, Kien Giang, Quang Tri, Hung Yen and Ha Nam) including training of trainers, diffusion training for CBS collaborators, establishment of local networks, monthly meetings, epidemic detection, and immediate reporting.

Scope of Work
The evaluation will assess the CBS model operations, relevance, effectiveness (including cost-effectiveness), efficiency, sensitivity, and linkages to the existing higher level (provincial-national) surveillance systems, as well as the level and nature of collaboration between the human and animal health sectors at the village and commune levels. The evaluation will also assess the scope for wider adoption, adaptation and replication of the model and provide recommendations for dissemination and advocacy work to help further institutionalize and sustain the CBS model beyond the lifetime of the project.
The international consultant will serve as a team leader on the evaluation and provide overall technical and process supervision for quality assurance. S/he will work closely with a local subcontractor to execute the following:
1) Hold consultations with the Avian and Pandemic Influenza Initiative project team to ensure a common understanding of process and expected results
2) Hold meetings with international project partners (FAO, WHO) and government counterparts on research methodology
3) Lead the evaluation design and preparations
4) Supervise fieldwork and interview relevant key stakeholders
5) Oversee data analysis and prepare and present the draft report
6) Prepare the final report in English
7) Attend briefing and debriefing with USAID as requested

Consultant Qualifications
Background in public health and/or animal health, infectious diseases and epidemiology
Experience with infectious diseases/public health surveillance and/or  animal health and surveillance
Significant experience in program evaluation, especially public health, animal health and infectious surveillance evaluations
Field experience from Vietnam and/or other Southeast Asian countries
A good understanding of surveillance systems and experience in AI prevention and control from developing countries will be considered an asset
Competency in the application of statistical software packets (e.g. SPSS, Epi Data, Stata)
Strong analysis and writing skills
Good cross-cultural communication, management and organizational skills

Applicants are requested to submit: (1) Letter of interest; (2) CVs; (3) Supporting documents on previous works completed. 
Questions/clarifications and applications should be addressed to [email protected] with the email subject “Final Evaluation of CBS model” no later than November 11, 2011.