Team Leader: Study on Tuberculosis Private Sector Engagement

Team Leader
Study on Tuberculosis Private Sector Engagement
Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Apply here:
https://chp.tbe.taleo.net/chp02/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=SOCIIMPA...

Social Impact (SI) is a global development management consulting firm which provides monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity building services to advance development effectiveness. In Vietnam, SI is implementing the USAID/Vietnam Learns program to support USAID staff and partners to implement more efficient, effective, and transparent programs. Today, SI seeks qualified consultants to lead a new research assignment in support the Government of Vietnam’s National Tuberculosis Control Program to better ascertain the role and potential of private sector service provider in helping to treat tuberculosis.

** Note: Candidates are required to be Vietnamese citizens residing in Vietnam **

Position Background:

The National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTP) was established in 1986. The NTP is the primary entity, leading Vietnam in its planning to end TB by 2030. The private sector in Vietnam plays a clear role in the three key areas of tuberculosis (TB) care: diagnosis, referral, and treatment. However, there is no clear national understanding of the role the private sector plays in any of these areas, or its effectiveness. There are assumptions about the quality and breadth of the private sector in the three core areas mentioned above, yet research activities to assess them remain limited in both quantity and quality.

In recent years the private sector has developed quickly. NTP and Government of Vietnam in general has acknowledged the role private sector plays. There were some early private sector pilots in 2002, but the private sector entities were not ready to engage with NTP. A couple years later in 2005 NTP piloted some models in smaller localities like Thanh Hoa and Thai Binh but mostly focused on the referral system. There is a standardized manual for private entities that was developed in 2007 and has been distributed nationwide. There is a sense that the scale of implementation has been increased and the number of cases receiving services from the private sector has increased, but no real data to back up these assumptions exists.

Objective:

The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of the scope and quality of private sector engagement in TB in the three areas previous mentioned. The assumption is that answering the questions outlined below will allow international partners with information they need to build of private sector involvement and reallocate resources in a way that meets specific needs on the ground.

This is a mapping activity that covers issues of quality and coverage for private sector providers. It may lead to a follow-on activity to provide NTP guidance on how to work effective with the private sector.

Position Description:

SI is seeking a competent consultant to lead a research team consisting of two other researchers to conduct this study. The team leader will concurrently perform the task of an data analyst in Hanoi.

The goal of the study is to identify and answer five questions that will allow international partners with information they need to build of private TB services and public non-NTP involvement and reallocate resources in a way that meets specific needs on the ground. Over the long-term, the Government of Vietnam hopes to use these answers to improve private sector interventions, which will in the long term provide better patient services by helping NTP to link with private sector providers and support them to provide better services, specifically: diagnosis, referral, and treatment.

The initial questions that will provide tools needs to meet the above objective are currently in draft form. The consultants will be asked to finalize the study questions in consultation with NTP, USAID and USAID/Learns prior to the official launch of research. 

Research Questions

Question 1: Based on the research, specify the number of TB patients (and %) being treated in Vietnam for TB related services, disaggregated by:

• Location (Province);
• Type of provider: a) Private; b) Public non-NTP, c) Public NTP
• Type of service: a) referral, b) diagnosis and c) treatment (*)

Question 2: Based on the research, specify all service providers known to offer TB related services, disaggregated by:

• Location (Province);
• Type of provider: a) Private; b) Public non-NTP, c) Public NTP
• Type of service: a) referral, b) diagnosis and c) treatment (*)

Question 3: Identify all possible service providers which have and have not connected to the  NTP (and the modalities of the PPP) disaggregated by:

• location (Province),
• type of provider: a) Private; b) Public non-NTP, c) Public NTP
• other key characteristic (if applicable). (*)

Question 4: Examine the extent to which NTP guidelines might be met by private sector and public sector service providers (NTP and non-NTP). The analysis should be desegregating by: a) referrals, b) diagnosis, c) treatment, and offer insight into main identified barriers nation-wide.

Question 5: Assess the extent to which service providers contribute to government reporting requirements and seem to meet required reporting standards. The analysis should be desegregating by: a) Private; b) Public non-NTP, c) Public NTP service providers nation-wide.

(*) The final format/breakdown of the tables to be produced under Q1, Q2, Q3 to be finalized and approved during the kick-off period.

Research location:

To provide a representative snapshot, three provinces have been selected for the study:

1. North – Hanoi
2. Center – Da Nang
3. South – Ho Chi Minh City

Responsibilities:

Some specific activities that will serve to answer the above questions include:

• Finalize /refine study questions.
• Team lead work with NTP, USAID, and Learns to develop a plan to collect relevant data.
• Develop research tools (both qualitative and quantitative) *
• Design and disseminate surveys *
• Key informant interviews with service providers *
• Regional events to share and validate initial findings
• Final report

(*) Note:

• Social-distancing limitations may require the research team to develop/adapt new innovated approaches to apply remote field-based data-collection methods (e.g., patient interviews and observations), which may also be supported by
  
  • An external Virtual Research Expert whom the research team will need to coordinate with, and be trained by, to apply innovative remote research approaches depending on the circumstances on the ground at the time the research is being conducted; and/or
  • A local research partner who may offer on-site support to conduct on-site interview with both staff and patients, or conduct some basic onsite observations.

• The research plan may require work to be conducted in two phases or may possibly result in some timelines/deliverable dates adjustments to address:
  
  • Phase I – Activities and associated deliverables which can be conducted regardless of possible social-distancing access limitations.
  • Phase II – Activities which may be impacted by social-distancing access limitations, which may or may not happen concurrently depending on confirmed access and identified solutions.

Required qualifications:

The research team might consist of three consultants, including one team leader and two data analysts. The team leader will concurrently perform the job of the data analyst in Hanoi.

Detailed requirements for the position are as below:

Team Lead & Hanoi Data Analyst

• Academic and practical experience in developing and implementing research projects with both qualitative and quantitative aspects
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in designing data analysis plans
• Proven experience managing geographically diverse data collection teams
• Demonstrated experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis
• Experience developing readable and visually appealing summaries of dense data sets
• Experience providing quality assessments of health care providers in Vietnam
• Demonstrated experience working with the government health care system in Vietnam, especially with NTP
• Fluency in Vietnamese and in-depth knowledge of the operating environment in Vietnam preferred; and
• Demonstrated excellent writing and spoken English skills are required.

Expected deliverables:

• Research and implementation plan, including anticipated adjustments related to social distancing limitations if applicable.
• Weekly check-in meetings with NTP, USAID, and USAID Learns.
• Power Point Presentation of Key Findings (presented at the validation workshop)
• Summary of key informant feedback (i.e., USAID, NTP project management units at central and local levels) offered at the validation workshops event (supported by USAID Learns)
• Draft report incorporating key informant feedback
• Final report incorporating final USAID feedback.

Tentative timeline: (subject to change due to the COVID-19 situation) April 29 – August 4, 2020

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.