Role Overview
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking a Baseline Consultant to provide baseline data for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) indicators. This 30-day consultancy aims to guide project implementation, monitoring, and reporting in alignment with intended outcomes. The consultant will evaluate community knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), assess the availability and quality of services in IRC-supported health facilities, and identify barriers or facilitators influencing the uptake of RMNCAH services.
Key Responsibilities
Inception Phase
- Review project documents, including the proposal, logframe, indicator reference sheets, and M&E framework.
- Develop a detailed Inception Report outlining methodology, data collection tools, sampling strategy, ethical considerations, and a work plan.
- Present the inception plan for validation by IRC Health and MEAL teams.
Fieldwork and Tool Design
- Design, translate, and pre-test quantitative and qualitative data collection tools (household questionnaires, FGD, and KII guides).
- Recruit and train enumerators, ensuring gender balance and inclusion of refugee and host community members.
- Collect data using digital platforms (CommCare) to enhance quality and timeliness.
- Conduct household interviews, facility assessments, and qualitative discussions with community health promoters (CHPs), health staff, adolescent groups, male partners, and community leaders.
- Implement strict data quality assurance and ethical standards during fieldwork.
Data Analysis and Reporting
- Analyze quantitative data using SPSS or STATA and qualitative data through thematic content analysis.
- Compare findings with county and national RMNCAH benchmarks (e.g., KHIS, KDHS, and UNHCR HIS).
- Develop and present a draft baseline report summarizing methodology, findings, and recommendations.
- Submit raw data to the IRC.
- Facilitate a validation workshop with IRC, MoH, and key stakeholders.
- Finalize the baseline report incorporating feedback from stakeholders.
Methodology
The consultant will use a mixed-methods approach (quantitative and qualitative) via a cross-sectional descriptive study. Sampling will involve stratified random sampling for households and purposive sampling for key informants and focus groups. Respondent groups include women of reproductive age (15–49), adolescents (10–19), pregnant/lactating mothers, health workers, and community leaders. Data will be disaggregated by sex, age, refugee/host status, and geographic location.
Consultant Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Demography, or Biostatistics.
- Minimum 10 years of experience in conducting baseline or evaluation studies in RMNCAH, health systems, or humanitarian settings.
- Experience conducting assessments funded by USAID, EU, and UN donors, including familiarity with their specific indicators and definitions.
- Experience working with marginalized and vulnerable populations in multidisciplinary settings (government and development partners).
- Strong understanding of Kenya Health Information Systems (KHIS) and UNHCR Health Information Systems.
- Proficiency in digital data collection tools (CommCare) and statistical software (SPSS/STATA).
- Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should apply online via the International Rescue Committee recruitment portal on Workday. Access the application link here: https://www.myjobmag.co.ke/apply-now/1172521.
