Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too.
We have a unique and vibrant culture at R4D. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our work environment and help advance our mission. Diversity—of ideas, identities, perspectives and backgrounds—is vital to who we are and what we do. We seek people who embrace these values and will help reinforce them. Our work culture is collaborative, creative and entrepreneurial. We operate based on trust and respect. Teams across the organization frequently collaborate on programmatic work and support each other in continuously building a better R4D.
I. Project background
The FASTR (Frequent Assessment Systems and Tools for Resilience) Project is a results and learning initiative of the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children, and Adolescents (GFF) that aims to support countries in generating and using rapid-cycle analytics to significantly improve RMNCAH-N (Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescents Health and Nutrition) outcomes. FASTR is an approach that catalyzes continuous ‘analyze, learn, strengthen, act’ cycles to drive the systematic use of timely data for decision-making. The FASTR project seeks to implement rapid measurement of RMNCHA-N outcomes and feedback mechanisms to enhance timely and evidence-based decision-making at the primary health care (PHC) level.
FASTR provides support to country-led efforts to build infrastructure for rapid-cycle service delivery data collection, analysis, and interpretation to inform actions to strengthen resilient health systems with a four-pillar approach: This includes (1) analysis of routine health management information system data from DHIMS-2, (2) health facility phone surveys, (3) household and client exit phone surveys, and (4) rapid qualitative and mixed methods research. These analytic approaches complement in-country data use facilitation and capacity-strengthening support.
With support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Results for Development Institute (R4D) has partnered with the GFF to support the Ghana Health Service (GHS) in implementing FASTR in Ghana. As part of this initiative, R4D seeks to engage a consultant to conduct a comprehensive landscape assessment of data quality and use within the health system in the Volta and Western regions. The consultant will use a coaching approach to support capacity strengthening of regional and sub-regional staff on the data analysis-interpretation-use cycle. The consultant is expected to collaborate closely with the GHS teams, as well as with the World Bank, GFF, and Results for Development (R4D).
II. Objectives of the consultancy:
The primary objective of this consultancy is to support increased data use for decision-making in two regions of Ghana – Volta and Western Regions. The specific objectives of the consultancy are:
o Conduct a detailed landscape assessment on data use processes and the barriers and enablers to data use across the PHC system in Volta and Western regions.
o Identify gaps in data collection, management, interpretation, and utilization.
o Propose strategies for addressing these gaps that align with the scope of the FASTR initiative and are tailored to the needs of the GHS level/staff.
o Develop a roadmap for improving data quality and data use for decision-making and support its implementation across the two regions.
o Utilize a coaching and mentoring approach to training, capacity-building sessions and ongoing process facilitation support on data analysis, interpretation, use, and management. o Support R4D in documentation of project activities at the regional level as required.
III. Scope of Work
The Consultant will be expected to carry out the following tasks:
a. Landscape Assessment (estimated to be completed in the first three months of the assignment): the consultant will work from an initial template developed by R4D to conduct a data use landscape assessment in the two regions, including:
o Review the current data collection, management, review, and use processes across different health system levels, focusing on DHIMS-2 and health facility data.
o Identify gaps in data collection, reporting, and feedback mechanisms.
o Assess the use of health data for decision-making at regional, district and facility levels.
o Analyze the level of data literacy and usage among health workers and managers.
o Conduct interviews with key stakeholders to understand challenges and opportunities in data management and utilization.
o Provide actionable recommendations for improving data quality and use across the two regions' health systems.
o Develop a strategic roadmap for addressing identified gaps in data quality and use that builds on the existing FASTR implementation plan in Ghana and ensures its appropriateness to the specific needs of each region.
b. Data use process facilitation (ongoing throughout the assignment)
o Support GHS regions and districts in implementing the above roadmap, including identifying dissemination platforms for the analytics, reviewing results, and connecting the analytical results to action.
c. Capacity strengthening (ongoing throughout the assignment)
o Participate in national-level analytical labs and other capacity-strengthening activities and workshops alongside the regional teams
o Design and deliver training sessions to enhance staff’s ability to interpret and use data for decision-making, including stepping down activities from the national level to the regional level as needed.
o Support on-the-job training and coaching sessions aimed at building the capacity of GHS regional staff on data analysis, interpretation and use for decision-making.
d. Project documentation
o Provide support to FASTR results tracking, reporting, and the documentation of data use case studies at the regional level as required.
IV. Deliverables
The Consultant will be responsible for delivering the following outputs:
1. Inception Report: A detailed description of the assignment's approach, including the coaching and mentoring approach to training and working with the two regions. The report should include an anticipated monthly schedule of activities.
2. Bi-weekly reports and plans on support provided to the two regions: Submit bi-weekly report of key updates of activities and plans for way forward
3. Landscape Assessment Report and Roadmap for each region: A comprehensive report detailing the current state of data quality and use, including gaps, challenges, and opportunities, and a revised implementation plan/roadmap to ensure that FASTR implementation is appropriately tailored to the regions' needs.
4. Training and coaching Materials: Development of training modules, toolkits, and other relevant materials for capacity strengthening, building on those developed by the R4D central team and the GFF.
5. On-the-job learning, training/coaching sessions for each region: Provide on-the-job learning and coaching sessions for Volta and Western regions.
6. Learning briefs/blogs/case studies: Lead the drafting of learning briefs/blogs and other technical products emanating from the landscape assessment and other activities
7. Final Report: A final report from the year of support that consolidates the key activities, findings/results from the consultant’s support to Western and Volta, recommendations for future work, and additional strategies for improving data quality and use.
o Inception Report: A detailed description of the approach to the assignment, including the coaching and mentoring approach to training and working with the two regions.
The report should include an anticipated monthly schedule of activities.
Due Date: 1 week after the commencement of the consultancy.
o Bi-weekly reports: Submit bi-weekly reports of key updates of activities and plans for the way forward.
Due Date: Ongoing throughout the assignment.
o Landscape Assessment Report and Roadmap: A comprehensive report detailing the current state of data quality and use, including gaps, challenges, and opportunities. A revised implementation plan/roadmap to ensure that FASTR implementation is appropriately tailored to the needs of the regions.
Due Date: 5 weeks after commencement of the consultancy.
o Training and coaching materials: Development of training and coaching modules, toolkits, and other relevant materials for capacity strengthening. Building on those developed by the R4D central team and the GFF.
Due Date: 8 weeks after the commencement of the consultancy and ongoing throughout the assignment.
o On-the-job learning, training/coaching sessions: Provide on-the-job learning and coaching sessions for Volta and Western regions.
Due Date: Ongoing throughout the assignment.
o Learning briefs/blogs: Lead the drafting of learning briefs/blogs and other technical products emanating from the landscape assessment and other activities.
Due Date: Ongoing throughout the assessment.
o Final report: A final report that consolidates the findings, recommendations, and strategies for improving data quality and use.
Due Date: End of the consultancy.
V. Time Commitment
The consultant will be engaged for a maximum of 160 days, from October 2024 to September 2025, with the possibility of an extension based on consultant performance and project needs.
VI. Qualifications
o Advanced degree in data analytics, data science, information systems, statistics or a related field. An advanced degree in public health or a related field is a plus.
o At least 7 years of experience in data management and analytics, monitoring and evaluation, or related areas.
o Proven experience conducting data quality and/or data use assessments, PHC systems-related analysis, and capacity-building activities.
o Strong understanding of health information systems e.g. DHIMS 2, and data use for decision-making in low-resource settings.
o Experience with data processing and analysis using either Python, SPSS, STATA, or R.
o Experience with data visualization tools, including Google Charts, Power BI, and Tableau.
o Experience supporting capacity-building approaches; experience with on-the-job coaching and mentoring approaches is an added advantage
o Excellent facilitation, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
o Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality reports and training materials.
o Knowledge of local health systems and policies
o Experience with survey programming in an ODK-based platform is an asset
o Ability to travel frequently, spending up to 50% or more of the contract’s duration working in the two regions.
VII. Reporting
The consultant will report to the Ghana FASTR Senior Program Officer at R4D and work closely with other R4D and GFF staff, national, regional and district GHS authorities, as well as other key stakeholders.
Results for Development is an EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering
and nurturing an energetic, collaborative and diverse workforce. R4D provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.