Individual Consultancy, Local Contract Evaluation Specialist, GH PEARL Uganda

Individual Consultancy, Local Contract Evaluation Specialist, GH PEARL Uganda 

Project Overview and Role: 

The GH PEARL project builds upon the success of the Measure Program’s more than 25 years of implementing USAID-funded global health monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) activities in the areas of family planning, reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition (FP/RMNCH+N), HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis. GH PEARL contributes to effective generation and use of data to strengthen policies and program implementation to improve health and save lives in USAID partner countries. GH PEARL works to improve the quality, availability, and timeliness of evidence (including the development of robust metrics, methods, guidance and tools and synthesis of knowledge and evidence) and to strengthen the capacity of local organizations and institutions. 

USAID/Uganda has contracted with local procurement service agents (PSAs), to procure and deliver a range of health commodities funded by PEPFAR to support HIV/AIDS programming. USAID/Uganda has evolved the contracting mechanism used with local PSAs over two contracting phases. USAID/Uganda seeks to evaluate the performance of the contractors and USAID/Uganda’s current contracting strategy to inform the direction of future procurement of PEPFAR-funded health commodities for Uganda. GH PEARL will address these needs by conducting a performance evaluation of the local PSAs, with a focus on the impact of the evolving contracting mechanism on PSA performance. 

Palladium is seeking to engage a qualified Local Evaluation Consultant for the GH PEARL activity in Uganda, to support the implementation of the analytical work and stakeholder engagement activities in Uganda between August and October 2024. The Local Consultant will join the evaluation team composed of US-based Activity Lead, Senior Supply Chain Technical Advisor, and an international procurement consultant, who will jointly contribute to the implementation of this assessment. 

Deliverables: 

#Deliverable Details Acceptance Criteria Due date* Estimated LOE 1 Evaluation Protocol The consultant will work with the team to develop an evaluation protocol outlining the approaches and methods to be used in the evaluation. The Consultant is expected to contribute to the development of this technical document. Activities will include:

• Writing technical sections in their areas of expertise (such as qualitative interviews, qualitative data analysis, and evaluation methods) 
• Reviewing the document and data collection tools 

The activity lead will determine completion of this deliverable after approval of the protocol by the client. August 30, 2024 3 days 2 Stakeholder mapping spreadsheet, interview schedule, site-visits plan and logistical set up The consultant will work with the team to identify local stakeholders and key points of contact, identifying individuals to participate in key informant interviews. The consultant will contribute to planning and sequencing of in country evaluation activities and develop a detailed schedule of key informant interviews and site visits, keeping it updated during the in-country assessment activities. The consultant is expected to lead the development of this item, coordinating inputs from team members and USAID. Activities will include: 

• Creation of a stakeholder mapping spreadsheet to identify key points of contact 
• Organizing contacts and coordinating interviews 
• Coordinating with partners on site visit logistics 
• Follow up with stakeholders to collect key documents and information 

The activity lead will determine completion of this deliverable based on completion of preparation for interviews and stakeholder mapping August 30, 2024 10 days 3 Desk review of documents and/or analysis of key performance indicators The consultant will work with the team to conduct a desk review of program data and program/policy documents. Depending on the specific skills and expertise of the consultant, potential activities include: 

• Analyzing key performance indicator data and creating visualizations

The activity lead will determine completion of this deliverable based on summary documents and/or spreadsheets produced during the desk review, which will inform the final report. August 30, 2024 5 days 4 Notes and synthesis of the key informant interviews Alongside the international consultant, conduct key informant interviews (20-25). Activities will include: 

• Participation in key informant interviews as notetaker 
• Work with another interview team member to synthesize main themes of interviews 

Completion of key informant interviews September 30, 2024 15 days 5 Sections of the Technical Report Consultant will work with the team to produce a final evaluation report. The Consultant is expected to lead the development of sections of the final evaluation report, depending on their specific skills/expertise and coordinate inputs with team members. The activity lead will determine completion after the final report is approved by the client. October 31, 2024 7 days

• Please note that due dates assume a consultancy start date of August 1, 2024. 

Requirements: 

Eligibility 

The consultant must be a national or a permanent resident of Uganda and must be based in Uganda for the period of performance of the consultancy. 

Must not have any active exclusions from the working with the US government (www.sam.gov), the UN (Sanctions List), or the US Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Asset Control. 

Education and Experience 

Degree and relevant educational experience in public health, public administration, or related field such as administration or policy/planning. 

Relevant experience in managing or coordinating procurement or other supply chain processes desirable but not required. 

Monitoring and evaluation expertise (qualitative and quantitative). 

Demonstrated analytical and research skills. 

Proven ability to work independently and as a team member. 

Knowledge of the Ugandan health supply chain actors. 

Highly proficient with Microsoft Office and general computer skills. 

Knowledge of topics around USAID health supply chain programming. 

Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills. 

Languages 

Fluency in English is required. 

Evaluation: 

Applicants’ skills, knowledge and experience as well as the reasonableness of the proposed costs will be evaluated based on a best value trade off method. 

Application Instructions: 

Interested individuals must submit their CV/Resume, Cover Letter, References and indicate the proposed cost of each deliverable (please see the Deliverables table above) to: [email protected]. 

Deadline for applications is 23:59 EST on July 31, 2024. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. 

Only the shortlisted applicants will be invited for a technical interview. 

Company Overview: 

About Palladium – Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with governments, businesses, and investors to solve the world’s most pressing challenges. With a team of more than 3,000 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of over 35,000 experts, we help improve economies, societies and, most importantly, people’s lives. 

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion – Palladium is committed to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenous status. 

Should you require any adjustments or accommodation to be made due to a disability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any other circumstance, please email our team at [email protected] and we will be in touch to discuss. 

Safeguarding – We define Safeguarding as “the preventative action taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities we work with from harm”. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adults who come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focused interviews and a rigorous due diligence process. 

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