Researcher for Study on Tuberculosis Private Sector Engagement

Researcher

Study on Tuberculosis Private Sector Engagement

Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

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 01 competent consultant to perform data collection, data analysis, and report writing in Hanoi and participate in conducting this study.

The goal of the study is to answer six questions that will allow international partners with information they need to build 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.

Research Questions

Question #1: Based on the research, specify the estimated number of TB patients (and %) being treated in selected areas of 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 identifiable service providers in the study areas 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: Provide an estimated number of service providers in study areas which have and have not connected to the NTP 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 disaggregated by: a) Referrals, b) Diagnosis, c) Treatment, and d) Offer insight into main identified barriers in study areas. Question #4.1: What are challenges and barriers that prevent the service providers from complying with the NTP guidelines?

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 disaggregated by: a) Private; b) Public non-NTP, c) Public NTP service providers in study areas. Question #5.1: What are challenges and barriers that prevent the service providers from complying with the reporting guidelines?

Question #6: What is the level of satisfaction among TB patients in regard to TB healthcare services offered by the private sector and public sector service providers (NTP and non-NTP)? The analysis should be disaggregated by: a) Private/Public Sector and b) Study area.

Research location:

To provide a representative snapshot, three provinces have been selected for the study: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and An Giang

Responsibilities:

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

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
Analyze collected data and write report
Regional events to share and validate initial findings
Final report

Required qualifications:

Detailed requirements for the position are as below:

Minimum of 7 years of experience in conducting research and/or implementing related health sector programming;
Demonstrated experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis;
Experience providing quality assessments of health care providers in Vietnam
Demonstrated experience working with the government health care system in Vietnam, especially with TB’s organizations.
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:

Adjustments to the research design based on initial health facility survey results
Bi-w eekly check-in meetings with NTP, USAID, and USAID Learns.
Weekly analysis of data
Power Point Presentation of Key Findings and Conclusions 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 NTP and USAID feedback.

Tentative timeline: The assignment requires a minimum of 20 working days stretching from the period of December 9, 2020 – March 31, 2021, with potential to delay until May due to data collection arrangements.

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.

The closing date for application: December 06, 2020. Selection and interview will be performed constantly and interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Please note that the Cover letter and the CV should be made into one file for application uploading.

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.

Location: Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Deadline: 6/12/2020

Application link:

https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg02/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=SOCIIMPA2&cws=1&rid=3429