Terms of reference for Temporary Research Assistants to Conduct Digital Health Landscape Assessment in Rwanda

Background

The USAID Ingobyi Activity seeks the services of three research assistants to support a digital health landscape assessment and prioritization of promising technologies in Rwanda.  Ingobyi Activity is a five-year cooperative agreement to improve the quality of reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) and malaria services, in a sustainable manner with the goal of reducing infant and maternal mortality in Rwanda. The USAID Ingobyi Activity builds upon the tremendous gains Rwanda has made as well as previous USAID investments in the health sector. USAID Ingobyi Activity aims to contribute to the reduction of infant and maternal mortality and incidence of malaria in Rwanda. The Activity partners with the GOR to build on the country’s considerable achievements, guided by national health strategies, goals, objectives, and data. The Activity is not just building capacity and capability but aims to achieve a shared understanding of the patterns and systemic structures that underlie the health system and where and how to bring about measurable, sustainable improvements. It is expected that efforts will generate a virtuous cycle that produces a stronger health system through increased access, skills, standards, and institutions. The goal of USAID Ingobyi Activity is to contribute to the reduction of infant and maternal mortality in Rwanda. The strategic objective is to improve the utilization and quality of RMNCH and malaria services in Rwanda, in a sustainable manner. The Ministry of Health (MoH) is committed to improving equitable access to high-quality health care to all Rwandans. Through the fourth Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP4), the MOH commits to ensuring that all persons in Rwanda have access to equitable and quality maternal, neonatal, and child and community health (MCCH) services. This contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which have ambitious health-related targets for mothers, newborns, and children, and the Universal Health Coverage by 2030. In the same vein, the Government of Rwanda adopted the utilization of ICT in the health sector as one of the most important modes to improving the quality of healthcare services.

Over the past few years, the Ministry of Health has been investing in ICT solutions by installing electronic health record systems and other health related ICT interventions throughout Rwanda. In fact, Rwandan Government has made smart health as one of the pillars in the information and communication technology policy. To support this vision, the MOH, through collaboration with USAID-funded Ingobyi Project, implemented by IntraHealth International Inc., embarked on interventions to reduce maternal, neonatal, and child mortality, by strengthening Rwanda’s community health program and leveraging the transformative power of digital health to enable the increased impact of malaria programming and other health packages down to the community level. However, there is need to identify, evaluate, and prioritize digital health needs at community level to sustainably scale digital health solutions for enhanced impact of community health programs.

Summary of Role

You may also like:

The IntraHealth is seeking three temporary research assistants to work with a senior consultant and IntraHealth staff to conduct a rapid landscape assessment.

The purpose of the assignment is to support IntraHealth International and MOH to conduct a comprehensive landscape assessment of community health digital ecosystem to inform prioritization of malaria and community health related digital health solutions in Rwanda. Research assistants will be responsible for conducting key informant interviews (KIIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs) in selected locations. They will also collect informed consents from key informants. The temporary research assistants will report to senior consultant.

 Essential Functions:

  • Collect data using standardized qualitative and quantitative tools;
  • Conduct key informant interviews and FGDs (numbers to be determine at a later time);
  • Check on quality of the transcripts and translations;
  • Contribute to the interpretation of data and analysis;
  • Ensure the assignment is carried out ethically and according to applicable laws and regulations;
  • Support senior consultant to draft the landscape assessment report;
  • Perform other activities as needed and indicated by the senior consultant or other program staff.

 Minimum education and experience requirements

Essential

  • Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, statistics, population studies, public health or related field;
  • At least minimum of one (1) year working experience in monitoring and evaluation of data collection preferably from health project (digital health, community health, or any other health related project);
  • Demonstrable thoroughness and care for high quality work;
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Kinyarwanda;
  • Computer literacy and ability to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint;
  • Ability to work independently and to take initiative; and.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and a highly professional attitude.

 Desirable

  • Good understanding research methodologies including data collection;
  • Experience in conducting data collection using any of the approaches;
  • Effective communication skills and teamwork;
  • Familiarity with working in both rural and urban areas with focus on participatory processes;
  • Problem-solving ability;
  • Results oriented and able to deliver on time; and
  • Ability to work flexibly and good time management.

 How to apply:

Applications must be sent via email:  HR-Rwanda@intrahealth.org with “Temporary Research Assistants ” in the subject line, no later than November 30, 2020

The application file should include:  Updated CV, highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.

IntraHealth International is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law, and requires affirmative action to ensure equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment and consultancies.

Receiving applications, shortlisting and interviews will be done on rolling basis. Only applicants fulfilling the above requirements will be contacted. If you don’t hear from us within one week from the submission deadline, consider your application unsuccessful.

Please Share to