Terms of reference for data specialist for analysis of polio data
Purpose of assignment:
Pakistan has made significant progress towards the goal of eradicating polio since the launch of the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) in 1994 and has a strong opportunity to interrupt transmission of wild poliovirus circulation soon as re-affirmed most recently by the Technical Advisory Group (TAG).
UNICEF continues to play the lead role in supporting the social and communications aspects of polio eradication and immunization. The final push to eliminate polio in Pakistan requires intensified activities into 2008, with particular focus on reaching the high risk communities which continue to be the most isolated and underserved populations of society.
There is a tremendous amount of data which exists in Pakistan to guide communications activities, including post campaign evaluation data which provides information down to the sub-district level (Union Council). During a recent international review of communications, the review panel recommended that Pakistan programme would improve its evidence base and ultimate efficacy in supporting the polio eradication initiative through increased utilization of this data to guide the focus, content and evaluation of communications interventions.
It is therefore requested that a consultant with a strong background in data analysis be retained for a total of six months to support the following activities in the provinces of Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP/FATA.
Objectives:
1. Work with partners at the federal level, provincial level, including WHO and Ministry of Health, to review existing epidemiological data, post campaign monitoring, non-polio AFP and polio case profiles for high risk districts to establish a system to identify high risk UCs.
2. Identify specific communication interventions that took place in these UCs over 2007 and 2008 (as appropriate) and examine correlations in coverage indicators, including overall campaign figures for children under five years old and under six months, totals for missed children, including refusals and children not available, and provide analysis of communication activity contribution to the campaign.
3. To examine social, cultural and epidemiological trends in the high risk UCs that could be used to inform the development/refinement of communications and advocacy activities.
4. To coordinate provincial level workshops to support capacity development in the area of data analysis of the district communications staff
5. Development of a core presentation at the national, provincial and district level to highlight the impact of communications interventions.
Major tasks to be accomplished:
· Desk review of current polio campaign and surveillance data from the high risk districts/UCs
· To review existing communications plans against the campaign indicators to assess impact
· Meeting with concerned authorities/partners to establish a system of data collection to ensure consistency in identification of high risk UCs and subsequent collection of data to enable trend analysis.
· Analysis of trends based on the existing campaign indicators and other social-economic factors which could inform the development of communications/mobilization/advocacy activities
· Make specific recommendations on the development of communications plans, reporting and evaluation procedures for activities at the district and UC level.
· To develop standard reporting format to present communications data at federal, provincial and district level
Deliverables – Monthly payment to based on submission of monthly reported which highlights progress towards the monthly deliverables:
April
· Desk review of data at national level completed
· Draft presentation format for presenting indicators shared with all stakeholders
May
· Training package developed for capacity development of district teams
· Training completed in 1 province
· Finalised plan for implementation of sentinel site research
· Assessment completed of the May NID data at federal level
June
· Training for district staff completed in 3 provinces
· Sentinel site research initiated in selected districts
· Assessment of June campaign data completed
· Training package finalized and implemented at federal, provincial and district
July
· TORs for follow up KAP tracking survey developed for August NID
· Assessment completed and compiled of July campaign data
· Sentinel site research completed in selected districts
August
· Supported all provinces in preparation of international communications reviews
· KAP study field work completed
· Assessment of August campaign data completed
September
- KAP draft report completed
- Sentinel site research completed
- Assessment report of September campaign data – and year to date analysis
Required Skills
