Evaluation of “Zero Malaria Starts with Me” campaign in Sierra Leone and Ghana

Background

Malaria continues to be one of the most grave pubic health crises in Africa – the continent that accounts for over 90% of the malaria burden globally. In 2018, approximately 400,000 deaths and 200 million cases occurred in Africa. The most vulnerable populations continue to be hit the hardest, with 70% of deaths being under 5 year olds.

While significant progress has been made since 2000 – with the numbers of deaths falling by 50% – progress has stalled. The Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign is a Pan-African movement that aims to build the energy and commitment from all sectors of society necessary to achieve malaria elimination by 2030. The campaign was launched by the RBM Partnership to End Malaria and the African Union at the 54th African Union Summit in July 2018 and was endorsed by all 55 Heads of State of the African Union. 17 countries have now launched their national campaigns across Africa.

In Sierra Leone and Ghana, the national Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaigns were officially launched on World Malaria Day 2019. Speak Up Africa has since been working closely with the National Malaria Control Programmes in each both countries on the implementation of this campaign.

The campaign aims to raise the profile of malaria elimination in Ghana and Sierra Leone, with the following specific objectives:

Sierra Leone:

• Increase media coverage related to malaria control, prevention and elimination
• Increase support for malaria control and prevention from councils (mayors, chair person, chief administrator)
• Increase support for malaria control and prevention from chiefdom stakeholders
• Increase support for malaria control and prevention from the private sector
• Increase support for malaria control and prevention from politicians

Ghana:

• Increase media coverage related to malaria control and prevention
• Increase accountability of local government in the use of the 0,5% DCAF budget line on malaria control
• Increase support for malaria control and prevention from parliamentarians
• Consolidate and expand private sector engagement in malaria control and prevention

Rationale

The project timeline for Speak Up Africa’s involvement in the implementation of the Zero Malaria Starts with Me campaign in Ghana and Sierra Leone ends in March 2021, with the final activities being concluded in January and early February. Therefore, in January and February a thorough evaluation of the project will be conducted, providing qualitative and quantitative data to document the impact of the campaign.

Roles and Responsibilities

Objectives of the Evaluation

• Provide a thorough data analysis (quantitative and qualitative) assessing the project impact in both countries
• Capture lessons learnt, successes and challenges to be used to inform ongoing and future work.
• Identify the impact of COVID-19 on project implementation
• Share recommendations on how to better implement malaria advocacy strategy in both countries (theory of change)and provide key recommendations on risk mitigation for crises such as COVID-19

Deliverables

• Evaluation protocol including data tools
• Preliminary report
• Final report

Timeline

• 5th January – Selection of consultant
• 15th January – Planning meeting
• 25th January – Receipt of the evaluation protocol and evaluation tools
• 12th March – Preliminary Report
• 22nd March – Final Report

Requested Profile

Profile of Consultancy Firm

The evaluation will be conducted by a professional consultancy firm qualified in project evaluation and experienced in advocacy and communications on public health issues. 

Profile of Individual Candidates

• Must have at least 3 years of experience in monitoring & evaluation, including quantitative and qualitative approaches.
• Must have a Masters in social sciences, statistics, public health or another relevant field.
• Candidate can work remotely if necessary.
• Must have capacity to travel as needed to Ghana and Sierra Leone for data gathering.

Compensation

• The consultant will be renumerated at a competitive rate in accordance with their professional experience.

Assessment Process

How to Apply

• Technical and financial proposition including methodology for the evaluation
• CV
• Apply via email to info@speakupafrica.org, sophietou.diop@speakupafrica.org and james.wallen@speakupafrica.org by January 10, 2021.