VACANCY
Consultant
Monitoring and Evaluation of Health Promoting Schools (Health Behavioral Change in Children)
Location
Nuku’alofa / Tonga
Program Background
The Tonga Australia Support Platform (TASP) is a mechanism which will support the work of the Australian Government in meeting development objectives in Tonga. It is a multi-sector development facility that uses multiple modalities including development program management, technical advisory support, grants management, and subcontracting. TASP supports Australian Government policy development and dialogue to deliver the desired outcomes.
About DT Global
DT Global is shaping a future where sustainable development and innovation empower individuals, communities, and nations. We work in partnership with local stakeholders to foster inclusive prosperity, social equity, and environmental stewardship. Our global team of 2,500 staff and experts work in over 90 countries to solve complex problems in the peacebuilding, governance, economic development, environment, and human development sectors. With a track record of technical excellence and more than 60 years of international development experience and relationships, we deliver innovative solutions that transform lives.
The Role
The Tonga Australia Support Program (TASP) Health Pillar seeks to support this existing HPS initiative by contracting a short time monitoring and evaluation expert with experience working on health behaviour change and adolescent health topics to assist both ministries with piloting a project that collects, analyses and utilises the results to plan lifestyle program interventions for positive behavioural change once rolled out across all HPS.
The work includes:
- Identifying existing health data of students in schools participating in HPS initiative
- Developing a simple MS Excel data base that will enable the collection [by teachers] of health data sets for a cohort of primary and secondary school children that can be gathered and traced over time to determine if the HPS initiative is having a positive impact on the health of children, especially where measures of body shape and composition (e.g., body mass index) have been identified as outside of the normal range.
The Consultant will provide technical expertise to support the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Education and Training (MET) in evaluating and strengthening the Health-Promoting Schools (HPS) initiative. The consultant will focus on assessing the current program, identifying gaps, and developing tools and plans to monitor and evaluate the initiative’s impact on student health and behaviour over time.
The Consultant will be responsible for the following outputs –
Output 1: Report on existing HPS initiative in Tonga
- Undertake a comprehensive literature review and key stakeholder interviews – collect and review the existing data and evidence from a variety of sources (e.g., evaluation reports, peer-reviewed scientific scholarship, official reports published by governments, universities, and intergovernmental agencies).
- Provide a written summary report for MOH and MET to be utilised by both ministries, WHO and other relevant stakeholders that includes:
- Summary of the existing HPS initiative in Tonga
- Gaps, challenges, and opportunities based on latest evaluation of HPS schools by local MET focal points
- An assessment of the current HPS initiative (focusing on adequateness to meet the goals outlined in the WHO HPS guides) that includes evidence if any of the impact of HPS on NCD health and academic performance/education.
- Develop a simple MS Excel data base that will enable the collection [by teachers] of health data sets for a cohort of primary and secondary school children that can be gathered and traced over time to determine if the HPS initiative is having a positive impact on the health of children.
- Using a KAP study approach and a control group to create a benchmark to compare the results, Develop a simple MS Excel data base that will enable the collection [by teachers] of health data sets for a cohort of primary and secondary school children that can be gathered and traced over time to determine if the HPS initiative is having a positive impact on the health of children.
Output 2: Develop a Database and train teachers and HPS Coordinators to use it
- Develop a simple data base [for both the study and control group] that will enable the collection [by teachers] of qualitative-knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) information and quantitative -health data sets for a cohort of primary and secondary school children that can be gathered and traced over time to determine if the HPS initiative is having a positive impact on the behaviours related to NCD risk factors; and ultimately the health of children.
- Using a KAP study approach and a control group to create a benchmark to compare the results, Develop a simple MS Excel data base that will enable the collection [by teachers] of health data sets for a cohort of primary and secondary school children that can be gathered and traced over time to determine if the HPS initiative is having a positive impact on the health of children.
Output 3: HPS monitoring and evaluation plan
- Design a long-term monitoring and evaluation plan that will help to track and assess the results of the interventions throughout the life of a HPS program, to understand HPS initiative’s impact on improving health behaviour and health status of students.
To include:
- A Program Logic/Theory of Change
- Detailed monitoring and evaluation steps appropriate for the Tonga context
- List of identified priority indicators for data collection in schools and analysis by both ministries (as per the database that has been developed)
- List of available data (routinely collected by schools, either ministries or other groups (e.g. CSOs)
- Clearly outline roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders.
Output 4: Final Report
- Present a summary PPT of findings to MOH, MET and WHO before departing Tonga
- Submit final report for MOH and MET via TASP. MOH and MET will share this report with WHO, and other relevant government and non-government agencies working on HPS.
Click on the link or copy paste it to access the full Terms of Reference for this position: https://bit.ly/3OxOACb
About You
Essential Experience and Knowledge
- Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in public health, health sciences, medicine, nursing or a related field.
- Research experience on health promoting school, health behaviour change, experience conducting monitoring and evaluation of public health programmes at national level.
- Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in health promoting school, health behaviour changes and monitoring & evaluation is essential
- Excellent communication and coordination skills
- Experience in excel database development and management
- Good knowledge and skills in report writing and structural thinking
- Expert knowledge of English
Desirable
- Doctorate university degree (PhD. or equivalent) in public health, health sciences, medicine, nursing or a related field.
- Knowledge of and research experience in the Western Pacific Region. Experience working with international organizations is an asset.
- Expert knowledge of Tongan
Competencies
- Communicating in a credible and effective way
- Producing results
- Fostering integration and teamwork
Why join TASP?
TASP is committed to child protection and safeguarding the welfare of children in the delivery of our international development programs. We are committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), and bribery prevention. TASP is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage women, men, people with diverse backgrounds and people living with disabilities to apply. This program is funded by the Australian Government and Managed by DT Global.
HOW TO APPLY
Click the 'Apply Now' button or email your application with the reference “Health Promotion and Behavior Change Consultant” to recruitment [at] tasplatform [dot] net
Please submit
- Expression of Interest cover letter with responses to the essential requirements of the role
- Current CV
- Technical Proposal with proposed methodology and timelines
- Financial Proposal.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 22 December 2024 / 23h59 / UTC +13 (Tonga Standard Time)
Should this role be of interest; we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Kindly note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
DT Global is committed to child protection and safeguarding the welfare of children in the delivery of our international development programs. We are committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), and bribery prevention. DT Global is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage women, men, people with diverse backgrounds and people living with disabilities to apply. This program is funded by the Australian Government and Managed by DT Global.
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