Resource Mobilization Consultant at Evidence Action

Evidence Action's mission is to fill the gap between what is effective in global health and development and what is implemented at scale. One of our flagship programs is the Deworm the World Initiative, which envisions a world where all at-risk children have improved health, increased access to education and better livelihoods potential as a result of being free of intestinal worms.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Resource Mobilization Consultant
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Contract

Job Purpose

• Evidence Action seeks to identify a consulting firm OR an individual consultant with extensive experience in how public sector funding is secured for government-led programs, such as health and education programs within Nigeria.

Job Objectives

• Evidence Action has proposed to build the capacity of the state governments in identifying ways in which public sector funds can be accessed to support school-based deworming programs in Lagos, Rivers, Oyo and Ogun state, which are co-led by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. To ensure institutionalization and sustainability of the existing school-based deworming program, there is a need to train government partners on resource mobilization of domestic funding mechanisms/channels within the government.
• The consultant/firm will be supported by the Nigeria team in creating a road map on how domestic resources (either public sector funds from the government or private entities) are secured and can be accessed for programs under the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education.

Background

• Evidence Action aims to be a world leader in scaling evidence-based and cost-effective programs to reduce the burden of poverty for hundreds of millions of people. Our approach bridges the gap between rigorous research and pilot interventions on one hand and scaled solutions through institutionalized programs on the other. We operate in ten countries across the globe and positively impact the lives of hundreds of millions of people every year in a measurable way. Reducing poverty and spurring growth in developing countries requires a strategic and high-value investment of scarce resources. Interventions to reduce the burden of poverty need to be rigorously identified, tested and scaled up in order to be cost-effective and have a high impact. Evidence Action delivers evidence-based interventions where the need and opportunity are greatest with flagship projects as Dispensers for Safe Water-DSW, and Deworm the World Initiative-DTWI.

Rationale:

• Since 2016, Evidence Action has provided technical assistance to Nigeria for school-based deworming programs. In 2019, a capacity assessment was conducted across government partners in four intervention states using a Government Capacity Assessment Tool. The assessment covered the areas of Policy, Governance and Advocacy, HR Structures and Systems, Financial Systems and Management, Program Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Knowledge Management among others. The report of the exercise showed some level of capacity in different areas as ranked/graded but a significant gap exists especially in the area of resource mobilization specifically towards domestic financing.
• Current trends show dwindling donor funding, cost reduction and re-allocation of funds to COVID 19 programs. There is also the need for the Government to seek alternative sources of funding for deworming programs.

Responsibilities
The Consultant’s Specific Tasks and Deliverables:

• Deliverable: Develop a work plan and schedule for the scope of work for all four states.
• Conduct calls (virtually/in person) with the Nigeria Country Director and other relevant staff of Evidence Action Clarify objectives and schedule of work for all four states
• Discuss context (where necessary)
• Present findings to the DTW Nigeria team Conduct a situational analysis for all four states to have a clear road map on how government funds are secured and allocated for programs (specific to health and education programs):
• Develop a questionnaire with support from the DTW Nigeria team to be conducted with key stakeholders in all four states
• Work with the team to organize the informant interviews or focus groups with the identified key stakeholders
• Attend advocacy and government engagements as needed and identified by the DTW Nigeria team
• Deliverable: Develop and submit a Final Report on the findings from the situational analysis for each state (one report with all four states with different sections or individual state reports, TBD).
• Discuss the work plan and timelines with the team
• Deliverable: Conduct a domestic financing desk review for all four states to identify public sector financing options for programs within the government.
• Collect and review all relevant documents
• State-specific reports relevant to accessing public sector funding, including timelines and processes for budget submissions and funding opportunities coming from private entities to be managed and used by the government
• Identify key stakeholders involved in the government (Ministry of Health or Education, but limited to) that would aid in helping secure and advocate for domestic financing

The report should include, but not limited to:

• Name and number of people interviewed and their roles and responsibilities
• Current situation and the problem with domestic financing
• How public health is financed at each state level
• A map/matrix of the state-level budget processes and timelines of MOH and MOE related to public financing and where are possible entry points, including what sources are available and how to access the funds key stakeholders within the government who can secure and advocate for the school-based deworming program
• Identified risks and assumptions for each possible entry point for domestic financing
• Findings from the report will support the development of state-specific strategies.
• Deliverable (4 separate state reports): Develop and submit a State-Specific Strategy/Road Map for domestic financing, including tools and implementation guidelines for the state.

The report should include, but not limited to:

• Tools & Guidelines: Develop a user-friendly simplified tool to guide the state in knowing how to access funds (timelines, budgets and the state's ability to actively pursue domestic financing; including but limited to:
• Procedures/protocols in financial planning and budget development processes and schedules and how government officials can identify, develop and utilize cross-cutting financial resources
• Suggestions/recommendations on how to move resource mobilization, specific to domestic finance forward, including a timeline and suggested process-based activities.
• Deliverable: Develop and facilitate a domestic financing workshop for key stakeholders involved in obtaining public financing (one workshop per state, 4 workshops in total).
• Organize and plan the workshops
• Work with the DTW Nigeria team to identify the attendees, timing, and venues
• Deliverable: Post the workshop, draft a workshop report, stating the number of stakeholders, the key outcomes of the workshop, challenges and lessons learned to be present to the DTW Nigeria team.
• Identify the opportunities available that could support deworming and related interventions. This should be public and private flows (if possible).
• Identify the relevant laws, regulations and protocols to be followed in public financing from both public and private financial flows.
• Template on how to write a proposal/ investment case (internally and externally) tailored to specific contexts

Qualifications and Experience Required

• The identified consultant (consulting firm or individual) shall have proven experience and knowledge in how public health governance financial services work in Nigeria.
• The consultant is required to have experience in conducting situational analysis with governments, building tools and guidelines within a strategy on how to access domestic financing, and experience in facilitating workshops/training with governments.

Potential Firms / Individuals should possess the following qualifications:

• Proven experience and track record in developing resource mobilization strategies within the public sector, specific to domestic financing, including the following activities:
  • Conducting a situational analysis
  • Experience working with government agencies
  • Exceptional track record in writing and working in a timely manner, fluent in English
  • Verifiable examples of successful resource capacity development initiatives that the consultant or firm has initiated/participated in is an added advantage.
  • Ability to travel to the four identified states in Nigeria.
  • Writing a strategy for domestic financing
  • Developing tools and guidelines
  • Facilitating workshops on resource mobilization
  • Understanding of the public finance management of Nigeria

Time frame:

• To be discussed with shortlisted candidates, but could range from 2 - 8 months.

Compensation

• The contract will be a deliverable-based contract and will depend on the qualification of the candidate.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their detailed proposals, CV and cover letter to: [email protected] using the job title as the subject of the mail

Application Deadline  26th August, 2021.