Helen Keller International (HKI) is recruiting to fill the following positions:

1.) Monitoring and Evaluation Lead, Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA)
2.) Proposal Writer

See job details and how to apply below.

1.) Monitoring and Evaluation Lead, Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA)

Monitoring and Evaluation Lead, Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA)
(Freetown, Sierra Leone)

Guided by the remarkable legacy of its co-founder, Helen Keller, Helen Keller Intl partners with
communities striving to overcome longstanding cycles of poverty. By delivering the essential building blocks of good health, sound nutrition and clear vision, we help millions of people create lasting change in their own lives. Working in more than 20 countries – across Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States – and together with a global community of supporters, we are ensuring every person has the opportunity – as Helen did – to reach their true potential.

Background

The purpose of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funding for the Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA) in Sierra Leone is to improve the performance and functionality of the health systems to deliver quality, integrated health services, with a focus at the district and community levels to promote optimal key health behaviors to prevent illnesses. Health services include delivery of primary health care at Primary Health Units (PHUs) and community outreach and district hospitals. The primary objectives of this Activity are to strengthen the health system to improve the delivery of high-quality Family Planning and Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, Adolescent health (FP/RMNCAH), and malaria services; increase adoption of selected key optimal behaviors to improve health in selected districts in Sierra Leone.

Scope of the Position

The Monitoring and Evaluation Lead (M&E Lead) will be responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation, research and learning framework of SIHSA in a manner that conforms to USAID Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting guidance. Working closely with the Chief of Party and all relevant colleagues, the M&E Lead will be responsible for developing and implementing tools for tracking performance during SIHSA’s implementation and working with
stakeholders to ensure that project outcomes are achieved on time. The M&E Lead will oversee the
design and implementation of research as needed; and will be responsible for building the capacities of  project staff and relevant stakeholders on all areas related to M&E.
This position is expected to be based in Freetown. This five-year position is contingent on Helen Keller being awarded funding and is anticipated to begin in spring 2023.

Specific Responsibilities

The M&E Lead will be responsible for the following:

1. Designing the USAID SIHSA M&E Framework
• Lead in the development of the overall M&E framework for SIHSA. This includes:
o Design of the overall M&E system that meets the information needs of project staff, the donor
and other stakeholders.
o Design of data quality assurance procedures and tools, formative supervision tools, design of
surveys including sampling and questionnaires.
o Ensuring that monitoring data is systematically used by project staff to strengthen
implementation in a timely fashion.
• Using Helen Keller’s approval guidelines related to surveys and research, provide guidance and
support to SIHSA’s staff in design and conducting baseline, midterm and endline surveys to
ensure project learnings and alignment to donor requirements. This will include a review of
sampling methodology, questionnaire design, analysis plans, and final reporting.
• Lead the mid-term review of SIHSA, impact assessment, final evaluation, and develop SIHSA
monitoring plan with relevant data collection systems.
2. Implementation of M&E and Coordination
• Ensure that SIHSA’s monitoring plan is updated consistently to inform project progress and
performance.
• Lead all SIHSA’s M&E initiatives, including monitoring data quality and tracking the progress of
the project towards targets.
• Lead regular review meetings to assess progress against set targets, and provide
recommendations based on internal policies, USAID’s regulations and the Activity timeline.
• Lead in the identification and implementation of key performance indicators (KPI) as well as
monitoring them throughout the duration of the Activity.
• Lead project staff on ways to properly document, organize and capture SIHSA progress.
• Keep abreast of developments in grant/Activity changes and progress to advise and
recommend tools and strategies to increase the Activity’s performance and results.
• Perform regular field visits to ensure the quality of data collected by SIHSA’s staff and to verify
the accuracy of reported data.
• Lead in undertaking research and assessments.
• Ensure that verifiable data analysis is shared with relevant stakeholders to inform SIHSA review.
• Identify lessons learned and develop case studies to capture qualitative outputs of the Activity.
• Represent Helen Keller Intl at national and/or international level coordination forums.
Required Qualifications/Competencies
• Minimum of a master's degree in a quantitative field (economics, development economics,
statistics, biostatistics, applied sociology, anthropology, or other relevant subject) with significant
training in quantitative methods.
• At least seven years of related work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and
experience.
• Knowledge of and experience with USAID monitoring and evaluation requirements, and of
USAID sanctioned indicators.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement monitoring and evaluation systems for public
health programs in low and middle-income countries, including selecting appropriate indicators
for program activities and ensuring timely data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Experience in developing results frameworks, logical frameworks, program impact pathways or
similar tools for project design and implementation is required.
• Proven expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, as well as strong
understanding and ability to guide the design and implementation of operations research and
surveys.
• Demonstrated understanding of the health management information systems in low- and
middle-income countries. Experience using digital data collection technologies (e.g., ODK,
CommCare) and the DHIS2 information system preferred.
• Demonstrated track record in promoting the dissemination and use of data, including the ability
to write policy briefs and articles for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated ability to build M&E capacity of other staff, and the range of ways in which this
can be conducted and assessed.
• Technical knowledge of nutrition programming is preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills including active listening skills, the ability to communicate
effectively across cultures, and to negotiate effectively with internal and external colleagues.
• Collaborative, flexible and solution-oriented.
• Demonstrable respect for all persons regardless of religion, ethnicity, class or gender, with a
high comfort level working in a diverse environment with a demonstrated commitment to high
professional ethical standards.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, fluency in Kiro is highly desirable.

To Apply 

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to hki.recruitment@hki.org Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. In the spirit of our founder and namesake, Helen Keller is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity in all its forms is fully valued.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation during the application or
interview process, please contact us at the email above or call: +1 646-356-1789.

2.) Proposal Writer

Request for Proposal for Consulting Services

NATURE OF SERVICES: Proposal Writer to lead the successful development of the technical
components of a proposal for a USAID-funded activity in Sierra Leone: Strengthening Integrated
Health Services Activity (SIHSA).

CONTRACTING ENTITY: Helen Keller International.

Guided by the remarkable legacy of its co-founder, Helen Keller, Helen Keller Intl partners with
communities striving to overcome longstanding cycles of poverty. By delivering the essential
building blocks of good health, sound nutrition and clear vision, we help millions of people create
lasting change in their own lives. Working in more than 20 countries – across Africa, Asia, Europe
and the United States – and together with a global community of supporters, we are ensuring
every person has the opportunity – as Helen did – to reach their true potential.

BACKGROUND

Helen Keller is pursuing a competitive USAID-funded opportunity in Sierra Leone entitled
Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA). This activity’s estimated cost is valued
at $25 – 49.9M over a five-year period. The anticipated release date for this solicitation is to be
determined, but it is expected in the fall of 2022. The goal of SIHSA is to contribute to the
Government of Sierra Leone’s overarching goal of improving the health of adolescents, pregnant
and postpartum women, and children less than five years old.

PLACE of PERFORMANCE: Flexible

Vendor must be available to overlap with standard business hours in both the US and Sierra
Leone on a flexible basis.

DURATION and TIMEFRAME

Total duration of engagement has been estimated to be 20 (twenty) days; however, this is
indicative in nature and subject to change as the assignment may demand higher or reduced
involvement.

SCOPE of WORK

The scope of work will include, but is not limited to:
• Lead the content development and copywriting of the technical narrative (activity design) and
specified annexes by closely working with country office staff, and relevant members of the
global Program Technical, Business Development and Finance teams.
• Engage with consortium partners as needed during the capture and proposal phases.
• Maintain an overall oversight of the proposal process and provide the necessary day to day
support for this opportunity.
• Review the donor guidelines for proposal development and ensure that the proposal package
meets the necessary requirements.
• Gather key resource documents and reference materials for the proposal development and
synthesize relevant information for the proposal.
• Analyze available assessments and secondary literature concerning context/problem
analysis and guide the proposal development team on gaps in the available data so that all
required data is readily available for populating different sections of the proposal.
• Participate/Assist in facilitating program design meeting(s) (# of days to be confirmed)
involving key program, technical, partner and operational staff to gain an in-depth
understanding of the context, needs/gaps and proposed project design.
• Provide necessary directions to program and technical staff in order to produce/develop the
primary content for the proposal.
• Consolidate the content received from program and technical teams and write first draft of the
technical narrative and specified annexes as per USAID’s guidelines. Provide review and
input to other annexes as needed.
• Address comments from internal/external technical reviewers on the technical narrative and
annexes prior to final technical narrative, ensuring the final proposal is responsive to the
donor’s technical concerns and complies with all requirements.
• Submit all drafts of the proposal as per the proposal calendar dates
• As needed, ensure that the budget matches the activities described in the technical narrative
and annexes and that it is technically sound and competitive.

DELIVERABLES

The final deliverable will be a technical narrative and annexes for the proposal with key
milestones and intermediate deliverables to be defined throughout the process.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE
• Proven track record of writing technical sections of successful proposals for USAID.
• Specific technical expertise and training experience in an area relevant to the proposal
as represented by:
o Master's degree in public health or other field directly related to the program, such
as nutrition, or food policy; and
o at least 8 to 10 years of relevant operational experience in the development field,
with emphasis on program design and implementation in Africa in the areas of the
consultant’s expertise; or
o equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong proposal management skills and ability to establish proposal timelines and manage
multiple task on strict deadlines.
• Knowledge of donor trends and strategies.
• Creative thinking and a problem solving with ability to work well in team settings and
compile input from multiple sources into one coherent document.
• Excellent writing skills in English are required.
• Comfortable using Microsoft Teams and other platforms for virtual collaboration.

SPECIFIC REQUESTS for INFORMATION

Please describe the nature of your education and experience and why it is well suited to the nature
of the work described above. Please be sure to address the qualifications and experience listed
above and comparable project work.

In addition, please provide:
• Your CV
• Sample work product
• Three references who may be contacted by Helen Keller Intl. These references should be
clients or employers for whom you have provided similar services.
• Pricing/Price Sheet: a pricing list for the services that you/your company is interested and
able to offer based on the activities listed above.
Please submit your proposal to consultants.recruitment@hki.org, noting the title “Proposal Writer SIHSA” in the subject line.
Submissions will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis.

EVALUATION and AWARD PROCESS

This RFP is open to all persons or entities that are deemed capable of implementing the scope of
work, with a solid record of integrity and business ethics.
The award will be made to the Seller representing the best value to the project and to Helen
Keller. For this RFP, price, delivery, technical and past performance are of equal importance for
the purposes of evaluating and selecting the “best value” awardee.
In the spirit of our founder and namesake,
Helen Keller places diversity and partnership at the core of our work.
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We encourage small minority, women, or veteran-owned businesses to submit
proposals.