Examining Access to Vaccine in Myanmar Consultant

1. Background

Myanmar is marred with crisis, and COVID-19. Response to the COVID-19 has been challenging by the political crisis. Throughout the country as the health services are not easily available, people are struggling to access the basic health services. The ongoing crisis has caused the price of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment to soar, creating a black market for healthcare. The attempts made to roll out COVID-19 vaccinations were constrained by various challenges. As such, vulnerable population including IDPs, marginalised people, migrant workers and people living under poverty are far from the reach of COVID-19 vaccine.

On this backdrop, the aim of this research is to explore the factors that have contributed to difficulty in accessing fundamental health services to the people, particularly COVID-19 vaccination. More specifically, we would like to understand the complexities around scaling vaccination programme, improving accessible health services to the most vulnerable population including IPDs and migrant workers. Additionally, the research will also observe the role of international communities and High-Income Countries in supporting for vaccine accessibility.

2. Objectives of the Work

To do so, this research will deep-dive in the lived experiences of vulnerable people in Myanmar accessing health services including COVID-19 vaccination, with the objectives of:

· To understand if and how in the environment of crisis and conflict contributes to the accessibility of health services and COVID-19 vaccination

· To explore the complexities around scaling vaccination programme, improving accessible health services to the most vulnerable population including IPDs and migrant workers

· To observe the role of international communities and High-Income Countries in supporting for vaccine accessibility

3. Scope of Work, Specific Duties and Responsibilities, Schedule of Work

This consultancy will involve working with ActionAid staff, in shaping research and analysis by documenting the experiences of vulnerable population. The consultant will lead in co-designing the research framework and instruments, conducting the key informant interviews, focus groups discussion, and case stories, and develop a research report.

This consultancy will be managed by ActionAid/Myanmar, and it is expected that it will be done over June through August 2022.

In consultation with AAM, the responsibilities under this role will include:

· In consultation with ActionAid Myanmar develop research framework that includes conceptual framework, methodology, research tools and research plan.

· Conduct literature review

· Conduct KIIs, FGDs and collect case stories

· Use ActionAid’s feminist research guidelines when conducting KIIs, FGDs, and collecting case stories.

· Conduct research validation workshop

· Analysis of the data with gender and age lenses

· Finalise research report

· Prepare research brief

· Led/participate in research report dissemination events

· Ensure and adhere to the safeguarding principle and actions throughout the research project

· Ensure to collect research that is practical, in a way that no women’s safety will be compromised throughout all activities

4. Qualification Requirement

We are looking for a consultant with the following key skills and capacity:

a) Education

· Master’s degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, Gender Studies, Political Science, Development Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, or related fields. A PhD degree in similar field is desired.

b) Experience

· Minimum 5 years relevant work experience in conducting and leading research projects and documentation.

· Highly proficient in data collection and analysis

· Familiarity with the context of Myanmar and health sector, particularly on access to basic health and COVID-19 vaccination.

· Demonstrable experience of delivering research on feminist issues and utilising feminist methodologies and approaches

· Experience of ensuring quality of data collection

· Strong understanding of, and experience working on, fragility and vulnerability

· Strong grounding in feminist theory and approaches

· Proficiency in high quality report writing in English and ability to write academic text.

c) Language

· Fluency in English language both written and spoken.

d) Others

· Proven record of writing research reports and publications

· Experience in editing of reports for international development agencies

· Have excellent interpersonal skills and a strong commitment to working in collaboration and partnership

· Have accuracy, attention to detail, motivation and ability to meet deadlines

· Ability to work independently

· Excellent computer skills in MS word and presentation

· Ability to deliver on time as committed and be responsive to all communications from AAM

5. Expected Timeframe (to deliver this work)

SN Deliverables Deadline

1 Develop research framework in consultation with ActionAid/Myanmar (3 days) 25th June 2022

2 Conduct Literature review (2 days) 15th July 2022

3 Conduct 15 KIIs and 5 FGDs and 3 case stories (10 days) 20th July 2022

4 Conduct research validation workshop (1 day) 25th July 2022

5 Research Report finalisation: Analysis and Report Writing (9 days) 15th August 2022

6 Prepare a research brief (2 days) 18th August 2022

7 Research Dissimination event (1 day) 31st August 2022

The report should be written in English and should not exceed 45 pages (Times New Roman, font size 12, single space). To complement the full report, the document should be accompanied by research tools and plan for research and analysis, list of literature reviewed, list of interview respondents and reference list. The report should be submitted electronically in a MS-Word document.

Reference in APA format will be cited after each important facts and figures. Completed checklists, methodology and plan and photos have to be submitted to AAM.

The consultant is expected to build on the research plan in consultation with AAM. AAM research team will closely work with the consultant and AAM will provide the necessary feedback upon receiving the research framework, research questionnaires and research report.

6. Management/Reporting

The successful candidate will report to Head of Programme Quality and Research, Actionaid Myanmar.