State Research Assistants (Qualitative Fieldwork)

Malaria Consortium

Malaria Consortium (MC) is implementing an embedded implementation research study in selected local government areas (LGAs) of Kogi, Plateau and Sokoto States to assess approaches for linking routine immunization (RI) activities with Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) delivery. The approaches comprise: A, structured RI messaging during SMC contact; B, Approach A plus community engagement/social and behaviour change communication (SBCC); and C, Approach B plus immunization-status screening, referral and follow-up. A comparator arm receives standard SMC.

The qualitative component explores acceptability, feasibility, implementation burden, fidelity, perceived effectiveness, equity and scalability. MC seeks six state-based Research Assistants (RAs), two in each state, and other state-level data collection team members (Moderators, Notetakers and qualitative data transcribers) to support the approved qualitative fieldwork. The RAs will work under the day-to-day technical direction and supervision of the Lead Qualitative Research Consultant and within MC-approved study procedures.

Purpose and limits of the assignment

• To engage and deploy four complementary cadres—State Research Assistants, Qualitative Data Moderators, Note Takers and Qualitative Data Transcribers—to undertake approved state-level qualitative fieldwork.
• Research Assistants coordinate recruitment, scheduling, field logistics and quality monitoring; Moderators conduct FGDs/KIIs; Note Takers document sessions and support debriefs; and Transcribers produce accurate, de-identified transcripts and approved translations. All cadres work under the technical supervision of the

Qualitative Study Participants and Planned Sample

• The Lead Qualitative Research Consultant will operationalize the approved multi-stage sampling process with MC and government counterparts. State Research Assistants will implement the approved recruitment plan and coordinate scheduling; Moderators and Note Takers will support eligibility checks and consent within their training and assigned roles; Transcribers will work only with authorized, consented recordings. No field cadre may independently change the sampling frame or respondent targets.

Lead Qualitative Research Consultant and Malaria Consortium (MC) oversight

• This ToR covers field personnel only. No cadre is engaged to independently design or amend the protocol, approve sampling changes, lead the consultancy, undertake study-wide qualitative analysis, or prepare the final integrated research report. Duties are allocated by cadre and may overlap only when specifically assigned, personnel are trained and competent, and the Lead Consultant authorizes the arrangement

Participant Identification and Recruitment

• The Research Assistants, based in Kogi, Plateau and Sokoto States, with the support of the moderators, Note takers and transcribers, will coordinate participant identification and recruitment for qualitative data collection in their respective states, working closely with Malaria Consortium (MC), State Programme Managers and relevant state/LGA authorities to facilitate official introductions, access to selected clusters and model facilities, and participant mobilization through appropriate community and programme structures.
• The Research Assistants with the support of the moderators, Note takers and transcribers will coordinate the implementation of the MC-approved sampling and recruitment plan, ensuring that approved recruitment lists and eligibility criteria are followed. They will oversee the screening process, maintain accurate screening and recruitment logs, monitor recruitment progress and support the selection of participants representing diverse roles, geographical locations and levels of intervention exposure.
• The Research Assistants will coordinate with trained qualitative data collectors to ensure that prospective participants are approached appropriately, eligibility is verified, and recruitment and informed consent procedures comply with the approved study protocol and ethical requirements. Recruitment and consent will be undertaken by trained research personnel who are not directly responsible for providing services to prospective participants to minimize potential coercion and power imbalances.
• The Research Assistants will coordinate the identification, recruitment and scheduling of the relevant respondent groups in their respective states, including caregivers and community drug distributors (CDDs) from the selected qualitative cluster in each intervention LGA; health workers from model facilities serving the selected clusters; community/traditional leaders in the three Approach C LGAs; and programme stakeholders purposively selected based on their responsibilities for SMC, routine immunization (RI), primary healthcare (PHC) planning, implementation, supervision or oversight.
• The Research Assistants will monitor recruitment against the approved state-level targets and data collection schedule, document recruitment challenges, ineligibility and non-response, and promptly communicate any proposed respondent replacements to the study lead and MC for review and approval. MC will retain final approval of the recruitment matrix and any replacement of a selected respondent.

Responsibilities of each Qualitative Data Moderator

The qualitative data collection moderator will be responsible for facilitating qualitative interviews and/or focus group discussions in accordance with the approved study protocol and discussion guide. The moderator will:

• Conduct interviews and focus group discussions using the approved semi-structured interview or discussion guide.
• Establish rapport with participants and create a respectful, comfortable, and non-judgmental environment that encourages open and honest discussion.
• Explain the purpose of the session, confirm informed consent, and obtain permission for audio recording where applicable.
• Ask questions in a clear, neutral, and non-leading manner, while using appropriate probes and follow-up questions to explore emerging issues in greater depth.
• Ensure that all key topics in the discussion guide are adequately covered without unnecessarily restricting participants' responses.
• Manage the flow of discussions, ensuring that all participants have an opportunity to contribute, particularly during focus group discussions.
• Remain neutral and avoid expressing personal opinions, judgments, or reactions that could influence participants' responses.
• Monitor participants for signs of discomfort or distress and respond appropriately in accordance with the study's ethical procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect participants' privacy throughout the data collection process.
• Ensure that audio recordings and other study materials are appropriately labelled, securely stored, and transferred according to the study's data management procedures.
• Conduct debriefing sessions with the note taker after each session to clarify contextual issues, emerging themes, and observations relevant to interpretation of the data.
• Document any deviations, challenges, or unusual circumstances encountered during data collection and report them to the qualitative research supervisor.
• Participate in regular team debriefing sessions to review data quality, emerging findings, and the need for clarification or refinement of probing techniques.

Expected deliverables by staff cadre

No.

Cadre-specific deliverable

Timing

1

Moderators: session guide/consent/audio checklist; Note Takers: expanded field notes and debrief record; Research Assistants: daily QA log

After each session / daily

2

Moderators/Note Takers: securely handed-over recordings and notes; Transcribers: verbatim transcripts, approved translations and discrepancy log; Research Assistants: handover tracker

Rolling handover during fieldwork

3

All cadres: final handover of assigned records and files, verified by Lead Consultant

By last day of engagement

Field Logistics and Responsibilities

Item

Responsibility/arrangement

Participant identification/mobilization

MC/state/LGA counterparts facilitate approved introductions; Research Assistants coordinate screening, recruitment and scheduling; Moderators verify eligibility/consent as assigned; Note Takers document session codes; Transcribers have no recruitment role.

Venues

MC/state teams support venue identification; Research Assistants coordinate booking and logistics; Moderators assess privacy and suitability; Note Takers prepare recording/notes materials.

Participant transport reimbursement

MC alone approves and administers reimbursement permitted by ethics documents; no Research Assistant, Moderator, Note Taker or Transcriber may introduce incentives or vary arrangements.

Government/state/LGA introductions

MC and government partners provide official introductions; Research Assistants coordinate field access under Lead Consultant direction.

Access to quantitativ