Biostatistics Consultant

Background

World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization working to create lasting change in the lives of children, families and communities living in poverty. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. As a child-focused organization, WV's work focuses on children, ensuring they are protected and their basic needs are met. WVV has a total income of around US$ 18,000,000 (FY23) with funding from 14 support countries in Europe, Asia, the Americas and Australia. The strategic focuses of WVV include: children protection from all forms of abuse, exploitation, violence and injury; reduction of malnutrition rate of children under 5 through integrated approach; sustainable livelihood for poor households to support sustainable well-being of children.

Anthropometric indices are non-invasive quantitative measurements of the body. According to Centres for Disease Control (CDC), anthropometry provides a valuable assessment of the nutritional status of children and adults. They are commonly used to evaluate the general nutritional status of children, nutritional adequacy, and to assess the growth trends and developmental pattern of children. Growth measurements and growth trends are the gold standards by which health workers assess the wellbeing of children. Accurate anthropometric measurements are essential for assessing nutritional status, monitoring child growth, and for timely and proper referral of children to additional health services when needed (Gupta et al., 2020). Height/length measurement is important for surveillance of a child's weight-for-height (WFH) or weight-for-length (WFL) and for height-for-age (HFA) or length-for-age (LFA).

To date, different technologies have been used, such as geospatial handheld 3D imaging system, ultrasound, and other lasers technology, to try and improve the accuracy of height and length measurement, but none have been successfully used by frontline health workers to the precision and accuracy of ≥99% at a reasonable cost. A challenge with laser devices is ensuring it is accurate even in hot and humid climates and precise even when children cry and move a lot. A new laser height/length measuring device is currently being developed and will be completed in April 2024. The device will make it easier to measure height/length of children quickly and accurately, so children are properly assessed in their nutritional status and referred to appropriate health services in a timely manner when needed.

To assess the acceptability of the device by caregivers and frontline health workers, a qualitative component will be included in the research design.
World Vision International Vietnam is looking for a biostatistics consultant for data analysis for this research.

Purpose of Position

Key Responsibilities

(a) Objective: To analyse the quantitative and qualitative data for the laser height measuring device research project.
(b) Final deliverable:
• Cleaned quantitative dataset;
• Code book for qualitative data (FGD and KIIs);
• Coding and output of results for quantitative data analysis;
• Final report and manuscript.
(c) Consultant's qualifications, experiences and competences
• A PhD degree in Public Health, Nutrition/Analysis or a related field;
• At least 10 years of experience in health data analysis and manuscript development. He/she should have experience/skills in using quantitative and qualitative methods, and in leading the collection and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data on children health;
• Strong professional experience in data analysis with both quantitative and qualitative data;
• Familiar with ODK data collection application and statistical analysis software (STATA, SPSS, R,...) and have a copy right of statistical analysis software;
• A strong commitment to delivering timely and high-quality results;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
(d) Budget of product:
Consultant can propose daily rate in in USD and negotiate with WVI Vietnam for the final rate. The budget is based on each assignment The payment will be made when the final edited report is endorsed by WVI Vietnam.
(e) Timeframe and deadlines:
This frame contract period will be from 30 May to 30 September 2024
The deadline for completion will be agreed with the Consultant depending each assignment
(f) Confidentiality and copyright
All papers shared with the consultant are confidential to WVI Vietnam and should not be used outside of WVI Vietnam without permission.
The final report within the frame of this contract is the property of WVI Vietnam, and the WVI Vietnam reserves all rights to it.

Knowledge & Skill

Experience

Interested candidates will be asked to send an application package in English containing:
• A curriculum vitae in English
• Samples of similar manuscript/reports as main/co-author.
• An expression of interest letter of no more than 2 pages, outlining how you meets the selection criteria;
• Financial proposal, specifying a total amount including a breakdown of costs, payment schedule, and VAT if applicable.