Co-Principal Investigator, cKMC Quality of Care

Country: Bangladesh Organization: Magenta FZE Closing date: 23 Oct 2026 Co-Principal Investigator, cKMC Quality of Care Assignment period Months 1–3 from contract signing (Month 1 expected in November 2026); all fieldwork complete by the end of month 2 Location Dhaka, Bangladesh, with travel to the study districts and upazilas Reporting to MAGENTA Account Manager, with technical direction from the Team Leader/Principal Investigator Engagement type Deliverable-based (tentative, subject to contract award) Remuneration TBD based on experience MAGENTA is a leading Social and Behavioural Change (SBC) agency that specialises in understanding human decision-making processes in order to design relevant and impactful solutions to some of the most challenging problems of our time. We implement programmes across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean using the latest in behavioural science principles and a rigorous approach to research, strategy, campaign design and implementation. We help social-impact focused organisations across the world, including UN agencies, INGOs, governments and the private sector. Whether we are aiming to improve hygiene behaviours in schools or to understand how social norms shape menstrual health practices, we always go the extra mile to ensure we can create positive impact for some of the most underserved populations in the world. Our culture is driven by curiosity, transparency, authenticity and innovation. PURPOSE OF THE SOW This Scope of Work sets out the responsibilities and deliverables of the Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) for the cKMC quality of care component that MAGENTA would engage for this study. It is tentative and subject to contract award; nothing is binding before award. The Co-PI would lead the cKMC component day to day, under the technical direction of the Team Leader/Principal Investigator (PI): protocol and tools, technical direction of the field research partner, and analysis and reporting of the cKMC findings. BACKGROUND MAGENTA is bidding, as lead, for UNICEF Bangladesh's operational research on a pre-conception care package and on the quality of community-based Kangaroo Mother Care. The two are separate studies with separate reports and ethics approvals. This Scope of Work covers the cKMC component only; the pre-conception component has its own Co-PI. The cKMC study is a non-experimental, mixed-methods review of the UNICEF and Power of Nutrition pilot, where community health workers (CHWs) manage babies of generally 2.0 to 2.5 kg, without complications, at home. It looks at the quality of implementation, caregiver acceptability and adherence, the behaviours behind both, and what scale-up would need. This is the fast component and it sets the pace for the whole contract. To deliver this initiative, MAGENTA would engage a Co-PI for the cKMC component. The PI and Co-PI lead the methodology, tools, analysis and reporting. A field research partner, engaged by MAGENTA, contributes to the methodology from the start, then runs the ethics submission, fieldwork and data management, with day-to-day technical direction from the Co-PI. Final sampling is shaped with the field research partner, then agreed with UNICEF and government at inception. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES The Co-PI would be responsible for the following areas of work across months 1–3. A. Desk review and rapid assessment (month 1) Draft the desk review and landscape analysis of cKMC: global evidence, social and behavioural evidence, national policies and guidelines, implementation models and lessons learned. Lead a rapid assessment of referral pathways, supervision mechanisms and monitoring systems in selected districts and upazilas (5–7 field days) and write the rapid assessment report. Contribute the study matrix and implementation assessment framework to the PI's inception report. B. Protocol and tools (weeks 1–3) Lead the development of the cKMC study protocol with the PI, which UNICEF expects within month 1. Build the methodology around implementation outcomes (acceptability, feasibility, fidelity, adoption), a quality-of-care lens adapted from the WHO framework, and the Behavioural Drivers Model with COM-B for five behaviours: skin-to-skin contact, exclusive breastfeeding support, danger-sign recognition, timely care-seeking and referral compliance. Develop the questionnaires, observation checklists, qualitative guides and quality-of-care standards. Run design sessions with the field research partner and use its written input on sampling, sites, tools and field feasibility. The PI holds the final scientific decisions. C. Sampling and sites Refine the indicative sample with the field research partner, then prepare it for agreement with UNICEF and government at inception. The planning assumption is six of the eight pilot upazilas across Noakhali, Bhola, Netrokona and Kurigram, using the pilot's CHW case lists as the sample frame. It covers up to 18 facility and community-platform assessments, 6 records reviews, 18 observations of CHW visits, about 230 caregiver interviews, about 66 provider interviews, 6 IDIs, 14 FGDs and 10 KIIs. D. Ethics, approvals and safeguarding Draft the protocol content for the ethics submission, which the field research partner submits by the end of week 2, and help answer reviewer queries. Approval is expected in about week 5. Track the administrative and local approvals with the partner and UNICEF so that all are in place before fieldwork. Draft the referral protocol for newborn danger signs with the PI. Ensure adverse events or safeguarding concerns are reported to UNICEF immediately. E. Stakeholder consultation, pre-test, training and field direction (months 1–2) Prepare the materials for the protocol stakeholder consultation in month 1 and revise the protocol and tools after it. Review the pre-test results and sample frame, and sign off the final Bangla tools. Deliver the protocol and tools sessions in the partner's 5–7 day field team training, and check researchers' readiness before deployment. Orient relevant service providers and supervisors on study procedures, and write the training and orientation report. Provide day-to-day technical direction to the field research partner during about 25 field days, including supportive supervision visits, review of daily quality monitoring reports and troubleshooting. Conduct the national key informant interviews led by MAGENTA. F. Assessment reports, analysis and dissemination (months 2–3) Review the data package delivered at the end of month 2 or early month 3. Write the three assessment reports: implementation assessment progress report; acceptability and adherence assessment report; and system integration and referral assessment report. Work with the PI on mixed-methods analysis and interpretation of quality gaps, bottlenecks and behavioural drivers. Draft sections of the technical report and contribute to the policy brief, learning brief, scale-up recommendations, costing considerations for integration and scale-up, presentation materials and manuscript. Support the dissemination workshop and policy dialogue, and draft its proceedings. Beyond specific deliverables, the Co-PI would be expected to attend regular project meetings, including the brainstorm session before the bid is submitted, and contribute to presentations to the client as required. REQUIREMENTS Experience • Advanced university degree in public health, epidemiology, implementation science, maternal and newborn health, nutrition or a related discipline. • Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in newborn health, KMC, community KMC and PHC. • Demonstrated experience with a KMC or cKMC study or programme. • Experience working with relevant ministries and directorates, such as DGHS, DGFP and MoWCA. • Experience training and supervising healthcare providers or field research teams. • Experience in Bangladesh or a comparable LMIC setting is highly desirable. Skills • Development of study designs, protocols, questionnaires and quality-of-care standards. • Interpretation and reporting of mixed-methods study findings. • Training, supervision and technical troubleshooting for data collectors. Competencies • Research ethics, informed consent, confidentiality and safeguarding, including referral for newborn danger signs. • Gender-sensitive fieldwork with mothers, fathers and CHWs. • Reliable delivery to tight timelines, with transparent reporting of deviations. Languages required • Fluency in English and ideally Bangla is required. WORKING CONDITIONS • Location and travel: Dhaka-based, with travel to the study districts and upazilas in Noakhali, Bhola, Netrokona and Kurigram for training and field supervision, including char and haor areas. Travel arrangements and per diem will be managed in line with MAGENTA's travel policy and the agreed project budget. • Ethical review: ERB approval is needed before fieldwork, and fieldwork must close by the end of month 2. • Data and safeguarding: all data belong to UNICEF. Adverse events and safeguarding concerns are reported to UNICEF immediately. • Exclusivity and confidentiality: UNICEF may reject related proposals. The Co-PI must not be named in, submit or join another proposal for this tender, and signs a confidentiality agreement before receiving further tender material. • Contract: nothing is binding before award. If MAGENTA wins, a consultancy contract follows, with payment terms agreed at that stage. How to apply ? Interested, or know someone who'd be a great fit? Apply via: https://recruitcrm.io/apply/17913677178050125780UsL