Country: Somalia
Closing date: 11 Feb 2016
1.Background/IRC Summary
The Somali context includes a unique mix of socio-cultural, gender and environmental determinants, which form a series of barriers to health prevention and care. Demand creation is critical to compliment supply interventions to respond to the unique health and nutrition challenges in Somalia. However, strong evidence of what works is not available. Therefore, creative, innovative responses to increase demand and promote better health are required.
Somali Health and Nutrition Programme (SHINE) is a programme that runs for 5 years from April 2016 until March 2021. Through SHINE, DFID will continue to be the lead bilateral donor within the health sector in Somalia. Through the SHINE programme, DFID-Somalia will fund innovative approaches to demand creation that have a strong learning agenda on what works for the Somali context. First, this programme will help to improve the quality of the Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS) at regional/district and health facility levels (on the supply-side). Second, the demand creation component will include health promotion and interventions to overcome socio-behavioral-gender barriers to increase access and uptake of health service. These interventions may include those aimed at changing social norms, empowering women, and improving accountability, among others.
2.Purpose of the consultancy
As the nature of the DFID call for proposal dictates, implementation of the demand creation component would be best done by a consortium of members who bring a diverse set of knowledge, skills, and interventions that will appropriately address both the demand and supply side of the proposed action. As such, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), International Medical Corps (IMC), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Benadir University and the Somalia Ministry of Health (MoH) has formed a consortium with the aim of developing a joint health proposal aimed specifically at fostering demand creation innovations in the health sector in Somalia. These members have been working together in Somalia to implement robust health programs and ensue that gaps in health services are addressed adequately for the benefit of the Somali community. IRC, in particular, has been working with the MoH, and IMC to implement healthcare services in Galkacyo South Hospital. Activities implemented have included reproductive healthcare services, funding of which has been provided by UNFPA. Additionally, IRC is currently implementing essential package of healthcare services (EPHS) jointly with the MoH in Mogadishu. IRC has been working in Somali since 2011 implementing healthcare services and therefore has considerable comparative advantage with regards to having firm relationships with the local authorities and community leaders in its area of operation.
The consortium is currently seeking a consultant with the necessary skills set to lead the design of the demand creation innovation proposal.
The purpose of this consultancy, therefore, is to develop a joint proposal on behalf of the five agencies and institutions in response to the DFID SHINE program Demand Creation call for proposals released in February 2016. The consultant will integrate approaches from the consortium member’s previous demand innovation initiatives in health programming (both globally and in Somalia), while focusing on the following thematic areas: safe motherhood, birth spacing/family planning with an aim of increasing the contraceptive prevalence rate from 15% to 25% by 20121, promotion of optimal maternal infant and young child nutrition practice, child health including immunisation, promotion of appropriate hygiene practices, and adolescent health. As part of the programme development process, the consortium members will work with the consultant to identify areas of potential health demand creation innovations, synergies, and collaborations between consortium members and stakeholders that could serve as fundamental pillars of an innovative health Demand Creation innovative initiative.
3.Key tasks
The consultant will develop a detailed work plan that will include undertaking the following tasks:
- Acquire an understanding of the content of the DFID SHINE Demand Creation call for proposals which was released in February 2016
- Become familiar with the consortium’s members’/agencies’ current programming, through availed documents, and determine how it fits in with the theme of the DFID call for proposals
- Conduct a literature review of existing materials such as on drivers of supply and demand for healthcare services within the Somalia and how community engagement can improve the quality of and access to health services
- Work with the technical teams of MoH, IRC, IMC, Benadir University and UNFPA to undertake a mapping of programmes and services already in place in the identified geographic areas, define and conduct relevant assessments to complement available information and the outstanding gaps as well as brain storm on the project design
- In collaboration with the technical teams of MoH, IRC, IMC, Benadir University and UNFPA, work on the project design in line with SHINE principles and with focus on proposed activities, objectives, targets, indicators, etc. per sector that would be relevant for the geographic areas as well as the budget for the proposal
- Develop a proposal compiling the information on needs and gaps in each region
- Revise the proposal based on feedback received and re-circulate for review and incorporate feedback from MoH, IRC, IMC, Benadir University and UNFPA in the final version of the document
- Ensure all proposal development and sign-off procedures are followed, and that all relevant annexes relevant to the call are developed, approved and submitted as required.
4.Deliverables
The following deliverables will need to have been completed and submitted to DFID by March 7, 2016.
- Literature review findings written in a concise, detailed manner (table form potentially, by topic, theme, geographic area)
- Workshop conducted with technical team to map services and articulate gaps in geographic program coverage, and gaps in needs of target groups
- Proposal drafted and finalized
5.Timeframe
The duration of the consultancy is expected to be 20 working days from the date of signing the contracts. The assignment is proposed to be conducted following the guide below:
Day 1 – Day 3 (3 days): review the call for proposals from DFID and learn about MoH, IRC, IMC, Benadir University and UNFPA programming through consultation with their staff to determine current programing and what would be appropriate for the call for proposals
Day 6 – Day 9 (4 days): conduct literature review of available materials, including the UNICEF communication for development strategy and MoH/UNICEF developed community health strategy for Somalia, as well as various needs assessments by clusters
Day 11- Day 12 (2 days): lead workshop with technical teams of MoH, IRC, IMC, Benadir University and UNFPA to map services and gaps in geographic areas and identify various components of the proposal such as:
Existing needs of target groups and proposed activities per thematic area that would respond to the needs
Objectives, indicators and targets
Budget for geographic and thematic areas
Implementation arrangements
Coordination arrangements
Monitoring and evaluation arrangements
Day 16 – Day 20 (5 days): Compile the information from the workshop and draft the proposal in accordance with the Demand Creation Strategy and share with MoH, IRC, IMC, Benadir University and UNFPA for review by Feb 24
Day 25 – Day 26 (2 days): Feedback and discussions with agencies on changes and the editing required
Day 1- Day 3 (3 days): Incorporate feedback from MoH, IRC, IMC, Benadir University and UNFPA and revise the proposal; submit revised proposal by Mar 5
Final Day: wrap up
6.Requirements for the consultancy
The following processes will be deemed necessary to effectively design and implement an effective Demand Creation programme:
- Understand the social, cultural, behavioral, and economic barriers to demand for health and nutrition services, through conducting necessary assessments and incorporating a robust evaluation and learning component within the proposal
- Interventions should be linked to improved access to health services
- Create awareness of health services available through social mobilisation
- Improve the capacity of health authorities, and health sector stakeholders to advocate for increased utilisation of available services at the community level
- Strengthen community level advocacy and encourage community participation.
In addition, the Demand Creation component will need to identify vulnerable population groups as:
- Women of child bearing age (WCBA)
- Children under five years (CU5)
- Rural communities who include: pastoralists/agro-pastoralists/nomads
- Youth/adolescents
- Minority/marginalised groups
- People living with disabilities (PLWD)
7.Education Required Skills and Experience
- Masters degree in social sciences or related field from a reputable institution, as well as an advanced university degree (masters or equivalent) in international affairs/studies, development, health or a related field
- Minimum 5 years of experience in the design, proposal writing, and/or management of health and nutrition programmes, preferably in fragile states
- Knowledge and working experience in the East Africa/Horn of Africa region is desired
- Strong programme design skills, including capacity to prepare logical, coherent and consistent documents including log frames and budgets
- Prior demonstrated experience developing proposals for institutional donors, previous DFID experience required.
- Ability to work efficiently and effectively with consortium members in various locations and from multiple organisations, including remotely writing and revising proposal documents
- Ability to integrate different experiences, methodologies, and approaches from a diverse range of stakeholders, organisations, and technical experts from multiple sectors
- Excellent English speaking and writing skills required
Consultants should include the following consideration in their technical and financial proposals
- No additional costs associated with preparing the application will be met by consortium members. These costs include hiring additional consultants/enumerators to gather the required information.
- The consultancy will be subject to taxation per the Kenyan law.
8.Minimum criteria for submission of the proposal bid
The consultant should submit a technical and a financial proposal and s/he is expected to demonstrate a track record of not less than five (5) years of experience executing similar assignments.
9.Contractual issues
The consortium will provide the following at no cost to the consultant:
- Travel costs (to and from Nairobi and within Somalia)
- Security would be provided and organised by the IRC team, in collaboration with other consortium members.
10.Other
The consultant will work closely with and report to Abukar Mohamed Ga’al, IRC’s Deputy Director for Programs. The consultant may provide updates on progress as requested by IRC and other partner agencies.
The consultant must comply with the IRC rules and procedures related to security and relations with the media
How to apply:
If you feel you fit the required profile and are available for the assignment, please submit a short technical proposal providing a detailed budget breakdown, along with a brief technical bio data of yourself and evidence of similar work undertaken recently. Please submit the application materials via email to ircsomaliajobs@rescue.org
Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis.