Terms of Refernce _ Consultancy for Multisectoral Accountability Framework for TB (MAF-TB)

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR) For Consultancy for Multisectoral Accountability Framework for TB (MAF-TB). Baseline Assessment on progress in adaptation and implementation in Somalia and Somaliland.

Job Title – Consultancy for Baseline Assessment to develop Multisectoral Accountability Framework for TB (MAF-TB)

Duty Station – Federal Government of Somalia and Somaliland

Type of contract – Short term Consultancy

Expected Starting Date – 12th December 2023

Duration of Assignment – 17 days

A. BACKGROUND

Burden of Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is communicable disease of public health concern globally and in Somalia. Tuberculosis a major cause of ill health, one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide and the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. The disease typically affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also affect other sites (extra pulmonary TB). An estimated 10.6 million people fell ill with TB globally in 2022 Geographically, Africa accounted for 25% of the people who developed TB in 2019. In 2022 the total number of TB cases notified in Somalia was 18 458 cases, a number close to that of 2019 (19,300) cases. Case notification rate has improved between 2009 and 2020 by about 50%; yet almost three fifths of the increase (30%) has to be credited to the natural population growth, the mean annual increase thus being about 2%. For the year 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the TB mortality rate in Somalia, including HIV+TB, at 68.5 (41-105) per 100k population. Between 2015 and 2019, mortality rate decreased by about 19%.

The political declaration of the 2018 United Nations (UN) General Assembly high-level meeting on TB (2) includes a commitment by Member States to enable and pursue multisectoral engagement and accountability at global, regional, national and local levels to end TB. The declaration also includes a request to the Director-General of WHO to ensure timely implementation of a multisectoral accountability framework for TB. The WHO Global TB Programme (GTB) subsequently released the Multisectoral accountability framework to accelerate progress to end tuberculosis by 2030 (MAF-TB) in May 2019 (3). The aim of MAF-TB is to support effective collaboration and accountability of governments and stakeholders at all levels to ramp up the response towards ending TB. The framework will help to facilitate multisectoral action, mutual accountability and measurement of progress towards commitments on TB at global, regional, national and subnational levels.

1. https://www.who.int/publications/digital/global-tuberculosis-report-2021/featured-topics/maf-tb
2. https://www.who.int/teams/global-tuberculosis-programme/the-end-tb-strategy
3. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids

OBJECTIVES OF CONSULTANCY

The objective of this consultancy is to develop multisectoral accountability framework for TB through Baseline Assessment on progress in adaptation and implementation in Somalia and Somaliland. The Framework will address the 4 components of the MAF-TB and key elements within components using the WHO MAF-TB framework.

The main components are outlined below with the key elements to be assessed which include but not limited to the following key elements:

1. Whether the following commitments have been translated into national policies and targets? Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 (2016-2030), WHO End TB Strategy (2016-2030 and associated WHA resolution, Political Declaration of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on TB (2018) adapted to national level, and other national, regional, country group/bloc targets and/or commitments on TB
2. Has a National Strategic Plan (NSP) to end (or eliminate) TB been developed and/ or updated, Has a national multisectoral accountability framework for the TB response been developed and adopted, which defines who is accountable, what they are accountable for, and who they are accountable to, status of National multisectoral coordination mechanism (e.g. Commission) tasked with providing coordination and/or periodic oversight and review of the national tuberculosis response, Multisectoral actions on risk factors and social determinants of TB: Is TB recognized explicitly national strategies addressing the following
3. Monitoring and Reporting: Routine recording and reporting of TB cases, treatment outcomes and other End TB Strategy indicators via national information system (TB surveillance).
4. Review: Is there a formal high-level review mechanism for the tuberculosis response? (e.g. High-level review commission, independent body, or existing body that addresses TB and other health issues).

B. MORE DETAILS

Rationale of the consultancy

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the top infectious killers in the world, and further innovations and multisectoral actions are needed to reach the World Health Organization (WHO) End TB Strategy targets. Despite universal acknowledgement that TB is driven by social and economic determinants, the TB response is still mainly focused on the health sector (1). Multisectoral engagement is critical, given the impact of COVID-19 on health systems and economies worldwide, especially on the poorest people. It is against this backdrop, that World Vision Somalia with support from Global Fund, proposes to develop a policy framework that will guide optimal utilization of GeneXpert technology in TB, HIV and Covid-19 diagnosis.

Scope of Focus

The assessment will cover the 3 National TB Programs (Federal republic of Somalia and Somaliland) and involving partner organizations, community, and government stakeholders in these three regions.

Assessment region: Somalia and Somaliland.

Assessment population: Partner organizations, Community and Government

Assessment duration: One month

Outputs/Expected Deliverables

• At inception, the consultant is expected to submit a detailed inception report and plan on how the development process will be carried out including a comprehensive methodology.
• Stakeholders engagement report.
• Final consultancy report both in soft and 5 hard copies including all data sets used during the survey.

Deliverables, Reporting and Project Schedule

• Participation at the start off meeting with World Vision, MoH and WHO, and the detailed report on the discussions and conclusion of the kick‐off meeting, including the key issues discussed and decisions made (to be delivered one weeks after the start off meeting).
• The updated project work plan for the entire duration of the contract, including general methodological approach, milestones and timelines in accordance with the objectives of the project and decisions of the kick‐off meeting.
• The two‐page synopsis of the project outlining the general scope and purpose of the project to the relevant stakeholders for their information about the project (to be delivered two weeks after the kick‐off meeting).
• The work plan, including assessment protocol, describing study design, methodological approach, analysis plan, expected outputs and timelines.
• Detailed high quality summary report on the assignment performed (to be delivered according to the approved project work plan or 1 month before expiring of the contract).
• A detailed report that should include review findings, realistic and achievable recommendations and next plan of action.

The intended target audience for the reports are: TB and HIV programme implementers and policy makers at national & international level as well as World Vision.

Conditions:

• Since WHO has technical mandate for TB, the results need to have the approval or at least an acknowledgement from World Health Organization Somalia. In this regard, World Vision will share the Terms of Reference with WHO Somalia. World Vision will also share the methodology of the study, the framework, results and analysis with FGS MoH and WHO Somalia once the consultant provides them.
• Immediately after completion of the assignment, a summary report should be presented for discussion by the main stakeholders – (World vision, Ministry of Health, The Global Fund, WHO).
• Once this is agreed upon, the final report will be printed.

C. MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSESSMENT

While executing this assignment, the consultant and the parties involved shall be guided by the protocol summarized in the matrix below:

Stakeholder / Stakeholder Role

1. Consultant – Undertake the assignment based on the approved design and methodology and timeline
2. GF/PR technical team Initiate the TOR, share with key stakeholders for inputs and seek approval from WV; Lead the technical recruitment of consultant; Provide technical and managerial leadership to the consultant throughout the study process.
3. WV QA / GF Technical team / NTP – Technical reviews to the ToR, Inception report, study design & methodology; Participate in the technical evaluation of consultants; Review draft report and recommend approval or non-approval.
4. People and Culture Manager – Advertise and complete bid selection processes. Site will be shared with key stakeholders.
5. WV QA / GF Technical team / WHO / NTP – Review of the study findings

D. REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Education (for individual consultants/lead consultant):

Advanced Level (Masters level) in a relevant field (Public Health, Epidemiology).

Experience

Essential:

• Seven years’ expertise in development of policy frameworks in the health sector preferably in TB, HIV control or infectious diseases control.
• Experience in health information systems or health system strengthening.
• Previous work experience supporting countries in Countries in sub Saharan countries

Desirables:

• Previous work experience of health system strengthening in Fragile states like Somalia will be an added advantage.
• Experience in training facilitation, mentoring and capacity development, demonstrate oral and written communication skills, including presentations.

Functional skills:

• Ability to manage all phases of a data system from collection to visualization.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications for word processing, PowerPoint, email, and Excel. Able to work effectively in a diverse team environment
• Excellent skills and experience in training facilitation, mentoring and capacity development and fluent in English.
• Demonstrate oral and written communication skills, including presentations.

Language requirement and Corporate competencies:

• Have excellent knowledge of both written and spoken English and be computer literate
• Familiar with Somali cultures, norms and customs
• Demonstrate integrity by modelling the World Vision’s values and ethical standards
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relations with colleagues in a multicultural environment.

E. DURATION

The maximum duration of the assignment is 17 days, (12th to 28th December 2023). A phased approach will be employed based on the finally agreed-upon schedule of deliverables.

F. LOGISTICS, APPLICATION AND EVALUATION PROCEDURE

World Vision will provide logistical support, including visa application, facilitation in arranging meetings with partners and relevant authorities. The consultant will be provided with an air ticket to and from the country of origin to Somalia. World Vision will also cover food and accommodation costs including vehicles required to carry out field assignments.

G. Evaluation Criteria

Mandatory Requirements evaluation

1. Individual tax registration documents (for individual consultants)
2. Provide references from previous clients for similar works**. (At least three)**

Note – Applicant who will not meet the above mandatory requirement will not be considered for Technical Evaluation.

Technical Evaluation

Qualified and interested parties are asked to submit the following;

Letter of interest in submission of a proposal

A detailed technical proposal clearly demonstrating a thorough understanding of this ToR and including but not limited to the following;

• Consultant Profile.
• Description of methodology and sample size determination.
• Demonstrated previous experience in similar assignments and qualifications outlines in this ToR.
• Proposed data management plan (collection, processing and analysis).
• Proposed timeframe detailing activities and proposed work plan.
• Team composition and level of effort of each proposed team member (Include CVs of each team member).

Financial Evaluation

1. A financial proposal with a detailed breakdown of costs for the study quoted in United States Dollars.
2. Payment Terms
3. Credit Period

Note:

As part of the Consultant selection process, the best candidates will be requested to prepare draft inception report and make a presentation of the same to the Global Fund Technical Team to inform the final decision on award of the Contract.

Provision of Taxation as per the Revenue Authority on Technical Fees:

A 5% withholding tax is levied on the payment of technical services fees (as well as professional and management fees) where the services are provided by a resident/resident firm in Kenya. If payment is done to an entity outside Kenya, relevant tax regulations will be applied. The rate is 20% where the service provider is a non-resident/non-resident firm, unless an applicable tax treaty provides otherwise. Consultant firms must be able to demonstrate their tax compliance status at the time of bidding for this assignment as WVS will only engage with tax compliant individuals/firms. The proposal that complies with all the requirements, meets all the evaluation criteria and offers the best value for money shall be selected and awarded the contract. Any offer that does not meet the requirements shall be rejected.

How to apply

Application Process

All interested bidders/consultants are requested to submit their Technical Proposals and Financial Proposals in Separate documents as attachments (Bidders who will combine both technical and financial proposals shall be disqualified) via email [email protected] on or before 9th December 2023***. Bids received after deadline shall not be considered.***

Email title should be: CONSULTANCY ON DEVELOP MULTISECTORAL ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK FOR TB IN SOMALIA AND SOMALILAND.

Your financial proposal should have your consultancy fees, payment terms and Credit period. Financial proposal should not be part of the technical proposal; it should be a separate document.