Closing date: 30 Nov 2009 -- (CLOSED)
Location: Liberia
Terms of Reference
Position:Consultant for EU-funded Health project in Sinoe & Grand Kru
Responsible To: Country Director
Location: Grand Kru and Sinoe Counties
Time Frame: November/December 2009 (approx 30 days)
Salary and Benefits:£250 per day (depending on experience) plus travel expenses
Merlin
Merlin is the only specialist UK charity which responds worldwide with vital health care and medical relief for vulnerable people caught up in natural disasters, conflict, and disease and health system collapse. Each year, Merlin helps more than 15 million people in up to 20 countries.
Background
Since 1997, Merlin Liberia has been partnering with the Liberian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoH&SW) to strengthen health systems in the country. This support focuses on Primary Health Care (PHC), Secondary Health Care (SHC) and Community Health. Merlin currently receives funding from ECHO to support the MOH&SW in providing health care to Sinoe and Grand Kru Counties. However, this funding will finish in August 2010, and Merlin is keen to continue these projects with EU funding (EDF) that will be in place from May 2010 (planning and other preparations for this transition from ECHO to EU in the health sector begins on October 26th 2009). (Please see Annex 1 for details).
Overall Objectives of role (scope)
The objective of this consultancy is to undertake an assessment of current gaps in health service delivery in Sinoe and Grand Kru Counties and develop a proposal for funding to be submitted to the EU.
Specific Objectives of the role
1. To assess current Merlin supported health activities in Sinoe and Grand Kru counties
2. To assess current health needs in the two counties and suggest mitigation measures
3. An assessment of the gaps within the CHTs in the two counties and suggest possible intervention measures by Merlin to address them
4. Develop a proposal for funding with a clear log frame, narrative proposal and details of resources needed to develop a budget (in cooperation with the Country Finance Director)
5. Survey of capacity of local NGOs involved in health in the two counties for possible collaboration
6. Develop a strategy for a transition from the current ECHO funded programme to the EU funding mechanism
7. Explore alternative funding possibilities for the 10-20% co funding contribution required by Merlin to receive EU funding
Activities to achieve specific objectives:
1. Review of literature to include, but not be limited to, reports and proposals.
2. Development of assessment tools.
3. A review and analysis of the Liberia MoH&SW National Health Policy, EU Strategic plan 2008-2013 for Liberia, National Health Conference 2009 reports and BPHS strategy.
4. Discussions with MoH&SW and the CHTs on priorities for funding in Sinoe and Grand Kru Counties.
5. Field visits to a variety of health facilities in both rural and urban environments offering both primary and secondary health care (to include a range of facilities supported by Merlin, the MoH&SW, other INGOs)
6. Structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGD) with health service providers and patients.
7. Structured interviews with Merlin Liberia staff – both medical staff (for technical insight and on-the-ground observations) and senior management (for insight on program strategy).
8. Undertake a workshop for Merlin staff on EU funding and project implementation modalities.
Intended Outputs:
1. Concept note to be submitted to the EU by December 2009.
2. Funding proposal to be submitted to the EU (to be finalized by end of this consultancy), including (but not limited to)
a. Narrative proposal
b. Logframe
c. Budget
d. Report on the findings of the assessment
e. Other EU funding requirements
Recommendations on partnering with a local NGO (including a capacity assessment report base on Merlin assessment tool
Provisional Time Frame
Activity / No. of days
Literature review / 3 days
Visit to the field for interviews with health staff and community members (5 days each for Grand Kru and Sinoe).
Includes visit to hospital and clinics, together with the catchment areas/community members including a one day workshop for Merlin staff in both Sinoe and Grand Kru. / 10 days minimum
Meeting with MoH&SW, possible donors and other stakeholders / 3 days
Proposal, report writing and feedback (including a debrief) / 10 days
Miscellaneous / 4 days
Total Days / 30 days
Please note: Transport, accommodation and a local phone to be provided by Merlin while food and incidentals to be covered by consultant. Due to the limited budget, any additional costs required will be covered by consultant.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications, experience and competences:
- Medical doctor/Registered Nurse or public health practitioner with masters in Public Health
- Substantial consultancy experience in the field of health
- Extensive knowledge of the European Union Project Cycle Management, budgeting and implementation process
- Experience of INGOs in a transitional context
- Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English
- Significant experience of successfully communicating with a broad range of people and organisations
- Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office
- An understanding of Merlin’s mission and values
Desirable Qualifications, experience and competences:
- Experience of working in Liberia
Annex 1; EU funding plan
10th European Development Fund (EDF) EC support to the National Health Plan
What?
1) To expand access to the Basic Package for Health Services
Main activities:
1) training of health workers on the BPHS; 2) Implement the BPHS in the existing functional health facilities; 3) Restore Ambulance and Communication services to strengthen the referral system at county hospital level; 4) Support the development and implementation of drugs supply master plan; 5) Establish basic Emergency Obstetric Care Unit in the health centers and strengthen comprehensive Emergency Obstetric Care Services in the hospitals at county level.
2) To build human resources for health:
Main Activities:
1) Train certified midwives in Life Saving Skills (LSS);
2) Train traditionally trained midwives in Home-Based LSS
3) Decentralize Human Resources management to county Level;
4) Place health workers on the standardized incentive package;
5) train and deploy midwives, physician assistants, and laboratory technicians in health facilities;
6) Improve the training infrastructures of the Rural Health Training Center at Phebe hospital.
Where?
The geographical scope of the EC support will focus mainly at county level, district and community level (the health facilities in the 5 counties supported by ECHO -Lofa, Sinoe, Grand Kru, Margibi and Gbarpolu- will be considered as priority).
How?
Item / Amount
To expand access to BPHS and build HR for Health (grants to be contracted after call for proposals) / €16,800,000
Works & Equipment of Rural Health Training Center / €2,000,000
Design & Supervision of Works and supplies / €200,000
Audit / €200,000
Evaluation / €200,000
Reserve / €600,000
Total / €20,000,000
When?
Indicative timetable
- EC Financing decision: October 2009
- Workshop (Monrovia): October 2009. Consultation Stakeholders. Elaboration of Guidelines for the Call for proposal
- Signature of Financing Conditions: November 2009
- Launching the Call for proposal: November 2009
- Launching tender for services Design & Supervision of Works& Supplies: November 2009
- Contracting tender for services: December 2009
- Phase I: Concept note: December 2010
- Evaluation Concept note: January 2010
- Phase II: Full proposal: February 2010
- Launching tender for Works and supplies: February 2010
- Evaluation of full proposal: Mars 2010
- Contracting grants: April-May 2010
- Contracting works & supplies : May 2010
Reference Code: RW_7Y5DPK-65
