Consultancy for Conducting a Baseline Assessment for TB Program in Tanga TC and Morogoro MC – Epidemiological and Community, Rights and Gender (CRG)

Background       

MUKIKUTE is a non-affiliate non-governmental organization established by former TB-patients, a strong partner implementing community-based tuberculosis work in Tanzania since 2007. MUKIKUTE has partners with DAHW- German Leprosy Relief Association to strengthen community-based tuberculosis care and to address particularly hard-to-reach, vulnerable population groups (fill the gap, leave no one behind). Together, MUKIKUTE and DAHW want to contribute to reducing the burden of tuberculosis among people who use drugs (particularly vulnerable population groups) in the selected regions of Tanga and Morogoro.

Purpose 

The main purpose of this baseline assessment is to provide a basis for planning and implementation of a comprehensive TB response which aims to eliminate community, rights and gender-related barriers to TB services within supported regions.

Methodology.

The assessment should be conducted in line with the principles outlined in the Approved Terms of Reference that will be issued to only successful applicant/consultant.

To ensure accuracy and credibility of the findings, data should be triangulated as far as possible with the use of multiple primary and secondary data collection methods and sources, including but not limited to desk reviews, document analysis, key informant interviews /focus group discussions with communities and thematic experts (some could be conducted virtually subject to availability and context) and case studies. The methodology should outline the strategies to answer the evaluation criteria and key questions in the ToR, including proposed strategies to assess various aspects.

Key Tasks

• Provide highlights on the policies and strategic plans
• Describe the country TB context and in specific the regions in question.
• Describe the TB burden and missed cases including epidemiological trend in TB notification for the past three years.
• Identify key community, rights and gender-related barriers to TB services within supported regions and describe recent or existing programs to reduce such barriers
• Describe the contribution of community TB activities.
• Describe regional coordination and collaboration of TB activities
• Describe the implementation approaches of integrated community-based TB activities including an overview of TB stakeholders/consultations.
• Determine the monitoring and evaluation context including community TB care indicators and TB reporting tools used
• Document the challenges and opportunities for community TB activities in the regions

Expected deliverables

• Error-free Baseline assessment reports that captures all the tasks for the assignment.
• List of partners and their contact details.
• Meeting minutes with regional level stakeholders to review the findings and recommendations.

Evaluation ethics.

The consultant should have both personal and professional integrity and abide by the Tanzanian Ethical Guidelines to ensure that the rights of individuals involved in the evaluation are respected. The evaluator must act with cultural sensitivity and pay attention to protocols, codes and recommendations that may be relevant to their interactions with beneficiaries. As part of the Inception Report, the evaluator will develop a specific protocol for the conduct of the assessment and data collection in line with respecting do no harm, diversity and gender equality. All data collected through the assessment is property of MUKIKUTE and must be provided to the organization, if requested, in a word format.

Management and Implementation Arrangements.

The baseline assessment exercise will be facilitated by MUKIKUTE Director. The focal point for leading this assignment from MUKIKUTE will be appointed by the Director. Key experts and partners shall be invited to the presentation of preliminary findings, and their feedback shall be incorporated into the final inception report. The inception and final report will be finally approved by the Director of MUKIKUTE.

Duration of Assignment

The contract will be supervised and financed by MUKIKUTE. Considering the ongoing activities, 8 days have been allocated and the evaluator must demonstrate flexibility in case there is any shifting condition.    

Evaluation Consultant and required competencies.

The independent Individual Consultant is required to do the assignment using the stipulated assessment criteria. Given that subject-specific knowledge is required, the consultant would need to demonstrate strong technical knowledge and expertise in Tuberculosis. Additionally, the consultant should demonstrate expertise in monitoring, evaluation, statistical analysis, and communication of data with proven experience in conducting research, evaluation and complex data gathering as well as experience working with populations in the different provinces/ districts of the country, and local governance institutions specific. The Consultant should have capability to produce high quality reports in English and interact comfortably with local audiences in Swahili.       

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Minimum education of master’s degree in Public Health and/or related discipline;
• Qualifications, including specialized trainings or certifications on program evaluation and results-based management;

Professional experience:

• At least 7 years of experience in designing and leading program evaluation in the public sector in a Health context, including on gender equality
• Experience in conducting and managing evaluations of projects is desirable;
• Proven ability to produce high-quality reports and manage diverse perspectives in communications and consultations with relevant stakeholders and beneficiaries;
• Excellent written and spoken English and representational capacities
• Fluency in national language-Swahili

HOW TO APPLY

To apply please send in your email to [email protected] not later than 15th January 2024 at 1600hrs.

The application should contain:

• Cover letter outlining relevant individual/firm experiences & explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position
• Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this ToR
• Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for MUKIKUTE.
• Please note that only selected consultant will receive Full Terms of Reference and will be required to develop inception report and the financial proposal.