TERMS OF REFERENCE: THE CONSULTANCY TO CONDUCT A NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR THE EXPANSION PLAN

1. Introduction

Health Builders (HB), founded in 2007, collaborates with the Rwandan Ministry of Health and districts to enhance access to quality healthcare in Rwanda. The organization's interventions include training and mentoring healthcare providers, providing life-saving technologies, community education on healthy lifestyles, and building and renovating health centers and health posts. Health Builders’ vision is a world where no one is left behind in accessing high-quality health services, leading to a dignified, healthy, and prosperous life. This vision is not just a statement but a reflection of the organization's core values (efficiency, integrity, social equality, and inclusion) that guide its every action and decision.

Health Builders focuses on primary healthcare, the first point of care for over 90% of the rural population. Priority areas include Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health (RMNCH), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), quality improvement and patient safety, and data and resource management. Health Builders cover three out of 30 districts in Rwanda, benefiting more than 1.1 million people. Despite the current progress, there is still more to do to support the existing efforts of the Ministry of Health to increase access to quality services at the primary healthcare level and achieve Universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030.

In that regard, Health Builders wants to expand its program interventions to reach more people in need and ensure a sustainable impact in the future.

2. Scope of work

The overall objective of this assessment is to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to inform the future HB expansion plan, which aligns with the Ministry of Health priorities described in the new Health Sector Strategic Plan. To achieve the above objective, HB seeks to recruit a national consultancy firm to provide technical assistance for the assessment.

The assessment will:

• Document the status of program-based service delivery at the primary healthcare level in Rwanda
• Describe the current HB program interventions at the primary healthcare level in Rwanda and their related implementation challenges.
• Identify HB-supported interventions that could be scaled up (considering access, coverage, and equity aspects) from mid- and long-term perspectives.
• Draw lessons and evidence-based strategies to inform HB leadership to improve the quality of existing HB intervention packages and ensure service continuity.

3. Expected deliverables

• An inception report that includes:
  • Desk review of the existing documents – policy documents, strategies, and reports related to the subject matter
  • a sound methodology using both qualitative and quantitative approaches
  • proposed tools for data collection
  • detailed activities with timelines

• A detailed assessment report should include:
  • A summarized list of services/program interventions provided at the primary health care level in Rwanda and disaggregated in various programs
  • List of program interventions supported by HB in Rwanda and critical challenges
  • A list of at least the top five HB-supported high-impact interventions that could be scaled up regarding access, coverage, and equity in other districts.
  • A theory of change of the new program scale-up approach for the identified HB interventions (including bottlenecks, potential change drivers, processes, and expected long-term goals)
  • Lessons learned and evidence-based recommendations to improve the quality of the existing HB program intervention package and ensure service continuity

4. Profile of the consultants

The consultants shall have the following qualifications:

• Higher education (Masters or PhD) in public health, epidemiology or Healthcare Administration
• At least 7-10 years of progressive professional experience related to health system strengthening reforms and design and implementation of health programs
• Knowledge of the Rwandan health systems with special consideration of disease prevention and control program design and monitoring
• Demonstrated successful experience in developing evidence-based publications, feasibility studies, financial sustainability plans, policy briefs, strategies, guidelines and reports is highly desired
• Experience working in Africa, especially with government institutions and partners.
• Fluency in English with excellent writing, analytical, and communication skills.

5. How to apply

Interested candidates should apply by sending the required documents in PDF to jobs@healthbuilders.org with the subject line “[Consultant Name]—Tender for the Consultancy Services to Conduct Health Builders Expansion Plan.” Please ensure that all required documents are included in your application. These are:

• Academic qualification documents and CVs for the Consultants
• Associates’ names, qualifications, and experience (if any)
• Proof of experience or completion certificates for similar work by recognized organizations or companies
• Letter of interest
• RDB certificate for a consultancy firm
• Technical proposal/work plan (to include staffing plan)
• Financial proposal specifying the total consultancy fee and cost breakdowns by components, including professional fee, travel, per diems, and other relevant expenses (please clearly show the unit costs/rates and quantities or number of days)

Important note:

• Only applications sent through the official email will be considered
• The deadline for applications is August 10, 2024.