Consultancy Services For Conducting An Evaluation For Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Integration Into HIV Care tendering job at Makerere University School of Public Health
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Background
Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) through the Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (METS) Program is implementing a 5-year (2020-2025) grant with funding from the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The overall purpose of the METS program is to strengthen the Government of Uganda’s (GOU) Capacity for Regionally Centred and District-implemented HIV and TB programming through Health Information Systems (HIS), Case Based Surveillance (CBS), Monitoring, Evaluation (M&E) and Quality Improvement (QI) support. The program is implemented through three technical areas, namely: a) Health Systems Strengthening (HSS); b) Disease Surveillance and Response (DSR); and c) Data Science and Informatics (DSI).
The program’s strategic objectives include the following:
To increase enterprise-wide data use through Government-owned and supported implementation of interconnected Health Information Systems (HIS).
To scale-up sustainable national coverage of unique identifier (UID)-linked patient data across health domains enabled through standards-based health information exchanges (HIEs)
To improve the operationalization of HIV/TB Case Bases Surveillance (CBS) at a national scale.
To improve data use by the Government of Uganda (GoU) and PEPFAR through automated reporting from routine HIS
To improve the ability of Regional Referral Hospital (RRH) leadership to mobilize additional resources for a sustained response to the HIV epidemic, TB control and other disease outbreaks.
To sustain enterprise-wide implementation of continuous quality improvement (CQI) for all HIV and TB services
In line with the PEPFAR principles of enhancing local ownership and integration for sustainability, the program operates within the existing National structures and frameworks, collaborates with key partners including the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Local Governments, United States Government (USG) Agencies and non-USG partners and builds capacity for these partners.
NCD Integration into HIV care
The Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH) with support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) conducted a pilot and rolled out NCD integration services including Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus and Mental Health into HIV care services at 104 facilities in three regions during FY 2022, to address existing gaps in NCD management. The lessons learnt from the pilot project would inform wider scale up of NCD integration in HIV care in FY 2023. A post pilot assessment showed suboptimal integration of NCD into HIV care in the three regions.
In FY 2024, PEPFAR in collaboration with MOH aim to provide technical assistance to support re-organization of Uganda’s health systems to optimally screen, identify, refer and/or manage patients with NCD in the ART clinics using an integrated approach. To achieve this, there is a need to gather key data through a systematic research evaluation (SRE), to better understand the determinants (barriers to and facilitators) of successful integration of NCDs in routine HIV programs. This will enable evidence-based recommendations for prevention, early identification, linkage, and management of PLHIV with NCD comorbidity to appropriate interventions to reduce their associated morbidity and mortality. In addition, the evaluation is in tandem with the CDC, Division of Global HIV/AIDS and TB (DGHT) established Country Monitoring and Accountability System (CMAS) which recommends program evaluations to ensure accountability of PEPFAR funds invested through CDC. CMAS focuses on ensuring delivery of high-quality interventions and proper management and stewardship of financial and human resources which all together positively impact the population.
Goal of NCD Program Evaluation
The overall aim of the evaluation is to determine prevalence of the specific NCDs (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and mental health illnesses [depression, anxiety and alcohol and other substances abuse]) among PLHIV and document the characteristics of PLHIV with NCD comorbidity. The findings will be used to inform targeted NCD prevention and control activities (screening, treatment, and control) in the HIV care program.
Specific Objectives:
To determine the prevalence of selected NCDs (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and mental illnesses) among PLHIV in Uganda.
To describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of PLHIV with the selected NCDs in Uganda.
To systematically document the HIV program outcomes for PLHIV with the selected NCDs e.g., viral load (VL) coverage and VL suppression, and retention in care in Uganda.
To document the potential system related strengths, opportunities, and challenges in the provision of NCD services in terms of commodities (diagnostic and treatment commodities), human resource, training, partnerships, and financial resources.
To determine the predictors of various NCDs among PLHIV in the care program in Uganda.
Proposed methodology and design
The evaluation will be conducted in selected health facilities in four geographical regions of the country (north, east, west, and central regions). The evaluation will adopt a cross-sectional study design.
Scope of work
In consultation with the Principal Investigator (PI), the Consultant/consultancy firm will carry out all major tasks related to the study. Under the supervision of the PI, the consultant shall lead the process of protocol development, implementation, report writing and preparation of a manuscript for publication. Specifically, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
Develop the study protocol and lead local IRB and UNCST approval processes.
Support the process of data collection including training and supervision of data collectors.
Develop a clear data management and analysis plan for each of the evaluation objectives.
Compile comprehensive draft and final reports of the evaluation for sharing with key stakeholders.
Prepare and present a power point presentation of the key evaluation results to key stakeholders (CDC, MoH, METS) for validation.
Prepare a manuscript for publication.
Duration
The consultancy/consultancy firm is expected to take up to 80 working days (14 weeks) from the time of signing the contract. This period is a guide and not fixed and may be reviewed depending on the prevailing circumstances.
Qualifications and experience
The consultant/consultancy firm should be qualified and experienced in handling similar evaluations. The consultant profile and qualifications should include:
A Medical Doctor with a master’s degree in public health, or any other related discipline from a recognized University. A PhD in the identified fields will be an added advantage.
Relevant knowledge in implementation and monitoring of NCD integration into HIV Care program.
Documented experience in leading complex program evaluations in the field of HIV/AIDS and Health System Strengthening
Demonstrable knowledge in National and PEPFAR Health Information Systems for HIV/AIDS programs
Previous work experience with PEPFAR, particularly with CDC will be an added advantage.
Abreast with the current HIV prevention and treatment strategies, particularly in NCD integration
Application process
Qualified and interested individuals or consultancy firms are invited to submit the following application documents.
Cover letter
Technical proposal detailing the methodology, data management and analysis plan and timeframe for the evaluation (Not more than 25 pages)
Financial proposal based on the requirements for successfully undertaking the evaluation.
Resume, including previous clients for similar consultancy work.
Soft copies of both the technical and financial proposals should be submitted as one PDF file to the career portal available on the METS websites by 5:00pm, Monday, November 20, 2023.
Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) through the Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (METS) Program is implementing a 5-year (2020-2025) grant with funding from the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The overall purpose of the METS program is to strengthen the Government of Uganda’s (GOU) Capacity for Regionally Centred and District-implemented HIV and TB programming through Health Information Systems (HIS), Case Based Surveillance (CBS), Monitoring, Evaluation (M&E) and Quality Improvement (QI) support. The program is implemented through three technical areas, namely: a) Health Systems Strengthening (HSS); b) Disease Surveillance and Response (DSR); and c) Data Science and Informatics (DSI).
The program’s strategic objectives include the following:
To increase enterprise-wide data use through Government-owned and supported implementation of interconnected Health Information Systems (HIS).
To scale-up sustainable national coverage of unique identifier (UID)-linked patient data across health domains enabled through standards-based health information exchanges (HIEs)
To improve the operationalization of HIV/TB Case Bases Surveillance (CBS) at a national scale.
To improve data use by the Government of Uganda (GoU) and PEPFAR through automated reporting from routine HIS
To improve the ability of Regional Referral Hospital (RRH) leadership to mobilize additional resources for a sustained response to the HIV epidemic, TB control and other disease outbreaks.
To sustain enterprise-wide implementation of continuous quality improvement (CQI) for all HIV and TB services
In line with the PEPFAR principles of enhancing local ownership and integration for sustainability, the program operates within the existing National structures and frameworks, collaborates with key partners including the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Local Governments, United States Government (USG) Agencies and non-USG partners and builds capacity for these partners.
NCD Integration into HIV care
The Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH) with support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) conducted a pilot and rolled out NCD integration services including Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus and Mental Health into HIV care services at 104 facilities in three regions during FY 2022, to address existing gaps in NCD management. The lessons learnt from the pilot project would inform wider scale up of NCD integration in HIV care in FY 2023. A post pilot assessment showed suboptimal integration of NCD into HIV care in the three regions.
In FY 2024, PEPFAR in collaboration with MOH aim to provide technical assistance to support re-organization of Uganda’s health systems to optimally screen, identify, refer and/or manage patients with NCD in the ART clinics using an integrated approach. To achieve this, there is a need to gather key data through a systematic research evaluation (SRE), to better understand the determinants (barriers to and facilitators) of successful integration of NCDs in routine HIV programs. This will enable evidence-based recommendations for prevention, early identification, linkage, and management of PLHIV with NCD comorbidity to appropriate interventions to reduce their associated morbidity and mortality. In addition, the evaluation is in tandem with the CDC, Division of Global HIV/AIDS and TB (DGHT) established Country Monitoring and Accountability System (CMAS) which recommends program evaluations to ensure accountability of PEPFAR funds invested through CDC. CMAS focuses on ensuring delivery of high-quality interventions and proper management and stewardship of financial and human resources which all together positively impact the population.
Goal of NCD Program Evaluation
The overall aim of the evaluation is to determine prevalence of the specific NCDs (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and mental health illnesses [depression, anxiety and alcohol and other substances abuse]) among PLHIV and document the characteristics of PLHIV with NCD comorbidity. The findings will be used to inform targeted NCD prevention and control activities (screening, treatment, and control) in the HIV care program.
Specific Objectives:
To determine the prevalence of selected NCDs (hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and mental illnesses) among PLHIV in Uganda.
To describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of PLHIV with the selected NCDs in Uganda.
To systematically document the HIV program outcomes for PLHIV with the selected NCDs e.g., viral load (VL) coverage and VL suppression, and retention in care in Uganda.
To document the potential system related strengths, opportunities, and challenges in the provision of NCD services in terms of commodities (diagnostic and treatment commodities), human resource, training, partnerships, and financial resources.
To determine the predictors of various NCDs among PLHIV in the care program in Uganda.
Proposed methodology and design
The evaluation will be conducted in selected health facilities in four geographical regions of the country (north, east, west, and central regions). The evaluation will adopt a cross-sectional study design.
Scope of work
In consultation with the Principal Investigator (PI), the Consultant/consultancy firm will carry out all major tasks related to the study. Under the supervision of the PI, the consultant shall lead the process of protocol development, implementation, report writing and preparation of a manuscript for publication. Specifically, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
Develop the study protocol and lead local IRB and UNCST approval processes.
Support the process of data collection including training and supervision of data collectors.
Develop a clear data management and analysis plan for each of the evaluation objectives.
Compile comprehensive draft and final reports of the evaluation for sharing with key stakeholders.
Prepare and present a power point presentation of the key evaluation results to key stakeholders (CDC, MoH, METS) for validation.
Prepare a manuscript for publication.
Duration
The consultancy/consultancy firm is expected to take up to 80 working days (14 weeks) from the time of signing the contract. This period is a guide and not fixed and may be reviewed depending on the prevailing circumstances.
Qualifications and experience
The consultant/consultancy firm should be qualified and experienced in handling similar evaluations. The consultant profile and qualifications should include:
A Medical Doctor with a master’s degree in public health, or any other related discipline from a recognized University. A PhD in the identified fields will be an added advantage.
Relevant knowledge in implementation and monitoring of NCD integration into HIV Care program.
Documented experience in leading complex program evaluations in the field of HIV/AIDS and Health System Strengthening
Demonstrable knowledge in National and PEPFAR Health Information Systems for HIV/AIDS programs
Previous work experience with PEPFAR, particularly with CDC will be an added advantage.
Abreast with the current HIV prevention and treatment strategies, particularly in NCD integration
Application process
Qualified and interested individuals or consultancy firms are invited to submit the following application documents.
Cover letter
Technical proposal detailing the methodology, data management and analysis plan and timeframe for the evaluation (Not more than 25 pages)
Financial proposal based on the requirements for successfully undertaking the evaluation.
Resume, including previous clients for similar consultancy work.
Soft copies of both the technical and financial proposals should be submitted as one PDF file to the career portal available on the METS websites by 5:00pm, Monday, November 20, 2023.
Job Info
Job Category: Consultant/ Contractual jobs in Uganda
Job Type: Full-time
Deadline of this Job: 20 November 2023
Duty Station: Kampala
Posted: 03-11-2023
No of Jobs: 1
Start Publishing: 03-11-2023
Stop Publishing (Put date of 2030): 03-11-2067
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