Empowering Women for Better Reproductive Health Outcomes (EMPOWER) Programme 

The Empowering Women for Better Reproductive Health Outcomes (EMPOWER) programme is a five-year initiative (2025-2030) funded by the UK Government to reduce preventable maternal deaths and empower women and girls in Uganda. EMPOWER is implemented by a consortium led by Pathfinder International on behalf of the Ministry of Health, in up to 80 districts across 12 regions of Uganda. 

The programme focuses on three major components: 

- Component 1: Strengthening public sector health systems to improve maternal health services. 

- Component 2: Mentoring health workers on FP and maternal, child, and newborn health. 

- Component 4a: Tackling myths and misconceptions about FP to drive demand generation. 

- Component 4b: Addressing harmful traditional practices and gender norms that restrict women’s reproductive choices. 

EMPOWER is seeking an experienced research institution with a set of consultants bringing together multiple skills to undertake this work in the implementation districts. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Review all documents and literature sources of the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Analysis (GESI), Programme Baseline Assessment, Knowledge Attitudes and Practices (KAP) study, Health Facility Rapid Needs Assessment, and Client Exit Interview and ensure that all statements, findings, and recommendations are referenced and grounded in current literature.
• Provide expert knowledge to support the drafting and preparation of the studies.
• Develop the methodology, including determining the sample size for the respective surveys, and prepare detailed questions for comprehensive interviews of respondents and key stakeholders.
• Obtain required approvals from the relevant review boards.
• Identify, recruit, and train data collectors for data collection and data entry.
• Coordinate and supervise all work in collaboration with the EMPOWER team.
• Prepare survey reports and presentations.
• Lead the presentation of the findings to the EMPOWER programme technical teams.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication.

Deliverables 

1. Inception report detailing the desk review, study design and methodology, analytical plans, sample size, tools for the respective surveys, and detailed meeting plan. 

2. Draft reports for: 

• Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Analysis
• The programme baseline assessment, including the Key Performance Indicator (KPI) table with baseline values
• KAP survey
• Client-exit interview survey
• Health Facility Needs Assessment, clearly showing the requirements for each health facility and district.

3. Table list of Health Facilities with latitude and longitude GPS coordinates. 

4. Table matrix of all partners delivering similar interventions aligned with the EMPOWER mandate. 

5. The database for all the surveys conducted. 

6. Thematic maps that may be produced. 

7. Six manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals. 

Qualifications and Experience 

• A legally registered research institution with a proven track record of conducting large-scale health systems assessments, GESI analyses, and programme baseline studies in Uganda or similar contexts.
• Demonstrated experience in data collection, analysis, and reporting in Uganda’s health sector, particularly in family planning, maternal, neonatal, and child health (MNCH), and GESI.
• Familiarity with Uganda’s health governance structures at national and subnational levels, including MOH policies and frameworks for reproductive/maternal health and GESI.
• A team with expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, with the ability to produce high-quality analytical reports for donor-funded programmes.
• At least three similar assignments conducted in the past five years, preferably for international donors like FCDO, USAID, UNFPA, or WHO.
• Ability to provide references, sample reports, and scientific publications of previous baseline studies or health facility assessments.

Application Process 

Interested applicants should submit their technical and financial proposals by 11 April 2025 to: 

Ugandaprocurement@pathfinder.org 

For full Terms of Reference (TOR) details, visit: 

https://www.pathfinder.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/28.3.2025-Baseline-and-HF-Rapid-needs-assessment-Final.pdf