Consultancy Services To Conduct An Outcome Evaluation Of The Young People And Adolescent Peer Support (YAPS) Program Implementation In Uganda tendering job at Makerere University School of Public Health
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Background
In 2018, the Ministry of Health, AIDS Control program (MOH/ACP) developed the Young people and adolescent peer support (YAPS) model as recommended by WHO and piloted in 9 districts. The YAPS model is a multi-sectoral intervention implemented by adolescents and young people living with HIV with the purpose of increasing identification of HIV positive Adolescents and young people (AYP), improving their linkage into care, retention, adherence, and viral suppression to improve their health and quality of life. The YAPS program is now implemented in 136 districts country wide with over 600 health facilities. The Ministry of Health with support from Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) has planned to conduct an outcome evaluation of the national YAPs program.
The Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (METS) Program is a 5-year (2020-2025) Cooperative agreement with 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.
The Uganda YAPS Program
The overall goal of the Uganda YAPS program is to improve identification, care and treatment of adolescents and young people living with HIV through a peer led approach. The program was benchmarked against the Zvandiri CATS Model in Zimbabwe following a visit by a national team of stakeholders in adolescent HIV and reproductive health. The program is aligned to key international and national strategies and policies including: the WHO guidance for adolescent health programming, National HIV and AIDS strategic plan, Health sector HIV and AIDS strategic plan, the adolescent friendly programming strategy, the differentiated service delivery model, the minimum care package for adolescents and the adolescent policy and health standards. All these highlight the unique needs of AYPLHIV and call for innovative interventions to meet them. The key activities undertaken by the YAPS to influence results on the 95-95-95 cascade for AYPLHIV as highlighted in the figure below.
The model is implemented using a multi-sectoral approach involving other key sectors including Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD), Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC), Implementing Partners and AIDS Development Partners.
The program was guided by the following objectives.
To increase the proportion of adolescents and young people living with HIV who know their HIV status from 68% to 95%
Improve ART treatment coverage of adolescents and young people living with HIV from 68% to 95% by 2023
To increase viral load suppression among adolescents and young people living with HIV from 77% to 95% by 2023
To strengthen psychosocial care and support and linkage of adolescents and young people living with HIV to existing livelihood programs
Goal of the outcome Evaluation
To assess the effectiveness of the YAPS Program on improving HIV treatment outcomes of Adolescents and Young People in Uganda.
Specific Objectives
To assess fidelity of the YAPS program implementation by different stakeholders (MoH, Implementing Partners, Districts, Facilities, and YAPS personnel)
To determine the effect of the YAPS program on the clinical cascade for Adolescents and Young People Living with HIV.
To explore perspectives of AYPS and other stakeholders on the effectiveness of the YAPs program.
Evaluation Questions
Did implementation of the YAPS program follow the MoH implementation design?
Did the YAPs program improve identification of HIV positive AYP?
Did the YAPs program improve linkage of AYPLHIV into care and treatment services?
What was the effect of the YAPS program on the ART treatment coverage for AYPLHIV?
What is the effect of the YAPS program on retention of AYPS at 6,12,24 and 36 months for newly initiated AYPS in care?
Did the YAPs program reduce interruption-in-care among AYPS in HIV care?
To what extent did the YAS program improve return into care among AYPS that interrupted treatment?
Did the YAPS program improve viral load suppression among AYPLHIV in care?
What are the perspectives of AYPS and stakeholders on the effectiveness of the YAPS program?
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) and Co-Principal Investigator, the Consultant will carry out all major tasks related to protocol implementation. Under the supervision of the PI and Co-PI the consultant shall be responsible for the following tasks.
Respond to comments from reviewers (IRB, UNCST and CDC Science and Integrity Branch both local office and Atlanta.
Solicit timely input and agreement from stakeholders on responses to protocol reviewers during the development process.
Develop training packages for data collection on the protocol.
Pre-test and finalize the data collection tools prior to data collection.
Conduct training for data collectors
Support the process of data collection including supervision of data collectors, collection of qualitative data using FGDs and Key informant interviews.
Develop a clear data management and analysis plan for each of the evaluation objectives in consultation with the MOH, CDC and METS statistician.
Conduct a detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of data including cost estimation.
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 (MoH, CDC and METS) for validation.
Work with MOH to conduct dissemination Meetings of the findings to key stake holder.
Prepare manuscripts for publication.
Duration
The consultancy is expected to take up to 80 working days (Approx. 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 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, Masters in Public Health, A masters degree in Statistics 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 Adolescents and Young People HIV prevention, care and treatment.
Relevant Knowledge in conducting cost estimations of health service packages.
Documented experience in leading complex program evaluations in the field of HIV/AIDS and Health System Strengthening, especially for Adolescent and Young People HIV Programs
Demonstrable knowledge in Ministry of Health 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 Ministry of Health HIV prevention and treatment policies, guidelines and strategies, particularly for Adolescents and Young.
Application process
Qualified and interested individuals of 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, Friday, 17th November 2023.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
In 2018, the Ministry of Health, AIDS Control program (MOH/ACP) developed the Young people and adolescent peer support (YAPS) model as recommended by WHO and piloted in 9 districts. The YAPS model is a multi-sectoral intervention implemented by adolescents and young people living with HIV with the purpose of increasing identification of HIV positive Adolescents and young people (AYP), improving their linkage into care, retention, adherence, and viral suppression to improve their health and quality of life. The YAPS program is now implemented in 136 districts country wide with over 600 health facilities. The Ministry of Health with support from Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) has planned to conduct an outcome evaluation of the national YAPs program.
The Makerere University School of Public Health (MakSPH) Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support (METS) Program is a 5-year (2020-2025) Cooperative agreement with 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.
The Uganda YAPS Program
The overall goal of the Uganda YAPS program is to improve identification, care and treatment of adolescents and young people living with HIV through a peer led approach. The program was benchmarked against the Zvandiri CATS Model in Zimbabwe following a visit by a national team of stakeholders in adolescent HIV and reproductive health. The program is aligned to key international and national strategies and policies including: the WHO guidance for adolescent health programming, National HIV and AIDS strategic plan, Health sector HIV and AIDS strategic plan, the adolescent friendly programming strategy, the differentiated service delivery model, the minimum care package for adolescents and the adolescent policy and health standards. All these highlight the unique needs of AYPLHIV and call for innovative interventions to meet them. The key activities undertaken by the YAPS to influence results on the 95-95-95 cascade for AYPLHIV as highlighted in the figure below.
The model is implemented using a multi-sectoral approach involving other key sectors including Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD), Uganda AIDS Commission (UAC), Implementing Partners and AIDS Development Partners.
The program was guided by the following objectives.
To increase the proportion of adolescents and young people living with HIV who know their HIV status from 68% to 95%
Improve ART treatment coverage of adolescents and young people living with HIV from 68% to 95% by 2023
To increase viral load suppression among adolescents and young people living with HIV from 77% to 95% by 2023
To strengthen psychosocial care and support and linkage of adolescents and young people living with HIV to existing livelihood programs
Goal of the outcome Evaluation
To assess the effectiveness of the YAPS Program on improving HIV treatment outcomes of Adolescents and Young People in Uganda.
Specific Objectives
To assess fidelity of the YAPS program implementation by different stakeholders (MoH, Implementing Partners, Districts, Facilities, and YAPS personnel)
To determine the effect of the YAPS program on the clinical cascade for Adolescents and Young People Living with HIV.
To explore perspectives of AYPS and other stakeholders on the effectiveness of the YAPs program.
Evaluation Questions
Did implementation of the YAPS program follow the MoH implementation design?
Did the YAPs program improve identification of HIV positive AYP?
Did the YAPs program improve linkage of AYPLHIV into care and treatment services?
What was the effect of the YAPS program on the ART treatment coverage for AYPLHIV?
What is the effect of the YAPS program on retention of AYPS at 6,12,24 and 36 months for newly initiated AYPS in care?
Did the YAPs program reduce interruption-in-care among AYPS in HIV care?
To what extent did the YAS program improve return into care among AYPS that interrupted treatment?
Did the YAPS program improve viral load suppression among AYPLHIV in care?
What are the perspectives of AYPS and stakeholders on the effectiveness of the YAPS program?
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) and Co-Principal Investigator, the Consultant will carry out all major tasks related to protocol implementation. Under the supervision of the PI and Co-PI the consultant shall be responsible for the following tasks.
Respond to comments from reviewers (IRB, UNCST and CDC Science and Integrity Branch both local office and Atlanta.
Solicit timely input and agreement from stakeholders on responses to protocol reviewers during the development process.
Develop training packages for data collection on the protocol.
Pre-test and finalize the data collection tools prior to data collection.
Conduct training for data collectors
Support the process of data collection including supervision of data collectors, collection of qualitative data using FGDs and Key informant interviews.
Develop a clear data management and analysis plan for each of the evaluation objectives in consultation with the MOH, CDC and METS statistician.
Conduct a detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of data including cost estimation.
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 (MoH, CDC and METS) for validation.
Work with MOH to conduct dissemination Meetings of the findings to key stake holder.
Prepare manuscripts for publication.
Duration
The consultancy is expected to take up to 80 working days (Approx. 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 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, Masters in Public Health, A masters degree in Statistics 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 Adolescents and Young People HIV prevention, care and treatment.
Relevant Knowledge in conducting cost estimations of health service packages.
Documented experience in leading complex program evaluations in the field of HIV/AIDS and Health System Strengthening, especially for Adolescent and Young People HIV Programs
Demonstrable knowledge in Ministry of Health 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 Ministry of Health HIV prevention and treatment policies, guidelines and strategies, particularly for Adolescents and Young.
Application process
Qualified and interested individuals of 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, Friday, 17th November 2023.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Job Info
Job Category:
Consultant/ Contractual jobs in Uganda
Job Type:
Full-time
Deadline of this Job: 17 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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