TERMS OF REFERENCE

RESEARCH

Assessment of primary health care system performance in Zimbabwe.

Deadline: 9 November 2018 (12.00 hours)

Objective

The National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (NANGO) and its partners, i.e. SAPST, SMAIAS, ZAN & ZiCHIRe seeks proposals from Consultants to carry out an assessment of primary health care service delivery in Zimbabwe and publish a research paper from the findings.

Primary health care (PHC) is the backbone of a health system and quality PHC initiatives have been recognized as fundamental to improving health outcomes. The strength of the country’s primary care system can  deliver equitable health services and secure the health of communities A critical review of the evidence on quality of health care as well as an evaluation of why the country has been underperforming on important health outcomes is essential in the implementation of the National Indicative Program (NIP).  

The research is intended to evaluate the quality of health services offered at local health centres in Zimbabwe from 2014 to date, ascertain how well health services are being delivered at local health centres; based on community experiences and to determine the value that people place on public health service delivery. The study is also expected to help unveil factors that are responsible for consumer satisfaction and explore the extent to which service delivery, inputs, health financing, and governance limits the performance of Zimbabwe’s primary health care system. The Consultant is also expected to conduct country comparisons to benchmark PHC performance in the country.

Methodology

Apart from key informant interviews and / or focus group discussions, the Consultant will conduct a desk review of existing data, reports other studies and various documents which include EU documents on the state of health in Zimbabwe, the EU NIP Zimbabwe documents, prior research papers into the area of study as well as reports from civil society organizations working on health and community engagement. Where possible, interviews with key stakeholders within the health sector and relevant government and EU officials as well as some programme beneficiaries will be conducted to corroborate desk research findings.

The Consultant is expected to track and evaluate some of the following indicators;

• Sufficiency of PHC  facilities and services
• Health education and health promotion
• Availability of essential health services (Maternal and child health, Sexual reproductive health services)
• Adequacy and availability of skilled health workers
• Availability of essential drugs and medicines.
• Quality of the health premises
• Management (opening hours, waiting time)
• Uptake & utilization of services
• Availability of diagnostic equipment
• Level of detection and control of epidemic diseases
• Reduction and control of non-communicable diseases
• State of health information systems
• Health sector management and financing

Organization of Work

The consultant will:

• Work closely with ZAN, ZiCHIRe, NANGO secretariat and other project partners.
• Report to the Project Coordinator

Deliverables

The researcher is expected to submit the following reports:

1. First draft- following completion of the data sources, the researcher will submit a draft report on findings for review by NANGO and the technical team (health & research sector) within the agreed time frame.
2. Final draft- one week after NANGO and the technical team have reviewed the first draft and communicated comments to the researcher, the Consultant will produce the final research report for publication.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience of the Researcher

The following skills, experience and competencies are required:

• At least a Masters level qualification in a relevant discipline such as Public Health, Health Management and Policy, Health Promotion, Social Work,
• Extensive knowledge and experience in Public Health.
• Detailed knowledge of Zimbabwe’s primary health care systems and familiarity with the work of civil society organizations.

Application Procedure

Interested Consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their suitability for the assignment:

• Technical Proposal detailing proposed methodology of work and approach
• Financial proposal in USD and a work plan;
• Detailed Curricula Vitae including past relevant experience;
• 3 (three) contactable references;

Deadline for Submissions

Proposal submissions in sealed envelopes marked CSO NIP RESEARCH must reach the following address by 12:00 hours on 9 November 2018: NANGO Head Office, 15 Bodle Avenue, Eastlea, Harare.

Alternatively applications can be submitted electronically to programsmanager.nango@gmail.com cc: info.nangozim@gmail.com