Consultant – Evaluation of
Social Franchising Model and
mHealth

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a private, non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967. It seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy and ill-health with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous and other resource-poor regions, primarily in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its main areas of focus are education, health, rural development, environment and strengthening civil society.

The Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan) [AKF (P)] is seeking high caliber professional/firm for the following Short Term Consultancy in Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral.

“Consultant – Evaluation of Social Franchising Model and mHealth”

 I.   Background and Context

Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan (AKF (P)) is executing a multi-country Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) project in Pakistan – Access to Quality Care through Extending and Strengthening Health Systems (AQCESS). The project aims to improve MNCH outcomes, specifically women of reproductive age, men, girls and boys under the age of five (5). AQCESS is being implemented by the Government Department of Health and local agencies that are institutional members of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).  The programme seeks to accelerate the reduction of maternal and child mortality in targeted regions through focusing on three key components: improved delivery of essential MNCH health services; improved utilization of essential MNCH services by communities; and improved dissemination and use of MNCH information and evidence by key stakeholders in target regions. AQCESS supports Community Midwives (CMWs) under social franchising model to upgrade their skills and help them to improve their knowledge regarding Essential Maternal and Newborn Care (EMNC), Healthy Timing and Spacing for Pregnancy (HTSP), and Interpersonal Communication and Business Management and use of mHealth application (Nigehdasht).

Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan) is seeking a qualified Consultant/Consultancy firm to conduct the evaluation of Social Franchising and mHealth Program in project sites of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral districts:

II.   Objectives of Evaluation

1. To assess the overall impact on knowledge, attitude and practice of CMWs in the project area on MNCH issues.
2. To evaluate the effectiveness of Social Franchising Model in terms of increasing capacity of CMWs, service accessibility and uptake, provider’s and client’s attitudes.
3. To evaluate the status and availability of essential equipment and supplies by capturing views of beneficiaries and CMWs.
4. To assess the quality of care experienced by women who access from CMWs.
5. To measure the outcomes of various training received by CMWs.
6. To evaluate utilization of MNCH services by women and children under-five in target districts from CMWs.
7. To evaluate the effectiveness of the Social Franchising Model in responding to the needs of beneficiaries.
8. To evaluate the likelihood of continuation and sustainability of Social Franchising Model outcomes and benefits after the completion of the project.
9. Propose future recommendations based on findings.

III.  Scope of Work for the Consultant/Firm

Consultant /firm will have to conduct the following specific tasks.  

1. Schedule meeting with Health Team of AKF (P) and Aga Khan Health Service, Pakistan (AKHSP) to discuss the scope of work, methodology/approach, timelines and submit an inception report.
2. Review project documents including the project proposal, work plan and project progress reports.
3. Design and draft evaluation protocol, detailed methodology including sampling method, quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques and tools/checklists.
4. Analyze data and submit a detailed report, outlining the methodology, results and their interpretation, discussing the strengths, limitations an implication of findings.
5. Finalize report by incorporating feedbacks and submit to Programme Manager Health AKF (P) on the due date.
6. Should the quality of data be determined as inadequate as per the standard set by AKF(P), the consultant/firm will be required to address the data quality gaps at his/her own cost.

 IV.   Key Deliverables

The Consultant/firm shall submit the following to AKF (P):

1. Shall submit the final inception report detailing the agreed methodology and tools, schedule of activities, team composition including tasks and responsibilities of team members.
2. A detailed evaluation report outlining the methodology used, presenting the findings with their interpretations, discussing the strengths, limitations and implications of the findings.
3. A detailed field report covering the entire duration of evaluation, including quality assurance measures, sampling methodology or tools, challenges encountered and if or how they were mitigated and other general observations necessary for accurate interpretation.
4. Shall submit two manuscripts on Social Franchising Model and mHealth program with CMWs.
5. Shall communication briefs on Social Franchising Model and mHealth program with CMWs.

 V.    Reporting

The assignment has to be completed during the period of Nov 2019-Jan 2020. The consultant/firm will work closely with AKF and AKHSP health teams. Whereas; the consultant/firm will report to Programme Manager Health AKF (P).

 VI.   Payment Plan

The total consultancy amount will be paid on the successful delivery of all deliverables as per the following schedule.

i)        30% of the contract value as an advance on the signing of the contract.

ii)      40% of the contract value on completion of field-level data collection and submission of draft report

iii)    30% of the contract value on completion and submission of the final report.

Withholding tax will be deducted at source, as per the GOP statutory laws.

VII.    Expression of Interest

Qualified and interested parties are asked to submit the following:

1. A copy of curriculum vitae (CV) of each individual which should outline qualifications and relevant experience  of consultant/ key team members
2. Proposal of a maximum of 5 pages clearly demonstrating a thorough understanding of the ToRs.

VIII.    Qualification and Experience of the Consultant

• The Consultant/firm must have minimum a Master’s degree, preferably PhD, in Public Health or related field from a well-recognized and reputed university.
• At least ten (10) years of relevant experience as Researcher, Monitoring and Evaluation Expert /a reputable firm for conducting evaluations particularly related to social franchising model and community health programs, nationally or internationally.
• Proven expertise in preparing the best quality reports.
• Must have publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Willingness to work on short notice and completion of the assignment.
• Proficient in English and Urdu, and able to simplify complex concepts into simple language and translate when necessary.
• Good understanding of Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral health context.

Familiarity with the policies, programmes and operating modalities of the Government of Gilgit Baltistan and AKDN will be desirable.

AKF (P) offers a competitive remuneration package and a conducive working environment. We are an equal opportunity employer - females are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidate/firms should forward their applications or profiles by October 7, 2019.

Please note that only short-listed candidates/firms will be contacted.

 

For more information about AKDN, please visit www.akdn.org