Consultant- Evaluation of HealthNet TPO HIV/AIDS Programme

Terms of Reference

Project title: Provision of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment service delivery

Mission title: Consultant- Evaluation of HealthNet TPO HIV/AIDS Programme

Implementation period: Between 10th June – 15th July

Number of days: Eighteen consultancy days

Country and area of implementation:
South Sudan (Juba, as well as 2 weeks field in the various project locations in NBeG, WBeG, Warrap and Unity states)

1. General Background
HealthNet TPO’s programme in Southern Sudan dates from 1996. HealthNet TPO aims to contribute to improving the overall health situation and supports the strengthening of health systems to ensure the provision of quality health care. HealthNet TPO aims to include and build the capacity of Sudanese organisations, communities and authorities. HealthNet TPO is implementing a health service delivery programme in Western Bahr el Ghazal and Northern Bahr el Ghazal. In addition, HealthNet TPO is implementing an HIV/AIDS Programme in Western Bahr el Ghazal, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Warrap and Unity States.
The consultancy is related to the HIV/AIDS programme funded by the World Bank / Multi Donor Trust Fund in Southern Sudan as commissioned by the South Sudan AIDS Commission.
The objectives of the HIV/AIDS programme are: (i) strengthen the capacity of the SSAC at State level to plan, coordinate and monitor the Republic of South Sudan’s (RSS) response to HIV/AIDS, (ii) increase community access to comprehensive HIV/AIDS services, and (iii) create awareness and measurable behaviour change regarding HIV/AIDS.
These achievements should lead to:
• Incremental strengthening of the SSAC at State and County level
• Phased expansion of the geographic coverage of successful approaches to 4 States of South Sudan
• Phased mainstreaming of HIV/AIDS into the priority Government sectors
• Phased expansion of the programme scope toward the achievement of comprehensive service provision.

A consultant with expertise in HIV/AIDS programming, and preferably in South Sudan or similar context, is required to carry out the programme’s final evaluation to assess its effectiveness against its set goals and objectives.

2. Objectives of the assignment
The objective of the consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive end-of-programme evaluation to assess the extent to which the programme has achieved its intended goals and in particular the quality, the relevance, the impact, the effectiveness and the sustainability of the intervention. Therefore the focus of the evaluation should be both on the programme processes (project design and implementation modalities) and on the programme end-results.

3. Scope of the work
The core tasks of the consultancy will include but are not limited to the following:
 First orientation meetings with the responsible officers within HNTPO – Juba;
 Desk study of project documentation (including the approved project proposal and addendums, work plans and budgets, narrative and financial reports, relevant correspondence)
 Preparation of relevant tools for collecting data or information (such as questionnaires, etc…)
 Meetings with key stakeholders including representatives of the National Aids Commission (SSAC), State AIDS Commission (SAC), SMoH HIV/AIDS, implementing partners, a representation of end-users and other actors to discuss HealthNet TPO project performance and perceptions
 Field visits to health facilities (new VCT and PMTCT sites as supported by HealthNet TPO) and meetings with staff and clients including review of: management information data (VCT/PMTCT client registration, client records etc), staffing levels and capacities, physical condition of facilities, equipment and stock management
 A review and an analysis (both qualitative and quantitative) of the collected data including its interpretation.
 Debrief meetings in Juba after field
 First draft of evaluation report and final report after incorporating relevant feedback

4. Expected outputs
A final evaluation report, which shall include the following:
• Outline of methodology followed
• Daily schedule of activities conducted
• List of documentation reviewed
• Names of institutions and persons interviewed
• Detailed presentation of data analysis conducted
• Observations and conclusions from the evaluation (successes, achievements, challenges, setbacks)
• Recommendations for future programming (lessons learnt and best practices)

5. Time frame / activities
Days Activities
2 International travel to and from Juba, South Sudan (if applicable)
5 Local travel between project sites (Juba – NBeG – WbeG)
6 Field work and meetings
1 Debrief in Juba
3 Analysis of data, preparation of first report
1 Preparation of final report after feedback HNTPO
18 TOTAL DAYS ESTIMATED

The actual field work should be completed between early June and 25th June.
The final report should be ready before 15th July.

6. Required skills / experience / competencies of the consultant
• An advanced degree in Public Health or Medicine or Social Sciences
• Proven substantial experience of a minimum of five years in working on HIV/AIDS programming; knowledge of current developments in HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care
• A minimum of two years’ experience in relevant consultancy work on the same, showing how one has been able to familiarize him/herself with complex programme specifics in a relatively short space of time and form an opinion on its performance
• Proven track record in delivering timely, professional and quality results.
• Experience in working with Government Institutions (including Ministries of Health) at national and lower levels
• Specific knowledge of the relevant South Sudan context is an added advantage
• Excellent command of oral and written English; knowledge of Arabic will be an advantage.

7. TERMS
A criteria and score based selection process will be used in the identification of the most competitive consultant. Applicants are required to submit their bids (including their understanding of the TOR and proposal on how they plan to execute the assignment). Also indicate your early availability.

To apply please send your bid and CV (maximum for both no more than 6 pages), together with letter of motivation to: logadmin.jubasouthsudan.hntpo.org no later than by Wednesday 6th of June COB. When applying, please include the following in the email subject title line: Evaluation of HealthNet TPO HIV/AIDS Programme.
Unfortunately, only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

For specific question regarding the advert please contact Mrs. Aja Kuol, Project Manager, at HealthNet TPO, South Sudan Juba on tl.juba@southsudan.hntpo.org or Matteo Cassolato, Technical Advisor, at matteo.cassolato@hntpo.org at HealthNet TPO Head Offices in the Netherlands. For more information on our organization, you may check our website: www.healthnettpo.org.