CONSULTANCY

East, Central and Southern African Health Community (ECSA)

1.0 Introduction

The East, Central and Southern African Health Community (ECSA-HC), invites applications from qualified consultants to undertake a mid-term review of the ECSA strategic plan 2008-2012.

ECSA is a regional inter-governmental organization established in 1974 to foster regional collaboration in health. ECSA member states include Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Lesotho, Swaziland, Seychelles, and Mauritius.

2.0 Background

The strategic plan 2008-2012 was adopted by the 46th ECSA Health Ministers’ Conference held in Seychelles in February 2008. This followed successful evaluation of the 2004-2007 strategic plan which had guided the organizations, corporate and Programme activities in the preceding period. The ECSA strategic plan 2008-2012 is the basis for all programme and corporate activities of the ECSA Health community, providing the strategic direction that keeps the organization in tandem with its core mandate which is to promote and encourage efficiency and relevance in the provision of health services in the region. As the strategic plan enters its mid-implementation, it presents an opportunity to consolidate lessons learnt and consider opportunities for improvement in the implementation of programmes.

3.0 Activity Purpose

A number of important factors make the mid-term review an important milestone event in the implementation of this strategic plan. These include;

 Changes in the organizational structure of the secretariat with deliberate movement towards a more business oriented approach and the introduction of additional of new programmes eg. Monitoring & Evaluation, Non Communicable Diseases
 The expanding of Scope of some technical programmes such as HIV/AIDS and Infectious diseases, Research Information & Advocacy, Directorate of Operations and Institutional Development, Directorate of Finance, Health Systems and Services Development , Human Resources for Health , Food Security and Nutrition
 New initiatives due to International and Regional Commitments – CARMA, High impact interventions
 Changes in member states priorities - with focus on accelerated attainment of Global goals
 The need to enhancing ECSA’s visibility in member countries and becoming more responsive and proactive to country needs
 The need for better linkages with the countries to increase relevance of our regional approach and mandate


4.0 Approach


The mid-term review will be undertaken in a highly consultative process that aims to surface relevant information from stakeholders that will enrich the implementation process. An initial briefing meeting will be undertaken with senior management, after which an inception report detailing the approach will be submitted by the consultant prior to commencement of the assignment.

The consultant will be expected to work closely with the management of the organization to identify relevant literature to be reviewed as part of the mid-term review. This will include, the 2008-2012 strategic plan, performance reports, annual reports, selected activity reports recommendations of the Advisory committee, Ministers resolutions and other corporate documents as necessary.

In addition the consultant will work with management to develop survey tools including interview questionnaires for key informant interviews and Focus group discussions. The approved tools will be used by the consultant to collect information from key informants on the ECSA activities as they relate to the strategic plan 2008-2012.

Information collected from the various stakeholders including ECSA staff, will be collated, analysed and presented in a preliminary report to be shared with the ECSA team and Stakeholders including the Advisory Committee in a workshop in Arusha. After incorporating inputs from the second briefing meeting, a final report with clear recommendations and way forward will be prepared by the consultant and submitted to the Director General.


Objectives of the mid-term review

 To review ECSA programme accomplishments and challenges for the mid-term period 2008-2012
 To document, successes, challenges and lessons learnt during the mid-term period
 To recommend way forward for the remaining period of the strategic plan taking into account challenges, constraints, lessons learnt and current priorities.

Expected Outcomes

 ECSA programme accomplishments and challenges for the mid-term period 2008-2012 reviewed
 Successes, challenges and lessons learnt during the mid-term period documented
 Recommendations on way forward for the remaining period of the strategic plan taking into account challenges, constraints and lessons learnt developed

5.0 Main activities for Consultant

 Initial briefing with management
 Literature review
 Survey tools development
 Field visits and interviews
 Compilation and presentation of preliminary report
 Sharing of findings in a Stakeholders workshop
 Refinement of report
 Presentation of Final report to DG

6.0 Main deliverables

 Inception report
 Survey tools
 Preliminary report (MS-Word and PowerPoint Presentation)
 Final report

7.0 Qualifications

 Advanced degree in social sciences, public Health or development
 Thorough knowledge and experience of the Health sector issues in the ECSA region
 Excellent report writing skills
 Familiarity with strategic approaches and planning
 Experience with Monitoring & Evaluation of organizational plans

8.0 Work Days ordered

 This assignment will be undertaken for twenty (20) days to be completed before 20th March 2011.

9.0 Remuneration package

 An attractive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidates based on ECSA terms and conditions for consultancy.

9.0 Method of Application

Qualified Consultants wishing to apply for the assignment should do so by submitting the following:

• Detailed Curriculum Vitae
• Testimonials of previous work
• Names and contacts of three referees


13.0 Deadline for application

Applications should be sent by email to the addressee below NOT LATER THAN 5h, March 2011


Contact Address:

The Director General,
East, Central and Southern African Health Community
Plot No. 157 Oloirien, Njiro Road,
P.O Box 1009 Arusha, Tanzania
Tel. 255-27-2549365/6
Email: dg@ecsa.or.tz
Website: www.ecsa.or.tz