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Background:
Current statistics indicate that 1 in 6 (6.8 million) people in Uganda has a health condition that benefits from rehabilitation services and only 4.5% of the those who need assistive devices access them, and the unmet need stands at 21% (12 million) people. The Ministry of Health recognizes the 2017 World Health Organization’s Rehabilitation 2030 initiative, a “Call to Action” incorporating rehabilitation health services into the universal health coverage. The Ministry of Health Community Health Department, Disability and Rehabilitation Division with technical support from the World Health Organization and USAID ReLAB-HS project has undertaken several initiatives to strengthen rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies (AT) services in the health system, including the development of the first ever National Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology Strategy, integrating rehabilitation and AT data into national health information system as well as building capacities of different cadres of health workers.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Health is committed to enhancing access to assistive products for persons with rehabilitation needs across the country. To increase availability and access (geographic and functional) to affordable and appropriate assistive products there is need to include assistive products in the national procurement health system as an essential health product, however, this is difficult if the country does not have a priority list of assistive products, similar to the essential medicines list. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Member States are encouraged to develop and adopt National Assistive Products Priority List to catalyze access to assistive products, to guide the improvement of services, procurement, and guide other policy development related to assistive technology, including health insurance schemes and reimbursement. In line with the WHO recommendation, the government of Uganda, through the ministry of health, department of community health, division of disability and rehabilitation, wishes to develop and adopt a national assistive product priority list to streamline the procurement of assistive products at national level and thus increase availability and access to quality assistive products.
Purpose:Â The expert will support the Ministry of Health, Department of Community Health, Division of Disability and Rehabilitation to develop the National Assistive Product Priority List for Uganda, while working closely with the MoH focal person, ReLAB-HS technical team and WHO country office.
Scope of Work:Â Primary functions of the APL Consultant will include.
- Desk Review:
- Identify relevant international standards and guidelines for the provision of assistive products, considering the WHO Assistive Technology Guidelines and other relevant resources. Documents to be reviewed should include and may not necessarily be limited to the following:
- Draft National Rehabilitation and AT strategy
- ATA-C report 2020
- rATA report 2023
- Stakeholder Consultation:
- Collaborate with the Ministry of Health, Disability and Rehabilitation Division, the World Health Organization Country Office in Uganda (WHO CO), and ReLAB-HS to develop the APL methodology.
- Engage with key stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), disability advocacy groups, healthcare providers, and persons with disabilities, to gather input and insights on the priority assistive products needed in Uganda.
- Organize / lead the facilitation of the stakeholder consultation workshops or focus group discussions to facilitate dialogue and consensus-building on the selection criteria and prioritization process.
- Assistive Product Assessment:
- Develop a framework for assessing the relevance, availability, accessibility, affordability, quality and impact of assistive products in the Ugandan context.
- Evaluate a wide range of assistive products across different categories, including mobility aids, communication devices, hearing aids, vision aids, and daily living aids, using the established assessment framework.
- Develop the Priority list:
- Apply the assessment framework to prioritize assistive products based on their level of need, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and potential impact on the lives of persons with disabilities.
- Develop a ranked list of priority assistive products, taking into account the input and feedback received from stakeholders.
- Report Writing:
- Produce the final APL document inclusive of background, objectives, methodology, and the list with description of the assistive products.
- Present the draft report to relevant stakeholders for review and feedback, incorporating any suggested revisions or modifications as necessary.
- Finalize the report, including an executive summary and actionable recommendations for the implementation of the priority list.
Deliverables:
- Inception Report outlining the methodology and work plan.
- Draft Assistive Product Priority List report for review.
- Final Assistive Product Priority List report, including executive summary and recommendations.
Duration: The consultancy is expected to be completed within 20 working days from the commencement date.
Summary of the tasks:
#1:
- Identify relevant international standards and guidelines for the provision of assistive products, considering the WHO Assistive Technology Guidelines and other relevant resources. Documents to be reviewed should include and may not necessarily be limited to the following:
- Draft National Rehabilitation and AT strategy
- ATA-C report 2020rATA report 2023
Deliverable: Desk review report highlighting; documents reviewed
Timeframe: 2 days
#2:
- Stakeholder Consultation:Â Ministry of Health, Disability and Rehabilitation Division, the World Health Organization Country Office in Uganda (WHO CO), and ReLAB-HS to develop the APL methodology, Engage with key stakeholders, Organize / lead the facilitation of the stakeholder consultation workshops or focus group discussions.
Deliverable: Obtain and Incorporate inputs and feedback into the draft document
Timeframe: 6 days
#3:
- Present Inputs and feedback to the Interim TWG
Deliverable: Draft document
Timeframe: 1 days
#4:
- Obtain inputs and feedback from interim TWG into the draft
- Organize one national stakeholder validation workshops
Deliverable: National stakeholder validation report/ Feedback and recommendations for revisions
Timeframe: 1 days
#5:
- Produce a second draft of the APL
Deliverable: Second draft document
Timeframe: 6 days
#6:
- Prepare a presentation of new APL
Deliverable: Presentation
Timeframe: 1 day
#7:
- Disseminate to interim TWG
Deliverable: Presentation
Timeframe: 1 day
#8:
- Produce near final draft to CHTWG
Deliverable: Presentation
Timeframe: 1 day
#9:
- Produce final ready for type setting and design document
Deliverable: Final document ready for design document
Timeframe: 1 day
Academic Qualifications:
• A master’s degree in Public health, Health Systems Research, M&E, Social policy, Social sciences, or related qualifications.
• A Bachelor’s degree in any of the rehabilitation professions, or other related discipline with experience in developing national strategic plans
Experience and Technical Knowledge Required:
• Over 10 years of experience working in the public health sector, of which not less than 5 years of experience in consultancy services for rehabilitation health systems in Uganda, Regional & International; Human resources for Health; and Public Health.
• Previous experience working with the government of Uganda’s Ministry of Health; knowledge of the objectives and operations of the MOH, MOH strategic plan, and or the public health activities of other East African communities, or international donor organizations.
• Knowledge of Ugandan government and non-government systems and stakeholders in public health programming underscoring disability, rehabilitation and Assistive technology (AT) health systems strengthening
• Demonstrable experience in developing high quality national-level policy and regulatory frameworks in Uganda related to disability, rehabilitation and Assistive technology (AT) field.
• Knowledge of disability, rehabilitation and Assistive technology (AT) programming and relevant national and sub-national coordination entities at district and community levels.
• Experience working with Local, National and International Organizations involved in the rehabilitation field (Implementing partners, development agencies, CSOs/CBOs) stakeholders among public and private sectors as well as development agencies.
• Knowledge of best practices for implementing Rehabilitation health services/ programs and experience of developing guidance for implementation of such programs.
Other desired attributes:
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills: expresses opinions, speaks clearly has a sense of diplomacy while interacting with stakeholders, excellent presentations.
• Drive for results: passionate about action and helping to get things moving with stringent reporting demands and can write professional project plans and reports
• Team spirit: enjoys working as part of a group with members of diverse backgrounds
• Learning agility: rapidly learns new tasks and demonstrates an understanding of newly acquired information
• Independence: can take initiative and work with limited supervision to deliver results
• Coping with pressure: maintains a positive outlook at work and works productively in a pressurized environment and in a crisis while keeping emotions under control.
How to apply
Interested candidates should submit a one-page proposal outlining their approach, methodology, and timeline for completing the consultancy. Proposals should also include a CV highlighting relevant experience and qualifications.
All proposals will be evaluated on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please submit your proposal and CV via email to careers@momentum4humanity.org. Please include “Uganda APL List Consultant” in the subject line.
Momentum Wheels for Humanity is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. Momentum Wheels for Humanity encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.
