Consultancy Service for Documentation of Results and Lessons Learned in USAID’s Physical Rehabilitation Activity (PRA)

TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

NAME OF PROJECT: USAID’s Physical Rehabilitation Activity

TITLE OF ACTION: Documentation of Results and Lessons Learned in USAID’s Physical Rehabilitation Activity (PRA)

1. CONTEXT

1.1 Organization Background

Handicap International Federation (HI) aka Humanity and Inclusion (HI) as an independent and impartial aid organization, works alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, whatever the context, taking action to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

In Nepal, HI is working since 2000 under the General Agreement (GA) with government of Nepal/SWC (Social Welfare Council).  HI Nepal works through a network of implementing local partner organizations i.e. local authorities, NGOs and organizations of person with disabilities (OPDs) to improve the living conditions of persons with disabilities and the most vulnerable populations in Nepal. This includes people with health conditions that may benefit from physical and functional rehabilitation services. Participation and inclusion being at the heart of HI’s interventions and activities.

The current South Asia Program Operation Strategy 2024-2026 of HI focuses on the following key thematic intervention areas:

1. Physical and Functional Rehabilitation
2. Inclusive Education
3. Economic Inclusion
4. Disaster Risk Reduction and /Climate Change Adaptation (DRR/CCA)
5. Inclusive Health

1.2 Activity Background

The Physical Rehabilitation Activity (PRA) is a six-year Activity, funded by USAID and implemented by Humanity & Inclusion (Handicap International Nepal). It aims at strengthening quality, access to and sustainability of the rehabilitation system in Nepal. During June 2019 - June 2025, the Activity will support to establish a sustainable rehabilitation service, aligning to the WHO Rehabilitation 2030 agenda and health system strengthening approach targeting six core areas: (i) governance and leadership; (ii) health and rehabilitation human resources; (iii) rehabilitation information system development; (iv) assistive technology; (v) finance; and (vi) service delivery.

The Activity supports the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) to establish sustainable, integrated, public – private rehabilitation system to improve the mobility and functional independence of victims of conflict, adults and children in need of rehabilitation services in Nepal. It works in close collaboration with the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD)/Leprosy Control and Disability Management Section (LCDMS) for strengthening the disability inclusive health and rehabilitation sector in the health system. PRA is being implemented with the following sub-partners:

• Community Based Rehabilitation Biratanagar (CBRB)-Koshi
• Prerana, Lalbandi- Madhesh
• National Disabled Fund (NDF)-Kathmandu-Bagmati
• Nepalgunj Medical College (NGMC)-Nepalgunj- Lumbini
• Nepal National Social Welfare Association (NNSWA), Kanchanpur- Sudurpaschim
• National Federation of Disabled Nepal (NFDN), Kathmandu

1.3 Major Activities of PRA

• Support EDCD/LCDMS for the development of national rehabilitation documents such as the national rehabilitation strategic plan, the public-private partnership guidelines, the Karnali provincial rehabilitation strategic plan, the National Standard on Assistive Technology, the standard operating procedure for rehabilitation services, and the rehabilitation clinical protocol.
• Support EDCD/LCDMS and Integrated Health Information Management Section (IHIMS) of Management Division for the development, endorsement, -dissemination and institutionalization of rehabilitation modules in the Health Management Information System to public and private rehabilitation service providers. 
• Capacity building of professional associations for physiotherapy, prosthetics and orthotics through continued professional development activities; and capacity building of the National Association of Service Providers in Rehabilitation through a strategic roadmap for sustainability.
• Capacity building of PRA-supported Physical Rehabilitation Centers to enhance their sustainability. This includes advocacy activities with local and provincial governments for the increased allocation of budgets for rehabilitation, leadership and governance training, business development plans, and the implementation of the rehabilitation self-assessment tool- the Rehabilitation Management System.
• Support provincial health authorities to upgrade the existing physiotherapy units and establish new physiotherapy units in all districts of Karnali province. Telerehabilitation equipment support in nine rehabilitation units.
• Capacity building of health workers in Karnali and Lumbini provinces on early detection and referral of children with impairment under five years of age jointly with ECED/LCDMS
• Developed the package on caregivers’ skill training for children with development delays, autism and rolled out in close collaboration with ECED/LCDMS.
• Advocacy and sensitization meetings with province and local government to advocate for health-related rehabilitation, including rehabilitation activities in the annual work plan and allocation of budgets.
• Post-COVID rehabilitation activities to respond to the COVID-19 pandemics.
• Diverse funding through government and non-government organizations via the business annual fund-raising plan for five physical rehabilitation centers and the strategic roadmap of the National Association of Service Providers in Rehabilitation (NASPIR).

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective of this assignment is to review the PRA achievements, case highlights, progress reports and case studies and finalize PRA results and lessons learned.

3. METHODOLOGY

The consultant should devise the best approaches for undertaking the assignment. The following methodology, among others, should be followed:

• Desk review: The assignment will involve a desk review of existing documents, including the PRA results framework, progress reports, case highlights, fact sheets, success stories, and other resources and materials shared by the Activity team.
• Field visits: Conduct key informant interviews with the PRA team, sub-partners, relevant government officials, and project participants. The consultant is also expected to carry out field observations to capture the results achieved by the Activity.
• Participatory techniques: Employ participatory techniques and other approaches for collecting and analyzing data needed for developing the results and lessons learned documents.
• Desk work: Develop, revise and finalize the results and lessons learned documents

Each product should come in the following structure:

• Introduction/Situation/Context
• Approach/Key Interventions (PRA Support)
• Results/Achievements
• Lessons Learned
• Challenges and Recommendations

4. SCOPE OF WORK (SoW)

The consultant shall develop at least, but not limited to 10 documents related to PRA results and lessons learned in the form of success stories, technical briefs, or other products. The scope of the assignment includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Conduct a desk review of project documents, periodic progress reports, and other relevant materials to gain a clear understanding of the Activity’s objectives and outcomes
• Based on the review and analysis, prepare and submit an inception report that outlines a detailed methodology, timeline, and steps to undertake the assignment
• Review the resources and materials (contents) provided by the PRA team for developing the results and lessons learned documents.
• Coordinate with PRA team, partners and stakeholders to adequately capture the results and learnings from the project
• Undertake field visits to collect necessary information (including photographs) in collaboration with PRA partners and relevant stakeholders.
• Based on the review, analysis, and fieldwork, develop the products (e.g., technical briefs and success stories).
• Share the products with HI/PRA, EDCD, and USAID for feedback, review, and comments.
• Finalize the products after incorporating feedback.

5. STANDARDS OF ETHICS AND HI POLICIES

The study will respect the recommendations promoted by HI on ethical data management as follows:

• Guarantee the security of subjects, partners and teams
• Ensure a person or community-centered approach
• Obtain subjects’ free and informed consent
• Ensure referral mechanisms are in place
• Ensure the security of personal and/or sensitive data at all stages of the activity
• Plan and guarantee the use and sharing of information
• Ensure the expertise of the teams involved and the scientific validity of the activity 
• Obtain authorization from the relevant authorities and organize an external review of the proposed study/research

Additionally, the HI team will provide orientation on HI’s policies (on following topics) to consultants.

• Code of conduct
• Child Protection Policy
• Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) Policy
• Anti-Fraud Policy
• Project Quality Policy
• Disability Gender Age policy

6. CONSULTANTS PROFILE

• Master’s degree (PhD preferred) in a related field such as health and rehabilitation, knowledge management, development studies, social sciences, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of eight years of experience in knowledge management, including but not limited to writing, editing, and designing results and learning products, as well as data visualization and interpretation in the health and rehabilitation sector.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills in English and Nepali, with a particular focus on advanced academic writing.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and coordinate with relevant stakeholders, partners, and project teams.
• Proven experience in health system strengthening.
• Strong understanding of the rehabilitation context within the country.

7. EVALUATION CRITERIA

Each application will be assessed based on both technical and financial aspects. Each criterion will be evaluated on a scale of 1 to 5, with higher scores reflecting stronger alignment with the required qualifications, experience, and approach. The proposal obtaining the highest overall score after adding the scores for the technical and financial proposals together, that offers the best value for money will be recommended for award of the contract.

Table 1: Evaluation criteria

8. DURATION OF WORK

The assignment is expected to be completed over a period of 20 working days, starting from the third week of January 2025. If the task is not completed within the given time due to various circumstances, the consultant will need to adjust the timeframe within the agreed budget.

9. DELIVERABLES AND WORK SCHEDULE

The Consulting should set up a work schedule for the proposed assignment and share it with the HI/PRA. The tentative timeline for the assignment is as follows:

Table 2: Expected deliverables and work schedule

10. REPORTING PERSON AT HI

MEAL Manager or the person assigned by her/him will be the primary reporting person.

11. BUDGET

Cost of service provision

The financial proposal should include all the required budget for this consultancy. Tax will be deducted as per the Government tax policy.

Payment terms and conditions

The Consulting Agency will receive 40% of the contracted amount upon the submission of the inception report and the approved field plan. The Agency will receive 30% after the submission of the first draft report. The remaining 30% will be paid after the approval of the final deliverables and the completion of a dissemination event and as validated by the technical and MEAL teams.

12. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• Cover letter
• A brief proposal highlighting the approach and methodology detailing how to achieve each of the deliverables and associated quality assurance mechanism
• Financial proposal
• The document should have annexed the Curriculum Vitae of the consultant/team.
• PAN/VAT registration certificate

Please submit your technical and financial proposal and required documents to e-mail: procurement@nepal.hi.org The last date for submitting the application is by COB January 12, 2024. Please indicate the consultancy title in cover letter while applying.