Request for Consultant: Health Financing Activities in Tanzania

• • • Step 1: In collaboration with RTI, NTDCP, and PO-RALG, the consultant will develop the first draft of the NTD modules in a PowerPoint slide deck. To inform the design of the modules, the consultant will review existing PO-RALG planning and budgeting training materials for adaptation. The draft will also include: –
    • Teaching and learning interactive methods that will be applied to deliver the modules. This will not be limited to lecture discussions, group discussions, case study, solving approaches and simulations. Other teaching methods for consideration will include demonstration, brainstorming, role play, presentation, and assignments.
    • Draft the training course outline that elaborates each Module.
    • Assessment Modalities for each Module.
    • Reference and Further Reading Materials on NTD planning and budgeting.

• • • Step 2: The draft slide deck with the course outline and notes on NTD Modules will be shared with RTI and NTDCP for review and input.

• • • Step 3:Preparation for validation workshop. In collaboration with RTI, NTDCP, and PO-RALG, the consultant will facilitate a 4-day validation meeting. The consultant will work with RTI, NTDCP, and PO-RALG on the structure, content, and expected outcome of the workshop to harmonize expectations and get everyone on the same page. In addition, the consultant will work with RTI on the following activities: –
    • Review of the slide deck for NTD modules, to be presented during the meeting, and
    • Review key questions for group breakout session.

• • • Step 4:Facilitatea 4-day Validation meeting with NTDCP and MoH, PROLAG: The activity will employ a participatory approach by engaging all participants through presentations, plenary discussion, and group discussions. Facilitation of the 4-day workshop will be done by the consultant with support of the RTI team and in collaboration with the NTDCP, and PO-RALG.

• • • Step 5: With facilitation support from NTDCP Act East HQ, the consultant will prepare the final draft of the modules and next steps for FY24 to USAID for input and comments.
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    • Step 6:  Finalize Modules

Activity #3: Technical support to develop an NTD DRM Strategy:  The consultant will work with the R4D health financing program officers and Senior Health Financing Specialist to provide technical support to the Tanzania NTD Control Program (NTDCP) in developing an NTD DRM strategy to advance priorities established in the NTD Master Plan 2021-2026. The strategy will guide the Ministry to identify a comprehensive set of financing mechanisms to fill NTD funding gaps through mobilizing domestic resources, diversifying sources of funding, and increasing government commitment to enable the country to reach the NTD Master Plan milestones, as well as identifying options for donor funding transition and sustainability of the program.

• • • As part of the NTD DRM Strategy development process, the consultants will employ a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods to collect, analyze, and triangulate information and data across multiple sources using a combination of desk reviews, key informant interviews, stakeholder consultations, and secondary data collection under the support of MOH, RTI country HSS advisor and the R4D team. A Senior Health Financing Specialist based in Ethiopia will coach and mentor the consultant providing technical oversight of the consultant’s activities, backstopping as required, and review of the consultant’s deliverables.
    • The consultant will liaise closely with the MOH’s technical working group (TWG). The MOH will provide oversight for the development of the NTDs DRM Strategy, while the TWG will provide key inputs through reviewing drafts and participating in strategy development workshops and validation meetings. The TWG may include key staff members from MoH, NTDCP, RTI, R4D, WHO and other key NTDs development partners as necessary.
    • The consultant will undertake the following major activities to develop the NTD DRM Strategy document:
    • Undertake comprehensive desk reviews to document country and global health financing strategy experience & best practices, including WHO health system financing and program documents, country health care financing strategy (HCFS), health sector strategic plan, NTD master plan, NTD advocacy and sustainability plan, and other countries experience on domestic resource mobilization.
    • Consult with MOH to identify key stakeholders from the government (national, PO-RALG and selected councils), development partners, civil society organizations, NGOs, and the private
    • sector to gather inputs for the strategy. The key objective of the key informant interviews is to understand the feasibility, and their role, in domestic resource mobilization and other funding strategies for NTDs program.
    • Conduct a deep dive on NTD financing by extracting quantitative data from various stakeholders on resource needs, allocation, and use from donors, implementing partners, government, and other sources to estimate the NTD funding gaps.
    • Attend regular meetings with NTDCP, Act | East HQ, and Tanzania country office to monitor the progress of the development of the NTD financial strategy.
    • Act | East will organize two workshops (a 2-day inception meeting to discuss the overall strategic framework and a 2-day validation workshop to finalize the strategy) as part of the document preparation process.

III Expected Deliverables

• • • Activity #1: Track CCHP budget allocation and disbursement

• • • i)     Deliverable 1.1: Undertake evidence synthesis on the use of the PlanRep system to track the funds planned, allocated, and disbursed for the NTD program. This synthesis is expected to be provided through a PowerPoint presentation.
    • ii)    Deliverable 1.2: In collaboration with the Act | East team, the consultant facilitates a 3-day stakeholder workshop to discuss the use of the PlanRep system to track the funds planned, allocated, and disbursed for the NTD program (Physical attendance is required). After the session, the consultant will provide a brief meeting report documenting the activity and identifying outcomes and further technical support areas in the health financing space.
    • iii)  Deliverable 1.3:A technical brief incorporating all lessons learned and recommendations from the PlanRep system workshop meeting. The brief note should document and synthesize the findings from discussions on the Plan Rep system. Finally, the consultant disseminates the learnings more broadly in a technical brief with MOH/NTDCP, partners, and USAID.

• • • Activity #2: Develop and pilot a training module on NTD planning and budgeting.

• • • i)     Deliverable 2.1: Develop draft NTD training modules on NTDs. This will be adapted/tailored from existing PO-RALG planning and budgeting training materials, and this training module will be presented to NTDCP and RTI for review.
    • ii)    Deliverable 2.2: Present the draft NTD training module in the validation workshop and facilitate the workshop in collaboration with MOH/NTDCP, PORALG and RTI.
    • iii)  Deliverable 2.3: Present the final draft NTD training module to Act East HQ team and USAID.

• • • Activity #3: Develop NTD Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) Strategy

• • • i)     Deliverable 3.1: Present inception report on NTD DRM strategy to key stakeholders from the government and incorporate the feedback and submit the final version to R4D team.
    • ii)    Deliverable 3.2: Develop and present the draft NTD DRM strategy to MOH/NTDCP, PO-RALG and NTD implementing partners.

V Qualifications

• • Master’s degree in health economics, health policy and management, or public health with a health financing focus.
  • At least seven (7) years of field-based experience working on health financing and/or health economics evaluation and analytics, health policy, planning, public financial management (PFM), and/or financing in Tanzania.
  • Experience in workshop facilitation and collaboration with government and non-government stakeholders.
  • Familiarity with the Tanzanian health financing mechanisms and health system, Tanzanian Department of Health, NTD or vertical programs including HIV/AIDS, FP/RH, Malaria, EPI, MCH, TB, among others is necessary.
  • Full professional fluency in English, including excellent written communication skills; language abilities relevant to the project countries also valuable.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team and deliver high-quality results within tight timeframes.
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Must be based in Tanzania
  • VI Implementation arrangements
  • The consultant will work under the guidance and direct supervision of R4D’s Program Officer. The consultant will also be expected to routinely engage with the Act | East HSS advisor and the MOH-NTDCP-HSS focal person. RTI serves as the implementing partner in Tanzania and the consultant should coordinate efforts and engagement with RTI, MOH/NTDCP, and government stakeholders. The consultant will provide regular updates on the progress of the activities to the Act | East HSS advisor, MOH-NTDCP-HSS focal person and R4D program officer. The consultant will be based in Dar es Salaam and may require regional travel in accordance with R4D travel and safety precautions.

VII Timeline & Output

• • • Activity – Track CCHP budget allocation and disbursement
    • Output – Deliverable 1.1, Deliverable 1.2, Deliverable 1.3
    • Time – June 2023, June-July 2023, July 2023

• • • Activity – Develop training module on NTD planning and budgeting.
    • Output – Deliverable 2.1, Deliverable 2.2, Deliverable 2.3
    • Time – June 2023, July 2023, September 2023

• • • Activity – Develop NTD DRM strategy
    • Output – Deliverable 3.1, Deliverable 3.2
    • Time – June 2023, September 2023

The consultancy must be completed by September 30, 2023.