TERMS OF REFERENCE 

RESEARCH TO IDENTIFY AND DEFINE VULNERABILITY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES & ASSESS THEIR RISKS OF HIV ACQUISITION, AND THEIR BURDEN FOR TB, MALARIA, HEPATITIS, SRH & MENTAL HEALTH

1. GENERAL INFORMATION:

• Title: National research to identify and define vulnerability of persons with disabilities and assess their risks of HIV acquisition, the burden of TB, Malaria, Sexual Reproductive Health and Mental Health
• Services/ Work Description: Recruitment of consultant
• Post Title: National senior expert and consultant
• Duty Station: Kigali with visit to the districts
• Duration: 90 working days
• Donor: Global Fund through RBC-SPIU,
• Expected start date : After signing the contract 

2. INTRODUCTION

UPHLS is an Umbrella of organizations of Persons with Disabilities in the Fight against

HIV&AIDS and for Health Promotion with a vision of building an inclusive society where persons with disabilities are empowered and enjoy wellbeing and dignity.

Under the financial support of Global Fund through RBC-SPIU, UPHLS is implementing a project aiming at mainstreaming disability in HIV Program in Rwanda.

As part of this activity, UPHLS is seeking to hire a qualified consultant to conduct a national research to identify and define vulnerability of Persons with disabilities and assess their risks of acquiring HIV  through a  comprehensive approach to HIV, TB, Hepatitis, Malaria, Sexual reproductive health and mental Health.

3. OVERVIEW

In the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health by World Health Organization, disability is defined as “a limitation in a functional domain that arises from the interaction between a person’s intrinsic capacity, and environmental and personal factors.” Based on that definition, the United Nations’ Report on disability and development (UN, 2019) adds that functioning occurs at three levels: body function and structures, activities and participation. This definition ties up with the one provided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) saying that disability is a long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory (vision and hearing) impairment which in interaction with various barriers may hinder full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others (UNCRPD, 2006).

According to WHO (2020), over 1 billion people are estimated to live with some form of disability. This corresponds to about 15% of the world's population, with up to 190 million (3.8%) people aged 15 years and older having significant difficulties in functioning, often requiring healthcare services.

According to a study conducted by UPHLS in Partnership with UNAIDS and RBC from the Kigali city and secondary cities of Rwanda (2022) namely Muhanga, Huye, Rusizi, Rubavu, Musanze and Nyagatare Districts, the results showed that 7.0% of the respondents had a positive HIV test result. 12.8% of the respondents revealed that, at their first sexual encounter, they had had sex against their will. The use of condom at first sex was common (80.4%), except among people with hearing and speaking disabilities (61. 5%).The survey results also showed that the overall comprehensive correct knowledge of HIV is very low (30.7%) among people with disabilities in Rwanda. 92.7% of the respondents self-reported that they have ever been tested for HIV while only a half of them reported that they tested for HIV in the last 12 months preceding the survey.

While some health conditions associated with disability result in poor health and extensive healthcare needs, this is not the case for others. However, all PWDs have the same general healthcare needs as everyone else, and therefore need access to mainstream healthcare services. Article 25 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which is dedicated to health, reinforces the right of persons with disability to attain the highest standard of healthcare, without discrimination.  In addition, very often people with disability do not receive the healthcare services they need. Evidence shows that half of people with disability cannot afford healthcare. People with disability are also more than twice as likely to find healthcare providers' skills inadequate.

People with disabilities face numerous access barriers in accessing healthcare services compared with the general population. These barriers are interrelated and similar across different settings and can be categorized broadly into those related to physical structure, transportation, finance, communication and stigmatizing attitudes. 

4. RESEARCH RATIONALE

1. General Objective

UPHLS seeks to hire consultancy services to conduct a national research to identify and define vulnerability of persons with disabilities and assess their risks of acquiring HIV through a comprehensive approach to HIV, TB, hepatitis, Malaria, sexual reproductive health and mental health 

2. Specific objectives:

• To identify the gaps in policies and unmet needs for PWDs in HIV, TB, hepatitis ,Malaria, SRH and Mental health services
• To identify and define vulnerability of persons with disabilities and assess their risks of acquiring HIV, across all ages and types of disabilities.
• Gain a deeper understanding of barriers faced by persons with disabilities when accessing TB, hepatitis, Malaria, SRH and Mental health services
• Explore the linkage between HIV vulnerability and the combination of HIV, TB, Hepatitis Malaria, sexual reproductive health and mental health
• Explore the barriers that hinder the access to HIV prevention, care and treatment for PWDs/ PLHIV.
• Propose solutions to identified gaps and challenges 

5. METHODOLOGY

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Umbrella of organisations of persons with disabilities in the fight against HIV&AIDS and for health promotion (UPHLS)jobs in Rwanda

The research survey should adopt a mixed- method approach, integrating quantitative and qualitative methods to achieve the research objectives. The consultant will use different methods such as desk review, observation, survey, FGDs to collect data within cities, communities and institutions level. It is expected that the survey will be conducted by taking into consideration a participatory approach to allow all types of disabilities to participate, ensuring disability inclusion in the research.

6. SCOPE OF THE WORK 

1. Geographical coverage

The research survey will be conducted nationwide according to the technical sampling provided by the consultant.

2. Role and Responsibilities of the consultants

The consultant will be expected to undertake the following tasks to realize the objectives.

• To generate a strong protocol and present to Rwanda National Ethics Committee
• To generate inception report including plan for the consultancy highlighting methodology and a work breakdown structure
• To coordinate field data and conduct scientific analyses in strict accordance with the survey protocol as approved by Rwanda National Ethics Committee
• To ensure that data and information are collected and analysed digitally, using the latest software
• To submit and present a draft comprehensive scientific report to HIV Partners for technical review and validation
• To submit a final report in narrative and power point formats.
• To provide the research scientific paper and make its publications in at least 2 scientific publications, journals or academia platforms 

3. Role and responsibilities of UPHLS

The UPHLS team will provide the overall guidance and technical support where necessary.

• Review the documents from the service provider/ contractor and provide him/her with feedback
• Approve the pre final deliverables before presenting them to the wide group
• Work with the consultant in identification the key informants and informing the local authorities about the activity.
• Facilitate the consultant in connecting him/her with participants and authorities when needed. 

7. SUMMARY AND DELIVABLES :

The following deliverables will be handed over to UPHLS:

• A research protocol for submission to RNEC including data collection tools
• An inception report including plan for the consultancy highlighting methodology and a work breakdown structure
• A Document review matrix for the desk review and interview guide for key stakeholders
• An analysis plan for beneficiaries’ data set
• A draft report for the consultancy highlighting findings and recommendations for the legal, policy, research recommendations and best practices for PWDs
• Final report after considering all inputs provided during the validation workshop and other consultations (in English)
• A scientific Paper/ Article to be published. 

8. REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATION

The independent consultant or consultancy firm to be considered for the assignment is expected to have the following experience and qualifications:

General Condition:

• A firm or independent consultant should have a clear understanding of disability and health in Rwanda,
• Previous experience in conducting similar assignments,
• Previous experience in supporting health interventions for vulnerable groups in Rwanda

Education

• Minimum of a doctorate degree in public health, Medicine, Biostatistics, epidemiology, Biomedical sciences and other related technical fields

Relevant work experience:

• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in the Rwanda national HIV programme and public health sector in general.
• Strong knowledge of areas of HIV&AIDS, TB, Malaria, Hepatitis, SRH& and mental health 

Competencies

• Must have ability and deep understanding of the HIV/Health programs in Rwanda
• Must have solid experience in scientific research and evaluation methods.
• Strong analytical skills with conceptual understanding;
• Strong and proven functional skills in analytical writing, reporting, research and assessments. 

Languages needed:

• Excellent command of spoken and written Kinyarwanda, French and English. 

9. APPLICATION PROCESS

Individuals and firms applying for this bid are expected to submit the following:

1. Legal status (for only companies) and clean tax record
2. Technical and financial proposal for the consultancy. This should include the proposed approach to the consultancy and strengths of the technical team.
3. Evidence of past similar assignments, preferably in HIV/Health at National Level
4. At least 3 references from current and previous client organizations demonstrating your competences to deliver similar assignments.

Additional to the above mentioned documents, the consulting firm shall also submit the following documents:

1. Submit a copy of valid certificate of registration/trading license of the consultancy firm issued by Rwanda Development Board (RDB);
2. Submit a copy of 3 months’ valid certificate of Tax Clearance issued by Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA);
3. Submit a copy of valid VAT registration Certificate issued by Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA);
4. Submit a copy of 3 months valid Clearance Certificate issued by Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB);
5. Company profile and CV of the team members that will be involved in the assignment including a minimum of 3 references (clients) and at least 2 sample of similar work recently done;

Selection criteria

Applications will be assessed on cost reasonableness (30%), Administrative requirements (10%) and technical competences (60%). 

Time frame

This assignment is expected to be implemented within a timeframe of Ninety (90) working days starting from the date of signing the consultancy contract. The consultant will be required to work closely with UPHLS Supervising staff

Note:

The proposal that doesn’t fulfil the above mentioned requirements will be rejected automatically

UPHLS is promoting disability inclusion and has different policies which will guide to undergo rigorous reference and background checks to all selected candidates.

 The deadline for submission is on 30^th October 2023 before 03H00pm on UPHLS    email: infos@uphls.org

Done at Kigali on 29^th September 2023 

KARANGWA Francois Xavier

The Executive Director

UPHLS