Terms of Reference for a National Consultant/Consultancy firm to develop a training curriculum for Community-led Monitoring (CLM) in Rwanda

Background

Community-led monitoring is an ongoing process in which communities affected by health inequities systematically monitor services, analyze the data they collect, and conduct evidence-driven advocacy to improve service delivery and create an enabling environment for their well-being.

As per the guidance for the implementation of CLM, the most affected communities are the Key populations and other priority populations and People Living with HIV(PLHIV). CLM is an accountability mechanism for HIV responses at different levels, led and implemented by local community-led organizations using structured platforms and trained peer monitors to collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data on HIV service delivery.

CLM has been gaining momentum in recent years with substantive financial support from funders like PEPFAR and the Global Fund.  UNAIDS in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda is dedicated to empowering the most affected communities to monitor and improve the quality, accessibility, availability, acceptability, and affordability of services that impact their lives.

To achieve this goal, the Rwanda Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS – RRP+ in collaboration with Rwanda NGOs Forum ON HIV/AIDS and Health Promotion (RNGOF on HIV/AIDS & HP), UNAIDS, Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), and other Umbrella Networks on HIV is looking for a high caliber National consultant/Consultancy firm to support the development of an HIV-CLM training curriculum for implementers to continuously build the capacity of CLOs and community members on the concept of CLM, data collection, analysis and use to influence change in differentiated delivery of, access to and use of equitable quality HIV services.

About Rwanda Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS – RRP+

The Rwanda Network of People Living with HIV (RRP+) is a Rwanda civil society organization whose members and beneficiaries are Persons infected and affected by HIV. It was founded in March 2003 to serve as coordinating organ for activities supporting people infected and affected by HIV as well as to promote Greater Involvement of PLHIV in HIV epidemic response. The vision of RRP+ is that “Rwandans infected and affected by HIV are healthy, live in a socio-economic environment free from stigma and discrimination and are fully engaged in the HIV response. RRP+ consists of 300 legally registered cooperatives, 12 NGOs and Over 500 associations.

This extensive network represents the interests of over 162,000 people living with HIV (PLHIV), accounting for 77% of all PLHIV on ART in Rwanda, and an estimated one million individuals affected by HIV. A significant focus is on empowering the communities, promotion of leave no one behind approaches as well as mainstreaming of Disability inclusion and Gender in all programs.

About Rwanda NGOs Forum on HIV/AIDS and Health Promotion (RNGOF on HIV/AIDS & HP)

Rwanda NGOs Forum on HIV/AIDS & Health Promotion (RNGOF on HIV/AIDS & HP) is a network of 139 NGO members working to promote health and the wellbeing of citizens with particular focus on High Risk groups/key and Vulnerable populations affected and infected by HIV, TB and Malaria including Sex Workers, Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), People Who Use/Inject Drugs “PWUD/PWID”, Transgender People, Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), PLHIV, Rice Farmers, Fishermen, Youth in Boarding schools, Miners, Fishermen, Prisoners, Refugees, Staffs in Hotels and Lodges, Security Staffs; Vulnerable Women, Healthcare Providers (HCP) with inclusion of People With Disabilities (PWD) and faith based leaders etc.

Its mission is to promote and coordinate activities of member organizations and build their capacity, to monitor, generate data through conducting research/studies/assessments and advocate for civil society and community involvement in all public policies and program formulation with regard to improving quality of health services delivered to high risk groups/key and vulnerable population.

Objectives of the assignment

The primary objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive training curriculum for CLM implementers to facilitate capacity-building initiatives of CLOs and community members on the Concept of CLM to improve HIV quality services.

Specific Objectives

1. To develop a structured curriculum that standardizes monitoring practices across community-led initiatives in the HIV sector for Key and Vulnerable populations and PLHIV with inclusion of PWDs and Faith Based Leaders
2. To empower community members with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively monitor HIV programs and services including data collection, analysis, interpretation and advocacy
3. community engagement and ownership to take a lead role in identifying key priorities, designing monitoring activities and utilizing findings to drive local HIV responses

Expected Results

1. A structured curriculum that standardizes monitoring practices across community-led initiatives in the HIV sector for Key and Vulnerable populations and PLHIV with inclusion of PWDs and Faith Based Leaders developed
2. Empowered community members with increased knowledge and skills needed to effectively monitor HIV programs and services including data collection, analysis, interpretation and advocacy
3. community engagement and ownership to take a lead role in identifying key priorities, designing monitoring activities and utilizing findings to drive local HIV responses promoted

Scope of work

The Consultancy will be implemented in Kigali. The National consultant/Consultancy firm will work closely with RRP+, RNGOF on HIV/AIDS & HP, UNAIDS and Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) to deliver the following tasks:

• Develop a comprehensive training curriculum for HIV CLM Monitoring with detailed outline, structure including modules, topics based on identified CLM’s needs/gaps and primary objective
• Define learning objectives and competencies that community members and leaders should acquire through the training curriculum.
• Clearly describe a CLM Cycle in Rwandan Context and the curriculum should follow the cycle (Gathering evidence, Analysis of data, generate solutions, Engage Duty Bearers, and Advocate for change) and mention how each step will be implemented
• Design modules that cover essential topics such as:
• Concept and Principles of community-led monitoring (CLM);
• Data collection methods relevant to HIV monitoring services.
• Analysis and interpretation of collected data for advocacy and program improvement.
• Ethical considerations and confidentiality in data collection and use.
• Communication and reporting skills and effective advocacy.
• Integration of community-led monitoring with existing health systems and programs.
• Develop engaging and culturally sensitive content for each module, ensuring accessibility for diverse community members including people with disabilities (PWDs) and faith based leaders
• Facilitate a pre-validation workshop for the training curriculum with a diverse group of community members and stakeholders
• Revise and finalize the training curriculum based on the feedback from the stakeholders during the pre-validation session.
• Facilitate the dissemination workshop on the training curriculum with all the stakeholders
• Prepare a comprehensive final report detailing the developed curriculum, documenting the entire training curriculum development process, methodologies used, findings, and lessons learned.

Key deliverables

• Inception report detailing the implementation roadmap and how the ToRs will be executed
• Desk review report that describes developing the curriculum and identifying the available resources to use.
• Final training curriculum in English and Kinyarwanda with detailed outlines and structure including modules, topics
• Close-out report

Duration

The assignments detailed under the “Scope of Work” will be implemented in a period of 32 working days from the start date.

• Required Qualifications and Expertise

Educational Background

• Master’s degree required in public health, Global health, Data science, or Social Science,
• highly desirable with at least 5 years of experience in working with Civil Society Organizations/NGO and development partner health related research, assessment, capacity building/trainings or providing technical support;
• The consultant /Consultancy firm should have demonstrated expertise in curriculum development, in Health-related programs and community engagement;
• Strong knowledge of community-led monitoring concepts, M&E frameworks, and adult learning principles is desirable.

Experience

• Experience working with diverse stakeholders and conducting participatory methodologies.
• Experience working with people living with HIV, Key and Vulnerable populations.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Excellent strategic communication, writing, training, and facilitation skills
• Knowledge of the Rwandan Health System and National HIV strategic plan.
• Demonstrated commitment to the role of communities in responses to HIV and AIDS and health promotion,
• Demonstrated expertise and experience in consulting with multi-stakeholder bodies in Civil Society Organizations engagement, management, capacity development and/or rights advocacy of populations most vulnerable to and affected by HIV
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to prepare comprehensive reports, present findings to stakeholders and make actionable recommendations

Working language

The working language for this assignment will be English and Kinyarwanda is very highly recommended for the consultant/Consultancy firm who will be able to interact with CSOs and service users.

Selection criteria

The applications will be assessed on a cost reasonableness (30%) of the financial proposal and (70%) of the technical competences and proposal.

Reporting and accountability

The National Consultant /Consultancy firm shall report regularly and provide updates to RRP+ and RNGOF on HIV/AIDS & HP management team. Quality of deliverables must be ensured by the National consultant/Consultancy firm and validated by the HIV CLM Core team.

Application details

The application file will be comprised of:

• Letter expressing interest to carry out the consultancy service required addressed to the Executive Secretary of RRP+ to rwanda@gmail.com by giving a copy to the Executive Secretary of RNGOF on HIV/AIDS & HP to rwandangoforumrw@gmail.com
• Detailed CV (Maximum 4 pages) of the responsible consultant/Consultancy firm
• A technical proposal written in English describing the background, methodology and timeline (Maximum 5 pages)
• A financial Proposal
• Copy of passport or ID of the National Consultant/ representative of the Consultancy firm
• Copy for the Legal registration of the Consultancy firm
• Copy of certificates with experience in CLM (At least from 2 different clients)
• At least 2 references from current and previous organization demonstrating your competencies to deliver similar work

How to apply/submit your application

• Documents will be submitted to RRP+ via email: rwanda@gmail.com and give a copy to Rwanda NGOs Forum via email: rwandangoforumrw@gmail.com not later than 18^thJuly 2024 at 10:00a.m Rwanda Time.
• Writing the subject: “Application for the National Consultancy/Consultancy firm to support the development of the CLM training curriculum”
• For further information or inquiries, please contact Jean Baptiste TWIZEYIMANA – RRP+, +250784160329
• After submission, the applications will be reviewed and the winner will be communicated.

Approved and co-signed on 9^th July 2024 by: