Terms of reference (ToR) for short term consultancy services to revise the post-abortion care guideline and CAC training manual to meet the most recent WHO guidelines on safe abortion and Rwanda ToP guideline

GENERAL INFORMATION

Project/Program Title: Comprehensive Abortion Care

Post Title: Consultant: Revision of the Post Abortion Care guideline and CAC Training Manual

Contract Type: Individual Consultancy

Post level: Senior Consultant

Duty station/Location: Rwanda

Duration: Until the completion

Expected Start Date: Up on signing of contract 

ABOUT HDI 

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Learn More About Health Development Initiative (HDI)
Health Development Initiative (HDI) jobs in Rwanda

Health Development Initiative was founded in 2005 by a dedicated group of Rwandan physicians working in health facilities and communities across the country. This diverse group of health professionals was united by a shared commitment to improve the health of disadvantaged communities within and outside of the healthcare system. Today, HDI brings together a team with vast experience in medicine, public health, policy advocacy, litigation and community development to bridge the gap between communities and the healthcare system.

HDI believes that health outcomes can be improved by putting in place laws, policies and programs that are responsive to the needs of those who are poor and vulnerable, such as women and children, historically marginalized communities, people living with HIV/AIDS, young people, people with disabilities and other marginalized populations. HDI supports community and health systems strengthening and works to empower individuals with tools and knowledge to advance the health of their communities, so that all Rwandans may lead healthy lives, free from preventable disease and premature mortality. 

BACKGROUND

In Rwanda, several factors affect access to comprehensive Abortion care related services specifically safe abortion. Issues of sexual and reproductive health needs, including contraception and abortion are perceived to be private matters and are not supposed to be discussed publicly despite their need. The Rwandan society is highly religious and culturally conservative and discussions around these issues is considered a taboo. Over 60% of public schools and 40% of health facilities, which are supposed to provide SRHR services, are affiliated with various religious denominations which do not support comprehensive sexuality education, safe abortion, or the use of contraceptives. Some people believe that safe abortion is a sin and it is against the Rwandan values despite the maternal mortality from unsafe abortion. Women fear stigmatization and (among unmarried women) being labelled as having pre-marital sexual relations (UNFPA 2016). Over the past three years there have been countrywide efforts to raise awareness on the recent change in Penal Code pertaining to abortion by public institutions, professional associations, NGOs and academic institutions using diversified strategies and platforms. Comparing to the need, a limited number of providers, law enforcement agencies, local authorities and beneficiaries have been sensitized on the ministerial order on abortion, Family planning and SRHR in General in each of the 30 districts and this has resulted in increased number of eligible women and girls seeking safe abortion services in both public and private health facilities. There are still other bureaucratic barriers including provider biases, request of evidence by some providers referring to the old penal code, high costs, fear of confidentiality breaches, conscientious objection and requirements of transfers from health centers to hospital even though it is not required by the ministerial order. Despite the gains, there is still a high unmet demand for safe abortion related information and service.

It is in this regard that HDI will support the ministry of health to revise the current national post abortion care guideline and CAC training manual to ensure that it is in line with the revised termination of pregnancy guideline, WHO abortion guideline and current evidence.

OVERALL OBJECTIVE

The objective of this consultancy is to ensure that the PAC guideline and CAC training manual are updated, effectively aligned with international standards, and contextualized to suit the context of Rwanda

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The national senior consultant will be responsible to revise and draft both the national post abortion care guideline, and the comprehensive abortion care training manual  the consultant will be required to:

• The consultant's primary responsibility is to update the Post Abortion Care (PAC) guideline and Comprehensive Abortion Care (CAC) Training Manual to reflect recent modifications made in the Termination of Pregnancy (ToP) guideline and ensure alignment with the WHO guidelines
• The consultant shall update the training manual with specific updates to both the trainers reference manual and the participants guide for both ToP and PAC guidelines.
• Lead workshops with a consultative team, during which feedback will be taken into consideration. Guidance from international sources and similar documents from other countries should be utilized as benchmarks during these sessions.
• The consultant is also tasked with reviewing similar documents from other countries and updating our guidelines in a manner that is relevant to the context of Rwanda. Furthermore, a re-evaluation of the existing document structure is necessary to integrate any previously omitted sections
• Update all Standard Operating Procedures, and revise the indicators lists based on international guidance that is relevant to the country's context.
• The consultant shall be responsible to present both documents to the Technical Working Group during the validation workshop and incorporate all comments post the validation workshop.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES

Requirements for the position include:

• An advanced university degree in Public Health, medicine and other relevant degree
• An advanced university degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology is an added value
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in Women's Health.
• Demonstrate prior experience working on similar documents.
• Familiarity with CAC guidelines such as safe abortion, Family Planning (FP), and PAC guidelines.
• Proven track record of successfully completed consultancies in similar work, including reports in English and French.
• Additionally, the ideal candidate must be available to commence work immediately upon signing of the contract.

DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT     

The assignment is expected to take 3 months, starting immediately after the contract has been finalized. If the consultant is not able to complete the assignment within the stated timeframe there will be no additional compensation.

EVALUATION CRITERIA          

Candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications, experience, technical proposal quality, and cost-effectiveness of their proposed budget.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications should be sent to electronically at info@hdirwanda.org with the Object: TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL PROPOSAL: Consultancy to revise the Post Abortion Care guideline and the CAC training manual you can also submit hard copies no later than the 14^th June 2023, by 5:00 PM Kigali time. Any proposal received after this date/time OR sent to another address will not be considered.

Any requests for clarification should be referred to Louange Twahirwa email: louange@hdirwanda.org or call on +250788303908.

Done at Kigali on June 1st 2023