Summary
Date Posted: Thursday, June 06 2024, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Job Purpose
Partners In Health (PIH) and its sister organization in Rwanda, Inshuti Mu Buzima (IMB), in collaboration with the Rwanda Ministry of Health through Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), are seeking a consultant to lead efforts to elaborate the second National Cancer Control Plan 2024-2029 which will serve as a roadmap to guide the efforts to advance cancer control in the country. Under the direction of the Project director and with support from the Project manager, the consultant will lead, in close partnership with RBC. A comprehensive assessment of the current cancer burden, including incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates, analyze the existing cancer control infrastructure, including healthcare facilities, human resources, and available technologies, assess the sociocultural, economic, and environmental factors influencing cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care.
Data and recommendations from the needs assessment will help shape strategic priorities within the NCCP 2024-2029. All tasks and deliverables related to the oncology needs assessment and development of the national Cancer Control Plan 2024-2029 will be completed in approximately six months and will require 75 working days approximatively.

Following completion of the assessment, the consultant will continue to work alongside national stakeholders to lead the development and validation of the NCCP 2024-2029. Guided by the findings and policy recommendations from the needs assessment, the consultant will co-lead meetings and workshops with various stakeholders to: review and revise the strategic objectives and discrete activities within the NCCP; develop new targets for access to, coverage and quality of oncology care; validate the revised NCCP document and incorporate feedback; and assist in the NCCP’s validation. The consultant will also coordinate closely with health financing experts at the Ministry of Health and PIH as they cost the activities and sub-activities of the NCCP 2024-2029.

Key Responsibilities:
The following describes the timeline and scope of work for this consultancy:
Phase 1: Pre-Assessment Planning (June – July 2024)
• Identify a platform for document storage and sharing; build documentation infrastructure
• Gather, review and synthesize existing data (e.g. on epidemiological trends for cancers and their risk factors, diagnostic and treatment capacity at health facilities, etc.) including evaluations of the current NCCP 2020-2024
• In collaboration with cancer control experts from WHO, IARC, IAEA, PIH/IMB, under the leadership of MOH/ RBC, design elements of the national cancer control plan, including supporting documents and guides
• Identify stakeholders and health facilities to visit; coordinate with heads of facilities and organizations on the timing of visits and interviewees (patients and their families, healthcare workers, , NGOs, civil society and patient advocacy groups)
• Provide an Inception Report summarizing the above, to be reviewed and approved by steering committee to be established by MoH/RBC
Deliverables:
• Platform created for document storage and sharing
• Completed desk review of existing data on cancer control in Rwanda
• Cancer control situation analysis ‘package’:
• Facility Assessment template
• Questions and facilitator guide for healthcare workers
• Questions and facilitator guide for patients and their families
• Questions and facilitator guide for civil society and patient advocacy groups
• Questions and facilitator guide for Non-Governmental Organizations
• Questions and facilitator guide for policy makers ( RBC, MoH, RSSB,..)
• List of targeted facilities for data collection
• Scheduled focus groups/interviews with key informants
• Inception report that summarizes pre-planning process (desk review; all components of the cancer control ‘package’; lists of facilities and stakeholders to consult)
Phase 2: Conducting Assessment (July – August 2024)
• Conduct focus group discussions with healthcare workers that provide oncology services (screening, diagnosis, treatment, palliative)
• Request documents or conduct observation to obtain any relevant site-based data at selected health facilities (patient records, drug supply and storage)
• Conduct interviews with people that have and survived cancer, and their families (at a facility or in the home)
• Conduct focus groups with civil society and patient advocacy organizations
• Conduct interviews with key partners/NGO involved into cancer care in Rwanda
• Conduct interviews with selected policy makers
• Facilitate workshops with keys stakeholders involved in cancer control.
Deliverables:
• Completed records of interviews and focus groups
• Completed facility assessments
• All data are collated
• Situation analysis report.
Phase 3: Assessment Report and strategy development (August - September 2024) x
• Data cleaning
• Analyze qualitative data from interviews; organize responses into thematic areas
• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative data in categories relevant to inform revision of the National Cancer Control Plan.
• Develop a strategic framework for the National Cancer Control Plan, outlining key areas of intervention.
• Propose evidence-based strategies and interventions for cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care.
• Focus on areas such as policy change, awareness campaigns, capacity building, infrastructure development, accessible and affordable treatment services, and quality assurance.
• Develop an Implementation Plan as follow:
• Design a detailed implementation roadmap, including timelines, responsible stakeholders, and required resources.
• Identify potential sources of funding and outline strategies for resource mobilization.
• Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework to regularly assess and report on the progress of the plan.
Stakeholder Engagement:
• Identify key stakeholders at national and regional levels, including government agencies, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and international partners.
• Consult and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to gather inputs, validate findings, and ensure ownership of the plan.
• Facilitate workshops or meetings to engage stakeholders in the plan's development and implementation.
• Draft summary report with all findings (desk review, gaps identified in the assessment, recommendations)
Deliverables:
• Cancer control situation analysis report
• Strategic framework for national cancer control plan
• Recommended evidence strategies and interventions for NCCP
• Implementation roadmap and Monitoring and evaluation framework
Phase 4: NCCP Revision Process (September 2024 – November 2024)
• With key stakeholders, facilitate meetings and workshops pertaining to the NCCP revision. This includes facilitating:
• Reviewing evaluation of the current NCCP
• Revision of Strategic Objectives/directions for the forthcoming NCCP
• Revision of targets for NCCP implementation
• Final writing and validation of the costed NCCP
• Share final draft NCCP document with RBC and other stakeholders for final review and validation

Deliverables:
• Finalized NCCP 2025-2029
• Costed NCCP 2025-2029

Education and Experience Requirements
• Hold at least a master’s degree in public health or related field with background in epidemiology, health policy and program evaluation.
• 3+ years of experience monitoring and evaluating quality and access to care; prior experience developing cancer control plans or similar documents preferred
• Familiarity with the Rwandan health sector
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Ability to navigate sensitive health topics and conversations in a culturally sensitive manner
• Ability to work productively in highly collaborative setting while also able to function independently with strong self-direction
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Fluency in English required; additional fluency in Kinyarwanda preferred

Uphold and live principles of equity in health care and committed to living PIH/IMB values: Ubumuntu-Compassion, Ubupfura-Integrity, Ubunyangamugayo-Honesty, Ubwubahane-Mutual respect, Ubumwe-Solidarity, Agaciro-Dignity, Kugira ishyaka-Determination.
At Partners In Health, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including our patients, families and community members – as well as our staff are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 36

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure

By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
If you believe that you are the right candidate for the above position, please follow the link Employment Opportunities | Partners In Health (pih.org) and submit your CV and application letter in pdf or word formats only. Applications should be submitted not later than 16 June 2024

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