USAID Tubeho Project

Reference Number: TN 007/Jhpiego-RW/F 24

FETP TRAINING CONSULTANCY

TERMS OF REFERENCE TO PREPARE AND CONDUCT FIELD EPIDEMIOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAM (FETP) – INTERMEDIATE (2 WORKSHOPS) AND FRONTLINE (2 COHORTS) – SUPPORTED BY USAID TUBEHO PROJECT, IN COLLABORATION WITH RBC

May 2024

1. Introduction

USAID Tubeho is a five-year project (August 3rd, 2023-August 2nd, 2028) implemented by a consortium of eight local and international organizations led by Jhpiego in 20 districts across the country. The project builds on USAID investments to promote access to, availability, and delivery of evidence-based, quality, and respectful Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health/Family Planning/Reproductive Health/Malaria services in alignment with national priorities and global standards and strengthen the ability of the entire health sector in Rwanda to respond to emerging global health threats. The project works to address shortages of skilled Human Resource for Health, decentralizing healthcare services and evidence generation and promotion of data use for scaling up of innovative interventions.

In collaboration with USAID Tubeho project, Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) is planning to conduct Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) trainings to improve the epidemiologic skills of Ministry of Health staff and, by extension, to improve the capacity of the Ministry to prevent, detect, investigate and respond to public health priority issues.

FETP-Frontline is a 3-month in-service training program aimed at strengthening epidemiological capacity at the district level of the health system by enhancing staff abilities to detect, investigate, and respond to diseases and events of public health importance or international concern.

FETP Intermediate is a 9-month in-service training program aiming to strengthen epidemiological expertise, coordination and surveillance investigations at the middle and national levels of the health system.

Over the next four months, the USAID Tubeho project will enhance its assistance to both the FETP Intermediate and FETP Frontline cohorts. This assistance will encompass financial and technical support, facilitated by a consultant firm tasked with developing and executing comprehensive training sessions, covering both theoretical and practical aspects. Moreover, the project will tap into its internal organizational expertise to conduct FETP trainings, ensuring their effectiveness and providing essential support to the national surveillance system.

2. Rationale

The FETP program in Rwanda aims to address deficiencies in trained surveillance officers at the district level by deploying trained officers to health centers and sector levels. This initiative strengthens surveillance systems and builds capacity among disease detective officers in both human and animal health fields, enhancing public health surveillance and response capabilities.

FETP Intermediate:

The implementation of workshop four and five aligns seamlessly with the overarching goals of the FETP Intermediate program, serving as a natural progression of the curriculum by building upon the foundational principles established in earlier workshops. In Workshop Four and Five, residents will engage in report writing for the group project and prepare PowerPoint presentations for the graduation ceremony. Additionally, they will complete and submit their individual reports. The workshop will culminate with the graduation ceremony for Cohort Two.

FETP Frontline:

The target audience for FETP Frontline typically includes animal and human health surveillance officers tasked with data collection, monitoring, analysis, and response. Rwanda faces a shortage of trained field epidemiologists, necessitating a bolstering of capacity among disease detective officers in both human and animal health fields, particularly in field epidemiology, surveillance, and outbreak response at national and subnational levels.

3. Scope of the Activity

The consultancy will entail the development of training materials, coordination, and delivery of both theoretical and practical training sessions for participants of FETP Intermediate (Workshop 4 and 5) and FETP Frontline (Cohort 16 & 17, full sessions). Additionally, the consultant will oversee participants' certification processes and compile a comprehensive report. The training sessions will take place in various locations, with some being held directly at working sites and others scheduled at identified hotel facilities.

FETP training will be implemented across the 20 districts supported by the USAID Tubeho project, with a focus on nine priority districts encompassing Rubavu, Musanze, Gicumbi, Nyarugenge, Kicukiro, Gasabo, Bugesera, Ngoma, and Nyagatare districts. Selection criteria for participants will prioritize sectors situated at country borders and those at the population movement central zone (sector business centers), ensuring a diverse representation conducive to comprehensive learning and effective application of epidemiological principles and practices.

The trainings participants:

FETP Intermediate: 46 participants, including residents, mentors and facilitators – with 37 invited guests on graduation day.

FETP Frontline: two cohorts composed of 60 participants in total - Cohort 16 (30) and Cohort 17 (27) - from both Human, Animal and Environmental Sectors, alongside their 15 mentors and facilitators.

4. Activity goal

Enhancing national surveillance capabilities through the targeted training of personnel from selected priority districts.

• The consultancy concerns of preparing, training and coordinating training workshops for FETP Intermediate cohort two, and FETP frontline cohort sixteen and seventeen as required by the curriculum: Equip participants with the requisite skills and knowledge to effectively detect, analyze, interpret, summarize, and communicate surveillance and outbreak investigation findings to relevant authorities for action.

5. Objectives

Intermediate:

• Finalize group project report
• Prepare oral presentation of the group project
• Participating in graduation ceremony of Cohort 1 to share group project findings
• Finalize and submit individual reports

Frontline:

The training aims to enhance participants' skills and knowledge through the following objectives:

• Describe public health surveillance in Rwanda.
• Outline the steps involved in Case and Outbreak investigation.
• Describing the process of data collection, analysis, interpretation and dissemination
• Determine the process and methodology for surveillance SWOT analysis.
• Describe effective communication during outbreak period
• Determine the Process and Methodology for Surveillance Problem Analysis
• Equip the trainees with the basic skills in Excel and Power Point Presentation

6. Training approach and methods

Workshops will encompass presentations, group sessions, and field mentorships. Presentations will cover various program topics, including disease prevention and control, surveillance, case investigation, diagnosis, data quality audit, and SWOT analysis, outbreak investigation steps, oral presentation among others. Group sessions will involve case studies and exercises to apply learned skills and knowledge.

Intermediate:

Workshop Four

• Will span two consecutive weeks, from17th to 26th June, 2024, and will take place at USAID Tubeho selected hotel (One).
• Residents will utilize PowerPoint presentations to showcase their individual fieldwork, followed by feedback sessions from mentors and instructors.
• Guidance on data cleaning and analysis will be provided by mentors and facilitators using standard materials from the FETP program.
• Through collaborative group work, residents, with support from mentors, will undertake data cleaning and analysis for the group project.

Workshop Five

• Will take place over two consecutive weeks, from 12^th to 23^rd August, 2024, at USAID Tubeho selected hotels (Two).
• Residents will collaborate in groups to review the results of the group project and draft the report.
• The residents will collectively finalize the group project by reviewing the report together as one group.
• Residents will prepare their PowerPoint presentations for the graduation ceremony.
• Additionally, they will complete and submit their individual reports to the program.
• Final exam: residents will do the final exam and program evaluation.

Frontline:

Classwork Activities

Workshops will encompass presentations, group sessions, and field mentorships. Presentations will cover various program topics, including disease prevention and control, surveillance, case investigation, diagnosis, data quality audit, and SWOT analysis, outbreak investigation steps, Oral presentation among others.

Group sessions will involve case studies and exercises to apply learned skills and knowledge.

The consultant firm will work with existing facilitators from RBC_PHS/EPR, CDC and FETP Alumni from Districts in workshops and field mentorships.

Field Placements

Field mentors from the FETP Program will guide trainees in completing their field tasks. Two field mentorships will be conducted over the three-month period, with mentors assigned to support mentees during field placements.

Program scope during the Frontline training three-month period

7. Training expected outcomes and deliverables

Short Term:

Participants will acquire skills and knowledge in public health surveillance data review, presentation, and findings dissemination.

Mid/Long Term:

• Enhanced public health surveillance system fully functioning at primary health care level and at country entry points.
• Improved surveillance data analysis, interpretation, and dissemination among Sectors: Veterinary Surveillance Officers and Health Facilities Surveillance Officers.
• Ensured Rwanda capabilities in supporting regional surveillance initiatives.

For FETP Intermediate:

At the conclusion of Workshop Five:

• Residents will have submitted their individual projects
• Residents will have the final report of the group projects
• Residents who successfully completed the program will receive the certificate

The consultant shall:

1. Take on the responsibility for preparing and supervising FETP trainings across all designated sites.
2. Ensure coordination of all training sessions at every site.
3. Offer expert technical advice, guidance, and support as required to enhance implementation effectiveness.
4. Deliver weekly comprehensive activity reports to USAID Tubeho project.
5. Present a detailed activity report to USAID Tubeho project upon the conclusion of the project.

The FETP training program consulting position is a part time work for the period of 4 months starting from the contract signature. The Consultant firm/company should be available throughout the period of the project and will deliver deliverables linked to above responsibilities. All deliverables need to be developed in consultation with and validated by Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC)/PHS&EPR.

8. Qualifications and Required Experience

• The consultant shall grantee a recognized training certification.
  • FETP trainer certification.
  • Master’s degree in public health, Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases, or related field is required.
• Staff including the following profiles:
• Must be an institution or consortium with 5 years’ experience in training applied epidemiology in Rwanda.
• Consultants are required to submit an overview of their firm/company’s structure, their main activities, number of personnel proving to have at least one Team Leader in Epidemiology.
• Demonstrate past general experience in conducting training in Field/Applied Epidemiology for both Intermediate and Frontline training. Please attach evidence of at least three good completion certificates of having undertaken similar consultancy.
• The firm/company should demonstrate its capacity to offer competency-based training or field-based training and mentorship activities for Applied Epidemiology.
• Demonstrate experience of having undertaken similar consultancy.
• Technical expertise in training and mentorship for Applied Epidemiology in Rwanda.
• Minimum specific experience in developing training curriculum in field or applied epidemiology.
• Having completed at least, 5 outbreak investigation activities in Rwanda in the past two years.
• Written reference and contacts of at least three organizations previously worked for in disease epidemiology.
• At least 5 years of experience in applied epidemiology, disease surveillance and outbreak investigation and response in the healthcare sector.
• Able to travel to different sites within country based on need.
• Must currently reside in Rwanda and able to travel to any place of the country for work.
• Fluency in English, Kinyarwanda and French (an added value).
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.

Note the following:

• Expertise in Epidemiology: The Firm/Company should have a team of experienced epidemiologists with expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating FETP trainings. They should possess advanced knowledge of epidemiological principles, methods, and practices.
• Track Record in Training Delivery: The Firm/Company should have a proven track record of delivering high-quality training programs, especially in the field of public health and epidemiology. Previous experience in conducting FETP trainings or similar field epidemiology programs is highly desirable.
• Qualified Trainers: The Firm/Company should have at least four qualified trainers who are skilled in delivering interactive and engaging training sessions. Trainers should have practical experience in epidemiological fieldwork and be able to effectively transfer knowledge and skills to trainees.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: The Firm/Company should have established partnerships and collaborations with relevant stakeholders in the public health sector, including government agencies, academic institutions, and international organizations. These partnerships can enhance the quality and reach of FETP trainings.
• Quality Assurance Mechanisms: The Firm/Company should have robust quality assurance mechanisms in place to ensure the delivery of high-quality training programs. This may include regular monitoring and evaluation of training activities, feedback mechanisms for trainees, and continuous improvement processes.

Adherence to Ethical Standards: The Firm/Company should adhere to ethical standards and guidelines for conducting training programs, including respecting participant confidentiality, obtaining informed consent, and ensuring the safety and well-being of trainees.

9. Instructions to Bids

The consulting firm/company should possess the following mandatory administrative documents:

• RDB or RGB registration certificate (matching the field)
• Valid Tax clearance certificate
• RSSB Valid Clearance certificate

10. Evaluation Criteria

11. How to Apply

Application file should include the following:

• Application letter.
• Updated CVs for at least four qualified staff members and roles of each team member, highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.
• Academic Degrees and certificates for the staff
• Completion certificates of similar work
• Description of applicant’s experience with FETP Trainings and details of 3 former clients who can be contacted for reference (name, position, contact details).
• Detailed technical proposal including methodology that the consultant(s) suggest would be appropriate from their understanding of the TOR (at least 10 pages).
• Detailed training schedule.

The financial proposal should detail i.e Breakdown of the proposed budget for the assignment with (tax inclusive) in local currency.

Interested consultant(s) or consultant firms are encouraged to submit both technical proposal and financial proposal in separate sealed envelopes not later than 13/05/2024, 5:00 PM, local time. Indicate on the envelopes:“Consultancy Work to FETP Intermediate and Frontline Trainings, supported by USAID Tubeho Project, in collaboration with RBC’’ and a protected proposal document through Rwanda.Procurement@jhpiego.org ,

Address your Proposal to the Finance and Operations Director at JHPIEGO, Gasabo, Kacyiru, KG 563 ST ROAD, Golf View Rise Building, 3rd Floor. Tel: 0788381188.

Note : Proposals that are not protected, will be automatically rejected

For any inquiry, please submit through, Rwanda.Procurement@jhpiego.org in at least 2 days before the bids submission deadline.