Terms of Reference (ToR) for Short Term Consultancy Services to Conduct Research on Production of Evidence for Advocacy on Menstrual Health, Focus on girls Room
Health Development Initiative (HDI) is an independent, non-profit organization based in Kigali and registered with the Rwandan government. HDI strives to improve both the quality and accessibility of healthcare for all Rwandans.
Sector

General Information
Project/Program Title: Safeguarding Young People/ UNFPA
Post Title: Research Consultant: Production of evidence for advocacy on menstrual health, with focus on the girls’ room school-based project.
Contract Type: Individual Consultancy
Post level: Senior Consultant
Duty station/Location: Rwanda
Duration: 20 working days
Expected Start Date: Up on signing of contract

About Hdi
Health Development Initiative strives to improve both the quality and accessibility of healthcare for all Rwandans through advocacy, coalition building, capacity building, outreach, and training of beneficiaries and duty bearers. HDI 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 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.

Similar Jobs in Rwanda
Learn more about Health Development Initiative (HDI
Health Development Initiative (HDI jobs in Rwanda

Background
Adolescents and young people face enormous challenges in realizing their right to access SRHR information and services. Specifically, there has been myriad evidence that young girls face greater challenges compared to their counterparts. Among others, girls face challenges in managing their menstruation hygienically due to stigma, social norms, menstruation taboos and limited access to safe and affordable menstrual products. In Rwanda, According to World Bank statistics, at least 20% of Rwanda's schoolgirls, particularly in rural areas, miss up to 50 days of school per year (Aime & Pugalenthi, 2020). To minimize such challenges and promote menstrual hygiene management, the government of Rwanda,through the ministry of education, has put an initiative in place known as the “girl’s safe room” /Icyumba cy’umukobwa. This room is designed to be a safe space for school girls during menstruation, providing menstrual hygiene management services as well as pain management.
It is one of the most pressing priorities for HDI to expand access to and uptake of SRHR information and services including menstrual hygiene management for all girls and women, through education, awareness creation and advocacy. Evidence based advocacy provides an opportunity to advance issues that need to be addressed. It is in this regard that HDI seeks to produce evidence on the situation of the “girl’s room” in secondary schools in order to document best practices and proffer recommendations for the improvement of the girl’s room in schools and the overall menstrual health of girls. A research will be carried out in 30 districts among selected schools to assess the situation of the girl’s room

Overall Objective
The main objective of this research is to provide a clear picture of the situation of the girl’s room in schools and to proffer recommendations for the improvement of girls’ menstrual health. The research will serve as a tool that will contribute to evidence-based advocacy for improved menstrual health for women and girls in Rwanda.

Roles And Responsibilities
The national senior consultant will be responsible for research activities to produce research documentation on evidence for menstrual health, focusing on the girls room.
• Develop a study protocol and all other necessary study instruments
• Apply for ethical review
• Participating in inception meetings with the HDI technical team.
• Coordination of research activities including the field work to collect data.
• Coordinate of the transcription process to ensure accuracy in data processing, analysis and report production.
• Produce a findings report on the situation of menstrual health management in girls room/School.
• Produce a policy paper on VAT waiver, on Menstrual Health - challenges and opportunities and recommendations

Required Skills And Experiences
• Advanced university degree in global, international or public health, social justice, anthropology or gender studies; with expertise in women’s health would be an asset.
• At least 6-10 years of experience in public health research, with demonstrated experience in policy and/or gender research
• Demonstrated experience and ability to take on full study consultancies (including reports in English or French).
• Demonstrated ability to write journal published manuscripts in French or English; published work would be an asset

Application Process
Applications should be sent to electronically at info@hdirwanda.org or submit hardcopies at our office with the Object: TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL PROPOSAL: Research on evidence for on menstrual health, with focus on girls room no later than Wednesday 9th November 2022, 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 Mrs. Gutabarwa Twahirwa Louange email: louange@hdirwanda.org or call on +250788303908.
Done at Kigali on November 03rd, 2022