To identify impacts of
Community Health Revolving Fund
(CHRF) and impediments in accessing health care services

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a private, non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967. It seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy and ill-health with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous and other resource poor regions, primarily in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its main areas of focus are education, health, rural development, environment and strengthening civil society.

The Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan) [AKF(P)] is seeking high calibre professional/firm for the following Short Term Consultancy in Gilgit and Chitral:

 “To identify impacts of Community Health Revolving Fund (CHRF) and impediments in accessing health care services in Gilgit and Chitral districts”

I.                   Background and Context

Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan (AKF(P)) is executing a multi country Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) project in Pakistan – Access to Quality Care through Extending and Strengthening Health Systems (AQCESS). The project aims to improve MNCH outcomes, specifically women of reproductive age, men, girls and boys under the age of five (5). AQCESS is being implemented by Government Department of Health and local agencies that are institutional members of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).  The programme seeks to accelerate the reduction of maternal and child mortality in targeted regions through focusing on three key components: improved delivery of essential MNCH health services; improved utilization of essential MNCH services by communities; and improved dissemination and use of MNCH information and evidence by key stakeholders in target regions. Under AQCESS project AKF-P in close coordination with Aga Khan Rural Support Program (AKRSP) is closely working with Local Support Organizations (LSOs), Women Organizations (WOs) and Union Councils (UCs) of local government of Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral to improve access to health care services. Through establishing Community Health Revolving Fund (CHRF) AQCESS project has improved access to health care services in emergency situations by providing finances to poor segments of the community. To ensure positive impacts of CHRF are enhanced and reduced impediments in accessing health care services, Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan) is seeking qualified Consulting Firm/ Consultant to conduct qualitative research to identify impacts of CHRF and impediments in accessing health care services in Gilgit and Chitral districts.

II.                Main Responsibilities

The Consultant/Consultancy firm would be required to conduct qualitative research on “To identify impacts of CHRF and impediments in accessing health care services in Gilgit and Chitral districts” in Gilgit and Chitral respectively.

The specific tasks will be:-

• Participate in an inception meeting to discuss the data collection process, and expected deliverables. Subsequently submit an inception report detailing the agreed methodology and tools, schedule of activities, and team composition including tasks and responsibilities of team members.
• Introduction/courtesy visit to the project districts and meet stakeholders and beneficiaries in GB and Chitral prior to data collection, supported by AKF (P).
• Recruiting qualified research assistants to conduct Interviews and FGDs. Research assistants must have experience and technical skills for conducting interviews according to ethical procedures.
• Training of research assistants and pilot testing of interview guides.
• Supervise and co-ordinate data collection by trained research assistants.
• The consultant will be responsible for scheduling interviews with key informants and beneficiaries with the assistance of AKF (P).
• Ensure progressive transcription and translation of audio recordings. Raw data files (i.e. audio recordings) and transcripts should be submitted to the AKFP contact person on a daily or weekly basis.
• Abide by established data quality assurance checks and ethical procedures, including submitting signed consent forms to the AKF (P).
• Analyze all qualitative data and submit a detailed report outlining the methodology, results and their interpretations, discussing the strengths, limitations, and implications of findings.
• Submit a detailed field report covering the entire duration of qualitative data collection, including quality assurance measures, changes made to the sampling methodology or tools, challenges encountered and if or how they were mitigated, and other relevant general observations. Draft of the report will be reviewed and commented on before finalisation.
• The consultant and research assistants are bound by confidentiality and are not allowed to share any of the data, tool and reports with a third party. They cannot claim rights to the data and tools thereof.
• Should the quality of the data be determined as inadequate as per standards set by the AKF(P), the consultant will be required to address data quality gaps at his/her own costs.

III.             Timeline of the Consultancy

The research will be conducted from October to December, 2019.

IV.              Reporting

The consultant/firm will work under the direct supervision of Programme Manager, Health – AKF (P). The consultant is expected to produce a final detailed report, summary report and a manuscript for journal submission. This report should be submitted to Programme Manager, Health – AKF (P).

V.                  Main Deliverables

The Consultant/Consultancy firm shall submit the following to AKF (P).

1.      The Consultant shall submit final detailed report, summary report and manuscript. An inception report detailing the agreed methodology and tools, schedule of activities, and team composition including tasks and responsibilities of team members.

2.      A detailed qualitative report (with appended tools, audio recordings, transcripts and copies of signed consent forms) outlining the methodology used, presenting the findings with their interpretations, and discussing the strengths, limitations, and implications of the findings

3.      A detailed field report covering the entire duration of qualitative data collection, including quality assurance measures, sampling methodology or tools, challenges encountered and if or how they were mitigated, and other general observations necessary for accurate interpretation

VI.              Payment Plan

The following payment plan is proposed for the assignment:

i)        30% of the contract value as advance on signing of the contract.

ii)      40% of the contract value on submission of first draft of research report, summary report and manuscript.

iii)    30% of the contract value on submission of the final research report, summary report and manuscript.

Withholding tax will be deducted at source.

VII.           Qualifications and Experience

The prospective consultant/ Consultancy firm is expected to demonstrate an appropriate balance of management, technical skills and research skills, knowledge of the region, and experience in qualitative and/or mixed method research. Consultant /consultancy firm should possess excellent writing skills and analytical skills. Qualifications of key representatives should include:

        i.            At least a master’s degree in Public Health, Social Sciences Research or another relevant field of study;

      ii.            Good understanding of the GB and Chitral health sector and context;

    iii.            Minimum of 7 years of demonstrated experience in qualitative and/or mixed methods research including training and supervising qualitative research assistants;

    iv.            Excellent analytical and report writing skills;

      v.            Well versed in the use of NVivo for data analysis;

    vi.            Excellent analytical and report writing skills;

  vii.            Strong leadership, planning and problem-solving skills;

viii.             Must be able to work independently with excellent demonstrated teamwork and coordination skills;

    ix.            Previous experience working for or with international non-governmental organizations and donors is desirable.

VIII.        Expression of Interest

Qualified and interested parties are asked to submit the following:

1. A copy of curriculum vitae (CV) which should outline qualifications and relevant experience  of consultant/ key team members
2. Initial proposal demonstrating a thorough understanding of the ToRs.
3. A financial proposal with a detailed breakdown of costs for conducting the research, including:

• Itemized Consultancy fees/costs
• Itemized Administrative expenses

AKF (P) offers a competitive remuneration package and conducive working environment. We are an equal opportunity employer - females are encouraged to apply.

Interested candidate/firms should forward their applications or profiles by September 11, 2019.

Please note that only short-listed candidates/firms will be contacted.

For more information about AKDN, please visit www.akdn.org