Summary
Date Posted: Monday, July 26, 2021 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Job title: Consultant to Undertake an Evaluation of the Medical Licentiate programme.

Background
SolidarMed is a Swiss NGO dedicated to improving health in Africa. Registered in Zambia since 2010, SolidarMed shares the vision of the Zambia Ministry of Health of equitable access to cost-effective, quality health care for all Zambians, particularly in rural areas. The goal of the country programme in Zambia is to improve the provision of human resources for health in rural areas of Zambia.
In 2002, Zambia introduced Medical Licentiates (MLs) as a new category of clinical professional into the country’s health system. MLs are trained to carry out selected surgical procedures traditionally reserved for physicians and the introduction of this new type of clinician provided an opportunity for Zambia to address the significant short-fall in human resources for health by filling a critical surgical-need gap. The overarching goal of developing and training MLs was to help reduce Zambia’s high rate of maternal and child morbidity and mortality. It was also the intention that MLs be stationed in traditionally underserved rural-communities where maternal and child morbidity and mortality remain persistently high and access to quality healthcare services low.
SolidarMed’s engagement in supporting the training of Medical Licentiates since 2010 has been because (1) our NGO has a key focus on rural health and a desire to address the health needs of Zambia’s underserved people, and (2) our funders have a key interest in vocational training. Unlike physicians, whose training has a heavy theoretical component, Medical Licentiate training primarily involves practical vocational training.
The overall goal of the project is to sustainably improve healthcare for rural and underserved populations of Zambia through a professional, competencies-based training program for Medical Licentiates.
Following on from three previous phases, this fourth phase was designed around three pillars, primarily defined to sustainably enable the previous Chainama College of Health Sciences (CCHS), now absorbed into the new Levy Mwanawasa Medical University (LMMU), to produce high quality ML graduates that provide the full scale of health care services according to their training to rural populations while occupying official ML positions on the government payroll. These three pillars are: 1) Quality of Teaching, 2) Quality of learning and 3) Policy dialogue and advocacy.
The above key objectives were specified when the course was being run under the auspices of Chainama College of Health Sciences (CCHS). However, during this fourth and final phase of the programme, our local partner, CCHS, was effectively dissolved and absorbed into the newly established Levy Mwanawasa Medical University (LMMU). With this development, SolidarMed and the programme were faced with a new working environment and partnership.
The primary aim of this current phase (2019-2021) was intended to focus on the quality and effectiveness of training underpinning the programme, the adaption of new teaching modalities, and the further rooting of the programme to national guidelines that would help secure its sustainability. However, given the new environment, and a new educational institution managing the programme, there has been a need to reframe these objectives of this phase to account for local changes. As such, the independent evaluation should encompass the following scope.

Objectives
To conduct an external evaluation of the programme assessing:
• whether gains have been made against the overall project goal of MLs contributing to improving healthcare for the rural underserved population
• whether gains have been made against the specific objectives for the phase 2019-2021 -i.e. planned activities in 1)improving teaching, 2) improving learning, and 3) advocacy for the MLs cohort
• the future direction of the ML undergraduate qualification with specific regard to the independent running of the programme by LMMU
This independent evaluation should focus on the following areas:
• Quantifying the proportion of Medical Licentiates in Zambia that are situated and practicing in rural underserved areas and exploring the barriers and facilitators to placement of MLs in rural areas where they can undertake surgical procedures in line with their training. (Samples to be drawn from 2 out of the existing 10 provinces)
• Evaluating the impact of improved teaching, including the impact of the train-the-trainer programme in clinical education, as well as evaluating the barriers and facilitators to effective Medical and Clinical Education delivery on a devolved programme with multiple training sites.
• Evaluate the impact of improving learning activities with regards the role of clinical simulation in undergraduate training, and the development of e-learning and blended learning to medical and clinical education. Quantify the number of MLs regularly using digital resources to augment learning, and outline primary barriers to expanded digital education pathways – i.e. the e-learning platform.
• Evaluate the impact of activities with regards to Advocacy including: exploring the role the ZMLPA plays in supporting Medical Licentiates. Suggest avenues by which the ZMLPA might be strengthened as an organization.
Methodology
The above objectives will require a range of methodologies to include, where necessary, quantitative approaches, qualitative approaches as well as case studies, interviews and/or focus group discussions. Applicant to the evaluation are required to suggest appropriate approaches and methodologies, sampling, and data collection & analysis methods that can explore the above objectives and lead to useful and tangible results for the further development of this program.
Duration
It is expected that the consultancy will commence on Monday the 30th of August 2021, with the final report expected to be delivered on Friday the 15th of October 2021.

DELIVERABLES
Three stakeholder presentations
One presentation at start outlining the introduction of approach and goals, proposed methodologies, and proposed review of tools (3rd September)
One presentation following the development of review tools (8th September)
One presentation outlining findings following initial desk based research (17th September)
One presentation highlighting key results for each objective and suggestions for future strategy (8th October)
Delivery of final report and data sets (15th October)
Final report (no less than 20 pages, and no more that 40 pages) following a pre-approved outline and including all summarized data (quantitative and qualitative, in annex, pictures) as well as 6 case studies (2 students, 2 MLs in rural locations, 2 lecturers). All raw and refined data to be included digitally.
Technical and Financial Proposals
The technical proposal should outline:
• Relevant experience of the consultant(s) (Letter and CV must be attached with references)
• The proposed approach / methodology including sources and a stakeholder list to be consulted.
• Proposed methodology
• Examples submitted of previous projects in the range of 250 000 to 400 000 kwacha.
• A timeline for the work including key meetings requested based on the above deliverable timetable.
• Logistical and other support required.
• References for similar work.
Financial proposal should include all administration costs including overheads, printing, copying, presentation and transport. Daily rate should take into account the deduction of withholding tax in Zambia (15% for resident and 20% for non-resident consultants).

Qualifications and Experience
Eligible Consultants should have the following qualifications and experience:
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of the health sector policies and institutions in Zambia, specifically the MOH and health training institutions, and health systems’ strengthening activities at national level;
• Track record of previous experiences with health workforce training and development (consultancies and/or direct involvement);
• Higher Degrees (Masters, PhDs) in health, development and/or related fields
• Previous and demonstrable track record working with INGO at a national level
• Excellent communication and presentation skills and proven experience with stakeholder management.
• Previous work experience with Swiss / German NGOs an advantage.
Demonstrable experience

Job Experience: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

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Job application procedure
Eligible Consultant(s) should submit technical and financial proposals of no more than 5 pages including a budget, electronically to zambia@solidarmed.ch Proposals should be delivered not later than the 15th August 2021.
Background read
The following will be provided as background reading.
Annual and half-year reports relating to project phase 4 (2019 – 2020)

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