Consultant Non Communicable Diseases, Mental Health & Psychosocial support

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE REVIEW AND DEVELOPMENT OF

ZANZIBAR INTEGRATED FIVE-YEAR MULTISECTORAL STRATEGIC PLAN FOR NCDS, MENTAL HEALTH & PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT, NEUROLOGICAL AND SUBSTANCE USE CONDITIONS 2024-2028

Tittle: Consultant

Location: Zanzibar

Zanzibar forms part of the United Republic of Tanzania. It is made of two sister Islands, namely, Unguja and Pemba. According to the 2022 census, the total population of Zanzibar is approximately 1,889,773 people, with almost an evenly split between rural and urban. 963,498 people live in the rural areas, while 926,275 are in urban areas. Regarding gender distribution, 472,031 males live in rural areas, while 443,461 are in urban. Likewise, 491,467 females are in rural, and 482,814 in urban. The average annual intercensal population growth rate stands at 3.7%, with the urban population increasing faster, 4.3%, compared to the rate of growth for the rural population, which is at 3.2%. Zanzibar is sparsely populated with a population density of 768 persons per square kilometre, which varies across regions. The average household size stands at 5.0 individuals.

The WHO country office is collaborating with HelpAge Tanzania to facilitate the development of a new Strategy and Action Plan for NCDs, MH&PSS, and NS Disorders for Zanzibar in line with the Global, Regional, and National Policies, Strategies, Guidelines and Action Plans. Among the documents include, National Development and Health Sector Strategic Plans and Policies, the WHO PEN, PEN PLUS, MH-Gap, and IGAP.

Work to be done:

Two (2) individual local consultants will be engaged to support Zanzibar in reviewing its national NCD Strategic Plan 2014-2019, the draft MNS Strategy (2015-2019) and the MHPSS plan to come up with a new Multisectoral Strategy and Action Plan for NCDs, Mental Health & Psychosocial Support, Neurology and Substance Use Disorders for the period 2024-2028, drawing on past lessons and experiences.

The consultants will be expected to align the new Strategy with current realities, including engaging all relevant partners, leveraging innovative approaches to improve the prevention, management, and control of the stated conditions, ultimately contributing to enhancing the health and well-being of the Zanzibari.

Scope of work

Major responsibilities:

Consultant No.1: Non-communicable Diseases

Phase One:

Lead in reviewing the performance of Zanzibar NCD Multisectoral Strategy 2014-2019. The activity includes designing the evaluation plan and methodology and overseeing its execution, touching on financing, services delivery structures/UHC, and challenges facing NCDs services provision. The review will also look into the NCDs social determinants of health, and ongoing efforts to integrate their control within the health system and non health sectors at national and district levels.

The above will include;

Undertaking a critical review of reports and actions implemented under the former NCDs Strategic Plan to obtain comprehensive programmatic and financial gap analysis, including establishing new and emerging priorities.

Document policy, coordination, financing, and service delivery mechanisms for NCD services and suggest intervention areas.

Conduct evaluation in the field jointly with the Ministry of Health, WHO teams, and other partners.

Lead in the analysis and report writing of the evaluation results in collaboration with the MOH Zanzibar and other stakeholders.

Organize a stakeholder workshop to validate the evaluation results and solicit inputs for the new strategy.

Phase Two:

Lead in developing a New National Multisectoral NCD Strategy and Action Plan for Zanzibar. This will include,

Guide incorporation of technical interventions for the prevention and control of NCDs, in line with national health and other development strategies and global commitments and targets.

Lead in discussion and stakeholders’ contributions emphasizing sector-specific and multisectoral inputs for various operational products, e.g., the Social Determinants of Health, NCDs risks, and NCD services, etc.

Finalize Development of the new Multisectoral Strategy and Action plan for NCDs 2024-2028

Take the lead in organizing a stakeholder’s meeting for review and validation of the draft strategy prior to merging the two Documents (refer to phase three).

Consultant No.2: Mental Health & Psychosocial support, Neurological and Substance Use Disorders

Phase One:

Take the lead in consulting experts and stakeholders addressing Health financing, Mental Health & Psychosocial Support, and Neurological and Substance use disorders to jointly identify gaps and strategic areas for intervention.

The above two activities will include:

Document policy and coordination, financing, and services delivery for Mental Health, Psychosocial Support, Neurological and Substance use disorders and suggest intervention areas.

Conduct evaluation in the field jointly with the Ministry of Health, WHO teams, and other partners.

Lead in the analysis and report writing of the evaluation results in collaboration with the MOH Zanzibar and other stakeholders.

Organize a stakeholder workshop to validate the evaluation results and solicit inputs for the new strategy.

Phase Two:

Lead in developing a New National Multisectoral Strategy and Action Plan for Mental Health & Psychosocial Support, including Neurological Disorders and Substance Use for Zanzibar. This will include;

Guide incorporation of technical interventions for the prevention and control of Mental Health & Psychosocial Support, Neurological and Substance use disorders in line with national health and other development strategies and global commitments and targets.

Lead in discussion and stakeholders’ contributions emphasizing sector-specific and multisectoral inputs for various operational products, e.g., the Social Determinants of Health, MH & PSS, NS services, etc.

Finalize Development of the new Multisectoral Strategy and Action plan for Mental Health and Psychosocial support, Neurological and Substance use Disorders 2024-2028

Take the lead in Organizing stakeholders’ meetings for review and validation of the draft strategy prior to merging the two documents (refer to phase three).

Final configuration of the two deliverables for a final version. This consultant will be given an additional eight (8) days.

Phase Three – Both Consultants (No.1 and No.2)

Contribute/lead the merging of the two Strategic documents (developed by both consultants), to come up with One Merged Strategic Document.

To participate in the merging process, work to be achieved in two (2) days.

The application should clearly stipulate the roles and days each consultant is expected to undertake during phase three of this task.

The consultants will closely work with the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Elderly and Social Welfare – Departments of Non-Communicable Diseases, Mental Health, Health Promotion and Health Systems Delivery, and Geriatrics. Others include relevant government Ministries, Agencies and Regulatory authorities, WHO Tanzania Country Offices in Dar-es-salaam and Zanzibar, HelpAge, and Tanzania Diabetic Association. The WHO HQs and AFRO will provide specialized technical support when required.

Deliverables:

Consultant No.1: Non-communicable Diseases

Phase One:

Inception report detailing the approach, methodology and timelines for the assignment and key deliverables (2 days)

Update report on Desk Review of reports and actions implemented under Zanzibar NCD Strategic Plan 20142019 (5 days).

Compiling Report of joint visits by the Ministry of Health, WHO teams, HelpAge, Tanzania Diabetic Association and other partners on a quick assessment of services for NCDs in Zanzibar (5 days).

Report of stakeholder workshop on NCDs evaluation results (6 days).

Phase Two:

First draft of Zanzibar NCD Multisectoral Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2028, reviewed by stakeholders (8 days).

Second draft of Zanzibar NCD Multisectoral Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2028 incorporating comments of all stakeholders and shared with all relevant parties for final review (3 days).

Final draft of Zanzibar NCD Multisectoral Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2028 submitted to MOH and WHO (5 days).

Consultant No.2: Mental Health & Psychosocial support, Neurological and Substance Use Disorders

Phase One:

Inception report detailing the approach, methodology and timelines for the assignment and key deliverables (2 days)

Update report on Desk Review of reports and actions implemented through MOH programmes, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, and Neurological and Substance use disorders for the last five years (5 days).

Compiling Report of joint visits by the Ministry of Health, WHO teams, HelpAge, Tanzania Diabetic Association and other partners on a quick assessment of services for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, and Neurological and Substance use disorders in Zanzibar (5 days).

Report of stakeholder workshop on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, and Neurological and Substance use disorders showing situational analysis results (6 days).

Phase Two:

First draft of Zanzibar Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, and Neurological and Substance Use Disorders reviewed by stakeholders (8 days).

Second draft of Zanzibar MH&PSS, and NS Disorders Multisectoral Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2028 incorporating comments of all stakeholders, and shared with all relevant parties for final review (3 days).

Final draft of Zanzibar MH&PSS, and NS Disorders Multisectoral Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2028 submitted to MOH and WHO (5 days).

Phase Three –

Final compiled draft of Zanzibar NCDs, MH&PSS, and NS Disorders Multisectoral Strategy and Action Plan 20242028 submitted to MOH and WHO (2 days for each and an additional 8 days for the lead).

Required Qualifications:

Educational Qualifications

Degree in Medicine and a Master’s degree in public health, internal medicine, or related field.

A Ph.D. in related fields is desirable.

Experience

A minimum of 5 years of experience in clinical or public health work.

Comprehensive knowledge of NCDs, with good experience in strategic planning of NCD programmes or other disease control interventions.

Work experience with the Government of Zanzibar, international and national NGOs, FBO, UN and/or other International Organizations is desirable.

Skills/Knowledge (in line with WHO competencies)

Must have skills in the analysis of health-related data.

Portray a good team spirit.

Respect and promote individual and cultural differences.

Build and promote partnerships across the organization and beyond.

Capable of producing results.

Languages and levels required

Excellent analytical and writing skills.

Have excellent interpersonal communication and participatory skills.

Being conversant with the local context is an added advantage.

Technical Supervision:

Two consultants will be hired through a joint proposal with clear roles and time allocation.

1^st – Work on NCDs – 36 days

2^nd – Work on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, and Neurological and Substance use disorders 36 days

Consultants will lead in the finalization of the final version – 8 days

The application should clearly stipulate the roles and days each consultant is expected to undertake during phase three of this task.

The Consultants will work in close collaboration with Dr. Alphoncina Nanai (Focal point for NCDs WHO Dar-es-salaam office), coordinated by the Public Health Liaison Officer in WHO Zanzibar Office.

The collaboration will also be with the Ministry of Health of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar in cooperation with relevant sectors and departments, HelpAge and other partners.

Renumeration

Each consultant is expected to use 18 days for phase one, 16 days for phase two and 2 days for phase three.

The inception report should provide a schedule of activities for each consultant until to the delivery of intended results.