Technical Guidance on “Inclusion in the context of NTDs” and “Strengthening of health systems for delivery of quality of care” in fragile settings

Background

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) affect over a billion people worldwide, primarily in low-resource settings, with devastating impacts on health, socio-economic development, and overall well-being. These diseases predominantly affect populations living in poverty, with limited access to healthcare, sanitation, and education. These marginalised communities, including those in remote areas and informal settlements, are often excluded from mainstream health services.

Inclusion and delivery of quality services through a strengthened health systems approach ensure that these populations are not further marginalised and have equitable access to NTD prevention, treatment, and care.

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of inclusion and equity as well as of health systems strengthening (HSS) in the design and implementation of NTD programmes in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings to ensure that no one is left behind. While significant progress has been made in controlling and eliminating NTDs, achieving sustainable outcomes requires a comprehensive approach that prioritises inclusion and equity, and access to functioning health systems. Thus, the need arises for technical documents to provide guidance on “inclusion in the context of NTDs and ensuring no one is left behind” and on guidance on “strengthening of health systems for delivery of quality of care” for elimination of NTDs in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings. The technical guidelines will be a resource and reference document for CBM and for the partner organisations on standardisation of Inclusion and HSS in their NTD programme design.

For this, CBM is recruiting an independent consultant to develop two technical guidance documents.

Objective of the Consultancy

Writing of technical documents to provide guidance on “inclusion in the context of NTDs and ensuring no one is left behind” and on guidance on “strengthening of health systems for delivery of quality of care” for elimination of NTDs in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings. The technical guidelines will be a resource and reference document for CBM and for our partner organisations on standardisation of Inclusion and Health System Strengthening in their NTD programme design.

1.) Technical guidance on inclusion in the context of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)

The goal of this Technical Guidance is to provide comprehensive guidance on promoting inclusion and equity within NTD programmes. It aims to support stakeholders at various levels, from policymakers to programme implementers in integrating inclusive and comprehensive approaches into their NTD prevention, control and elimination strategies and activities.

Specifically, the documents should:

• Identify key principles of inclusion relevant to NTD control and elimination efforts.
• Provide overview of existing CBM policies on Inclusion and identify area’s relevant for NTD control and elimination.
• Identify inclusion related gaps in the current NTDs prevention, control and elimination approaches.
• Provide guidance on assessing and addressing barriers to inclusion within NTD programmes.
• Develop strategies for ensuring equitable access to NTD prevention, treatment, and care services.
• Highlight best practices and case studies showcasing successful inclusion initiatives within the NTD landscape.

Scope of Work related to this guidance note:

The consultant(s) will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature, policies, and initiatives related to inclusion in the context of NTDs, including but not limited to gender, disability, age, ethnicity, and socio-economic status.
• Develop a framework outlining key principles and domains of inclusion relevant to NTD programming.
• Conduct consultations with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, and affected communities, to gather insights and perspectives on inclusion challenges and opportunities in NTD control efforts.
• Analyse the systemic, structural, and individual barriers that hinder the inclusion of marginalized groups in NTD interventions, including stigma, discrimination, lack of accessibility, and socio-cultural factors.
• Compile case studies and examples of successful inclusion initiatives in NTD control and elimination from diverse geographical contexts.
• Finalize the Technical Guidance document incorporating all inputs and recommendations.

Deliverables related to this guidance note:

• Inception Report outlining the methodology, work plan, and timeline.
• Draft Technical Guidance document on inclusion in the context of NTDs.
• Presentation of findings and recommendations to CBM for feedback.
• Final Technical Guidance document incorporating feedback and revisions.

2.) development of technical guidance on health systems strengthening for elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings

The goal of this Technical Guidance is to provide comprehensive guidance on health systems strengthening through NTD programmes in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings. It aims to support stakeholders at various levels, from policymakers to programme implementers, in strengthening of health systems through NTD prevention, control and elimination strategies and activities.

Specifically, the documents should:

• Identify key principles of health systems strengthening relevant to NTD control and elimination efforts.
• Identify gaps related to health systems strengthening in the current NTDs prevention, control and elimination approaches.
• Provide guidance on assessing and addressing barriers for health systems strengthening within NTD programmes.
• Develop strategies for health systems strengthening in NTD prevention, treatment, and care services.
• Highlight best practices and case studies showcasing health strengthening systems approach in NTD programme delivery.

Scope of Work related to this guidance note:

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature, policies, and initiatives related to health systems strengthening in the context of NTD elimination in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings.
• Develop a framework outlining key principles and domains of health systems strengthening relevant to NTD programming.
• Conduct consultations with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academia, and affected communities, to gather insights and perspectives on health systems strengthening challenges and opportunities in NTD control efforts.
• Analyse the systemic, structural, and individual barriers that hinder a health system strengthening approach in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings.
• Develop practical tools, guidelines, and resources to support stakeholders in delivering NTD programs, including assessment tools, training materials, and advocacy resources through a health system strengthening approach.
• Propose indicators and methodologies for monitoring and evaluating the delivery of NTD interventions, ensuring accountability and learning through a health system strengthening approach.
• Compile case studies and examples of successful health systems strengthening in NTD control and elimination from diverse geographical contexts.
• Finalize the Technical Guidance document incorporating all inputs and recommendations.

Deliverables related to this guidance note:

• Inception Report outlining the methodology, work plan, and timeline.
• Draft Technical Guidance document on health systems strengthening in the context of NTDs in fragile, conflict-affected and vulnerable settings.
• Practical tools and resources, such as checklists, guidelines, and training materials, to facilitate a health system strengthening approach into NTD programming.
• Presentation of findings and recommendations to CBM for feedback.
• Final Technical Guidance document incorporating feedback and revisions.

Timeline

The consultancy for both technical guidance is expected to be completed within 7 months, including all deliverables and revisions.

Skills and Experience of consultant

CBM welcomes applications from people of different ethnic and social backgrounds, religions and world views, ages and genders, and especially from persons with disabilities.

The consultant should have the following attributes, among others:

Academic Training: Masters level training in public health, social sciences, or related fields.

Work Experience: Demonstrable experience in health systems strengthening, ideally within fragile, conflict-affected, and vulnerable settings.

Technical Expertise: Demonstrable expertise in public health programme design, implementation, evaluation, and policy advocacy.

Research & Analysis: Strong research and analytical skills, including the ability to conduct literature reviews, analyze data, and synthesize findings into actionable recommendations.

Stakeholder Engagement: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with experience in facilitating consultations with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and communities.

Policy & Advocacy: Familiarity with global and national health policies related to NTDs and health systems strengthening, and experience in developing advocacy materials and strategies.

Practical Tool Development: Demonstrated ability to develop practical tools, guidelines, and resources for health program implementation.

Excellent Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills in English, with the ability to produce high-quality technical documents and reports.