[Flexible] Research Consultant - Aga Khan Foundation Canada (paid)

[Sarah Atchison]

Title:	Research Consultant
Organization:	Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC)
Project:	Central Asia Health Systems Strengthening (CAHSS)
Location:	Remote (desk-based work)
Timeline:	October / November 2013 (20 Days)

 

Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) is a non-profit international development agency, working in Asia and Africa to find sustainable solutions to the complex problems causing global poverty.

 

AKFC concentrates on a small number of specific development challenges in health, education, rural development and civil society. In Canada, AKFC raises funds, builds partnerships with Canadian institutions, and promotes discussion and learning on international development issues.

 

Established in 1980, AKFC is a registered Canadian charity and an agency of the worldwide Aga Khan Development Network.

 

I.                   Purpose of the Assignment

Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) is seeking expressions of interest for a short-term consultancy to develop a Research Agenda for the Central Asia Health Systems Strengthening (CAHSS) project. Under CAHSS’s Promoting Learning Component, the project aims to create a regionally relevant, high-quality knowledge base on health policy and practice in order to stimulate debate, shape policy, contribute to project learning and improve the effectiveness of health sector programs. Three thematic areas have been identified that reflect the components of the project, and include health financing (with a focus on innovative and community-based health financing approaches); eHealth and the application of ICTs to delivery of health care and continuing education for health care providers; and the role of community participation in health, health care planning and delivery, and community health systems. The Research Consultant will be responsible for conducting a literature review to assess current academic research on one or more of the above topics as they relate to the project target areas in Central Asia; identifying key international experts in the field; and consulting with AKFC, CAHSS project staff and implementing agencies on the development of a project research agenda.

 

II.                Background and Context

CAHSS aims to contribute to improving the health of men, women and children in target areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyz Republic. To strengthen health systems to contribute to improved health in the target areas of Central Asia, particularly for reproductive-aged women, newborns and children under five, the project plans to 1) strengthen service delivery; 2) foster professional development; 3) promote community health; and 4) promote learning. These components are outlined below:

 

Component 1: Strengthening service delivery aims to increase the availability of quality care in a hub and spoke network of health facilities across the region. CAHSS will improve the quality of care by enhancing diagnostic and imaging capacity in a network of 14 governmental and non-government facilities. Leveraging the diagnostic capacity in ‘higher-level’ hub facilities, such as Aga Khan University (AKU), Karachi and the French Medical Institute for Children (FMIC), Kabul, CAHSS will benefit remote areas where health human resources are limited. CAHSS will also connect facilities through new or strengthened e-health systems. E-health connectivity will enable health facilities in remote communities to improve diagnosis and treatment, as well as to connect rural health professionals to learning opportunities. To complement these investments, CAHSS will support improved management and quality assurance practices in select health facilities.

 

Component 2: Fostering professional development will improve the capacities of female and male health professionals to manage and provide quality care. CAHSS will train, support and mentor health care providers (doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health workers) and managers in targeted facilities with the skills necessary to deliver efficient and quality health services. Drawing on the capacity of the Pakistan-based AKU, a hub facility and learning centre, trainees will be able to access existing and new courses specially designed to address the unique needs of health professionals working in remote communities. Building on the e-health connectivity under component 1, blended and online courses for health professionals will also be created and delivered.

 

Component 3: Promoting community health aims to enhance awareness of male and female community members of health promoting and disease preventing behaviour. CAHSS will introduce measures to increase knowledge, influence attitudes and promote healthy behaviour among community members in target communities. CAHSS further aims to induce timely health-seeking practices to reduce the burden of preventable disease, which will in turn lower the demands on the health system.

 

Component 4: Promoting learning will enhance knowledge management to inform and improve the functioning of the health systems in Central Asia. CAHSS will support a research and knowledge agenda to gain a better understanding of the issues related to disease burden in Central Asia and to develop approaches to improve the operation and impact of the health system. Under this component, research will be carried out to support three elements of the health system, namely health financing, e-health and community participation, with the aim to influence policy.

 

III.             Scope and Focus of the Consultancy

The Consultant would serve as a short term technical advisor for the CAHSS project, conducting an in-depth review of project documents and relevant international academic literature on health issues relevant to the project to support the development of a project research agenda.

 

 

 

The main tasks will include:

• A project document review and consultation with AKFC, the CAHSS PCU and implementing agencies.
• A detailed literature review, including:
  • A summary overview of the current research landscape on strengthening health systems in Central Asia, with a focus on the three research topic areas already identified;
  • An outline of the key themes and findings in the literature to date for the three topic areas and;
  • A summary of the main gaps in the current literature.
• Interviews with regional and global experts (identified though the literature and the consultant’s networks) to complement the literature review.
• Interviews with key informants within AKDN field implementing partners (including Aga Khan Health Services and Aga Khan Foundation country offices in the target countries; Mountain Societies Development Support Program – Kyrgyz Republic (MSDSP); the Aga Khan University; and the University of Central Asia) on knowledge needs and gaps, key implementation challenges and questions relating to potential research areas.
• Produce a list of potential regional and global experts for an Expert Review Panel.
• Produce a set of draft recommendations for research areas and presentation of this information to AKFC.
• Incorporate feedback from AKFC and prepare a 1-2 page summary on each research topic area, outlining the status of research and knowledge in this area, the main research gaps according to the literature, the main knowledge needs of AKDN field implementing partners and guidelines for potential research projects.
• Framing and summarizing the findings of the above work, produce a Research Agenda for the project, including an outline of a call for proposals process.
• Produce a draft call for proposals that can be used by the project to solicit research proposals.

 

The consultant will carry out all major tasks under the supervision of the AKFC Program Manager. 

 

IV.             Specific Deliverables and Timelines

The consultant is expected to commence duties in early October and complete the assignment by November 18, 2013. The consultant is expected to produce the following deliverables with a maximum level of effort of 20 days. The consultant will provide as part of his/her submission a proposed level of effort for this consultancy. 

 

Deliverables	Targeted Due Dates
1.      Project Documentation Review and consultation with AKFC, PCU and AKDN agencies	October 14, 2013
2.      Literature Review – Health issues relevant to CAHSS and Central Asia	October 21, 2013
3.      Check-in phone call with AKFC on findings of Lit. Review	October 21, 2013
4.      Interviews with international experts	October 24 – 18, 2013
5.      Interviews with AKDN field agencies	October 24 – 18, 2013
6.      Check-in phone call with AKFC on findings from interviews	October 28, 2013
7.      List of regional and global experts	November 1, 2013
8.      Draft recommendations on each research topic; presentation to AKFC and receipt of feedback	November 1, 2013
9.      Final summaries on each research topic (1-2 pages each)	November 11, 2013
10.  Research Agenda (10-15 pages; including research topic summaries, relevant findings from #1-5 above, recommendations on types of research products, and an outline of a call for proposal process)	November 18, 2013
11.  Draft call for proposals	November 18, 2013

 

V.                Consultant Qualifications and Experience

The consultant should meet the following criteria in terms of qualifications, technical competencies, and experience:

• A PhD, or PhD candidate, with an academic focus in health, ideally with expertise in an area relevant to the three research topics noted above
• Extensive research experience in the health sector, particularly conducting literature reviews and developing detailed research agendas
• Experience in or knowledge of the Central Asian health context
• Knowledge and experience of AKDN programming in Central Asia would be an asset
• Superb oral and written communications skills in English
• An ability to produce high quality work under extremely tight deadlines

 

VI.             Reporting

The consultant will work closely with and report directly to the CAHSS Program Manager based in the AKFC office in Ottawa on all matters pertaining to this assignment.

 

VII.          Expression of Interest

Agencies or individuals meeting the above criteria are invited to submit a proposal by email to:

 

Aga Khan Foundation Canada

E-mail:   humanre...@akfc.ca   

 

Proposals should not exceed 5 pages and should include the following:

·         A statement of previous academic/research work in the health sector

·         A statement of previous experience relevant to the development of research agendas

·         A statement of relevant experience supporting the work of development projects/health projects in developing country contexts

·         A proposed level of effort

·         A proposed budget with detailed line items (personnel, transportation, other direct costs)

·         A detailed CV of proposed researcher(s) to be appended to the proposal including the names of at least two references.

 

Applicants must provide complete contact information in their proposals.

 

Proposals should be received no later than October 7^th, 2013. Only shortlisted applicant(s) will be contacted. 

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