Purpose:
The Institute for International Programs (IIP) at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (JHSPH) is seeking consultant(s) for the provision of services outlined in this Request for Proposals (RFP). This RFP represents the requirements for an open and competitive process. Please submit proposals in accordance with the RFP instructions by 5pm EST March 14, 2016 to Tricia Aung (taung4@jhu.edu) and Brittany Fugal (bfurgal1@jhu.edu).
Background:
Funded by the Government of Canada, the National Evaluation Platform (NEP) is a rigorous new approach to compiling and analyzing health and nutrition data from diverse sources so that governments in low and middle income countries can get strategic, evidence-based answers to their most pressing Maternal Newborn Child Health and Nutrition program and policy questions. Read more about the NEP at http://www.bit.ly/NEPlatform.
Primary objectives of the NEP include:
1) to develop NEPs in 4 countries, (Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Tanzania) and build local institutional capacity to use and maintain them;
2) to demonstrate that NEPs can provide high-quality, timely data on results and implementation strength for use in guiding decisions; and
3) to use the experience to develop guidelines and tools for use in additional countries.
The technical team supporting NEP development and implementation is primarily based at JHSPH’s IIP with one full-time Resident Advisor team member based in each country. Team members include experts in maternal child health and nutrition, large-scale program evaluation, epidemiology, data systems and biostatistics. Team members are involved in designing NEP tools and training videos, developing and delivering workshop content and practice exercises as well as providing ongoing mentorship to key NEP stakeholders in each country.
Please see annex A for a description of the core NEP audiences and the overall “cycle-based” approach being used for NEP development and capacity building in each of the four NEP countries.
Crucial for sustaining and scaling the NEP is the need to refine and package NEP training materials and to develop supporting guidance documents. The “NEP Toolbox” is a core set of methods and resources that can be adapted by countries to build and maintain the NEP. The NEP Toolbox includes the following:
Impact Model Tool to identify evaluation questions
NEP Data Mapping guidelines – routine and survey sources
NEP Data Quality Assurance (DQA) tool for survey sources
Decision Guidance to support World Health Organization DQA tools for routine data
NEP Data System – DHIS2 apps and new core functionality
NEP Data System support tools for data processing
Lives Saved Tool (www.livessavedtool.org) and new tool to support target-setting
STATFRAM statistical methods and core Stata code supporting basic analyses
Instructional videos for STATFRAM methods and NEP Data System
Advanced training for visualization tools in DHIS2 and Excel/Access
The NEP team also continues to develop materials (e.g. PowerPoint decks; small group practical activities) to support training workshops focused on introducing key evaluation concepts related to question design, data, analytical methods, interpretation and communications alongside NEP Toolbox components. To date, during NEP Cycle 1 and the start of NEP Cycle 2 the NEP team developed 4 core workshop modules (~23 total days of training – most of which is facilitated small group work). The NEP team estimates that during NEP Cycles 2/3 an additional 4-6 workshop modules (~25 total days of training – mostly facilitated small group work) will be developed. As an example of the content and style of workshop activities, the agenda, PowerPoint decks, handouts for group activities and workshop reports for the NEP Cycle 2 Workshop 1 in Tanzania can be accessed via Dropbox here.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ifq2mikxn3bzf16/AADlFADU-Pxr19bbvlOzIX17a?dl=0
Please note that all training materials are confidential and to be used solely to inform development of a proposal.
Scope of Work:
Selected consultant(s) are expected to have experience in instructional design, methods to assess knowledge and skill changes, technical writing, and training video production to support the NEP project team during the final year of the grant. Consultant(s) will develop supporting documentation for NEP tools; compile, improve and package capacity building curriculum; develop effective assessment methods to measure short and medium term changes in knowledge and skills among NEP participants; and provide project management oversight and technical support to a team developing training videos. The consultancy will begin April 2016 and conclude by December 2016. A description of tasks and estimated time is listed below.
Refine and “package” NEP tools and training materials for use in other contexts (Estimated effort time: 60 working days based on 5 days for strategic framework; 25 days for NEP manual / tool documentation / tool adaptation guidance; 3 days per master workshop curriculum set x 10 workshops= 30 days)
- Work with project team to develop an overarching strategic framework that will guide organization and packaging of NEP tools and curriculum.
- Create “master” versions of training and practice materials through revising existing materials in consultation with technical staff and incorporation of workshop / other documented feedback.
- Develop guidance for context-specific adaptation of the curriculum. – Advise on development of new curriculum and training tools.
- “Package” curriculum and NEP tools into in a format that supports use of materials in new contexts (e.g. develop a manual with Toolbox documentation & curriculum guides).
- Develop assessment methods to measure changes in / achievement of relevant knowledge and skills (Estimated effort time: 12 working days)
- Work with project team to develop assessment tools for participants in workshops and other discrete training or capacity building activities.
- Develop a tool/approach to allow cumulative assessment of whether or not participants have gained and retained core NEP knowledge and skills across the duration of the project/training cycle.
Support team in development of two sets of training videos (Estimated effort time: 25 days estimated as 2.5 hours processing per video x 50 videos = 16 working days + 9 days for planning and management functions)
Work with project team to develop an overarching work plan for video development, production, field testing and finalization for the “STATFRAM video series” – a library of forty 6-7 minute videos that teach key statistical concepts and analytical skills related to large-scale program evaluation using NEP. The NEP team—who will develop content and record primary video content—expects that the consultant(s) serves as a project manager to ensure the team meets deadlines and provide recommendations for improvement to content as required. The consultant(s) will also carry out any post production edits/refinements as well as advising on how best to make videos accessible to audiences across NEP countries and beyond.
Work with project team to develop an overarching work plan for video development, production, field testing and finalization for a short series of 6-12 training videos (each less than 10 minutes long) that provide an orientation to the NEP Data System. These videos will provide an introduction to the NEP DHIS2 software, and how to process and visualize data in the system. The NEP team—who will develop content and record primary video content—expects that the consultant(s) serves as a project manager to ensure the team meets deadlines and provide recommendations for improvement to content as required. The consultant(s) will also carry out any post production edits/refinements as well as advising on how best to make videos accessible to audiences across NEP countries and beyond.
Provide miscellaneous support to build team skills as trainers and curriculum developers (Estimated effort time: 5 working days)
Equip NEP team members with knowledge and techniques to strengthen their skills as facilitators and/or curriculum developers. The NEP team requests that you provide a description of what coaching services or more formal training you are positioned to provide with an estimate of unit cost. The first three points above are the primary deliverables of the contract.
How to apply:
Submission Instructions:
Proposals must be submitted in English and provide sufficient information to address each component of the scope of work and required technical competencies. The proposal should also include a detailed cost proposal and a minimum of three references to clients for whom the consultant(s) has/have conducted similar projects. IIP may contact references provided for feedback on the projects completed. For proposals submitted by companies, the proposal must include information about the company and the company’s most recent financial statements.
Proposals must be submitted to Tricia Aung (taung4@jhu.edu) and Brittany Fugal (bfurgal1@jhu.edu) by 5pm EST March 14, 2016. All requests for clarification on this RFP must be submitted in writing via email to Tricia Aung and Brittany Fugal.
Contract terms and conditions will be negotiated upon selection of the winning bidder for this RFP. All contractual terms and conditions will be subject to review by Johns Hopkins University and will include scope, budget, schedule, and other necessary items pertaining to the project.
Timeline:
March 14, 2016 Receipt of proposals
Week of March 14, 2016 Proposal review and selection
April 1, 2016 Anticipated work start
Budget:
All proposals must be accompanied with a budget based on the proposed project plan and estimated time allocated. The budget should include a detailed cost breakdown by proposed activity. A budget narrative should describe the project cost calculation methodology. IIP-JHU assumes that most project communication can take place via Skype or phone. If agreed that in person meeting(s) are needed, IIP-JHU will directly cover the cost of an economy ticket and hotel accommodations. Consultant(s) are expected to cover any other costs incurred to complete all tasks outlined in the RFP.
Evaluation Criteria:
Each proposal will be evaluated in two stages: technical abilities and cost analysis. During the first stage, proposals will be assessed against the following criteria to assess technical abilities:
Proposal Quality–The consultant(s) must clearly articulate methodology. The consultant(s) must demonstrate innovative and evidence-based approaches towards bolstering NEP resources to promote experiential learning and knowledge retention.
Delivery Terms–The consultant(s) must deliver the expected services within the time frame proposed.
Capacity–The consultant(s) must provide evidence of relevant skills and technical expertise. Proposals that are submitted by teams are expected to include appropriate assignment of staff to tasks based on expertise.
Proposals that satisfactory meet technical criteria will then be assessed for cost. Consultant(s) should provide a detailed financial bid, which will be evaluated in the context of the proposal’s technical merits.
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