Consultant - Integrated Health Kiosk Sustainability Assessment at Palladium International

Purpose of the assignment: The ESHE programme intends to conduct a sustainability assessment of the IHK model. Sustainability in this case is defined as the ability of the IHKs to continue functioning and providing quality healthcare services including FP beyond the life of the ESHE project. There are two components under this definition, the financial and programmatic components, i.e. the ability of the IHKs to breakeven/make profit and financially thrive and the ability of the IHKs to continue providing quality healthcare services including FP beyond the life of the ESHE project.

Results from the sustainability assessment will be used by the programme to develop a plan on how to exit current support to the IHKs, determine the timelines and process for handover of sustainable Kiosks to the vendors, i.e. the handover plan. This assessment will include a

• quantitative assessment to determine the extent to which all IHKs are sustainable and
• carryout a case study to better understand factors that determine sustainability and the benefits/challenges of the IHK model on service providers and their larger communities.

These studies will also highlight:

• The lessons learned for success of the kiosks on a positive and negative note, i.e. what led to the success or failure of some of the Kiosks
• What have been the wider FP results and impacts to communities, health and/other benefits

The quantitative assessment will seek to answer the following research questions:

1 What proportion of IHKs are sustainable, using definitions of sustainability from the 2016 sustainability study 2 What is the business operating model of the IHK, including the number of persons employed, the types of SRH and general health services offered and the number of services provided 3 What investments do IHK providers make into operating their business 4 How long does it take for an IHK to become sustainable 5 How much more have the IHKs become since the last sustainability study in 2016

The case studies will use qualitative methods to provide evidence on the following key areas:

• Direct and indirect benefits of the IHK model to the service provider, their families, and the wider communities
• Areas for strengthened support to the IHKs
• What are lessons and best practices that can be replicated for future programming

Scope of work: The consultant will be required to collect, analyse and present key findings, such as:

• Conduct desk review of existing analyses, surveys, and data related to the assignment.
• With the ESHE team define sustainability and agree on measurements as per previous studies
• Develop a study protocol for both components of the sustainability assessment with input and approval from the project, including agreed methodology and risks anticipated in collecting financial and cost related data, questionnaires (both structured and semi structured interview guides), a detailed work plan and timelines for key deliverables.
• Case studies: Asses the benefits of IHKs to the vendors, employed service providers, the local administration, community members from a social, economic and healthcare dimension.
• Quantitative sustainability assessment: Categorise IHKs into 3 groups; fully profitable and sustainable, marginally profitable and sustainable and currently loss making & not sustainable, making recommendations on what is required for each category to increase sustainability within the timeframe left to the end of the extension phase. The study should be able to explain reasons providers fall into the different categories.

Deliverables:

• Protocol with accepted methodology and workplan, including the development of relevant questionnaires, data collection plan and analysis plan.
• Research reports; one quantitative and 5 qualitative case studies presented in 3 formats:
  • an abridged 2 page brief presented mainly with infographics for easy electronic dissemination,
  • a 15 slide (max) power point presentation presented preferably with mainly infographics and
  • a full narrative report, with infographics, tables, graphs, etc., highlighting IHK sustainability, incl. detailed conclusions and recommendations.
• Dissemination plan to ESHE partners and DFID on the findings. Duration of assignment: 40 days

Timeframe: July / August 2018

A company or a consultant and/or team of consultants competent in sociology, research or M&E expertise with capability and experience in conducting both qualitative and quantitative research, along with strong experience working with private health providers and health economics, able to conduct a costing analysis/financial appraisal of the IHK model. Experience conducting costs-benefit analyses for health is highly desirable. The consultant(s) must possess the following competences:

• Master's degree in a related field
• At least 8 years' professional experience in Health (Reproductive health experience as added advantage)
• Experience in and knowledge of conducting and analysing both qualitative and quantitative research
• Practical pragmatic with good knowledge of programming realities
• Knowledge and experience in carrying out analytical studies and developing publications
• Ability to deliver high quality work in short periods of time and experience in short term consultancy
• Proficiency in English and the ability to present complex ideas in simple terms
• Demonstrable writing skills for publications is a significant added value