Consultant firm for Anticipated baseline assessment at Project HOPE, Ethiopia

Project HOPE The People-To-People Health Foundation Inc. (Project HOPE) is a leading global health and humanitarian organization with over 65 years of experience transforming the health and well-being of communities around the world. With over 1,000 employees in more than 25 countries across five continents, we work hand-in-hand with local health workers and health systems to provide urgent relief and transformative solutions that drive lasting impact.

Currently, Project HOPE is launching a project, Empowered Communities Activity (ECA)-II to enhance the engagement and contribution of Non-State Actors (NSA) health facilities in RMNCH-N service delivery and to strengthen the Public-Private Mix (PPM) in the health system. This includes improving collaboration between public and private providers, ensuring quality and continuity of care, and expanding access to essential services.

To support these efforts, a comprehensive baseline assessment is required in selected towns across Oromia, Amhara, and Afar regions. The findings will inform strategic interventions aimed at strengthening NSA engagement and improving integrated service delivery.

Project Hope invites interested individuals and consulting firms for conducting the baseline assessment on NSA manged health facilities in target woredas to identify benchmark data for selected M&E indicators and to inform strategies that enhance their engagement in RMNCAH-N services and strengthen the Public-Private Mix.

In addition, the assessment aims at identifying available studies have been used by existing interventions to address gender and social inclusion issues, identifying areas where they succeeded and where they need improvement.

Introduction

NSAs play a critical role in delivering health services across Ethiopia, particularly in underserved and rapidly growing urban areas. ECA aims to enhance access to quality reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH-N) services through non-state actor (NSA) health facilities in Afar, Amhara and Oromia regions. This initiative recognizes the significant yet under-utilized role of NSA-managed healthcare, which includes private clinics, faith-based organizations, and other NGOs, in achieving national health goals.

Objectives

1. General Objective: To conduct a comprehensive baseline assessment of NSA-managed health facilities to inform strategies that enhance their engagement in RMNCAH-N services and strengthen the Public-Private Mix
2. Specific Objectives
   1. Establish baseline indicators for future monitoring and evaluation
   2. Evaluate service availability, readiness, and quality of RMNCAH-N care
   3. Assess the level of engagement and contribution of NSA facilities in RMNCAH-N services
   4. Assess public-private collaboration mechanisms and referral linkages
   5. Evaluate human resources, infrastructure, equipment, and supply systems
   6. Analyze governance, regulatory compliance, and partnerships with the public sector
   7. Identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities to strengthen NSA engagement and PPM

3. Scope of Work:

The consulting firm will undertake the following specific tasks:

3.1. Facility Mapping: Identify and list all NSA-managed health facilities in:

• Batu and Modjo
• Dessie and Kombolcha
• Semera and Logiya

3.2. Data Collection

• Conduct facility assessments using standardized checklists
• Carry out key informant interviews (KIIs)
  • Facility managers and staff
  • Local health authorities
  • Community representatives
  • Selected households

3.3. Assessment Areas

• RMNCH-N Service availability
• RMNCAH-N service utilization and NSA contribution to National health system
• Quality of care and adherence to standards
• Human resources (availability, qualifications, workload)
• Infrastructure and equipment
• Supply chain and essential medicines availability
• Health information systems and reporting
• Regulatory compliance and licensing
• Financial and operational sustainability

3.4. Data Analysis

• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data
• Develop baseline indicators
• Compare across regions and facility types

3.5. Reporting

• Prepare comprehensive and concise reports with actionable recommendations

4. Methodology

The firm is expected to propose a robust methodology, including:

• Mixed-methods approach (quantitative + qualitative)
  • Data quality assurance mechanisms
  • Ethical considerations (confidentiality, consent, approvals)

5. Deliverables

The consulting firm will deliver:

1. Inception Report
   • Detailed methodology
   • Work plan and timeline
   • Data collection tools
2. Draft Baseline Report
   • Preliminary findings
   • Presentation to Project HOPE

6. Duration

The assignment is expected to be completed within 5-6 weeks from contract signing.

7. Reporting and Supervision

The consulting firm will report to the designated project manager. Regular progress updates will be required.

8. Proposal Submission Requirements

Interested firms should submit:

• Technical proposal (methodology, work plan, team composition)
  • Financial proposal (detailed budget)
  • Company profile and relevant experience
  • CVs of key personnel
  • Sample previous work

   

9. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Technical quality and methodology
• Relevant experience
• Qualifications of team
• Financial competitiveness

10. Ethical Considerations

The firm must:

• Maintain confidentiality and data protection standards
• Ensure informed consent, if necessary

11. Payment Schedule

Payments will be tied to deliverables, typically:

• 30% upon approval of inception report
  • 40% upon submission of draft report
  • 30% upon approval of final report

Required Qualifications

Firm Requirements

• Strong expertise in mixed-methods research
• Demonstrated ability to manage multi-site studies
• Proven experience in health systems research and facility assessments

Key Personnel

• Team Leader (advanced degree in public health or related field; 8+ years experience)
• Health Systems Specialist
• Data Analyst/Statistician
• Field Coordinators and Enumerators
• Qualitative Research Expert