Consultancy to Develop a Regional Eye Health Research Strategy for Eastern Africa College of Ophthalmologists

Terms of Reference (TOR) for Consultancy to Develop a Regional Eye Health Research Strategy for Eastern Africa College of Ophthalmologists (EACO)

May 2012

Invitation for Interested Consultant: Formulation of Regional Research Strategy

Eastern Africa College of Ophthalmologists is seeking a consultant to formulate a regional research strategy on eye health.

Proposals to provide the consultancy services as per the Terms of Reference provided below are to be submitted with consultancy fees, service delivery time schedule, Curriculum Vitae with full contact details of three referees and qualifications.

The proposals must be submitted to information@eacokut.org on or before 16th May 2012 at 1700hrs and addressed to The Programme and Fundraising Manager, Eastern Africa College of Ophthalmologists

Terms of Reference (TOR): Consultancy to Develop a Regional Eye Health Research Strategy for EACO

I. Introduction and Background

The Eastern African College of Ophthalmologists (EACO) is a virtual college established in 2005 with the aim of addressing the chronic shortage of ophthalmologists in Eastern Africa, as well as improving the quality of eye care services in the region.

The institution is anchored within the Vision 2020 framework developed under the aegis of World Health Organization (WHO) and International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). Its establishment was informed by similar initiatives including the Medical Colleges in South Africa and United Kingdom.

However, EACO aims to address the unique needs in Eastern Africa based on evidence and priorities identified in the region. EACO’s Geographic focus is the greater Eastern Africa comprising Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Ethiopia, Zambia, and South Sudan. EACO works closely with other players in the eye health and allied sectors in making interventions in the sector.

1.1 Vision

EACO’s vision is Eye health for all in Eastern Africa.

1.2 Mission

EACO’s mission is to increase the numbers of Ophthalmologists and improve the quality of eye care in Eastern Africa through training, research and sub-specialty training.

1.3 Scope of EACO’s work

EACO’s work is derived from its mission. The College’s mandate is to; contribute to the human resource for health through quality training in ophthalmology; set standards for professional ophthalmic practice; facilitate continuous professional development; contribute to health policy development; and, promote research which advances ophthalmology in the region.

In research, EACO supports different types of research that advance eye health care in the region.

These include policy research to enhance evidence-based policy development in eye care, clinical research to improve skills and knowledge in ophthalmology, epidemiological and operational research to enhance intervention in eye healthcare.

1.4 EACO’s Objectives

EACO operates within the wider environment of health in the region. However, eye health still remains an obscure foot note in the health agenda.

More often than not, focus on eye health is not given sufficient attention and support. EACO and its partners would wish to make known the issues of eye health in the region.

The original objectives of EACO were:

• Establish a regional structure to oversee the training of ophthalmologists and related eye care personal in the region
• Harmonize all training programmes in ophthalmology with a jointly agreed curriculum
• Strengthen the training capacity of existing institutions by upgrading skills and infrastructure
• Enhance and extend practical training of trainees at secondary (non academic) training institutions at eye care units in the region
• Increase the number of ophthalmologists trained each year

II. The Assignment

2.1 Objectives

The key objective of this assignment is to develop a regional eye health research strategy.

The Strategy will help to identify specific information needs for planners, and decision makers; identify key technical information and research capacity gaps and options for developing this; and obtain high level endorsement from the key stakeholders as directive or as a regulation.

The specific objectives for this assignment will be to:

• Determine priority areas for eye health research necessary for advocacy and eye health system strengthening in the region
• Develop a strategy to enhance eye health research capacity in the region
• Formulate a strategy for funding short-term, medium-term and long-term research programmes and activities in the region through Government, private and international organizations
• Establish a means of partnership and collaboration with national, regional and global research centers and universities and exchange research information

2.3. Indicative tasks/ methodology

• Review existing research studies, guidelines and activities related to eye health research as the basis of the research strategy
• Review existing regulations and guidelines on conducting eye health research in the Eastern Africa region to include in the research strategy
• Conduct consultations with relevant government agencies, private organizations and academics to find out and analyze eye health research needs in the region
• Examine current state of knowledge on eye health, human and financial capacity and institutional arrangements relevant to eye health research in the region
• Explore the research needs of the region with respect to eye health and identify specific information needs for planners and decision makers
• Come up with ways to address research capacity gaps and options for bridging these gaps
• Develop a detailed regional eye health research strategy which will enable EACO to obtain high level policy endorsement from key stakeholders as directive.

2.4 Expected Output (s)

The main output of this assignment is a detailed strategy document on how to improve eye health research in Eastern Africa region.

2.5 Role of EACO

On its part, EACO will:

• Prepare an agreement with the consultant;
• Honor its financial obligations to the consultant in accordance with the agreement;
• Inform and prepare all stakeholders and staff that will be expected to participate in the exercise;
• Provide all relevant background documents or reference materials to assist in the successful execution of the assignment

III Reporting

The consultant will work closely with the EACO secretariat and will report directly to the
Programme Manager of EACO.

The consultant will be expected to respond in a timely manner, to all queries directed at him for purposes of ensuring effective communication and documentation within the provisions of the agreement.

Conversely, the Programme Manager will respond in a timely manner to all queries directed at him in pursuit of the objectives under the agreement.

IV Time Frame

The total time-frame for developing the research strategy will be two (2) months counting from the date signing of the contract. The Consultant shall submit a service delivery time schedule considering the given time frame along with the contract Document.

V Fee

The consultant is expected to include in his/her proposal a lump sum fee for carrying out this task and this must be accompanied with the detail breakdown of costs:

• daily consultancy rates
• travel
• cost of any other procurement of goods or services needed to be undertaken during the assignment
• other overhead costs associated to the assignment
• a plan of activities indicating proposed duration

VI Qualifications

The process will be led by an independent Consultant skilled and experienced in health, strategy development, organization development, with significant exposure to relevant work, preferably in eye health.

The desired qualifications for the Consultant include:

• A Masters or higher academic qualification in Social Sciences, Public Health, Health Systems Management or any other relevant qualification.
• Excellent knowledge and at least 5 years of experience in the area of research.
• Skills and experience in facilitating large group discussions.
• Experience and knowledge working with government agencies, international research institutions will be an added advantage.

VII Applications

Proposals to provide the consultancy services are to be submitted with consultancy fees, service delivery time schedule, Curriculum Vitae with full contact details of three referees and qualifications.

The proposals must be submitted to information@eacokut.org on or before 16th May 2012 at 1700hrs and addressed to The Programme and Fundraising Manager, Eastern Africa College of Ophthalmologists.