evaluators for the midterm evaluation of its five-year Multi Year Assistance Program

The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program in Burundi is seeking a team of evaluators for the midterm evaluation of its five-year Multi Year Assistance Program (MYAP)-PM2A. Since 2009, the program is implemented in partnership with International Medical Corps (IMC), Food for the Hungry (FH) and CED-Caritas Burundi and aims at preventing malnutrition for under tow aged children in the provinces of Cankuzo and Ruyigi, in eastern Burundi.

CRS seeks technical specialists in the following sectors to participate in the evaluation:
• One expert with a strong experience in Public Health and Nutrition.
• One Commodity Supply Chain (Title-II)
• A Medical Doctor or Public Health Nurse, specialist in PHC and MCH

Terms of Reference for the Primary Health Care Specialist
Midterm Evaluation
CRS Burundi PM2A-TUBARAMURE 2009-2014

Introduction/Background information
Catholic Relief Services/Burundi (CRS/BI), in partnership with International Medical Corps (IMC), Food for the Hungry (FH) and CARITAS Burundi are implementing a five-year USAID-financed Multi-Year Assistance Program (MYAP) entitled Tubaramure (“Let’s Help Them Grow” in Kirundi) in Ruyigi and Cankuzo provinces of Burundi. The overall objective of the program is to “prevent malnutrition in children under the age of two” by enrolling all pregnant women and mothers of children younger than 6 months in Ruyigi and Cankuzo provinces and providing then with a package of services until the child reaches 24 months.
The benefits include: 1) access to quality health care services at area health care centers; 2) education on key health, hygiene and nutrition practices through a CARE Group approach; and 3) improved caloric and nutrient intake through culinary demonstrations and monthly delivery of Title II commodities. Approximately 51,075 mother-child pairs are targeted over the five years (July 2009 to October 2014) of the $45 million grant.

The PM2A-TUBARAMURE program is pursuing the following strategic objective:

Strategic Objective: Malnutrition in children under 2 years of age is prevented

The anticipated results are:
1: Women and Children 0-59 months access quality nutrition and health services
2: Households practice appropriate health and nutrition behaviors
3: Eligible women and children have increased intake of diverse foods

Objectives of the Evaluation

Overall Objective
The objective of the midterm evaluation of PM2A is to objectively assess progress towards achieving the strategic objectives above, particularly in the areas of health/nutrition and commodity management. This evaluation is also an opportunity to clarify the strategic direction for the remainder of PM2A.

Specific Objectives for the Primary Health Care Specialist:
? Assess the achievements the health component of the program (IR 1);
? Evaluate the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency health equipment provided by the program to the target health centers;
? Identify constraints in the implementation of the health component activities;
? Document lessons learned and provide recommendations for future programming,
? To what extent has the quality of the nutrition and health services provided in the health care centers improved?
? Has the training provided to health care staff been appropriate for their education/skill level?
? Has the skill level of the health care staff improved from training?
? Has the access and the use of health and nutrition services improved for beneficiaries communities?
? Are beneficiaries satisfied with the quality of services provided (comparison????)?

Composition of the evaluation team
The Burundi PM2A-TUBARAMURE mid-term evaluation team will be composed of the following:
• One international consultant with Public Health & Nutrition expertise to evaluate IR3 & 2 of the program; S/he will serve as the team leader
• One international consultant with Primary Health Care and Community Health expertise to evaluate IR1
• One international consultant with expertise in logistics and supply chain management to evaluate IR3. Experience with Title II programs required.

Methodology (See proposed methodology in the Midterm Evaluation Plan)

Timeline
The Mid-term evaluation will be carried out from March 12, 2012 to April, 12, 2012 in the provinces covered by the program.

Deliverables (Methodology (See proposed methodology in the Midterm Evaluation Plan)

Minimum Qualification required for the Primary Health Care Specialist:
? Diploma in Medicine and Public Health, or in Public Health and Nursing;
? Experience in the evaluation of Primary Health Care programs;
? Minimum of ten years work experience in Primary Health Care, and or Community Health programs;
? Familiarity with PM2A and or USAID Title II programs;
? Strong English writing skills for the final report
? Ability to work in a team
? Good communication skills
? Willingness to travel to remote areas
? Capable of working under pressure;

How to Apply:

Consultants interested in this assignment should send the following information to CRS Burundi:
• Brief cover letter highlighting relevant experience and skills, as well as confirming availability for 25-30 days (March-28 to April 22), 2012) time frame;
• Curriculum Vitae;
• Written proposal (in English) for not less than two pages and not more than 5 pages describing the proposed methodology and actions for completing the mid-term evaluation;
• A writing sample in English from a previous consultancy.
• Three professional references with phone numbers and/or email addresses;
• One page budget indicating daily fee and other related consultancy costs.

The above materials should be sent by email to: BI_RMC@global.crs.org