Statement of Work

 Introduction/Background:

Ipas works globally to improve access to safe abortion and contraception so that every woman and girl can determine her future. Across Uganda, we work with partners to make safe post abortion care and contraception widely available to women and girls with vital information so they can access safe post abortion care services. We believe in a world where all people have the right and ability to determine their sexuality and reproductive health.

Ipas Africa Alliance Uganda office is implementing the Increase Access To Sexual and Reproductive Health Services (ACTUATE) consortium project funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy whose objective is to increase the uptake of SRH commodities and Services through private and public sector channels.  Project activities are designed to achieve two objectives focused on health service delivery, health system strengthening and community engagement in the areas of post abortion care and family planning. Ipas Uganda is implementing the project in 12 districts across the country focusing on 120 public health facilities. The project activities dwell on health system strengthening in those public health facilities ranging from capacity building of service providers in PAC/Post Abortion family planning, supplies and thus enhancing quality service delivery in the areas of PAC/Post abortion family planning

The project’s effectiveness is centered around three objectives:

1. To Increase equitable access to SRH commodities and services through the private and public sector.
2. To increase collaboration between Public and private Sector.
3. To increase empowerment of women and girls in the product and service delivery supply chain.

To better understand the perspectives of the quality of Post abortion/ post abortion family planning services provided in the Ipas supported health facilities, Ipas intends to conduct an Endline Client Exit Interview in some of the sampled health facilities to assess the quality of post abortion or post abortion family planning services provided in those public health facilities but also asses the client satisfaction levels who have received those services from those health facilities and identify and existing gaps for future programing.

 

This study will therefore assess clients’ satisfaction levels on the quality of PAC/Post Abortion Family planning services provided at the Ipas ACTUATE implementing sites. In addition, the study will evaluate the alignment of Ipas-supported public facilities services with the project’s stated objectives.

Ipas is therefore seeking the services of a consultant to undertake this study to understand the perspectives of the clients on the post abortion care services they received at our intervention sites.

1. Context and Objectives of the Study

Currently, Ipas is implementing the ACTUATE project in 12 districts in Uganda (Arua, Yumbe, Gulu, Iganga, Mbale, Tororo, Busia, jinja, Kamuli, Mukono, Mpigi and Kampala) supporting 120 public health facilities 10 per district in the provision of post abortion care and post aborting family planning. The project started in July 2023 and will be ending in June 2025 and follows earlier intervention where 240 health service providers were trained in the clinical provision of post abortion care and post abortion family planning (two per health facility), supply of sexual and reproductive health commodities to those facilities, and procedure room refurbishments. In addition, Ipas has partnered with other organizations who are conducting community mobilization creating aggregate demand for post abortion and post abortion family planning services and referring clients to the supported public health facilities for service Uptake.

Therefore, we would like the consultant to conduct a client Exit interview to clients who have received post abortion and post abortion care services from these supported health facilities. The process is relevant to allow the Ipas implementing team to understand the quality of services being offered and the satisfaction levels of clients for quality and performance improvement but also for future programing. Specifically, the study has the following objectives to achieve.

• To develop and implement study methodologies that can gather robust and accurate information and evidence to better understand the perspectives of clients on the quality of post abortion care/post abortion family planning services being received.
• Identify quality gaps and draw recommendations to address such gaps for further programing drawing an implementation plan for such recommendations.
• Scope of Work:

Ipas is seeking a consultant to support in conducting the Endline Client Exit interview in the ACTAUTE supported public health facilities in Uganda and the consultant is expected to work closely with the Ipas implementing Team, who will advise, support, and oversee this scope.

The consultant will carry out and deliver on the following tasks:

1. Review project documents including the specific log frames, annual targets and indicators, and existing monitoring tools and prior IRB-approved research protocol for this study
2. Develop a study methodology (tools) that will address the scope of work/deliverables.
3. Recruit and conduct research assistants’ training on data collection tools, test the tools and lead in the data collection process in the field.
4. Conduct data analysis, review, edit and clean any Transcriptions from any qualitative data collection approaches and develop a study report
5. Period of Performance:

It is anticipated that the assignment will be completed within a total of four to five weeks (4-5) weeks from the date of the signing of the contract between Ipas Africa Alliance and the Service Provider. All work must be completed by the 15th of April 2025.

1. Technical Requirements:

• Experience in conducting Endline studies of large, complex, long-term programs including the design and delivery of robust, relevant, and timely study strategies and reviews of health interventions using qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Relevant/related professional experience and related
• Strong experience in people-centered and rights-based programming at the policy, strategy as well as implementation level.
• Strong experience in participatory and inclusive assessment/research methodologies and user-centered approaches
• Relevant operational and technical needs with the ability to remain focused on learning and knowledge sharing.
• Expertise in the use of statistical software systems for data management
• Experience working with organizations that are or are working towards non-hierarchical, shared leadership, or other related practices.
• Good communication skills, both orally and in writing, and fluency in written and spoken English is a must.

1. Reporting

The consultant will have one main point of contact for the duration of the service period for ease of communication. The consultant will report to and work with the ACTUATE implementing team of approximately 5-6 Ipas employees who will be help throughout the entire study. The frequency of meetings (virtual/physical) will be determined in partnership with the consultant.

• Application procedure

Interested consultants or candidates are invited to submit a detailed Technical and financial proposal and cover letter plus cv demonstrating your research Experiences and qualifications for this assignment.