Request for Proposal (RFP) to Conduct Social Service Systems Assessment in Ethiopia
1) Introduction
FHI360 and its partners, including Ethiopian Society of Sociologists, Social Workers and Anthropologists (ESSSWA), is currently implementing the USAID Caring for Vulnerable Children (CVC) project in 126 woredas/towns spread across four regions of Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR, Tigray – and two City Administrations – Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa to reach a total of 325,000 HIV-impacted vulnerable children in five years (May 2017 to 2022). The project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)/Ethiopia is implemented at the community level through 22 Local Implementing Partners under the leadership of GOE’s Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs (MoWCA), Ministry of Health, HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office (HAPCO), and Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MoLSA). The project is designed to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in Ethiopia.
As part of its activities to strengthen government and community structures and systems to deliver high quality services for vulnerable children, FHI360 and its partner- ESSSWA have planned to assist MoWCA, MoLSA and HAPCO by undertaking a social service systems assessment, and the development and implementation of a capacity strengthening strategy.
2) Purpose of the Assessment
The purpose of the assessment is to establish the current gaps in the social service structures and systems; identifying key areas of focus for further developing the structures and systems; to inform development and implementation of a unified coherent systems strengthening strategy for quality service delivery for OVC in Ethiopia.
3) Specific objectives of the Assessment
The specific objectives for this assessment are:
a) To establish the gaps and identify key areas of focus for developing and supporting a skilled, knowledgeable and professional social service workforce to facilitate delivery of high quality services for OVC.
b) To evaluate current management information systems for OVC and examine availability and utilization of good information for planning and managing quality of care and support services for OVC at all levels.
c) To identify the gaps and key areas of focus for strengthening mechanisms and processes for planning, coordination and service referrals among clinical and social welfare service providers in provision of comprehensive and quality services to vulnerable children and their families.
d) Make proposals for a unified coherent strategic framework which clarifies the goals and objectives, scope, strategies and major activities for strengthening capacity of government and community structures to facilitate high quality services for vulnerable children and their caregivers in Ethiopia.
4) Scope of the work
This assessment will be conducted at federal level and in four regions of Amhara, Oromia, Tigray and SNNP and two city Administrations of Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa at regional, woreda/district and kebele/community levels. The assessment will cover selected woredas in the project areas with adequate coverage to ensure representation of MOLSA and MOWCA structures and other key stakeholders at different levels and regions.
5) Duration of the consultancy service and costing
The duration of the consultancy service will be 90 days. This consultancy service will start in December 2017 and ends by March 30th, 2018. The first month is planned for preparatory activities, the second month for field work and the last month for report writing and validation. Thus, the cost proposal of the consultant/s or consultancy firm should reflect the number of proposed consultancy days along with detailed activities and associated costs inclusive of all expenses. The actual dates of the assessment will be negotiated with the consultant.
6) Required Profile of the Assessment Team/Consultant
For this assessment, the specific skills or characteristics required include: