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Terms of reference for consultancy
Purpose of Project and Background
Located in Southern Ethiopia, the regions of Oromia and SNNPR are subject to a cholera outbreak. Since 2020 cholera is persistent in the area, a vaccination campaign was implemented late 2020 early 2021. However, in the meantime the outbreak had spread to other areas. A second emergency vaccination campaign was approved, the first round of was implemented but the second round still need to be carried out
The province of Tigray is facing a major humanitarian crisis, and a two rounds OCV campaign will be rolled out in the Northern region.
Due to the emergency in Tigray the implementation of the 2nd round for SNNPR and Oromia had to be postponed as soon as possible.
Knowing there is a risk of spread of the disease within Ethiopia and potential exportation to neighbouring countries, the 2nd round of OCV shall be rolled-out in the Regions of Oromia and SNNPR as soon as the campaigns in Tigray will be concluded. In the meantime, enhanced support needs to be provided to Ethiopian authority to ensure that the cholera outbreak still active in the two regions remains under control. This enhanced support is especially time sensitive as the ongoing Rainy season increases the risk of flare up tin SNNPR and Oromia but also of spread to other regions.
The objective of the consultancy is to work under the leadership of the WHO Country Office to support the Ethiopian Authority to prepare and implement 2nd round OCV campaign to be conducted in Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Region (SNNPR) shortly, to supervise the operation and monitor its impact.
In parallel, the consultant will conduct a general assessment of the WASH situation in Oromia and SNNPR, with a stronger focus on the woredas identified as cholera hotspot in Ethiopia’s National Cholera Control Plan (NCP) 2021-2028 to leverage relevant information supporting its operationalisation.
Alignment to the IFRC’s objectives and strategy
AREA OF FOCUS 5 WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE (WASH)
The IFRC supports National Societies to work with vulnerable communities to improve water and sanitation conditions in chronic contexts as well as in acute contexts during emergencies. Their local presence is crucial to leverage the potential from the local experience of communities. In 2019, the IFRC continued to develop technical and programming tools and initiated new funding mechanisms, still in their infancy, that hope to leverage the increased investment required to contribute to SDG 6. IFRC provided direct support to the emergency operations of National Societies, built partnerships, and helped deliver effective and innovative technical solutions. The IFRC was appointed in 2020 to be the operational arm of Global Task Force on Cholera Control for the country support platform CSP project. This positions the IFRC and the network at the heart of global and regional partnerships for inter-agency coordination for eventual cholera elimination.
Project objectives
The overall objective of the deployment is to **
i) support and advise the MoH and multisectoral partners on cholera control activities for the current outbreak in Oromia and SNNPR Regions and avoid its spread to other areas in Ethiopia and beyond, and
ii) gather relevant data, notably on WASH services, relevant multisectoral authorities and partners to allow for a better understanding of the specific context and be integrated in long-term strategies and plans, such as the National Cholera Control Plan (NCP) for Ethiopia.
Desired outcomes and consultancy outputs
Outcome 1: Support the health authorities of Oromia and SNNPR in planning and implementing the 2nd round of the OCV campaign
Output 1: Vaccination budgets and micro plans finalised for Oromia and SNNPR, post campaign coverage survey completed
Outcome 2: Support the implementation of Water quality surveillance with a focus on the areas of intervention (cholera hotspots and other areas identified as relevant), targeting water quality at point of use (turbidity, CFR, possibly faecal contamination) and in key environmental locations (faecal contamination)
Output 2: Final report regarding the water surveillance system and results
Outcome 3: Conduct a WASH assessment for the Regions of Oromia and SNNPR, covering Water Supply (governance, main water sources, typology of services, coverage, reliability, quality) and Sanitation (governance, coverage, typology of services, environmental health risk) services, as well as hygiene practices.**
Output 3: Final report detailing the main findings of the assessments, identified key priority actions and main findings for long term cholera control
Outcome 4: Conduct an assessment of the cholera preparedness and response capacity in Oromia and SNNPR to identify the main gaps relevant to other pillars of Ethiopia’s NCP (Surveillance, Laboratory, Community Engagement, Case Management, WASH and IPC in HCF, multi-sectoral coordination)
Output 4: Final report presenting the main gaps identified for all pillars of the cholera control strategy for the Regions of Oromia and SNNPR
Outcome 5: If feasible
Integration of a WASH assessment component in the OCV coverage survey should be conducted (after the second round of the OCV campaign. Given the remaining uncertainties of the timing of the implementation of the 2nd round of OCV campaign this deliverable may or may not be implemented during the time of the consultancy
Output 5: If feasible Results of the WASH assessment component in the OCV coverage
Method of delivery and reasons for selecting that method
(Is the service being delivered in the optimal way? (i.e.: workshop vs. publication)
In view of our new initiatives CSP & One WASH we want to ensure that the quality and integration of Public Health cholera and other Water related diseases is maintained. **
Support to be provided to the consultant
The IFRC CSP team in Geneva together with the GTFCC and IFRC WASH Team will direct, brief and support the consultant who will be responsible, while in-country, to the IFRC Ethiopia Country Team for all Security, Health, Code of Conduct and Confidentiality issues. The consultant must advise the country team on his\her whereabouts and travel plans. The Ethiopia Country team will also provide security and health briefing on arrival and debriefing before departure and avail itself to provide additional support to the consultant while in country as appropriate such as visa arrangements, airport pick-up and drop-offs, advice and support on accommodation or provision of transport if practical.
The Global CSP budget will cover any additional costs the country team may incur for the consultant’s support while in-country. The consultant contract and eligible direct payments will be managed by the Geneva CSP Team.**
Schedule for payment of fees
(Indicate deliverables and timeframe, e.g. milestones, reporting deadlines, etc.)
Time Allocation, for budget purposes
The proposed time frame is 3 months (with a maximum of 21 working days) Start Date: 10 September 2021 – 10 December2021
Location: remote.
Management of consultancy
The consultant will be managed by CSP team, based in Geneva & Addis-Ababa.
This consultancy will be conducted remotely and in Ethiopia.
Notes
The consultant will be contracted by the IFRC and the standard contractual terms will apply.
Agreed travel expenses will be reimbursed at cost in accordance with in the IFRC’s relevant regulations.
How to apply:
Please indicate estimated time to complete a full first draft layout, and any additional support required etc.
Interested candidates should send their CV, letter of interest, and daily consultancy rate in CHF (Swiss francs) to health.department@ifrc.org.
Email subject: *Ethiopia consultant deployment – Country Support Platform (CSP)*
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.