Consultancy-Final project Evaluation: Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and COVID-19 for Older People At HelpAge International

For details about this consultancy, please check the link: https://www.helpage.org/vacancy/consultancy-final-evaluation-for-the-project-prevention-and-management-of-non-communicable-diseases-ncds-and-covid-19-for-older-people-improving-local-health-services-in-mozambique/

Background: HelpAge International, with funding from the German Government (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development – BMZ) and in partnership with the Humanitarian Association for the Elderly (VUKOXA), has implemented a 30-month project (August 2022 to March 2025) in the Chokwe district, focused on the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and COVID-19 in older people, through the improvement of local health services.

About the project: Through the project entitled Prevention and management of non-communicable diseases and COVID-19 for the elderly by improving local health services in Mozambique, HelpAge International and VUKOXA, aimed to support Government to address health gaps in Chókwè district through:

1. strengthening the capacity of community health actors in the provision of NCD support services and referral mechanisms,
2. increasing community awareness of the intersecting impacts of COVID-19, NCDs and age discrimination,
3. strengthening the capacity of provincial health authorities and incorporating project lessons learned into provincial health plans.

The project targeted older people and people with disabilities in the communities of Chokwe district, expecting the following outcomes:

1. Communities in Chókwè district, including older people and people with impairments, have effective access to quality primary health care services to address NCDs and the COVID-19 pandemic,
2. Health workers and community health workershave strengthened their capacity to support older people with NCDs and provide psychosocial support in an age-friendly approach as well as referral mechanisms for COVID-19 in the communities of Chókwè District.
3. Community members are aware and have improved knowledge of the intersecting impacts of COVID-19, NCDs and age and impairment discrimination,
4. The capacity of provincial health authorities on NDCs and COVID-19 prevention for older people is improved and evidence from project areas is published. And
5. The capacity of local organisations to support the needs of older Mozambicans at the local level is increased.

Purpose, Objectives and Use: VUKOXA will conduct an external Endline Evaluation at the end of the project to analyse the extent to which the project objectives have been achieved, to document the most important lessons of the project, and to analyse and identify which best practices could be relevant in Gaza Province or Mozambique as a whole. In finally impact on the direction of future work in the area after the project ends. It will also analyse which measures will be included in the project’s exit strategy towards its sustainability.

The following are the evaluation objectives:

1. To assess the degree to which the project’s capacity-building training for health technicians and community health workers in Chokwe District has improved their skills and knowledge for preventing and managing COVID-19 and NCDs.
2. To assess the current material conditions, including the availability and suitability of health technical equipment, for the screening, monitoring, and treatment or prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and the COVID-19 pandemic within the targeted health units.
3. Assess the degree to which knowledge and practices related to the prevention and management of COVID-19 and NCDs among older people and Older People’s Associations (OPAs) in Chokwe District have improved over the project period and evaluate the effectiveness and accessibility of communication mechanisms utilized for the dissemination of information on NCD (Non-Communicable Disease) prevention and COVID-19 preventive measures.
4. Assess and analyse the effectiveness and accessibility of the referral pathways for older people within the healthcare system and between communities and Older People’s Associations (OPAs) in Chokwe District, with a focus on identifying strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement.
5. To assess and verify the tangible increase in the capacity of local organization, VUKOXA to effectively address the unique needs and requirements of older people in Chokwe within their respective communities, thereby contributing to improved local-level support and services for the elderly population.

The results of this endline evaluation will generate evidence for future interventions by civil society actors in partnership with health service providers and communities to address the prevention and management of Non-Communicable Diseases in Mozambique and will contribute towards policy engagement with health authorities from community to central level.

Scope of Work: The endline evaluation, scheduled for February 3rd to March 21st 2025, will specifically cover Chokwe District, with a primary focus on the 20 communities surrounding 20 health centres where the project is being implemented. The objective is to measure the results of the project implementation in terms of technical skills and the availability of essential equipment for delivering NCDs and Covid-19 health services. The sites to be covered include, 1-Hospital Rural de Chókwè, 2- Centro de Saúde Urbano, 3- Centro de Saúde do 3º Bairro, 4- Posto de Saúde de Machua, 5- Centro de Saúde de 25 de Setembro, 6- Centro de Saúde de Manjangue, 7- Posto de saúde de Matuba, 8- Posto de Saúde de Cumba, 9- Posto de Saúde de Tlawene, 10- Posto de Saúde de N’waxikolwane, 11- Posto de Saúde de Lionde, 12- Posto de Saúde de Conhane, 13- Posto de Saúde de Chilembene, 14- Centro de Saúde de Macunene, 15- Posto de Saúde de Mahlazine, 16- Posto de Saúde de Hókwè, 17- Centro de Saúde de Zuza, 18- Posto de Saúde de Muianga, 19- Centro de Saúde de Chalocuane and 20- Posto de Saúde de Massavasse.

Skills and competencies: This Endline Evaluation will be conducted by an External Evaluator, in coordination with the three main stakeholders’ organizations, HelpAge International, VUKOXA, and HelpAge Deutschland in all evaluation phases.

• The consultant should possess a background in health, social sciences, or other relevant background and a track record in program evaluation, particularly in Mozambique.
• Language Proficiency: The consultant should be proficient in Portuguese and English, and Xi-Changane will be an advantage.

Safeguarding

HelpAge International is committed to safeguarding the communities with which we work, our partners, staff and any others who we come into contact with. Therefore you will also be responsible for:

• Preventing harm and abuse from our people, operations and programmes, to anyone that encounters our work;
• Reporting all safeguarding incidents you see, hear, hear about or suspect, using our internal reporting mechanism;
• Complying with all safeguarding framework policies and practices
• Completing mandatory training courses relating to our safeguarding policy framework and complying with HR vetting procedures.

Diversity & Inclusion

HelpAge International is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all its employees/consultants while extending the culture of inclusion into our work.

We believe that our workforce should reflect the wide diversity of the communities we serve, and that diverse voices should be elevated and intentionally integrated into our work. We embrace difference and diversity of identity, experience, and thought, and actively strive for inclusive behaviors across our sand work regardless of gender, race, disability, age, nationality, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, marital status, pregnancy, social status, and political beliefs.