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

For more details about this consultancy, see the link: https://www.helpage.org/vacancy/consultoria-avaliacao-final-do-projeto-prevencao-e-gestao-de-doencas-nao-transmissiveis-dnts-e-covid-19-para-pessoas-idosas-melhorando-os-servicos-de-saude-locais-em-mocambique/

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), implemented a 30-month project (August 2022 to March 2025) in Chokwe District, focusing 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 titled Prevention and Management of Noncommunicable Diseases and COVID-19 for Elderly People by Improving Local Health Services in Mozambique, HelpAge International and VUKOXA, aimed to support the Government to address health gaps in the district of Chókwè through:

1. Strengthen the capacity of community health actors to provide NCD support services and referral mechanisms
2. Raise community awareness of the intersecting impacts of COVID-19, NCDs and ageism, strengthen the capacity of provincial health authorities and incorporate lessons learned from the project into provincial health plans.
3. The project targeted elderly people and people with disabilities in communities in Chokwe district, expecting the following results:

• Communities in the Chókwè district, including the elderly and people with disabilities, have effective access to quality primary health services to address NCDs and the COVID-19 pandemic,
• Health professionals and community health workers have strengthened their capacity to support older people with NCDs and provide psychosocial support in an age-friendly approach, as well as COVID-19 referral mechanisms in communities in Chókwè district.
• Community members are aware and have better knowledge of the cross-impacts of COVID-19, NCDs, and age and disability discrimination,
• The capacity of provincial health authorities on NDC and COVID-19 prevention for the elderly is improved and evidence from project areas is published.
• The capacity of local organizations to support the needs of older Mozambicans at the local level is increased.

Purpose, objectives and use : VUKOXA will conduct an external final evaluation at the end of the project to assess the extent to which the project objectives have been achieved, to document the most important lessons learned from the project and to analyse and identify which best practices could be relevant in Gaza Province or Mozambique as a whole. Ultimately, it will impact the direction of future work in the area after the end of the project. It will also assess which measures will be included in the project exit strategy towards its sustainability.

The objectives of the evaluation are as follows:

• Assess current material conditions, including the availability and adequacy of technical health equipment, for screening, monitoring and treatment or prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and the COVID-19 pandemic in the targeted health units.
• Assess the extent to which knowledge and practices related to the prevention and management of COVID-19 and NCDs among older people and Elderly Associations (OPAs) in Chokwe District have improved during the project period and assess the effectiveness and accessibility of mechanisms communication systems used to disseminate information on the prevention of NCDs (Non-Communicable Diseases) and preventive measures against COVID-19.
• To assess and analyze the effectiveness and accessibility of referral pathways for older adults within the health system and between communities and Senior Citizens’ Associations (OPAs) in Chokwe District, with a focus on identifying strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement.
• To assess and verify the tangible increase in local organizing capacity, VUKOXA must effectively address the unique needs and demands of older people in Chokwe in their respective communities, thereby contributing to improving support and services at the local level for the older population.
• The results of this final assessment 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 Noncommunicable Diseases in Mozambique and will contribute to political engagement with community health authorities up to the center level.

Scope of Work : The final assessment, scheduled for 12 February to 31 March 2025, will specifically cover Chokwe District, with a main focus on the 20 communities neighboring the 20 health centers where the project is being implemented. The objective is to measure the results of project implementation in terms of technical skills and availability of essential equipment for the provision of health services for NCDs and Covid-19. Locations to be covered include: 1- Chókwè Rural Hospital, 2- Urban Health Center, 3- 3rd Neighborhood Health Center, 4- Machua Health Center, 5- 25 de Setembro Health Center, 6- Manjangue Health Center, 7- Matuba Health Post, 8- Cumba Health Post, 9- Tlawene Health Post, 10- N’waxikolwane Health Post, 11- Lionde Health Post, 12- Conhane Health Post, 13- Chilembene Health Post, 14- Macunene Health Center, 15- Mahlazine Health Post, 16- Hókwè Health Post, 17- Zuza Health Center, 18- Muianga Health Post, 19- Chalocuane Health Center and 20- Massavasse Health Center.

Skills and competencies : This Final Assessment will be conducted by an External Evaluator, in coordination with the three main stakeholder organizations, HelpAge International, VUKOXA and HelpAge Deutschland throughout all assessment phases.

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

Safeguarding: HelpAge International is committed to protecting the communities we work with, our partners, employees and anyone else we come into contact with. Therefore, you will also be responsible for:

• Prevent harm and abuse of our people, operations, and programs, to anyone who encounters our work;
• Report any safeguarding incidents you see, hear about, hear about or suspect using our internal reporting mechanism;
• Comply with all safeguarding framework policies and practices
• Complete mandatory training courses related to our safeguarding policy framework and comply with HR vetting procedures.

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

We believe that our workforce should reflect the great 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 in our work on the sand, regardless of gender, race, disability, age, nationality, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, marital status, pregnancy, social status and political beliefs.