INTRODUCTION
The Fred Hollows Foundation (The Foundation) is an international development organization based in Australia and committed to ending avoidable blindness and improving the health and well-being of disadvantaged communities. Operating for over 30 years in more than 25 countries across Australia, The Pacific, South and South-East Asia, and Africa, The Foundation champions health equity, community empowerment, and sustainable health systems. Recognizing the rapid global ageing trend and the growing burden of eye and related health conditions in older populations, The Foundation has increasingly focused on this population group. For example, in 2023, The Foundation implemented projects in five countries – China, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Viet Nam – to expand access to eye care and integrated services for older adults. More recently, The Foundation has designed country projects that will deliver WHO’s model of Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) as a means to deliver Integrated People-Centered Eye care for this population group. To support implementation, there is a need for a concise, modular training package that can be used at country level to build the necessary competencies among health providers and others working to implement ICOPE. This package must be clear, practical, and adaptable to different country contexts, and should align with the ICOPE Handbook (2023) and other relevant resources and guidance.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
By 2050, the global population aged 60 and over is expected to reach 2.1 billion, almost doubling since 2019. Notably, most older people live in low- and middle- income countries today and, by 2050, it is estimated that 80% will live in these settings.
Evidence suggests that person-centred and integrated care is the best approach for implementing the spectrum of interventions needed in older age. Yet, in many countries, healthcare services are lacking for older populations; those that do exist are inappropriate for this population group because they were designed to cure acute conditions or symptoms in younger age groups; and coordination is frequently limited across care providers, settings and time, leading to disconnected and fragmented care. This results in poor health and wellbeing outcomes as well as avoidable care dependence. The fact that 73% of avoidable vision loss is concentrated in people aged 50 and over reflects existing gaps.
WHO’s Integrated Care of Older People (ICOPE) model was designed to address these shortcomings and improve outcomes for the older population. ICOPE was designed to help older people maintain or improve their mental and physical capacities for as long as possible. It aims to promptly identify and respond to declines in any of six interconnected domains of intrinsic capacity: cognition, psychological well-being, mobility, vitality, hearing, and vision. Additionally, it incorporates critical factors influencing older people’s health and quality of life, such as social care needs, caregiver support, and urinary incontinence. It is also a means to deliver Integrated Person-Centered Eyecare (IPEC) in this population group. ICOPE and IPEC are complementary WHO frameworks. Whereas ICOPE specifically focuses on older people’s health, including vision and other physical and mental capacities, IPEC aims to ensure that eye health care is integrated with other services across the lifecourse. Both promote people-centred, integrated, and community-level care, and are grounded in the goals of Universal Health Coverage. In this way, ICOPE can serve as a delivery mechanism for IPEC in older populations — ensuring that eye care is not siloed but embedded in the holistic health services older people receive.
Two new country projects were designed to deliver ICOPE in Viet Nam and Ethiopia. Their design is the result of extensive stakeholder consultations and co-design workshops. Upon completion of the design phase, The Foundation is now creating a practical training package designed to build the skills and competencies of healthcare providers and others involved in delivering the ICOPE model at various levels. The training will target three distinct audiences: (i) Healthcare professionals with specialized education – who will serve as Trainers of Trainers (ToTs); (ii) primary-level healthcare providers – to be trained by the ToTs; (iii) Community-level professionals (e.g., community health workers, population health officers) – to be trained by primary-level providers with ToT support.
PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY
The purpose of this consultancy is to develop a streamlined, easy-to-deliver TOT training package (in English) that will build the capacity of health providers and other professionals in delivering ICOPE. The training package should include essential materials for delivery, testing learning outcomes, and adapting content to local contexts. The consultant will also provide adaptation guidance and simplified templates to ensure the ToT package can be effectively cascaded to primary-level providers and community-level professionals.
APPROACH / SCOPE OF WORK
The consultant will work under the supervision of the Healthy Ageing Senior Advisor at The Fred Hollows Foundation who will oversee the project. Regular reporting/check in meetings will be scheduled with the selected consultant and take place via Teams. Written feedback will also be sent (as required) to the selected consultant on the deliverables so that it can be duly incorporated.
Specifically, the consultant will be expected to:
Phase 1: Desk review and training framework
• Review existing documentation, including the finalized project design of the ICOPE projects, the ICOPE handbook, WHO’s mhGAP tool;
• Identify and review other relevant resources and literature to inform the design of the training package and methods.
• Design the training framework, including objectives, target audiences, delivery modes and module structure.
Phase 2: Draft training package
• Develop a modular ToT training package with a trainer’s manual, session plans, facilitator notes, PowerPoint presentations, and a suite of assessment tools (pre/post tests, competency checklists, self-assessment forms, participant evaluation forms). Ensure the package is designed for practical delivery, including interactive, participatory methods.
• Provide clear guidance within the package on which elements (e.g. modules, slides, tools) should be used or adapted for cascade training at the primary and community levels.
• Develop simplified tools (e.g., short outlines, handouts) and a cascade delivery guide to support ToTs in conducting and / or supporting lower-level training without creating new materials.
Note: As part of this phase, the consultant will submit an interim draft of selected modules (with session notes, slides, and assessment tools) for review and feedback, prior to completing the full draft package.
Phase 3: Finalization and adaptation guidance
• Refine the package incorporating feedback from relevant stakeholders in Viet Nam on usability, clarity and cultural relevance of the training materials.
• Develop a brief adaptation guide (3-4 pages) to support localization of content (e.g. integration of country-specific case studies, health system pathways).
• Incorporate final post-training refinements to the training package and adaptation guide based on implementation feedback.
DELIVERABLES
The following deliverables are expected from the consultant in completing the assignment and will all need to be submitted in English:
Phase 1: Desk review and training framework
• Overview document outlining proposed structure of the training package, including training objectives, audiences, delivery modes, and module structure.
• Session outlines for training modules, including learning objectives and indicative duration.
Phase 2: Draft training package
• Draft trainer’s manual including the training structure, facilitation tips and overall instructions;
• Draft session instructions and facilitator notes for each module (to support delivery by non-experts on ICOPE);
• Draft module materials, including the PowerPoint slide decks with speaker notes and any needed handouts or training aids (e.g. screening checklists, care pathway summaries, case studies, role play scenarios);
• Draft cascade delivery guide and simplified tools (e.g., short outlines, handouts) to support effective cascade delivery without new material creation by ToTs.
• Draft assessment tools, including pre / post test questions, competency checklists, selfassessment tools and participant evaluation forms.
Phase 3: Finalization and adaptation guidance
• Revised training package (trainer’s manual, instructions, materials, assessment tools, cascade guidance), incorporating feedback from relevant stakeholders in Viet Nam.
• Brief adaptation guide (3–4 pages) for localization.
• Short completion note (2–3 pages) summarizing how feedback from Viet Nam was incorporated into the final package.
• Final post-training refinement: updated training package and finalized adaptation guide incorporating feedback from implementation in Viet Nam.
The Foundation will provide the following:
• Focal person to oversee the assignment and provide technical guidance;
• Provide background documents to support desk review;
• Give feedback on the different deliverables;
• Support coordination between the consultant and any relevant partners or stakeholders during the project.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
The consultant should demonstrate the following qualifications and experience:
Required:
- Advanced degree (Master’s level or higher) in a relevant field such as Public Health, medicine, nursing, health education, or a related field;
- Proven experience in developing training curricula and materials for health and social workforce capacity building, including adapting technical content into practical and easy-to-use resources for diverse audiences (from primary health care providers to community-level workers);
- Demonstrated skills in instructional design, adult learning methodologies and participatory training techniques;
- Competence in developing assessment tools to measure learning outcomes and competencies (e.g. pre-/post- tests, competency checklists, evaluation forms);
- Experience in designing and implementing training packages in low- and middle- income country contexts;
- Ability to design materials that are visually appealing, accessible, and easy to navigate (e.g., effective use of layout, visuals, and formatting in PowerPoint and handouts).
- Strong written and spoken English, with ability to produce clear and user-friendly training materials;
- Strong computer literacy including advanced use of Microsoft Office.
Preferred:
- Familiarity with WHO frameworks and tools, especially ICOPE and mhGAP Ø Experience facilitating training-of-trainers processes and cascade training models;
- Previous work experience in Viet Nam Ø Experience working with translation and localization of training materials.
ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE
The project is expected to start in October 2025 and be completed by May 2026.
DESCRIPTION
DUE DATE
FORMAT
Expression of Interest due 26 October
Confirmation of consultant – 7 November – Contract with consultant
Kick-off meeting – 10 November – Virtual meeting
Submission of overview document outlining proposed structure of the training package and session outlines for training modules – 21 November – Document(s) sent by email
Check-in meeting and report back – 25 November – Virtual meeting and document edits
Submission of interim draft of selected modules (with session notes, slides, sample assessment tools) 11 December – Document(s) sent by email
Check-in meeting and report back – 18 December – Virtual meeting and document edits
Check-in meeting: progress update – 15 January – Consultant to share updates and progress
Submission of complete draft training package – 30 January – Document(s) sent by email
Check-in meeting and report back – 5 February – Virtual meeting and document edits
Submission of revised training package after internal feedback – 20 February – Document(s) sent by email Check-in meeting to discuss external feedback -10 March – Virtual meeting
Submission of revised training package incorporating external feedback, including short note summarizing how feedback was incorporated – 20 March – Document(s) sent by email
Submission of draft brief adaptation guide for localization – 6 April – Document(s) sent by email
Check-in meeting to discuss implementation feedback following use of the training package in Viet Nam, discuss needed refinements and provide feedback on the adaptation guide – w/k 27 April (TBC) – Virtual meeting and document(s) edits (adaptation guide + training package)
Submission of final post-training refinement: updated training package and finalized adaptation guide incorporating feedback from Viet Nam implementation – 15 May – Document(s) sent by email
PAYMENT TERMS AND SCHEDULE
The maximum budget for this assignment is USD 18,000. The consultant will be paid against satisfactory delivery and formal approval of agreed outputs, according to the following schedule:
Deliverables, Payment terms, Estimated schedule:
Overview document and session outlines – Interim draft of selected modules- 20% – December 2025
Revised training package after internal feedback – 25% – February 2026
Revised training package with external feedback – 25% – March 2026
Final training package and brief adaptation guide following post-training refinements – 30% – May 2026.
CONFIDENTIALITY
The consultant (s) agree to not divulge confidential information to any person for any reason during or after completion of this contract with The Foundation. Upon completion or termination of this contract, the consultant (s) undertake to return to The Foundation any materials, files or property in their possession that relate to the work of The Foundation. The consultant will be responsible for safety, security and administration of primary and secondary data collected from FHF or otherwise.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
All intellectual property and/or copyright material produced by the consultant/s whilst under contract to The Foundation remain the property of The Foundation and will not be shared with third parties without the express permission of The Foundation. The consultant/s are required to surrender any copyright material created during the term of the contract to The Foundation upon completion or termination of the contract.
SAFEGUARDING PEOPLE
The Fred Hollows Foundation is committed to ensuring that its activities are implemented in a safe and productive environment which prevents harm and avoids negative impacts on the health and safety of all people, particularly children, vulnerable people, and disadvantaged groups. The Foundation has a zerotolerance approach to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment of any kind. All personnel including contractors/consultants are expected to uphold and promote high standards of professional conduct in line with The Foundation’s Safeguarding People Policy including Code of Conduct. Contractors/consultants will be expected to sign and adhere to The Foundation’s Safeguarding Code of Conduct and provide any background checks as required.
INSURANCE
Any consultants involved in this project will be required to have in place insurance arrangements appropriate to provision of the requirements in this Terms of Reference including travel insurance.
ETHICAL AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
The consultant and / or consultant team are expected to maintain high professional and ethical standards. The Foundation is committed to ensuring a safe environment and culture for all people, including children, with whom we come in contact during our work. All members of the consultant team will be required to comply with The Foundation’s Safeguarding People Policy and sign the Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
How to apply
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Interested applicants are invited to submit one single PDF containing the following components: a cover letter, resume/CV(s), technical proposal and financial proposal.
The technical proposal should include the proposed approach, an action plan and timetable in line with this TOR, and a description of how the consultant meets the required qualifications. Applicants are also encouraged to provide examples of relevant previous work (e.g., links to published training packages and materials) and contact details for references within the technical proposal.
The financial proposal must not exceed the maximum budget of USD 18,000 and will be evaluated alongside the technical proposal in selecting the consultant.
Applications should be sent by 26 October 2025 at 17.00h CET. Please include the following as email subject “Training ICOPE” and send to the following email address: vfuentenunez@hollows.org.
Only submissions that provide a single pdf with all requested information as stated in the TOR and those meeting minimum requirements will be considered. Qualified candidates may be subjected to a background check on child protection as a condition for engagement, and interviews are likely to be held with the top candidates as part of the recruitment process. Kindly note that only top candidates will be contacted.