Request For Proposals For Consultancy to Asses Knowledge, Attitude and Practice to Understand the Current Family Planning Context at UMATI

 

Request For Proposals For Consultancy to Asses Knowledge, Attitude and Practice to Understand the Current Family Planning Context at UMATI

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

ASSESSMENT ON KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TO UNDERSTAND THE CURRENT FAMILY PLANNING CONTEXT IN THE COUNTRY AND INFORM FUTURE STRATEGIC FP PLANNING

Project Title: Improving Access of SRH/FP to Young Women

Implementing Institution: UMATI

August 2024

INTRODUCTION

Chama cha Uzazi na Malezi Bora Tanzania (UMATI) is an autonomous, non-political national NGO providing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information, education, and services in Tanzania. It has been in operation since 1959 and became a leading national organization to-date providing quality youth-friendly SRH information and services, particularly to young people and women in the hard-to-reach areas. In 1965 UMATI became a member association for International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF). By being a member of IPPF, UMATI is internationally connected through experience sharing with other IPPF member associations.

UMATI is envisioning to see a Tanzania where people are free to choose and exercise their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights without discrimination in gender, sex, and age. The visioning process of UMATI highlighted the need to integrate “without discrimination” as a recurring theme as well as an organizational value statement. “Freedom of choice” was agreed as a paramount inclusion at the end that UMATI would love to see by doing its core business. 

UMATI’s Mission Statement is to champion SRHR and provide information and services targeting the young and underserved. UMATI strives for structural poverty reduction by improving the health of people in the country regardless of gender and political or religious beliefs, with priorities being given to the poorest communities and hard-to-reach populations and has been working with the governments of both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar since its inception over 60 years ago. To achieve a lasting reduction in social inequality, UMATI invests in the provision of gender responsiveness SRH services, youth and women empowerment, and evidence-based advocacy through result-based health projects implementation in 20 regions in Tanzania Mainland, and Zanzibar. UMATI recognizes that men and women experience different health needs and risks. 

With extensive experience managing large-scale projects, UMATI implements multiple interventions with more focus on youth and women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), especially on family planning bringing expertise on women/girl-centered and socio-cultural norm- transformative programming. UMATI has over 60 years of experience working in SRHR and experience in implementing large-scale projects, providing technical support, and linking and learning between different partners. We work towards strengthening the capacities of our local partners to manage and implement projects across three broad domains: organizational, thematic, and lobby & advocacy. To build organizational capacity and thereby sustainability of our projects. 

ABOUT THE PROJECT

The project aims to enhance access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and family planning (FP) services specifically targeting young people and women in Tanzania. It seeks to address barriers such as limited knowledge, cultural norms, and inadequate trained healthcare providers that hinder young people and women from accessing essential SRH/FP information and services. Through targeted interventions including education, community engagement, and healthcare provider training and mentorship programs, the project aims to empower young people and women with accurate information and increase their access to FP methods.

ABOUT THE ASSIGNMENT 

UMATI under the support of the UNFPA is expecting to conduct the “Assessment on knowledge attitude and practices to understand current FP context in the country and inform future strategic FP planning”. The assessment the target the FP service beneficiaries i.e. young people, women, men, service providers, and decision-makers at national, regional and district level.

This assessment is crucial for identifying existing gaps in awareness and misconceptions, evaluating community attitudes towards various FP methods, and analyzing current practices in family planning. By capturing a detailed snapshot of these elements, stakeholders can gain insights into the effectiveness of current FP programs, uncover barriers to access and use, and recognize cultural and socio-economic factors influencing FP decisions. This information is essential for designing targeted interventions, improving service delivery, and crafting strategies that resonate with local needs and preferences. Ultimately, the assessment will provide a solid evidence base to inform and refine future strategic FP planning, ensuring that initiatives are both contextually relevant and impactful in enhancing reproductive health outcomes in Tanzania.

The assessment will be conducted in three selected regions in Tanzania supported by this project which are Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and Shinyanga,

ASSESSMENT COVERAGE /METHODOLOY

This assessment will be conducted at National level for review of relevant national documents include consulting family planning related researches / studies reports and interventions implementations reports available and KIIs and knowledge assessment survey will be conducted in three regions in Tanzania which are:

• Dar es Salaam
• Shinyanga
• Dodoma  

AIM OF THE ASSESSMENT 

The main goal of this assessment is to inform future strategic planning for Family Planning programs and policies. By synthesizing data on knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Policymakers and healthcare providers can able to design targeted interventions, improve service delivery, and advocate for policy change. 

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 

1. To determine the extent to which individuals and communities are aware of different FP methods, their effectiveness, benefits, and potential side effects. 
2. To explore attitudes towards FP, including cultural, religious, and societal norms that influence decision-making around contraceptive use and family planning.
3. To investigate current behaviors related to FP, including contraceptive use patterns, adherence to methods, and utilization of FP services. 
4. To determine factors influencing the choice of FP methods and access to services, such as availability, affordability, and quality of care.
5. To identify specific demographic groups (e.g., adolescents, rural populations, marginalized communities) that may have limited access to FP information and services.
6. To assess the quality, accessibility, and availability of FP services provided by healthcare facilities and providers.

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY 

The purpose of this consultancy is to oversee all aspects of the assessment/study components such as obtaining the ethical clearance Certificate from the required bodies and/or agencies, to conduct an objective assessment that generates independent, high-quality, and tangible results. 

The consultant will be responsible for the management and integrity of the assessment design, conduct, and reporting, additionally, the consultant will be responsible for the direction and oversight of compliance, personnel(enumerators), and other related aspects of the assessment. 

The hired consultant shall be reporting to the Head of Programmes with the support from the Project Lead.

SCOPE OF WORK

The following is a general scope of work for the assessment 

• To prepare and present the developed assessment protocol and ensure tools are translated into languages commonly spoken in the local areas and translated back into English.
• To work with UMATI staff to finalize an appropriately designed assessment protocol 
• To carry out a desk review of existing data/information related to Family planning in Tanzania
• To coordinate logistics of collection of necessary data, supervision of assessment team (enumerators), quality control of data, cleaning, analysis, and interpretation of the findings. 
• To highlight lessons learned and formulate recommendations with a focus assessment title  
• To develop the final assessment report 
• Translating the complex report findings into simple descriptive and creative for easy understanding to decision-makers 
• Present the assessment findings report at dissemination workshops. 

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES 

UMATI is looking for a consultant with the following set of skills, knowledge, and experience: 

• Masters in a relevant field, such as Public Health, M&E and Programme Management 
• Minimum 5 years of research experience
• Relevant experience in analyzing research data 
• Excellent written English communication skills, with a focus on research protocols, research papers, and descriptive reports for a diverse audience
• Ability to facilitate communication between various levels of management and work independently to meet deadlines
• Consultant should have published evaluations in peer-reviewed journals.
• Solid knowledge and experience in SRH/FP research
• Good understanding of government protocols and procedures

TIMELINES 

The evaluation is scheduled to take place for two months from August to September 2024. 

SUBMISSION 

The applicant will submit an electronic Expression of Interest (EOI) stating his/her capability to conduct the assessment; including a budget showing details of all activities (e.g. # of days per person and description of the person’s job; the cost of tools, etc); proposed work plan with timelines; curriculum vitae and description of similar project assignments undertaken. The expressions of interest must be submitted by August 29th, 2024 to Executive Director at applications@umati.or.tz

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