Terms of Reference For Consultancy at D-tree

Terms of Reference For Consultancy at D-tree

Terms of Reference (TOR) for Consultancy to Cost analysis and financial plan for expansion of Afya Tek project nationwide 

Background 

D-tree is a global health organization focused on expanding access to high-quality, life-saving care by strengthening primary health systems through government partnerships and technology integration. For 20 years, D-tree has harnessed technology to develop solutions that reimagine health systems with people at the center, making them more personalized, more accessible, involving a multi-disciplinary team skilled in public health, software development, and community engagement D-tree engages with governments to develop a shared vision for the potential of digital health, demonstrates the effectiveness of digital systems to improve health outcomes, and accompanies governments to scale these digital systems nationally and institutionalize them within their broader health systems. 

In 2019, Apotheker and D-tree joined forces and launched Afya-Tek: an innovative health program to improve the access and the quality of healthcare in the primary health care system in Tanzania. Afya-Tek envisions a primary health care system in Tanzania that acts together as one, digitally linking communities with their healthcare providers across every point of contact, to support patients across the continuum of care. With generous support from Fondation Botnar, Afya-Tek is improving maternal, child, and adolescent health in Tanzania through personalized, digitally-enabled care that allows patients to engage with the health system wherever they are: at their doorstep with community health workers (CHWs), at a community-based drug dispensing outlet, or at a primary health facility. This digital connection allows information to flow seamlessly across these touchpoints, creating a more integrated healthcare experience for patients. Now in Phase 2 (2023-2025), Apotheker and D-tree aim to further integrate Afya-Tek into Tanzania’s Unified Community System (UCS), the national digital community health framework, to ensure sustainable nationwide scaling. 

To achieve these goals, D-tree seeks a Tanzanian consultant to conduct a costing and fundraising analysis and develop a strategic plan that will provide an assessment of the resources required to scale the UCS integrated with Afya-Tek functionalities across Tanzania and secure sustainable funding through government and donor partnerships. The final output will serve as a guiding document for cost-effective scaling and long-term funding, tailored to meet the Afya-Tek Phase II goals for nationwide implementation. 

Objectives 

Develop a costing, fundraising, and sustainability plan that assesses and quantifies all direct and indirect costs required to expand Afya-Tek’s functionalities within UCS nationally and secure sustainable funding streams from government, donor, and private sector sources to support its national implementation and ongoing operational needs. Ensure this deliverable aligns with Afya-Tek Phase II objectives, the UCS framework, and Tanzania national community health workers goals. 

Scope of Work 

• Conduct a thorough financial analysis to estimate costs, in local currency, associated with scaling Afya-Tek across Tanzania, focusing on community health services, ADDOs, and HFs. This also includes costs related to capacity-building for government officials and stakeholders to ensure seamless adoption and sustainability. 
• Hold information gathering sessions with project implementers, key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health (MOH), PO-RALG, the Pharmacy Council, and community health workers, to gather inputs on financial priorities and scaling needs. 
• Hold workshops with Apotheker & D-tree in identifying cost components of the scaling of Afya Tek nationally, roles and responsibilities 
• Once the cost components are defined, lead Apotheker & D-tree in calculating the annual and total cost of scaling Afya Tek by region, by activity in both local currency and USD. Detailed budget files should be created and maintained to explain the scaling cost summaries in more detail and for future reference. 
• Hold consultations and meetings to align stakeholders on the proposed cost and funding strategy. 
• Develop a fundraising strategy that targets potential funding sources, including international donors, government budgets, and private sector partnerships. ● Recommend engagement strategies for building and maintaining government and donor support to secure multi-year funding. 
• Identify potential financial partnerships with stakeholders such as youth-led organizations and health-focused tech companies to leverage existing resources for sustainable scaling. 
• Develop a scaling plan that outlines recommended steps required to scale Afya-Tek sustainably in collaboration with the government, based on consultative meetings, interviews, and financial analyses. 

Deliverables 

• An inception report outlining the consultant’s approach, methodology, timeline, and data needs to be submitted within the first two weeks of the consultancy. 
• Afya-Tek scaling cost analysis: A detailed financial assessment excel tool, including a breakdown of costs required for Afya-Tek’s national scale-up, in alignment with the UCS and program phase II objectives. 
• Fundraising strategy: A document listing potential funding sources, partnerships, and recommendations for engagement strategies for securing multi-year financing from government and donors. 
• A summary of stakeholder consultations and informative interviews, including key notes and insights from the consultations regarding sustainable scale, costing and fundraising for Afya-. 
• Final report: A strategic plan and guiding document outlining the cost, fundraising roadmap, and scaling recommendations for Afya-Tek’s sustainable, nationwide implementation within UCS, to be submitted by the end of the consultancy period. This document should include actionable recommendations, cost projections, potential funding sources, and a recommended step-by-step scaling strategy. 

Timeline and Budget 

Timeline: The consultancy work should be completed no later than 28 February 2025 where the first draft should be shared by 27 January 2025. The consultant is required to propose the duration of the work which will be reviewed and approved by D-tree. 

Budget Requirements:

The consultant will submit a proposed budget which will be reviewed and approved by D-tree. The consultant’s proposed budget and costs will be subject to applicable taxes as stipulated by Tanzania law. The total cost submitted by the consultant should be inclusive of VAT. All budget amounts must be quoted in Tanzanian Shillings (TZS). For the successful offeror, all invoices submitted by the consultant must also be quoted in Tanzanian Shillings (TZS), and all payments will be made in Tanzanian Shillings (TZS). 

Prior Requirements 

The technical proposal should be no more than 3 pages (not including CV and sample writing) and include at least the following information: 

1. Demonstrate understanding of the assignment 
2. Describe experience of conducting similar work 
3. Provide a detailed work plan (including timeline and deliverables) 
4. Budget for completing the TOR and description of any assumptions made 3
5. An example of a relevant report or publication. 
6. Curriculum Vitae 
7. Two professional references 

Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in public health, Health Information Systems, Health Economics, or related fields. A PhD in one of these fields is an added advantage. 
• Proven experience in costing public health or digital health programs, with a preference to experience costing plans for health information systems or digital health platforms. ● In-depth understanding of Tanzania’s health system and relevant national digital health strategies. 
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and strategic thinking skills. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. 

To maintain confidentiality of information during the consultancy, the consultant agrees to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). 

Application 

Interested applicants should submit their technical and financial proposal as well as any supporting documents to [email protected], copying [email protected] and [email protected] or in hard copy to the D-tree office, 9th floor, Tan House, Dar es salaam .

Along with the technical and financial proposal, the applicant should enclose a portfolio of previous works undertaken in developing costing and financial strategic documents for digital health or health issues.

Deadline for submitting applications: 29 November 2024.