CONSULTANCY ON ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT (ATA-C)

BACKGROUND

Assistive technology (AT) is a subset of health technology that refers to assistive products and related systems and services developed for people to maintain or improve functioning and thereby promote well-being. Examples of assistive products include hearing aids, wheelchairs, communication software, spectacles, incontinence products, and pill organizers. It enables people with difficulties in functioning to live healthy, productive, independent and dignified lives, participating in education, the labour market and social life.

Worldwide, over one billion people are in need of AT, a number predicted to rise to two billion by 2050 due to population ageing and a rise in non-communicable diseases. Yet, only one in every 10 people who need AT – to learn, to work or to fully participate in their communities – have access. This gap is even more prominent across low resourced settings, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

In response, WHO established the Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology (GATE) initiative in 2014 to improve access to high-quality assistive products by focusing on five interlinked areas (5P): people-centered policy, products, provision, and personnel. The GATE initiative aims to provide technical assistance to Member States to meet their related commitments and realize strategic actions to improve access to AT. In May 2018, the 71st World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA71.8, urging Member States to take effective actions in developing, implementing, and strengthening policies and programmes that improve access to AT.

To support AT policy and programme development, WHO has developed an assistive technology toolkit, which collects comprehensive information about population need for AT and the system’s capacity to finance, procure, and provide AT. One of the tools is the assistive technology capacity assessment (ATA-C).

The ATA-C is a systems-level assessment of a country’s capacity to finance, procure, and provide assistive technology. It consists of a preparatory phase, data collection phase, reporting phase, and consensus building and action planning phase.

In response to the request for technical assistance from the Ministry of Health Viet Nam, the ATA-C will be conducted jointly by the Ministry of Health and WHO and supported by national and an international consultants. This terms of reference is for an International consultant.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide remote technical assistance in the conduct of an assistive technology capacity assessment and development of a strategic action plan to improve access to assistive technology in Viet Nam. The consultant will collaborate with the national consultants, Medical Services Administration – Ministry of Health and the WHO technical team, and USAID’s implementing partner of the International Center working in the area of the AT.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

In close consultation with the concerned national team and WHO, the service provider will provide remote technical assistance on conducting an in-depth assessment of assistive technology capacity (ATA-C) in Viet Nam with the following outputs and deliverables:

Output 1:  Preparation phase: The priority at this phase is to familiarize the team with the WHO ATA-C tools and the stages of implementation.   

• Deliverable 1.1: Organize an orientation mission/webex meetings
• Deliverable 1.2:  Develop assessment protocol for adapting the ATA- C in Viet Nam
• Deliverable 1.3:  In consultation with the national team, develop a stakeholder engagement plan.
• Deliverable 1.4: In consultation with the national team, adapt the model ATA-C questionnaires for the context of Viet Nam

Output 2: Data Collection phase: The national team, with guidance from the international consultant gathers data through semi-structured interviews with identified stakeholders.

• Deliverable 2.1: In consultation with national team, adjust questionnaires after field testing if needed
• Deliverable 2.2: Provide technical assistance to the national team during data collection

Output 3: Data Consolidation and analysis: All information gathered from interviews, desktop research and other sources consolidated in one place.

• Deliverable 3.1: Develop the frame to organize information gathered in the collection phase in order to consolidate information sources in one place and facilitate for data analysis and reporting
• Deliverable 3.2: Work with the national consultants for data analysis
• Deliverable 3.3: Analyse data set provided by the national team complemented with desktop research done, against the 5P framework: people-centered, policy, products, provision and personnel, which meet the ATA-C objectives

Output 4: Reporting: Draft report to share assessment findings with stakeholders

• Deliverable 4.1: Work with the national consultants to develop the outline the draft report
• Deliverable 4.2: Prepare a zero draft report identifying the existing capacity, key gaps and opportunities in the AT sector, analysing trends and determining implications on the next steps in strengthening the AT sector and health system
• Deliverable 4.3: Based on feedback from the technical meetings   revise the zero draft report to first draft

Output 5: Consensus building through stakeholder workshop*

Deliverable 5.1: Finalise the report findings to reflect the group consensus and develop the draft strategic objectives and actions.

*If possible, the consultant will facilitate the stakeholder workshop in person.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

The service provider will review relevant documents and publications related to assistive technology and rehabilitation area; coordinate with stakeholders including country office counterparts; travel to Viet Nam to provide direct support if required and possible; and draft related activity reports.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Master’s Degree in assistive technology, public health, rehabilitation-related areas, or related fields

EXPERIENCE

• • At least 7 years of experience in public health, rehabilitation, healthcare and/or health technology management including provision of assistive technology or related
• • Experiences in conducting researches, assessments and evaluations
• • Experiences in data analysis and reporting
• • Previous experience of working with international agencies, government and national-level institutions, especially in Vietnam context is an asset

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• • Technical knowledge in health policy and healthcare/health technology management including provision of assistive technology and medical devices.
• • Data analysis and reporting skills
• • Good communication and coordination skills
• • Excellent analytical, planning and organizational skills
• • Ability to work in a team with limited supervision
• • Ability to work under pressure

LANGUAGES

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

COMPETENCIES

• • Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• • Ensuring the effective use of resources
• • Fostering Integration and team work
• • Communication in a credible and effective way

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Telework, with the possibility of travel to Viet Nam during the consensus building workshop

• Starting Date: 1 September 2020
• Duration on Contract: 1 September 2020– 31 March 2021 (7 months, part time)

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 24 August 2020. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 112360 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.