USAID Tubeho Project

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) study to measure the USAID-Tubeho Social Behavior Change (SBC) strategies.

Reference Number: TN 006 /Jhpiego-RW/FY24 

Terms of Reference for recruiting a consulting firm/company

February 2024

1. Introduction 

Jhpiego Rwanda requests applications from competent research and evaluation companies/firms to  conduct a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey to measure the implementation of SBC interventions strategies in selected districts and households supported by the USAID Tubeho Project. The USAID Tubeho Project is a five-year cooperative agreement to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and malaria services sustainably to reduce neonatal, child, and maternal mortality in Rwanda.

The USAID Tubeho project was designed to accelerate progress towards reducing maternal, newborn and child morbidity and mortality in Rwanda. To make this happen, USAID Tubeho will undertake a series of interventions in maternal, newborn, child, adolescent and youth, and malaria targeting individuals in all their diversities including, persons with disabilities. The USAID Tubeho project builds on past and current USAID investments, to accelerate the pace in the reduction of maternal, newborn, and child morbidity and mortality, allowing the GOR to feasibly reach its goals, even in times of disease outbreaks, thereby contributing to USAID’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy [CDCS] Development Objective [1]. At the end of 5 years, USAID Tubeho envisages accelerated progress towards reduction in the maternal mortality ratio from 203 per 100,000 live births to less than 160, and under-five mortality from 45 per 1,000 live births to less than 30.  USAID Tubeho is guided by four principles to increase project feasibility, scalability and sustainability: 1) data driven commitment to excellence; 2) locally led sustainability; 3) systems thinking; and 4) resilience planning/preparedness, intersectionality, inclusivity and transformative. Grounded in these four principles, progress is propelled by six strategic accelerators: 1) hyper-focus on key quality issues; 2) maximize impact via partnerships; 3) target inequities; 4) promote strategic innovations; 5) increase capacity in data-informed decisions; and 6) increase agency for adolescents, youths, women, people with disabilities and families to improve health.

USAID Tubeho aims to achieve the following result areas:

Result 1: Increased access to, availability and utilization of evidence-based, quality, respectful MNCAH/FP/RH/malaria services.

Result 2: Capacity of host country institutions, local organizations, and providers to sustainably deliver evidence-based, quality MNCAH/FP/RH/malaria services are strengthened in alignment with national priorities and global standards, and to respond to emerging global health threats.

Result 3: Increased use of adaptive learning and evidence in MNCAH/FP/RH/ malaria programming.

2. Scope of Work

This is a call for proposals from qualified research firms/company to support USAID Tubeho to conduct a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) study to evaluate its SBC interventions in 20 districts in Rwanda. To increase the utilization of MNCAH/FP/RH/malaria prevention and treatment services, and awareness of global health security related issues, USAID Tubeho Project uses social, and behavior change strategies aimed at improving healthcare-seeking behaviors in communities. The project leverages existing SBC channels to increase demand for high-quality services among critical groups focused on community and facility levels while recognizing the diversified needs of targeted populations.

3. The objective of the study

 The study’s main objective is to assess the current knowledge, attitudes, and practices and the reach and effect of MNCAH/FP/RH/malaria and global health security messages among the project’s target population. The study will estimate population exposure to SBC messaging, short-term SBC outcomes, perceptions, barriers, and influencers of behavior. Findings from this survey will help inform future directions of the USAID Tubeho SBC efforts.

3.1 The specific objectives of the study are to:

1. Assess community members' knowledge, attitude, and practice (adult and adolescent) concerning MNCAH/FP/RH/malaria prevention and treatment services and Global Health Security
2. Assess health care providers' attitudes, practices, and beliefs regarding the provision of RMNCAH/malaria prevention and treatment services and Global Health Security at the facility and community level.
3. Identify knowledge gaps, cultural beliefs, social norms or behavioral patterns, and community practices that create barriers to MNCAH/FP/RH/malaria prevention and treatment practices and Global Health Security
4. Measure the reach of the specified Tubeho MNCAH/FP/RH/malaria and Global Health Security messages.
5. Measure relevance and acceptability of the MNCAH/FP/RH/malaria and Global Health Security messages

        4. Specific tasks

The consultant(s) will carry out the following tasks:

1. Conduct an in-depth desk review.
2. Conduct meetings with crucial implementing partners, USAID Tubeho technical staff, and other stakeholders to inform the methodology and development of data collection tools.
3. Conduct a literature review of SBC studies on RMNCAH and malaria prevention and treatment conducted in Rwanda to enrich/frame the study.
4. Develop a detailed inception report highlighting the research methodology (study population and sample, data collection tools and procedure, data analysis plan, and timeframe) to be reviewed and approved by USAID Tubeho Project.
5. Develop and refine data collection tools.
6. Pre-test the data collection tools.
7. Collect data while observing applicable research standards and rigorous data quality through quantitative and qualitative methods.
8. Conduct data cleaning, entry, and analysis.
9. Provide frequency and cross tabulation tables for all key indicators.
10. Develop a draft report for review by USAID Tubeho Project.
11. Convene meetings to present and validate findings with technical program leads and senior management.
12. Develop a concise final report based on feedback from the program teams.
13. Provide the study data set to USAID Tubeho Project for future program needs.

      5. Methodology

Throughout this assignment, the consultant(s) will work closely with and receive guidance from USAID Tubeho Project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team, the SBC, and the program’s Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP), RHCC and other relevant stakeholders. The study will apply mixed methods, focusing on quantitative approaches. Different questionnaires will be designed and adapted based on RMNCAH, malaria topics, global health security and targeted audiences. Qualitative methods, namely, FGDs and key informant interviews, will also be applied. A representative sample of beneficiaries will be drawn from 20 USAID Tubeho-supported districts and shall represent different categories of targeted audiences to allow for relevant demographic and socioeconomic disaggregation. The consultant(s) should present a description of the proposed methodology in the technical proposal.

6. Qualifications for the Consultancy and Required Experience

• The team leader must have a Ph.D. or DrPH in relevant fields such as public health, Maternal, Child Health, Global Health, international Public Health, Community health,
• The team leader must be a Rwandan.
• The team lead must have relevant professional experience designing and implementing quantitative and qualitative studies, including KAP, baseline, related to MNCAH/FP/RH/malaria and global health security.
• The team lead and at least one other member must have published at least three verifiable articles in the areas of MNCAH/FP/RH/malaria in reputable peer reviewed journals with at least two as the primary authors.
• One team member must have proven experience in implementing or measuring the effectiveness of SBC approaches.
• Team leader or company must be registered to the Office for Human Research Protection Database before signing a contract.
• Clear and realistic Timeline

7. Timeframe

This assignment is expected to be conducted from March 2024 and completed in July 2024.

8. Confidentiality

All documents and data will be treated as confidential and used solely to facilitate this assignment.

9. 9. Instructions to Bids

The consulting firm should possess the following mandatory administrative documents:

• RDB registration certificate (matching the field)
• Valid Tax clearance certificate
• Valid RSSB Certificate

10. Evaluation criteria and methodology

The consultant will be selected using the quality and cost-based selection and the evaluation will be conducted against the following criteria:

11. How to Apply

Technical proposal should explain how the applicant intends to carry out the work and should include the following:

• Updated CV(s) of the proposed study team and roles of each team member, highlighting relevant qualifications and experience.
• Certificate of protection of participants in research of not more than one year ago.
• Description of applicant’s experience with studies of a similar nature and details of 3 former clients who can be contacted for reference (name, position, contact details).
• Detailed methodology that the consultant(s) suggest would be appropriate from their understanding of the TOR.
• Detailed study schedule.

The financial proposal should detail i.e  Breakdown of  the proposed budget for the assignment with (tax inclusive) in local currency. 

Interested consultant firms are encouraged to  submit both technical proposal  and stamped financial proposal in separate sealed envelopes not later than 20/03/2024, 5:00 PM, local time. Indicate on the envelopes: “Supporting the SBC Effectiveness Study of USAID Tubeho Project in Rwanda.’’

Address your Proposal  to the Finance and Operations Director at JHPIEGO, Gasabo, Kacyiru, KG 563 ST ROAD, Golf View Rise Building, 3rd Floor. Tel: 0788381188. 

For any inquiry, please submit through ,  Rwanda.Procurement@jhpiego.org   in at least 2 days before the bids submission deadline. 

Done at Kigali, February 28,2024

Laurence Mukanyindo

Finance and Operations Director