Terms of Reference (TOR) for Consultant

1. Introduction

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) represent a growing health and development challenge in the African region. NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, mental disorders and chronic respiratory diseases, are responsible for a significant portion of morbidity and mortality on the continent. NCDs were responsible for 37% of deaths in 2019, rising from 24% in 2000 largely due to weaknesses in the implementation of critical control measures including prevention, diagnosis and care. The Africa NCDs Network (ANN) is a coalition of legally recognized Civil Society NCD National Alliances and organizations whose major aims are to promote and accelerate the implementation of the NCD Agenda in the African Continent through national advocacy efforts. One of the pillars of the ANN’s work is People Power, referring to the need to ensure that the people that services and programs are designed for, are front, center and meaningfully engaged in the development, implementation, evaluation and improvement of these services. In this light, the ANN has participated in the development of the NCD Alliance’s Global Charter on Meaningful Involvement of People Living with NCDs, has developed an African Regional Advocacy Agenda of People living with NCDs and participated in consultations lading to the development of the WHO Framework on Meaningful Involvement of People Living with NCDs.

To further this work with the consideration of the strengths of these frameworks, the Africa NCDs Network (ANN) is a seeking the services of a qualified consultant to review existing meaningful involvement frameworks, explore synergies among these frameworks, and draft a comprehensive “Way Forward” report. The consultant will be responsible for assessing the Africa Regional Advocacy Agenda of People Living with NCDs, the Global NCD Alliance’s Global Charter of Meaningful Involvement of People Living with NCDs, and the WHO Framework on Meaningful Involvement of People Living with NCDs. The goal is to provide recommendations on how these tools can be leveraged by national alliances and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to advance the People Power agenda within the ANN, with a focus on engagement with countries in the African region and relevant regional bodies, including WHO AFRO and Africa CDC. To effectively advance this agenda, the ANN seeks to harmonize and leverage existing meaningful involvement frameworks and develop a strategy for their implementation as well as follow up of their implementation by relevant stakeholders in the African continent.

Objectives: The consultant’s primary objectives are as follows:

1. Review the Africa Regional Advocacy Agenda of People Living with NCDs, the Global NCD Alliance’s Global Charter of Meaningful Involvement of People Living with NCDs, and the WHO Framework on Meaningful Involvement of People Living with NCDs.
2. Identify areas of synergy and alignment among these frameworks.
3. Assess the relevance and applicability of these frameworks within the context of African countries.
4. Develop recommendations on how national alliances and CSOs within the ANN can effectively utilize these frameworks to further the People Power agenda in their respective countries.
5. Provide guidance on how these frameworks can be utilized in interactions with regional bodies, particularly WHO AFRO and Africa CDC, to promote meaningful involvement in NCD-related policies and programs.

Scope of Work: The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

• Conduct a comprehensive review of the Africa Regional Advocacy Agenda of People Living with NCDs, the Global NCD Alliance’s Global Charter of Meaningful Involvement of People Living with NCDs, and the WHO Framework on Meaningful Involvement of People Living with NCDs.
• Develop content that adequately engages with key stakeholders within the ANN, national alliances, CSOs and regional bodies involved in NCD Prevention and control, to understand the current state of meaningful involvement and challenges faced in African countries.
• Identify common themes, principles, and best practices across the three frameworks.
• Analyze how these frameworks can be adapted and applied effectively in diverse African contexts.
• Provide practical recommendations and a clear roadmap for the ANN, national alliances, and CSOs on how to integrate these frameworks into their advocacy and engagement activities.
• Propose strategies on how the ANN can engage with WHO AFRO and Africa CDC to ensure meaningful involvement in regional NCD initiatives.

Deliverables: The consultant will deliver the following outputs:

1. Inception Report detailing the proposed methodology and work plan within 3 days of contract commencement.
2. Implement the Approved work methodology and plan within 2 weeks
3. Draft “Way Forward” report for review and feedback by end of 3^rd week
4. Final “Way Forward” report, incorporating feedback received by 4^th week
5. Presentation of findings and recommendations to ANN Secretariat at satisfactory close of period

Timeline: This consultancy is expected to be completed within one month from the contract start date.

Qualifications: The consultant should possess the following qualifications and expertise:

• Proven experience in NCD advocacy and meaningful involvement of patients and communities.
• Familiarity with international and regional NCD policies and frameworks.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Previous experience working in Africa is desirable.

Budget: The budget for this wok is 3000 USD.

Application Process:  Interested candidates should submit their CV, a cover letter outlining their qualifications and approach to the assignment, and a sample of a relevant previous work to ncdsafrca@gmail.com with tag line “Consultant for Meaningful Involvement” by October 1, 2023; 12:00noon, GMT+1.

Evaluation Criteria: Candidates will be evaluated based on their qualifications, relevant experience, proposed methodology and clarity.