(AFG) Third Party Monitor AKDN Health Action Plan for Afghanistan

1. Purpose of the Assignment

Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) is seeking to retain the services of a Consultant to provide ongoing assessment of the performance of the five-year health initiative, Aga Khan Development Network’s Health Action Plan for Afghanistan (HAPA). The Consultant will provide independent verification of progress towards the established HAPA results as well as identify problem areas, gather lessons learned and support improvement of overall program performance. Analysis of information gathered through the independent evaluation will be used to adjust the implementation of activities through a flexible and iterative approach designed to maximize results and respond to changes in context. The Consultant will submit semi-annual reports and work plans to the Steering Committee and work closely with AKFC, HAPA implementing agencies, and in consultation with HAPA donors.

2. Background and Context

The Aga Khan Development Network Health Action Plan for Afghanistan aims to improve the health status of men and women in selected provinces of Afghanistan, particularly women of reproductive age and children under five. Targeting selected districts in Badakhshan, Bamyan and Baghlan provinces, and also seeking to achieve national impact through capacity building and collaboration with national institutions including the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), HAPA aims to directly benefit 1,264,022 people, including 495,598 women, 525,732 men, 123,773 girls and 118,919 boys (below five years of age) over a five-year period (2015-2020). An initial envelope of CAD $76.5 million has been secured to fund priority activities within HAPA. Ongoing efforts will be made throughout the life of HAPA to mobilise additional resources to support the implementation of the entire HAPA, costed at USD $250 million.
 
Implemented by Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) in collaboration with the Government of Afghanistan, Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan (AKF-A), Aga Khan Health Service (AKHS), Aga Khan University (AKU) and Aga Khan Planning and Building Services (AKPBS), HAPA aims to:
1) Improve the quality and expand the range of health services in targeted remote and rural areas of Afghanistan,
2) Strengthen availability and quality of health human resources, and
3) Improve health practices and enhance civil society engagement and capacity to support effective health practices, especially in the area of nutrition
 
 
 

• Experience in a lead role with mandates that are similar to the one for this ToR;


• Expertise in the assessment of multi-sectoral health programs, including a sound understanding of WASH and food security/rural development;


• Relevant experience in measurement of health outcomes through a range of methods (quantitative and qualitative);


• Relevant experience analysing quantitative and qualitative data;


• Experience working in Afghanistan;


• Master degree (minimum) in a field related to international development, public health, global health, health policy and management;


• An additional degree in epidemiology would be considered an asset;


• Excellent oral and written English communication skills, with experience writing research papers and descriptive reports for diverse audience; Dari language skills are considered a strong asset;


• Ability to facilitate communication between various levels of management and work independently in order to meet deadlines.