EARLY INTERVENTION-RESEARCH CONSULTANT

Terms of reference

Identification and addressing barriers of scaling up sensory screening and early intervention services

1. About Sense International

Sense International (EA) Tanzania was registered in Tanzania under the NGO Act, 2000 (registration certificate number 00NGO/0390) on 15th February 2008. Sense International Tanzania is part of Sense International, a UK registered Non-Government global organization that supports people with deafblindness and multi-sensory impairments across a range of, often resource poor, countries including; India, Bangladesh, Kenya, Uganda, Peru, Nepal and Romania. Since 2008 Sense International Tanzania has been working closely with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government implementing different education projects to enable children with deafblindness and complex disabilities to access education. Currently Sense International Tanzania are implementing several other projects in the areas of Early Identification and Intervention, Inclusive Education and Improving Livelihoods for people with deafblindness and multi-sensory impairments in Tanzania.

2. About Early Screening and Intervention

The Sensory Screening and Early Intervention project seeks to perform early identification of children with deafblindness / multi-sensory impairments aged 0-5 years, and provide early intervention services to those positively identified. The project currently takes place in 4 health facilities in Temeke Municipality. The aim of the project is to reduce the impact of sensory impairments in children found to have deafblindness / multi-sensory impairments and increase their chances of living a full and independent life. The project is implemented in partnership with Temeke Municipal Council from April 2018 – March 2021 with support from Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) and Australian Aid. The project aims to conduct sensory screening of 72,000 children aged 0-5 in Temeke Municipality and provide early intervention therapy services to 80 children identified with these impairments.

3. Purpose of the research

Sense International Tanzania and the project Steering Committee for the Sensory Screening and Early Intervention project are looking to recruit a consultant to study the possibility of scaling up the Sensory Screening and Early Intervention services for children with deafblindness / multi-sensory impairments in Tanzania’s Public Health System. The research has two main purposes:

1. Analyze existing policies, legislations and other national guidelines and documents related to early identification of sensory impairments and intervention, and to identify any gaps in policies that need to be addressed.
2. Identify barriers of scaling up screening services for early identification of sensory impairments and early intervention services in Tanzania and make recommendations on how to address the barriers.

The resulting findings will be used to inform advocacy strategies and plans that aim to influence the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to strengthen Sensory Screening and Early Intervention services for children with deafblindness / multi-sensory impairments aged 0-5.

4. Scope of work

• Secure an expedited research permit from the National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR).
• Identify and analyze the policies relating to Sensory Screening (early identification) and Early Intervention services in Tanzania under the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC) and the Prime Minister’s Office – Labor, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities (PMO-LYED).
• Document the current status of Sensory Screening and Early Intervention services in
• Analyze the capacity of the current Public Health System to deliver early Sensory Screening and Early Intervention services to children with deafblindness / multi-sensory impairments at District and Regional levels through structured interviews with MoHCDGEC officials and review policies, strategies and budgets.
• Identify policy gaps in national policies relating to early Sensory Screening and Early Intervention and the Sense International model which need to be addressed in order to scale up Sensory Screening and Early Intervention services across Tanzania.
• Produce a report on the findings of the research study and provide recommendations to address the barriers for scaling up of the Sensory Screening and Early Intervention services for children with deafblindness / multi-sensory impairments in Tanzania.

5. Proposed Methodology

To develop comprehensive baseline information, the consultant will use the following methods: 

1. Briefing meeting with Sense International Tanzania.  
2. Desk-based literature review of, at least, the following documents:
   • National Health Policy 2007
   • National Eye Care Strategic Plan 2018-2022
   • National Strategic Plan of Non-Communicable Diseases 2016-2020
   • National Policy of Development for Persons with Disabilities (PMO-LYED)
   • Any other document which refers to early screening, identification and intervention for sensory impairments.
3. FGD/Structured interviews with, key implementing partners and stakeholders.
4. Report Writing and Feedback

6. Schedule of deliverables

The consultant will be required to present to Sense International Tanzania a detailed report of the study which covers:

1. Background of Sensory Screening and Early Intervention services for children with deafblindness / multi-sensory impairments in Tanzania.
2. Analysis of different Sensory Screening and Early Intervention policies under the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC) and the Prime Minister’s Office – Labor, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities (PMO-LYED), including an analysis of the gaps that need to be addressed in these Policies related to Sensory Screening and Early Intervention in the United Republic of Tanzania.
3. Analysis of the capacity of the current Public Health System to deliver Sensory Screening and Early Intervention services for children with deafblindness / multisensory impairments at District (Temeke) and Regional levels (Dar Es Salaam).
4. Analysis of NGOs providing early sensory screening and early intervention services to children with deafblindness / multi-sensory impairments and other (complex) disabilities.
5. Recommendations based on the policy analysis and interviews / Focus Group Discussions with Government and NGO officials for scaling up the Sensory Screening and Early Intervention services across Tanzania.
6. An Executive Summary of the report, of not more than four pages.
7. Develop interview and Focus Group Discussion questions, informed consent forms and guidelines.
8. Present findings of the research during a presentation of the final report to stakeholders.

7. Required qualifications and experience of the consultant

A successful candidate for the task should at a minimum have the following qualifications:

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Development Studies or any relevant degree from a recognized institution of higher learning.
• Experience in conducting research relating to social development issues and community health in a developing country.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the Tanzania Health Sector and social development issues.
• Ability to analyze information, write detailed, organized and informative reports that can be used to inform decision making.
• The applicant must be a national of the United Republic of Tanzania.
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili languages.
• Experience in working with people with disabilities would be an added advantage.

8. Timeline of Activities

The duration of the assignment is 6 weeks from date of signing the consultancy contract.

9. Safeguarding

Sense International Tanzania exists to support children and adults with deafblindness to realise their rights – including their right to protection from violence, exploitation, abuse, neglect and harm. We take our responsibility to keep people safe seriously, and continually strive to embed good practice across the organisation and beyond.

We understand safeguarding to be about ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone with whom we work - including people with deafblindness, their families, carers, and other professionals, as well as members of communities and entities such as disabled persons organisations. This obligation naturally extends to our own staff, trustees, volunteers and interns, as well as those in our partner organisations and other personnel associated with Sense International Tanzania. 

Our approach to safeguarding involves promoting a culture of safety for all and practising this in every aspect of the organisation’s day-to-day life. It also involves taking action for and on behalf of children and vulnerable adults who are suffering, or are at risk of suffering, significant harm as a result of abuse, exploitation or neglect.

Sense International Tanzania has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, harassment, violence, exploitation and abuse. Sense International Tanzania requires the successful candidate to comply with its Child and Vulnerable Adult Policy and Procedure and to sign its Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Declaration.  

10. Mode of application

Interested applicants are required to submit an application addressed to the Country Director of Sense International Tanzania. The following documents/evidence must be attached with the application: 

• An Expression of Interest letter (not more than 2 pages) outlining how their qualifications and experience meet the schedule of deliverables for this research.
• Curriculum Vitae (not more than 4 pages)
• A research methodology describing how they will accomplish the tasks described in the assignment above.
• A detailed budget for the assignment.
• Share examples of 1-2 similar pieces of work conducted with the past two (2) years.
• Three professional references can be contacted regarding the quality of the previous work conducted.
• Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)                 

All applications must be sent to infotz@senseint.or.tz by December 4th, 2020. Please write,

“EARLY INTERVENTION-RESEARCH” in the subject line. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. 

Sense International Tanzania considers all applicants equal without any discrimination on the basis of gender, age, sex, religion, tribe, origin or any other form of discrimination.