Terms of Reference for Inclusive Eye Health Technical Advisor, Christian Blind Mission International

1. Introduction

CBM is an international Christian development organization, committed to improving the quality of life of people with disabilities in the world. CBM addresses disability as a cause and consequence of poverty, and works in partnership to create an inclusive society for all. Although the eye health portfolio is still growing, we are currently supporting projects that aim to improve delivery of quality eye health services through strengthening eye health systems across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels in seven (7) Counties.

The present document is the terms of reference (‘ToR’) on which CBM Christoffel-Blindenmission Christian Blind Mission e.V. (Country Office Kenya, hereafter named Contracting Authority) agrees to engage ‘the Consultant to provide consultancy services to CBM-supported eye health work in Kenya.

2. Background and Objective

In Kenya, it is estimated that about 7.5 million Kenyans (15.5%) are in need of eye health services, ranging from Age related cataract, Diabetic Complications in the eyes, Refractive errors, Trachoma, Allergic eye diseases and Di­fficulties in reading among many others. Only 21.3% (1.6 million) are able to access eye health services from both public and private facilities. The unmet needs in eye health range from availability of quality eye health services, eye health workforce, equipment, infrastructure to eye health medical products among others.

The objective of this assignment is:

The Technical Advisor will serve on Consultancy basis by ensuring technical quality in all areas of CBM-supported eye health work in Kenya. The successful candidate will provide expertise services to the National and County Governments, CBM Kenya Country Office staff and implementing partners aimed at ensuring delivery of work in the most professional, results-based and effective manner.

3. Standards and Ethics

The consultant shall undertake this engagement in accordance to professional and ethical standards of Ophthalmologists. The Contracting Authority requires that the consultant demonstrates objectivity in the role and complies with the independence requirements of professional Ethics for Ophthalmologists.

4. Qualifications of the Consultant

Education, Knowledge, and Professional Experience

• Ophthalmologist with more than 5 years of working knowledge in Kenya.
• Strategic and analytical skills
• Have a good understanding of health systems and universal health coverage initiatives in Kenya.
• Experience with CBM supported projects or eye health work with development partners/NGOs at least for 3 years is an advantage.
• Active membership in eye health professional body.
• Have a good understanding of project cycle and advocacy priorities in Kenya.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills verbally and in writing.
• Working knowledge Microsoft Office Package (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint e.t.c)
• Articulate in Kiswahili and English.

5. Task of the Consultant

I. Strategy Development and Implementation

• Provide technical advice and input into all existing and new inclusive eye health projects & budgets that are developed in Kenya, ensuring that project design and implementation is in line with good practice, Country Office Implementation Plan, Inclusive Eye Health (IEH) Plan and CBM technical guidelines.
• Assist the Kenya Country Director and country staff in identifying suitable partners in the inclusive eye health field and actively participating in technical partner assessments including technical capacity building in line with partner assessment recommendations.
• Provide technical guidance in the development & implementation of the IEH Plan by:
  • Leading the development of comprehensive IEH components in the Country Implementation Plan
  • Provide support development of IEH Concept Notes and full proposals
  • Aligning new IEH projects to CBM’s objectives and indicators.
  • Contributing to the alignment of CBM Kenya eye health projects to national priorities and CBM’s IEH Initiative plan.

II. Strategic Partnership Development and Networking

• Support CBM Kenya in conducting a mapping exercise and in identifying potential partnership and joint ventures.
• Strengthen partnership opportunities with national and international stakeholders to ensure programme delivery is harmonized with national and international standards and guidelines.
• Represent CBM Kenya in Eye Health Professional bodies and Networks including presentation of CBM’s work on IEH.

III. Staff Development at Country Office

• Train Country Office program staff in Inclusive Eye Health, preparing and implementation of eye health programmes and standards as agreed with the Country Office and IEH Initiative.
• Support the Country Office staff have a good understanding of the IEH standards.
• Provide capacity building to the Country Office staff on IEH Quality Management Framework and Washington Short Set of Questions.
• Provide support to the Country Office in designing and conducting operations research, Rapid Assessment for Avoidable Blindness (RAABs), Impact Surveys, feasibility studies, project end term evaluations, and any other studies.

IV. Main work package with regard to implementing eye health partners

• Develop minimum and contextualized standards for IEH programs for CBM in Kenya.
• Provide technical input and support during design of new projects.
• Ensure that partner’s staff have a good understanding of the IEH standards.
• Conduct/revise technical assessments to the specific IEH projects.
• Follow up on the recommendations in the action plan.
• Conduct physical & virtual visits as may be needed with focus on specific priority issues.
• Provide capacity development to partners to ensure quality of work.
• Ensure sharing of lessons learned and promote best practices with CBM and partner’s organisations;
• Check statistics submission from IEH partners in the Kenya.
• Review six-monthly Cataract Surgical Outcome reports from IEH partners and give feedback where necessary.
• Review IEH reports to ensure quality reports and timely submission to CBM.
• Support partners to ensure eye health data is entered into the Kenya Health Information System.
• Co-represent the Country Office at various levels as delegated by the Country Director.
• Capacity building to partner staff on Quality Management Framework; ensure partners conduct bi-annual Quality Management Assessment including collecting data using Washignton Short Set Group of questions tool.