Save the Children National and County Health Budgets Review and Analysis Terms of Reference-Job Vacancy 2013
Terms of Reference for National and County (Wajir, Mandera, Meru, Turkana and Bungoma) Health Budgets Review and Analysis
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
1. Background
Save the Children (SC) International is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of millions of children in need around the world.
Recognized for our commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, our work takes us into the heart of communities, where we help children and families help themselves.
We work with other organizations, governments, non-profits and a variety of local partners while maintaining our own independence without political agenda or religious orientation.
Our Vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. Our Mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.
Save the Children has supported children in Kenya since before its independence in 1963 and has had a consistent operational presence in the country since 1984.
We provide support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners. Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, Health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH.
Save the Children has an operational presence in Nairobi, Dadaab Refugee Camp, Habaswein, Mandera, Meru and Wajir.
Currently, we have a staff complement of approximately 300 and a confirmed budget of approximately US$21 million this year.
1.1 Contextual background to health budgets review
The ushering in of the devolved system of governance, enshrinement of health rights in the constitution and reforms in public management financing, offer significant opportunities for the development and improvement of the health sector in Kenya.
The national government is now mandated to play an oversight role and health policy formulation while the county governments are charged with health service provision.
To improve equitable access to essential health care services, both the county and national governments must be dedicated to meet the international threshold of 15% of their expenditure as stipulated in the Abuja declaration on governments’ health care financing and as well meeting the target of the social pillar of vision 2030.
Given that there are now 48 governments, each with different priorities, it is important to undertake this review and analysis of the budgets, with a view to ascertaining the percentage allocation to health, and the priorities of the selected counties.
2. Purpose
Save the Children, Kenya Country Office seeks to procure the services of a consultant to take up the task of a budget analysis exercise (akin to the national health accounts development) to ascertain the apportionment of different sector budgets by national and selected county governments in Kenya, with a special focus on health budgets.
The review will seek to find out the allocations per vote head (between recurrent and development expenditures), with the aim that the findings will bolster health advocacy initiatives, both at the counties and at the national level.
2a. Specific Objectives of the Survey
The specific objective areas are;
- To review the 2013/14 budgetary priorities and allocations of the National and 5 County Governments to the health sector in relation to other sectors, with reference to national, and international commitments and policy frameworks.
- To review the 2013/14 specific budgetary priorities and allocations by National and 5 County Government to the health sector with emphasis on monies earmarked for development and recurrent expenditure.
- To provide analysis on the implication of the 2013/14 budgetary priorities and allocations on the delivery of healthcare services both for the National and 5 County Governments, in view of the deliverables of the Child Survival and Development Strategy, Constitution of Kenya 2010, Vision 2013 and MDGs 4, 5 and 6.
- To provide guidelines and recommendations on best practices on health financing mechanisms
3. Methodology
The consultant will develop the survey methodology in consultation with SC country and county teams (Health and HIV/AIDS Advisor, Area Programme Manager).
The consultant is expected to write an inception report following review of literature and gaps where he/she will explicitly propose a survey methodology.
3.1. Reference Material
- County Integrated Development plans
- County budgets
- National budget
- (Draft) County health strategic plans
- Any other relevant documents (policies)
4.0 Time Frames
Time frame for the activities will be November 2013 to December 2013
4.1. Timeframe and activities
The survey should be completed over a period of approximately 30 days from mid-November 2013.
XX Please note these are indicative timelines, and the assessment process will consider how practical and competitive the proposed timelines are
4.2 Output and Deliverables
The following specific outputs are expected –
(i) An Inception report.
(ii) A draft survey report
(iii) A Final survey report including findings and recommendations to SC and stakeholders.
(iv) PowerPoint presentation, summarizing the key findings from the survey submitted together with the final survey report.
4.3 Inception report
The consultant is expected to submit an inception report after 5 working days of commencing this survey.
The report outlines the appropriateness and robust methodology to be employed and provides the organization and the consultant with an opportunity to verify that they share the same understanding about the survey and clarify any misunderstanding at the outset.
The report should reflect the consultant’s review of literature and the gaps that the field work will fill.
Field work will only commence once this report has been reviewed and agreed with the designated SC representative.
4.4. Draft Report
The draft survey report must be submitted to the Country Health and HIV/AIDS Advisor within 7 days after field work and data analysis.
The draft report will be circulated to the designated representatives and key stakeholders for comments.
4.5 Final Report
The final report of the survey, after integration of the various comments made, must be submitted within 5 days after reception of the comments from SC.
The survey report is an exclusive property of Save the Children and should not be released without prior authorization.
The final report will be available through Save the Children and will also be circulated to its partners.
4.6 Summary Findings
On submission of the final report, the consultant is expected to submit a PowerPoint presentation (maximum 15 slides), summarizing the methodology, challenges faced, key findings under each of the survey criteria and main recommendations.
This should be submitted together with the final report.
5.0 Administrative / Logistical Support
5.1 Budget
The lead Consultant should submit to Save the Children forecast of the budget including his/her consultancy fees. All other costs for the survey – transport from Nairobi to field and back (flight) and field accommodation will be covered by Save the Children or as per the contract.
5.2 Schedule of payment
The following payments will be made to the consultant using and agreed mode of payment.
- After inception report: 30%
- After Final Report: 70%
5.3 Logistics
Save the Children will provide the following support towards the successful execution of this consultancy:
- Avail any relevant internal documents as referenced above
- Costs of flights and road transport between Nairobi- field and back.
- Field transportation and reasonable accommodation
- Stationeries and supplies
- Linking the consultant with the key organizations/stakeholders at the county and districts that will be consulted during the survey-where feasible.
- Pay consultant’s fees
5.4 Conditions of Work
The consultancy will be technically supervised from Save the Children Nairobi office by the Country Health and HIV/AIDS Advisor.
The consultant will be required to abide by the organization’s applicable rules and regulations, including the code of conduct and child safeguarding policy.
6.0 Survey Team
The survey shall be conducted by an external consultant(s), selected through competitive proposal submission process.
The lead Consultant will have as minimum the following core competencies:
- A postgraduate qualification in Health policy, Health economics, Health Systems Management
- Possesses projects/programme analysis, comprehensive understanding of broad issues that impact on the lives of women, girls and children health.
- Extensive (over 10 years) knowledge and experience in conducting budget analysis and surveys
- Similar work in the last 3 years (copies will be required)
- A demonstrated high level of professionalism and an ability to work independently and in high-pressure situations under tight deadlines.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- High proficiency in written and spoken English
- Supervision and Management of evaluations
- Understanding of child safeguarding and child participation procedures
6.1 Expression of Interest
All interested consultants/firms are requested to write an expression of interest following the attached EOI format ONLY (click here to download the EoI Form) by email to: Kenya.jobapplications@savethechildren.org with a copy to jack.onyando@savethechildren.org
Please indicate ‘National and County Health Budgets review and analysis consultant’’ as the subject heading.
Application deadline: Tuesday 5th December 2013, 5.00pm.
Any canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.