Terms of Reference for the digital health systems

About Us.

Action Against Hunger (ACF), a humanitarian and development leader combating hunger, has served Somalia for three decades. Action Against Hunger provides lifesaving malnutrition treatment, creates innovative solutions to hunger, and partners with communities to foster resilience and lasting change. Our Multisectoral hunger prevention programs increase access to water, sanitation, and hygiene, strengthen health systems, improve livelihoods, and empower women. In Somalia, we have been on the frontlines of treating and preventing malnutrition for three decades. We respond to humanitarian crises, meeting the urgent humanitarian and development needs of the most vulnerable sections across the country in the three main sectors of health and nutrition, WASH and Food Security and Livelihoods.

Action Against Hunger has been operational in Somalia for more than 30 years, with operational presence in Banadir, Lower Shabelle, Bakool, Bay, and Nugaal regions with recent expansion to Hiraan, Middle Shabelle, Gedo, Lower Juba and Sool regions. In Somalia, we have been implementing both humanitarian and development programming through Integrated Health, Nutrition, WASH, Food Security, Livelihoods and Resilience projects. Through the years, we have garnered lessons through our interactions with stakeholders (including Communities), reinvented our approaches, brought on board innovative approaches to save lives, and left no one behind.

Background

Action Against Hunger jointly with The Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Southwest State of Somalia is committed to strengthening the health system to improve service delivery across the region. A critical aspect of this effort is the enhancement of the digital health system to create accountability in service utilization and uptake.

This Terms of Reference (TOR) outlines the requirements for digitalization of specific health components and training relevant staff at state, regional and district level on the use and adoption of the system.

Scope of Work

Scope of Work for OGOW

The consultancy covers delivery of the activities defined below in 6 hospitals and 40 health centers in Bay region.

• Support on the roll out of the digitalization of immunization and ANC services in targeted areas in Bay.
• Conduct discovery to understand the context in collaboration with ACF.
• Collaborate with ACF and Ministry of health SWS to identify appropriate activities as well as identify area of focus for digital components
• Ensure the smooth running of the application at facility level.
• Give technical support as needed at all levels
• Set up the digital application with pre-defined indicators.
• Provide technical support on any problems arising with the digital application.
• Building capacity of staff on facilities the digital application is being implemented.
• Provide necessary reports based on the Employers timeline and templates.
• Participate in external meetings with MOH at the state or national level and other partners as needed.
• Provide regular on the job support
• Integrate DHIS with the set up digital platform
• Support on developing context appropriate sensitization messages (both voice and text)
• Participate in monthly partners meeting
• Support the ACF program team developing knowledge and learning materials
• Participate in meetings with external project stakeholders
• Identifying arising challenges and suggesting mitigation measures

Duration of the Assignment.

The expansion activity is expected to be completed within three months from the commencement date, with the following key milestones:

Month 1:

o Requirement gathering and system customization.

o Development of training modules and user manuals.

o Implementation of user access and permissions.

o Initial training sessions for regional and district teams.

Month 2:

Full deployment of system.

o Ongoing training and support.

o Final review and adjustments based on user feedback.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

We are looking for a suitable firm with the following skill set and experience to support this assignment.

• Lead consultant with Master’s System Development, computer science, or related field with at least 5 years’ experience, or bachelor’s degree with at least seven years.
• Experience in the development of digital systems and solutions in fragile contexts.
• Demonstrated experience in digital solutions at the international level.
• Ability to lead system development to users’ satisfaction experience in training and capacity building of end users on the system.
• Ability to travel for extended periods of time in-country to support system roll out and expansion.
• Willingness to travel to Somalia (if out of the country) and work with Action Against Hunger team and Health facility staff.

How to apply

How to Apply.

Interested and qualified persons should send applications to procurement@so-actionagainsthunger.org by 17 – March 2025

The application should include:

1. Technical proposal detailing the methodology, their understanding of the TOR and approach for delivering the assignment including features of proposed system
   1. team composition and CVs of key personnel Consultant’s CV
      1. Financial proposal
         1. Proof of Similar work done/Demo of a functional system.
         2. Detailed work plan and timelines.