Consultant

RTI International is an independent organization dedicated to conducting innovative, multidisciplinary research that improves the human condition. Please visit our website at  www.rti.org/globalhealth for more information on our work in global health.

RTI International is seeking “Consultant” for Midterm Technical and Organizational Capacity Assessment (TOCAT) of Lifeline Nepal (LLN)”. 

Health for Life (H4L) is a five-year (2012-2017) project financed by USAID and working primarily in coordination with the Government of Nepal’s Ministry of Health (MOH). As a result, H4L has a significant national presence to support the testing and roll-out of national-level policies, guidelines and programs. In addition to the national focus, The Project currently covers 12 districts in the Mid-Western Development Region, 3 in the Western, one each in the Eastern, Central and Far-Western Regions and 10 of the most earthquake-affected districts to strengthen district and village health systems and help identify and implement best practices. H4L collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders, including academic and research institutions, training centers, media partners and civil society.

The primary goal of H4L is to strengthen the Government of Nepal’s capacity to plan, manage and deliver high-quality and equitable family planning, maternal, newborn, and child health services.  H4L activities directly address key health system constraints in the following areas: local health systems governance, data for decision making and evidence-based policy development, human resources management, quality improvement systems, and knowledge and behavior change. 

USAID’s logistics contractor Lifeline Nepal (LLN) for logistical support activities - which is responsible to provide Technical Assistance to enhance the capacity of the Logistics Management Division (LMD), Department of Health Services (DoHS). In the past, LLN’s organizational capacity has been assessed as baseline using Technical and Organizational Capacity Assessment (TOCAT). 

The Consultant will conduct Midterm Technical and Organizational Capacity Assessment (TOCAT) with the indicators used for baseline,  input provided then after and progress made so far, and recommend their present status indicating critical areas for improvement with a  time bound plan for capacity enhancement through i) their internal efforts, and ii) H4L (core)’s inputs.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Review baseline reports:  Review materials used for Technical and Organizational Capacity Assessment (TOCAT) and its findings from baseline study and follow the inputs provided as capacity enhancement plan recommended.
• Review additional documents:  Scan CVs and experience of new staff members if any including HR input provided by H4L, new bidding proposals successful  failed ones and on process, technical briefs and reports LLN has produced for internal use and for their clients. 
• Review vision, mission and strategy: Consultant reviews documents that states LLN’s overall vision, mission and strategy in the light of their current activities and future plans.  These indicate suitability for market competitiveness and healthy growth in future. 
• Structure and internal management process: Crucial review needs to be done on how LLN‘s management structure functions. The decision making process is whether smart or time consuming between the NGO and projects managed under it makes  big sense for client satisfaction and market competitiveness.  How the market information is gathered and shared within the structure for future project bidding and other decision making mechanism needs to be reviewed. Whether decision making authorities is concentrated in a certain position or placed in various levels as appropriate through transparent documented manner shows a robust internal system that needs to be thoroughly checked out. 
• Assessment of financial management: Financial health of any organization is an acid test for its survival. How the LLN’s regular fund flow (in and out) is projected needs to be reviewed for its fixed expenditure and how the ongoing projects contribute on regular basis and its projection needs to be taken into consideration. Is the fund flow process transparent and well documented needs to be established.
• Sharing draft report: Consultant has to produce a draft report with key findings, focused conclusions along with recommendations to be shared with LLN’s officials and H4L representatives. Report needs finalized incorporating feedback.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in Social Science or related field.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and fluency in Nepali and English.
• Experience in design and implementation of Technical and Organizational Capacity Assessment (TOCAT) or similar tools for building institutional capacity.

To Apply: Qualified applicants should submit a resume with contact information to Operations Manager, Health for Life (H4L), P. O. Box: 3172, Lalitpur, Nepal or email: marora@rti.org with “Consultant- Midterm Technical and Organizational Capacity Assessment (TOCAT) of Lineline Nepal’’ in the subject line.  Deadline is 21 February 2016; however, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Telephone inquiry will not be entertained.  

Female and candidates particularly from disadvantaged and socially excluded groups are highly encouraged to apply.