Results for Development
Request for Consultant: Strengthening Safe Blood Systems in Rwanda to Prevent Maternal Mortality from Postpartum Hemorrhage
Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too.
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BACKGROUND
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), or excessive bleeding after childbirth, remains a leading cause of maternal mortality worldwide. Despite the significant progress made in skilled birth attendance and availability of proven interventions for prevention and management of PPH, timely access to blood transfusions as an essential component of emergency obstetric care remains a challenge in settings where the national blood supply and safe blood systems are inadequate.
The Office of Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN) within the USAID Bureau for Global Health is providing MCH core funds through two global health mechanisms—the Health Systems Strengthening Accelerator (HSS Accelerator) and Market Access and Innovative Financing (MAIF)—to develop and implement a program of work in Safe Blood in select countries. Specifically, the Accelerator and MAIF, in close collaboration with USAID Missions, utilized the USAID Safe Blood Starter Kit (developed under the Advancing Postpartum Hemorrhage Care activity) in 3 program countries, Rwanda, Malawi, and Rwanda to help analyze existing blood systems, identify primary barriers/challenges to availability of safe blood for treatment of PPH, and identify solutions/opportunities.
After a scoping trip in Rwanda in November 2022, the Accelerator worked with high level stakeholders to address strengths and challenge in the Rwanda blood system, as well as opportunities for technical assistance. One area that was identified was to Improve the quality of Blood and Blood related service through developing in-service and pre-service training manuals, modules, and guidelines on Blood Transfusion practices.
The HSS Accelerator is seeking a locally based consultant in Rwanda to support this work with project management and technical assistance. The consultant will lend their expertise and guide work in the implementation of activities based on findings from the Starter Kit, which assessed existing challenges/barriers to the availability of safe blood.
SCOPE
As part of the HSS Accelerator team, the consultant will serve as a technical expert and facilitator to the Accelerator, MAIF, USAID Mission, and Government of Rwanda including Rwanda Biomedical Center/Blood Transfusion Division (RBC/BTD). The consultant will primarily support a key objective in the implementation strategy, which is to improve the quality of blood and blood related services through developing pre-service training manuals, modules, and guidelines. The consultant will play leading and facilitator role at workshops and convenings, engage in day-to-day liaison and coordination with key national and county-level actors on behalf of the implementers, and contribute to the analysis and development of key outputs.
CONSULTANT’S SCOPE OF WORK
- Based on the specific objectives of the knowledge and learning agenda, our approach to this scope of work will be multifaceted. The consultant will be expected to support the following activities:
- Conduct an assessment to identify major gap within existing education modules and on-job training materials for different disciplines on blood and blood products and its use.
- Categorize targeted In-service and pre-service material that require revision to include Blood transfusion practices.
- Align with BTD and other relevant division within RBC on prioritized/identified training packages for revision.
- Co-develop required comprehensive Blood Transfusion Practice modules, other training material(s) with BTD.
- Conduct Training of Trainer for selected Referral Hospitals and for Hospitals with high risk of maternal mortality and blood and blood products uses.
- Mapping and advocating for integration of learning materials into available E- platforms for sustainable access and use by health care providers.
- Work in close collaboration with respective BTD and RBC divisions, as well as other relevant partners, such as teaching/referral hospital directors and staff, relevant clinical associations, and relevant implementing partners.
- Actively participate in cross-country experience sharing and learning sessions among the 3 focus countries safe blood working groups and USAID Missions as in-country work progresses, at the end of each phase.
LOCATION
- The consultant must be based in Rwanda for the entire duration of the consultancy.
- The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
- EDUCATION AND PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE
- Masters or higher degree in public health, medicine, or related field (e.g., public policy or nursing) with significant work experience focused on blood systems, maternal and child health, or clinical management of post-partum hemorrhage at health facilities, preferably in Rwanda.
- Work experience of 10-plus years in the health sector, preference will be given to those with demonstrated experience in the following areas:
- Maternal and child health, obstetric care in primary health and emergency settings, blood banking and transfusion, management, and supply of health commodities,
- Working alongside key stakeholders in the health sector (e.g., government, civil society, private sector, development partners, etc.) in senior advisory capacity
- Facilitating qualitative meetings, workshops and/or processes
- Conducting qualitative research and analysis, ideally on system changes to improve maternal health outcomes, health systems, market shaping, sustainable financing, policy design etc.
- Experience using systems thinking approaches and learning and evaluation methodologies.
- Experience working with USAID projects and mechanisms.
QUALIFICATIONS
Results for Development is an EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering
and nurturing an energetic, collaborative and diverse workforce. R4D provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.
Results for Development (R4D) is a global nonprofit strategy consulting organization."
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- Founded 2008
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