Kenya: TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SCHEME OF SERVICE FOR MENTOR MOTHERS

Organization: mothers2mothers

Country: Kenya

Closing date: 30 May 2016

Background

Evidence indicates that stigma and discrimination, lack of comprehensive knowledge and information, low male involvement, and lack of support systems all act as barriers to the uptake of and adherence to prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) services. The Kenya Mentor Mother Program (KMMP) was developed and launched in 2012 to fill these gaps in PMTCT and related Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH), and HIV&AIDS treatment, care and support. The overall goal of the KMMP is to contribute to the elimination of MTCT and improvement of maternal and child health. The KMMP trains and employs Mentor Mothers (mothers living with HIV) to share the most recent information and best practices of PMTCT treatment, care, and support with their peers in a facility setting. Through pre-test group education sessions, one-on-one and couples interactions, support groups and telephonic defaulter tracing, Mentor Mothers provide a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space for HIV-positive mothers and their partners to receive information on how to live positively, protect and care for their infants, and navigate the healthcare system. Through one-on-one interactions, Mentor Mothers also provide education and psychosocial support to influence and motivate the uptake of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child health (RMNCH) services by HIV-negative clients. Linked to Community Health Volunteers at the community level, the KMMP ensures a facility to community continuum of care for each client.

m2m implements the Kenya Mentor Mother Program (KMMP) at 20 model sites which serve to showcase the KMMP in action. These sites are used for practical teaching of Implementing Partners (IPs) and Ministry of Health (MOH) staff. m2m is also the technical assistance provider to national and county Ministries of Health on KMMP issues and has also contributed to the scale up of the KMMP through the provision of capacity building services to 22 IPs. Currently, the KMMP is being implemented by 16 IPs at 369 health facilities spread across 32 counties. Over 600 Mentor Mothers are currently working across these sites. It is expected that the number of KMMP sites and Mentor Mothers will continue to grow as IPs expand the programme into new sites.

As a technical assistance provider to the MoH, m2m now seeks consultancy services to support the MOH to determine the feasibility and acceptability of integrating the Mentor Mother cadre into a structured government Scheme of Service. The ultimate aim is to promote programme integration and sustainability through government payment of salaries/stipends and career pathways for Mentor Mothers.

Purpose

The purpose of this consultancy is to design a scheme of service for Mentor Mothers in the Kenyan government, taking into consideration compensation, professional development and career progression for Mentor Mothers.

Objectives

1. 
   

   To provide for a well-defined career structure which will attract, motivate and retain suitable Mentor Mothers in the Ministry of Health’s Civil Service Cadre;

   
   


2. 
   

   To provide for well-defined job descriptions and specifications with clear definition of duties and responsibilities at all levels within the career structure of the MoH, to enable Mentor Mothers to understand the requirements and demands of their jobs;

   
   


3. 
   

   To establish standards for recruitment, training, salary banding and advancement within the career structure on the basis of qualifications, knowledge, merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results; and

   
   


4. 
   

   To ensure appropriate career planning and succession management for Mentor Mothers within the civil service.

   
   

Framework for the Scheme of Service

The Scheme of Service will provide guidelines with respects to the following components:

1. Administrative responsibility for the Scheme of Service


2. Training scope for Mentor Mothers


3. Scope of Service for Mentor Mothers


4. Grading structures and/or designations of Mentor Mothers – including guidelines for how existing Mentor Mothers designations will be re-graded.


5. Standards and requirements for entry into the Scheme


6. Procedure for entry into the Scheme (i.e. through direct appointment and/or incremental credit earned after a duration of service)


7. Procedure for advancement through the Scheme (i.e. key results areas, and standards for performance) for different grading structures / designations.

Consultant’s Responsibilities

1. Conduct a desk review and analysis of Ministry of Health HR policies and procedures and Public Service Commission scheme of service for related cadres.


2. Review background about Mentor Mothers qualification, training and professional development.


3. Consultation with relevant experts in the field for advice and identification of feasible approaches.


4. Identify and solicit input from key stakeholders.


5. Design a draft scheme of service for Mentor Mothers with consideration of professional development and career progression for Mentor Mothers.


6. Facilitate stakeholder review workshop to discuss draft scheme of service for Mentors.


7. Produce final draft of Mentor Mother Scheme of service for piloting.

Responsibilities of m2m

m2m will provide:

1. National Guidelines for Peer Education & Psychosocial Support in PMTCT


2. Job description for Community Mentor Mother


3. Curriculum


4. KMMP Impact and Evaluation report


5. KMMP Stakeholder assessment and client qualitative assessment reports.

Timelines

• The assignment should be undertaken and completed between May and June 2016.


• Desk review and first draft Mentor Mother Scheme of services – 11 days


• Stakeholder engagement – 5 days


• Final draft Mentor Mother scheme of service – 5 days

Key Deliverables

1. Report on desk review and analysis of MOH policies, systems, manuals, procedures, and relevant schemes of services for related cadres.


2. First draft Mentor Mother Scheme of service.


3. Final draft Mentor Mother Scheme of service for piloting in a selected county.

Qualifications, Competencies and Experience Required

• Evidence of conducting similar or related consultancy work in Kenya or Sub-Saharan Africa.


• Experience of working with the MOH at national or county level


• Experience of conducting job evaluations and job grading


• Master’s degree in Public Health, Master of Business Administration or Master of Arts in Public Policy.

Expressions of Interest

Interested applicants should provide the following:

1. Detailed organizational profile and CV’s of staff member(s) to be involved


2. Detailed profile of Lead Consultant


3. Consultant’s daily rate should be quoted in Kenya Shillings.


4. Provide evidence of similar assignments e.g. reports


5. The consultant / firm should be legally registered for payment of taxes and a copy of the certificate should be provided.

How to apply:

Interested applicants should submit the completed Expression of Interest to emtct2015@gmail.com and kmmprecruitment@m2m.org by close of business on May 30, 2016. The subject of the email should read Scheme Of Service For Mentor Mothers Consultancy. Only shortlisted firms or individual consultants will be contacted.