Water, sanitation, hygiene, health care waste management and cleaning (WASH) services in health care facilities fall short of WHO and national standards. The availability of WASH services, especially in maternity and primary-care settings where they are often absent, supports core universal health care aspects of quality, equity, and dignity for all people. According to UNICEF, only 42% of health facilities in Tanzania have WASH facilities in delivery rooms and 41% have access to improved water sources; this poses risk of infections in maternity wards/delivery rooms. Hand washing is a simple measure against infection. Good hand hygiene means washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand gel or antiseptic products to clean hands. Health care workers, patients, and visitors should be encouraged to wash their hands thoroughly at hand hygiene stations located throughout health care facilities and at all workstations. The management and disposal of hazardous waste may have a role in the spread of AMR. This is aligned with Tanzania’s NAPA priority action 7 on health waste management.

           

Objective

The primary objective of this consultancy is to assist the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MOHCDGEC) in implementing WASH activities at the facilities and making the environment conducive to infection Prevention and control.

• Conduct stakeholder mapping at national and regional levels.
• Conduct needs assessment of gaps in implementation of WASH initiatives in the health facilities using WHO and national assessment tools.
• Orient facility staff on new WASH guideline (one day session).
• Set target and define roadmap for improvement in relation to IPC/WASH guideline and monitor progress.
• Mentor healthcare workers on implementation of WASH interventions.
• Build capacity of healthcare workers to finance WASH activities through community engagement
• Timely preparation and submission of reports.

Deliverables and Timelines (Actual dates to be re-confirmed)

• Phase 1: WASH stakeholders mapping, needs assessment and orientation of the guideline – 10 days
  • Stake holder mapping report.
  • Needs assessment/Baseline assessment report and implementation plan.
  • Reports on Orientation of National WASH guidelines in 3 supported facilities.
• Phase 2: WASH Mentorship and improvement monitoring – 30 days
  • Mentorship reports on implementation of WASH interventions.
  • Capacity building report on financing WASH interventions.
  • WASH monitoring and reporting (progress report – monthly).

The following are the recommended qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the WASH activities implementation at the healthcare facilities’ level.
• Minimum of Master’s degree in environmental sciences, communicable diseases control, public health, tropical medicine and hygiene, or any related field.
• Senior-level expertise with at least 5-year experience working in healthcare facility setting.
• Demonstrated past experience in WASH interventions and supporting national level coordination.
• Demonstrated experience in Consultancy assignments related to WASH and/or Healthcare Waste Management.

The following are mandatory requirements:

• Fluency in the English language.
• Basic competency in Microsoft office applications.

Period of Performance:  

The consultancy is a 4 months contract with a period of performance from May 15th 2020 through September 15th , 2020.

Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global health nonprofit organization, uses proven approaches developed over 40 years to help leaders, health managers, and communities in developing nations build stronger health systems for greater health impact. We work to save lives by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. Since its founding in 1971, MSH has worked in over 150 countries with policy makers, health professionals, and health care consumers to improve the quality, availability and affordability of health services. Working with governments, donors, non governmental organizations, the private sector, and health agencies, MSH responds to priority health problems such as HIV & AIDS; tuberculosis; malaria; maternal, newborn and child health; family planning and reproductive health; and chronic non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and lung and heart disease. Through strengthening capacity, investing in health systems innovation, building the evidence base, and advocating for sound public health policy, MSH is committed to making a lasting difference in global health.

Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or veteran status.

Technical Advisor