inSupply
Health
Human-Centred
Design Consultant Terms of Reference
Period of Performance: 20 days (April 30 2021 - May 30, 2021)
Background:
JSI Research and Training Institute Inc (JSI R&T) in
conjunction with inSupply Health Ltd, an independent regional advisory firm
based in Nairobi pioneering new approaches to improve public health supply
chains in East Africa. inSupply Health draws from the experience of its
affiliation to JSI R&T. Our team of dynamic local consultants works closely
with public and private sector clients to design optimized, responsive and
resilient supply chain systems. JSI R&T and inSupply deploy systems that
deliver essential health products such as antimalarial and HIV medications,
vaccines and contraceptives in complex settings. We take proven methodologies
from the commercial sector and adapt them to local conditions. We involve our
clients closely in shaping their supply chains so they can own, implement and
continuously improve their systems over the long term. We specialize in:
developing supply chain maturity strategies, building organizational capacity
for supply chains, designing and implementing data-driven, optimized supply
chain systems and quantifying health commodity needs. JSI R&T and inSupply
don’t just help our clients select the right technology for better supply chain
management. We also invest in people and processes, helping to build a culture
of data use and continuous improvement.
IMPACT Team Project Background
The IMPACT teams provide a structured and rigorous process for
supply chain problem-solving. A system of interconnected teams, made up of
people across functions and disciplines who meet routinely and are:
·
Trained to develop, interpret and set targets for key supply
chain indicators, and use action oriented dashboards
·
Encouraged to follow a structured, problem-solving process
·
Empowered to use their data for operational and strategic
decisions with ultimate goal of improving the performance of their supply chain
JSI R&T is currently implementing the IMPACT Teams approach
in 3 districts in Tanzania (Sikonge, SingidaDC and Kigamboni). The IMPACT teams
were envisaged to operate at four levels:
·
At health facility level to meet monthly for operational actions
and decisions;
·
At district/council level to meet monthly for operational
actions and decisions;
·
At region level to meet quarterly for tactical and strategy
actions and decisions; and
·
At the National level for strategy, policy and overall supply
actions and decisions.
IMPACT Teams have been rolled out at both the regional,
district/council and facility levels in Tanzania. At the national level
the team has not been operationalized.
There have been notable challenges around the implementation of
the regional level IMPACT teams with the main one being around motivation for
teams to hold their meetings and use the IMPACT team quality improvement
process to contribute meaningfully to supply chain performance management and
monitoring. Some teams have not been able to meet at all and the ones that are
meeting have anchored their meetings on partner supported activities (Support
and Monitoring activities) which is not sustainable nor does it demonstrate
that the approach is valued. Another challenge experienced is teams not being
able to identify the root causes of the problems as they do not have direct
contact with the facilities where the actions take place. We conducted an
internal deep dive assessment to identify the underlying challenges and key differences
between the region and district level ITs. From that activity, we summarized
the problem using the problem statement below.
Problem statement: The current IT design is better aligned to
the job function and motivations for districts and facilities but doesn’t
appear to meet the needs and motivators of the regional level. There is also a
disconnect between these two levels of ITs in terms of communicating to each
other; communication was intended to provide an avenue for escalation and
feedback as well as connecting to the action plans, all of which are critical
to the ITs to improve performance and decision making for the supply chain
holistically across levels.
It is with this background that JSI R&T wants to conduct a
HCD activity to generate insights that will help us redesign and improve our
interaction with the Regional ITs.
Research Questions:
- What about the IT
data, process or outputs could be adapted or redesigned to better suit
regional needs around data consumption, data use, action planning and
decision making (in the context of supply chain management and improving
performance)
What are the data needs for the regional ITs? What decisions do
they need to make and what data will support these decisions?
What would motivate regional stakeholders to participate in IT
meetings or use the IT process for decision making and SC performance
improvement?
Is there a meeting frequency that would work regularly for
them?
If meetings are not the optimal method for consuming and using
supply chain data what alternatives would encourage regional supply chain
managers to regularly consume and use data
2. How should the regional and district ITs connect with each
other, share information and escalate issues that may arise?
3. How do the different levels of IMPACT Teams better coordinate
or complement each other?
4. What is the role of the regional IT visa vi district/council
ITs?
(1) action plan follow up
(2) communication
(3) oversight/management
5. What are the enablers that would support IMPACT team approach
sustainability?
6. What challenges would be a barrier to sustaining the IMPACT
team approach and what are solutions for overcoming them?
Who we are looking for:
JSI R&T is looking for a HCD Consultant to work with the JSI
R&T and
inSupply Health team to conduct HCD research and generate
insights and prototypes to inform the re-design of the regional ITs. Our ideal
candidate has 2-4 years experience with design research, understands the
Tanzanian context, has some exposure to interviewing and working with MOHCDGEC
and PORALG staff, is a flexible and adaptive thinker, is organized and
productive and is able to work across a range of personalities. He/she is team
oriented with a demonstrated ability to get things done, build and sustain
momentum with activities and partners, and seeks robust, creative solutions to
problems.
SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
The consultant’s responsibilities will include:
- Meet the JSI
R&T and inSupply teams to get an overview of the IT approach and the
tools used by ITs and summary of findings from our Adaptive Learning
sessions
- Review previous
HCD work conducted for ITs including current role profiles, with a
particular focus on Resource Ritah, Lucy Leader and Influencing Irene
- Review of the
concept note and interview guides that were developed to refine/ ensure
that they are aligned to answer the research questions
- Engage identified
stakeholders in various regions and districts through interviews seeking
to understand the needs, motivators, roles, pain points and motivation for
the Regional ITs. The interviews will be conducted in 3 regions; Dar es
salaam, Tabora and Singida (virtually with possible support from the JSI
R&T and inSupply teams)
·
Conduct at least 6-9 interviews in total at the regional level
(the regional Pharmacist, Regional Medical Officer (RMO) and the Regional
Health Secretary)
·
Conduct at least 6 interviews in total at the district/council
ITs (at least 2 in each of the selected area and can be a mix across different
ITs)
·
Engage the team from JSI R&T and inSupply to process
research, generate and summarize the insights, update existing personas and
generate new ones as relevant, and develop prototypes that fit the regional
level ITs
DELIVERABLES
- Inception report
with a work plan detailing approach around consultation on the delivery of
the assignment and confirmed recommendations for moving forward, based on
consultation with the team
- Summary report of
research findings with personas -- including specific updates to the
Resource Ritah, Influencing Irene and Lucy Leader role profiles -- journey
maps (if relevant) and key insights supported by data that can be used for
prototyping and redesign.
- Ideation and
prototyping workshop (possibly conducted virtually) with key stakeholders
from JSI R&T and inSupply to co-create prototypes for the Regional
level IT that will be used to guide our re-design of the Regional ITs and
also guide the development of monthly briefs that will be shared with the
ITs by JSI R&T and inSupply.
This is a part-time consultancy based in and might include
travel to some of the regions where we work in.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested candidates should submit their proposal.
Email: [email protected]
The deadline for submitting the application is 12th April 2021.
