Terms of Reference
1. Summary
Title: Consultancy: Study of the Early Action Protocols in place in the health sector and of the hospitalisation trend during heat waves in Hanoi
Position: 1 consultant
Duration & timing: From the 01/08/2018 until the 30/09/2018
Duty station: Home based, Hanoi
Reporting: German Red Cross Head of Project Office in Vietnam
2. Background: Reducing Heat-Waves Impacts in Hanoi through the development of Forecast Based Financing Early Actions for Anticipatory Humanitarian Actions
Vietnam is considered as one of the most hazard-prone areas in the Asia Pacific Region, susceptible to typhoons, floods, droughts, heat waves, landslides, forest fires and is one of the five countries in the world potentially most affected by climate change. Climate change is likely to increase the frequency and intensity of the hydro-meteorological disasters that Vietnam faces including heat-waves which are a significant public health hazard particularly for vulnerable populations such as elderly. In Hanoi, in recent years, the average daily temperatures have risen, likely resulting from climate change and urbanization. Over five years from 2008 to 2012, 175 single days were observed in Hanoi with the maximum temperature exceeding 35°C. Heat-wave event is associated with a 20.0% increase in hospital admissions for all causes and 45.9% for respiratory diseases. The Asia-Pacific region is already home to almost a third of the world’s older persons and by 2050 Vietnam is likely to have over 30% of its population in the 60+ age group.
The German Red Cross (GRC) will support the cooperation with the Vietnam Red Cross (VNRC) for a new project in Forecast Based Financing (FBF). With this new project the GRC is taking disaster relief into a new era: away from pure reaction and towards anticipation. This 32 months project aims at reducing heat-waves impacts in Hanoi through the development of forecast based financing early actions for anticipatory humanitarian actions.
As part of this project the GRC would like to support a study aiming at (i) monitoring the hospitalisation rate during heat waves in Hanoi medical facilities. The study will also aim at (ii) documenting the early action protocols in place in the health sector and facilities (hospitals, elderly care centres, hospital / care centres for mental disorders) during heatwaves. The study is necessary to gain information on the potential target groups of the project (elderly, street workers, mentally disable persons, children under five), and to understand how they are impacted by heatwaves.
It will be used to assess entry points for the implementation of a successful intervention as well as to register its impact.
3. Purpose
GRC is seeking the service of a consultant to
- Develop a questionnaire / spreadsheet template for data collection of hospitalisation rate.
This includes demographic information on hospitalised patients as well as relevant aspects of the medical history (preconditions such as mental disorders, respiratory deficiencies, ,...), cause of hospitalisation, subsequent treatment and medium-term implications for patients, time and cost expenses for hospitalisation.
Circulate the questionnaire / spreadsheet template for data collection amongst relevant stakeholders (VIHEMA, Hanoi Health Dpt, emergency services...) to get comments and inputs from them. This includes liaising with identified partners to discuss possible cooperation and with GRC health advisor. - Conduct focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews with elderly care centres management board and care centres for mental disorders management boards.
- Document the current protocols in place in the health sector and facilities (hospitals, elderly care centres, hospital / care centres for mental disorders) during heatwaves and the impacts of heatwaves on the elderly and mentally disable persons living in those facilities
- Perform any other relevant tasks to support the production of the deliverables
4. Duty Station & Proposed Timeline
The field study will be implemented in home and in Hanoi, Vietnam.
5. Deliverables & Proposed Timeline
- Initial meeting with GRC: 1 - 3 August 2018
- 01 Draft a questionnaire / spreadsheet template for data collection: by 10 Aug
- Circulate the questionnaire / spreadsheet template for data collection and collect inputs from relevant stakeholders: from 13 Aug to 21 Sep
- 01 Finalization of questionnaire / spreadsheet template: by 30 September
- Conduct FGDs and in-depth interviews: 13 Aug to 21Sep
- 01 Report on the current protocols in place in the health sector and facilities during heatwaves and the impacts of heatwaves on the elderly and mentally disable persons living in those facilities
6. Selection Criteria
- The applicant holds a Master’s degree in public health, development studies, humanitarian action, human geography or fields related to these.
- The applicant is required to have a good understanding of and professional contact to the Public Health System in Hanoi.
- The applicant has experience in assessing Early Action Protocols.
- The applicant has experience in professionally liaising with partner agencies in a project.
- Excellent command of English is required.
- Experience with the Forecast-based Financing methodology is an advantage.
- Prior experience of work with the Red Cross Rec Crescent is an advantage.
7. Application Procedure
Interested candidates are invited to send their offer in English consisting of a CV, a technical and a financial offer (in Euro currency) and a letter of motivation to [email protected] [1] (email) OR by post to Mr Jerome Faucet, German Red Cross, Level 7, 59 Quang Trung Street, Hanoi. The financial offer should propose:
- a daily rate all-inclusive which includes: all taxes, transport & accommodation cost if any, etc.
- a total rate all-inclusive which clearly states the number of working days to produce the deliverables listed in section 5
The financial offer should indicate clearly the Net and Gross calculation. All submissions must be received by 27th July 2018 at 17:00 Hanoi time. Please note that only applications which are submitted in English shall be considered. While we appreciate all applications, only candidates under consideration shall be contacted.
*Child Protection: German/Red Cross is committed to protecting the rights of children in all areas we work around the world. Applicants are advised that German Red Cross reserves the right to screen candidates to ensure a child-safe environment. Further information can be found in the German Red Cross child protection policy.