TERM OF REFERENCE FOR RESEARCH/HEALTH PROMOTION VOLUNTEER
FOR DISABILITY PROJECT
Overview
The International Center (formerly known as Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation -VVAF) is an America non-profit organization based in Washington, DC. IC-VVAF established a representative office in Hanoi in 1994, and have been active in humanitarian assistance programs and development asistance continuously since that time. IC-VVAF has also addressed the consequences of war through advocacy and service programs in Vietnam for the last three decades. As a cofounder of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, IC-VVAF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997. Now working under The International Center, IC, focuses on disability support, mine action, and mental health programs.
The Moving Without Limits Project
Under the financial support of United States Agency for International Development (USAID), IC is implementing the Disability Support Project named “Moving without Limits” in the three provinces of Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam and Binh Dinh from July 2015 until September 2022. This project aims to improve the accessibility of the people with mobility impairments in Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam, and Binh Dinh to quality and affordable assistive devices.
Three specific objectives of the project include:
- Improved availability of quality assistive technologies/ devices (AT/AD) for people with mobility impairments in Thua Thien Hue, Quang Nam and Binh Dinh provinces;
- Improved capacity related to AT/AD for the health sector workforce at national and sub-national levels; and
- Improved advocacy for policies/regulations and information sharing related to AT/AD.
In order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, a wide range of activities will be implemented in the three project provinces as well as at the central level. AT/AD service provision is implemented following the the relevant steps to service delivery, this includes need assessment and prescription, AD procurement, fitting, user training and follow-up, maintenance and repair. These steps in service delivery are required in order to ensure that people with mobility disabilities receive appropriate and quality AD. The project also promotes the integration of health care for people with disabilities (PWDs), which includes AT/AD service delivery into the existing health care system, and mobilizing non-specialists at the community levels to recognize, assess, manage and follow-up of care for PWDs.
The project recognises the significant gap in human resource within rehabilitation services, especially in relation to assistive technology, and considers practical solutions for filling the gap. In doing so, the project applies the following mixed approaches including (i) build capacity for both high skilled health professionals at the national level in technical assistance towards complicated cases, and support building capacity for lower level service providers when needed; (ii) task shifting, defined as the delegation of tasks to existing or new cadres with either less training or narrowly tailored training in order to deliver specific and basic rehabilitation/AT solutions.
Thus, IC will support in improving the capacity of rehabilitation and AT workforces for both national and provincial levels, for both high and less skilled service providers.
Access to assistive technology cannot be improved without appropriate and available policy and governance, IC works closely with the line ministries and other involved partners to support the development of the AT/AD service delivery framework as a part of the National Rehabilitation Strategy 2021-2030, and engages in advocacy to encourage the inclusion of more assistive devices covered by the health insurance scheme. In addition, IC has continued to improve awareness and encourage information sharing of AT/AD related issues.
Context of Assignment
Through the implementation of the project, there has always been examination of the effectiveness of project activities. Although monitoring and evaluation strategies have been utilised, there is a need for strengthening of research capacity amongst all levels of the project to encourage a culture of accessing the relevant technical information available, and the identification of appropriate project implementation methods. This is required to ensure best practice methods are utilised, both within the project team, as well as amongst service providers.
Cross cutting issues such as gender have yet to be considered within the context of assistive technology, and as such, the project has conducted a research to examine the influences of such factors on access to assistive technology, with a broader focus on the supports required to increase independence and quality of life for all persons with disabilitiesthe project. Findings from this research will help to plan gender mainstreaming within all project activities.
On the other hand, to enhance the capacity of the human resource related rehabilitation services, especially in relation to assistive deveices, the project plan to conduct building capacity acitvities through various trainings and seminars which is tailored to specific needs of the health and non health wokers. The project consistently seeks to review its capacity building activities to ensure a comprehensive and systematic process from TNA, design and deliver traininings and following up with the participants.
In order to address the highlight project needs, IC is seeking the support of an international volunteer to work alongside the local experts and the project team in the gender mainstreaming in project activities, review and develop capacity building activities to ensure a comprehensive and systematic process and assist in data analysis and drafting the report for annual assessment report.
1. DUTY STATION
- Duty Station: Hanoi
- Duration of Assignment: August – October 2020
2. OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES
- To provide technical support for gender mainstreaming plan for the ‘Moving Without Limits’ project.
- To provide technical support to development of the capacity training programs for the project.
- To conduct data analysis based on the project performance framework and draft the report following the performance indicators set for the project activities, results and objectives.
3. SCOPE OF WORK
The volunteer would be expected to carry out the following activities, based on the project result framework, in collaboration with relevant project staff, and oversee by Project Management.
- Finalize the gender research report.
- Join the team in the development of Gender mainstreaming action plan based on findings from gender analysis research report
- Integrate message of gender sensitivity into existing training including development of the key content for the related training session, prepare pre/post test for the related content and assessment form for following up after the training Develop assessment tools required to examine the reach and effectiveness of existing communication activities/material effectiveness of communication material in increasing user's knowledge or awareness of AT/AD services and public awareness activities.
- Develop the simple tools for trainers to analyze TNA, pre/ post test results and reports for training activities.
- Work with M&E officer in annual assessment including analysing data and draft the report.
- Work with M&E officer to finalize the project indicator system.
4. SUPERVISION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
The Volunteer will work under the direct supervision and evaluation of the Program Director with support from project staff.
5. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:
Qualifications required: Degree in social development, social sciences or similar
Experience required: Minimum three years relevant experience in social development sector/ related development issues or in international organizations an advantage.
Skills / Technical skills and knowledge: Skills required include broad knowledge of concepts and strategies related to gender, health promotion and social inclusion; ability to synthesize knowledge and effectively express ideas in writing; and ability to coordinate with internal and assigned external partners.
Language requirements: Written and spoken fluency in English is essential. Working knowledge of other languages is an advantage.
6. COMPETENCIES
Teamwork, professionalism, flexibility and an understanding of working with people from diverse backgrounds.
7. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Individuals (international candidates) interested in this job are invited to submit your applications in English, including copies of relevant certificates and references, either by email (to [email protected] [1] ) or by post (to The International Center, R.103-203, B3 Building, Van Phuc Diplomatic Compound, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam).
Please state “Application for the <position>” in the subject line or on the envelope. The short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Deadline for submission: by 15th August 2020.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Hua Thi Thu Len – Receptionist
Tel: (84-24) 3733 9444, ext: 9
Email: [email protected]