Request for Proposal (RFP)

RFP Number: LHSSBD-007/2021
Issuance Date: 24 September 2021
Deadline for Offer: 10 Oct 2021
Title of the Assignment: Request for proposal (RFP) for Consultant to review and update the existing health organogram of Local Government Institutes (LGIs)/City Corporations (CC) and Municipalities and develop a training module for the capacity development (on Leadership, Health program management) of health manpower of LGIs
Funded by: United States Agency for International Development
Contract No.: 7200AA18D00023/7200AA19F00014; Local Health System Sustainability Activity
Implemented by: Abt Associates, Inc.
For: Local Health System Sustainability Project-(LHSS) Bangladesh
Address: Concord Bilkis Tower (2nd Floor) ,40/6, North Avenue (Madani Road), Gulshan-2, Dhaka-1212

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Abt Associates is a mission-driven global leader in research, evaluation, and program implementation in the fields of international development, health, and social and environmental policy. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt is regularly ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms and one of the top 40 international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in more than 40 countries. Serving both the public and private sectors, Abt supports participatory governance processes that empower citizens and promote accountability and transparency across sectors. Our impact is felt in responsive and inclusive institutions, empowered communities, equitable access to public services, improved mobilization and management of financial resources, and enhanced enabling environments for economic growth and opportunity.

Program background:

The LHSS Project is USAID’s flagship initiative in integrated health systems strengthening, with a goal to help low- and middle- income countries transition to sustainable, self-financed health systems as a means to support universal health coverage. The project will support country-level efforts to reduce financial barriers to health care, ensure equitable access to essential health services for all people, and improve the quality of health care. Equally important, it will equip host countries to sustain progress after the project ends. It will do so by ensuring that local institutions and organizations have the technical capacity and expertise to independently design, implement, and manage continued health system strengthening activities.

USAID Bangladesh is supporting the Government of Bangladesh in its efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030. Bangladesh has directed attention toward improving coverage, efficiency, and quality of essential health care services, with a particular focus on improved governance, stewardship, health financing, monitoring, and community engagement in urban areas. It is critical in order to achieve UHC that the GOB strengthens its capacity and commitment to financing self-reliance of the health sector.
LHSS’s work will span three key objectives:
Objective 1: Improved governance in financial management and health service delivery
Objective 2: Models for financial protection (FP) and service delivery (SD) tested and scaled
Objective 3: Increased private sector investment for health

Scope of work

As part of Objective 1, the purpose of this assignment is to review and update the existing health organogram of Local Government Institutes (LGIs)/City Corporations (CC) and Municipalities and develop a training module for the capacity development (on Leadership, Health program management and basic Public Financial Management) of health manpower of LGIs (

Rules of Business in Bangladesh stipulate that City Corporations and Municipalities (LGIs) have the overall responsibility for health management within their jurisdictions. The existing health organogram of LGIs are agreed to be very old and needs to be updated.  The organogram does not match with the manifold increase in the health responsibility of LGIs.  The present need and context of urban health have changed over the years and that needs to be addressed. The existing health organogram is not at par with performing the health and allied responsibility by the health manpower according to present context and needs. Furthermore, the health staffs placed/to be placed in LGIs do not get the required training to efficiently perform the urban health activities and basic financial management (PFM). At this backdrop, consultant will review the existing health organogram and update it aligning with the present need and context. He/she will develop a comprehensive/compact training module about the leadership, health program management and basic PFM aspects along with the the organogram update.

The consultant will display effective coordination to MOHFW, LGD/LGIs by his presence and assigned task.

The consultant will be required to provide technical assistance to project activities related to this assignment where necessary and needed. Specific tasks are listed below.

Task 1: Consultative meeting/workshop with LGD, MOLGRDC and LGIs, .   The consultant will initially undertake a series of consultations with the LGD, MOLGRDC and representatives from all categories of LGIs DGHS, DGFP, MOH&FW and other related stakeholders to collect the existing organogram, brainstorming on the manpower needs, LGD/LGI’s capacity to employ, MOHFW’s capacity for deputation, salary structures, source of payment and opinion for capacity building to determine the most effective way to review/update the organogram anticipating the future needs also.

Task 2:  Develop Terms of Reference (ToR) and review/update age-old organogram for all categories of LGIs.   The ToR, charter of dutiesand organogram should include supporting documents, including examples in other countries if available, guidelines of National Urban Health Strategy-2020 and other relevant papers/journal articles, etc.

Task 3: Develop a framework on payment structure, sources of financing/payment to the existing/newly created position: Consultant will develop a framework on employment criteria, hierarchy of promotion, promotion criteria, on the payment structure of the position, source of financing/payment, recommendation for infrastructure needed for the place of works etc.

Task 4: Develop leadership and program management module and facilitate ToT training for CC/Municipalities.  The consultant will discuss with concerned stakeholders and develop a training module incorporating leadership and program management components, basic PFM and other urban health topics for capacity building of all categories of CC/Municipalities health personnel.

Task 5: Review of the report and dissemination to stakeholders for approval. Consultant will arrange review of the draft TOR and organogram and a framework for payment-promotion etc by the all concerned in LHSS local office, Abt home office and USAID. After being reviewed, consultant will go for final dissemination and presentation of the report to all concerned stakeholders including government to finally get endorsed by the government. He/she will recommend about the phased roadmap for the implementation of the organogram in the light of developed countries.

  • Deliverables:

The assignment is a level of effort (LOE) based contract which means that the Consultant is required to document time spent for each activity and based on that complete the log-sheet to indicate number day/time required for each activity. However, key deliverables of the assignment would include:

  • Inception report with own Plan and process as per the tasks
  • Summary of consultative meeting/workshop held as per task 1.
  • Compilation of relevant resource materials like summary of key consultations, minutes of meeting, notes on comparative study with other countries, reference of existing rules, etc
  • Review report/findings of gaps in the of existing organogram of LGIs
  •  
  • Updated Organogram and TOR with charter of duty for the proposed Health manpower structure of LGIs
  • Report incorporating the feedback of stakeholders (if any) from dissemination workshop/meeting
  • Developed leadership and program management and basic PFM training module
  • Roadmap for phased implementation
  • Period of Performance expected Level of Effort (LOE), reporting, and travel

Period of Performance and LOE: The consultant’s period of performance will be from 1 November, 2021 to February 2021. (30 days since day of joining spread over the four months). This assignment is a LOE based consultancy which meant that the consultant will be required to complete timesheet/log-sheet to indicate time and activity he/she has worked and spent. The payment then will be compensated based on that LOE and the agreed daily rate. However, the total number of days needed for this assignment should not exceed 30 days. The tenure may be adjusted (reduced/extended as per the progress and cooperation from the government) according to the COVID-19 surge situation and need of the tasks.

Reporting To: The consultant will directly report to the Chief of Party, LHSS-Bangladesh.

Travel:  Pending COVID-19 restrictions, the consultant will be required to travel within Bangladesh outside of Dhaka.  All expenses incurred during the travels outside will be borne as per the Abt’s existing policy

  • Qualifications and Requirements

In order to perform the job well, the consultant will be required to have, but not limited to, the following qualifications:

  • A Bangladeshi national, and due to COVID-19 travel requirements, the persons must be the one who currently resides in the country.
  • Consultant should submit their brief technical proposal, financial proposal with justification of previous consultancy rate (if available or did the job of consultancy), updated VAT registration certificate (BIN) (applicable as per turnover of payment rate)
  • If no experience of consultancy before, then the consultancy fee will be adjusted according to the existing/last served position and previous experiences
  • Master’s Degree (minimum), in Public Health, Management, Urban Health, Public Administration, , Health Administration, or other relevant field. 
  • Retired or ex government high officials or ex Chief Health Officer of Category A LGIs with experience on urban health will get the preference.
  • Prior experience working in the MOHFW or MOLGRD or both at a senior level or working with senior MOHFW officials
  • Ten to fifteen years of relevant professional experience in managing progressively complex health programs.  Experience in working in USAID programs is preferred (but not mandatory).
  • Extensive understanding of urban health, LGD and MOLGRDC
  • . 
  • Demonstrated leadership and management skills and ability to lead and motivate multidisciplinary teams.
  • Proven track record and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with USAID, government ministry officials, and other development partners and having interpersonal skill of interacting with officials of other projects, high-level host country governments and international agencies.
  • A proven, successful record of achieving results.  Ability to sustain the key roles and responsibilities largely independently and requires the initiative to ensure work is progressing.
  • Fluency in English and Bengali is required.
  • Computer skill (MS Word, MS Excel, SPSS, MS ppt etc)
  • Must have the Tax (TIN) & VAT (BIN) registration Certificate.
  • Possessing presentation skill

Offer Deadline and Protocol: To apply, submit your CV and an application letter/email message that provides details of your relevant qualifications to LHSS_Bangladesh@abtassoc.com by 10 October, 2021. Please specify Consultant to review and update the existing health organogram of Local Government Institutes (LGIs)/City Corporations (CC) and Municipalities and develop a training module for the capacity development (on Leadership, Health program management and basic Public Financial Management) of health manpower of LGIs Technical Queries: For technical queries, interested applicants may contact: Name of the Person Dr. Md Saidur Rahman, Chief of Party, LHSS-Bangladesh Email; Md_Rahman@abtassoc.com or Mr Abu Sufian, Urban Health Technical Adviser, LHSS Email: Abu_Sufian@abtassoc.com

Terms and Conditions: This is a request for proposals only. Issuance of this RFP does not in any way obligate Abt Associates or the Project to make payment for costs incurred by potential offerors in the preparation and submission of an offer/proposal. This solicitation is subject to Abt Associates' standard terms and conditions. Please note the following terms and conditions will apply:

  • Abt Associates' standard payment terms are net 30 days after receipt, acceptance of any deliverables and Invoice from the Consultant. Payment will generally be made from Abt's office in Dhaka, Bangladesh via check or electronic transfer. However, the consultant may propose their own payment schedule in their proposal. Source VAT and Tax should be deducted as per Government revenue policy from Payment. VAT Exemption Coupons will be issued to the Consultant in lieu of VAT upon submission of Mushok-6.3 (if Applicable) with the invoice.  Payment will only be issued to the entity submitting the offer/proposal in response to this RFP, payment will not be issued to a third party.