Terms of Reference

For International Advisory services

on the development of a behavioral change strategy for the effective use of the emergency medical service system under the project "Emergency medical services project"

 

 

Position:	Short-time international consultant in project implementation country
Project:	Emergency medical services project
Organization:	World Bank Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan Project Implementation Unit under the Republican Scientific Centre of Emergency Medical Aid

 

1. Premise

 

Within the framework of the loan agreement No. 6210-UZ between the Republic of Uzbekistan and the International Development Association (IDA), the project “Emergency medical services project (EMSP)” is being implemented, aimed at strengthening and developing the material and technical base of the Republican Scientific Center for Emergency Medical Aid (RSCEMA), its regional branches and offices in district (city) medical associations, as well as the improvement of dispatcher, communication and information systems of EMA.

 

    As part of the project component (Component 1: Creating favorable conditions for EMS, managing the system and improving the quality of EMS), a number of interrelated measures will be carried out to reorient the EMS to provide high-quality emergency medical aid. Funding for technical assistance, training, study tours, surveys and equipment has been planned.

 

This component includes subcomponent 1.2: Dissemination of Information to Promote Behavioral Change on the Effective Use of the EMS, designed to finance specific measures for the dissemination and exchange of information, as well as training aimed at informing the public about the use of the EMS, primarily to provide ambulance and emergency medical service and the use of alternative outpatient facilities (PHC centers and clinics) for non-emergency cases. Within the framework of this subcomponent, the following measures will be implemented: clarification of the need to reserve the EMS for more serious cases, informing that less emergency cases will be treated faster in alternative medical facilities. The feedback and suggestions of the beneficiaries on the improvement and effectiveness of EMS will be collected on an ongoing basis, and the results will provide information on areas of activity that are functioning well, as well as areas of activity that require further improvements. Reviews and suggestions submitted by men and women will be tracked separately.

According to the approved feasibility study, it is planned to hire an international consultant to develop a behavioral change strategy for the effective use of emergency medical service.

2. Scope of consulting services.

Assignment: Dissemination of information to promote a change in behavior and the development of a behavioral change strategy for the population to effectively use the EMS.

Purpose of Assignment: Develop a strategy for behavior change communications in relation to the appropriate use by the general public of the national EMS service to ensure that it is better able to focus on emergency and urgent cases, including an analysis of international experience in this direction and possible methods for introducing some approaches that are appropriate to local conditions.  This strategy should include communications and education on the types of cases for which the EMS service should be called, the rationale for restricting calls to these types of cases, and the high-quality alternatives that are available for the timely treatment of non-urgent conditions.

Objective and scope of consulting service

• Based on an analysis of the current situation in Uzbekistan on the use of EMS, an international consultant will lay the foundation for what needs to be changed or adjusted to develop a behavioral change strategy and actions for its implementation.
• An international consultant, taking into account the best international practices and based on his international experience, will develop a specific plan of measures for the dissemination and exchange of information to increase public awareness, aimed at informing them about the use of the EMS, primarily for providing ambulance and emergency medical service and the use of alternative outpatient facilities (PHC centers and clinics) for non-emergency cases.
• An international consultant will develop a Behavioral Change Strategy, which will include an assessment of the current situation, a proposal for effective communication measures and an action plan to implement the strategy to increase public awareness of the effective use of the EMS and eliminate the unreasonable use of the system that currently exists in the country.
• An international consultant will reveal the positive aspects of international practice that has long been established in foreign countries with developed medicine for the development, testing and revision of information, educational and communication (IEC) materials, press releases and other analytical materials (videos, banners, posters, booklets, notes, articles, interviews, etc.) aimed at raising the awareness of various target groups of the population (elderly people, students, schoolchildren, housewives, etc.) to change the behavior of the effective use of the emergency medical service.

Expected results:

An international consultant will work with a local consultant to provide results and reports.

The estimated perimeter of consulting services involves obtaining the following results:

 

	Work Stages and Expected Results		Deadline
1	Work plan of an international consultant.	The work plan of the international consultant with the deadlines and dates of visits of Uzbekistan.
2	Analysis of the current situation in Uzbekistan on the use of EMS to change or adjust to develop a strategy of behavioral changes and actions for its implementation. The development of a specific plan of measures for the dissemination and exchange of information to raise public awareness, aimed at informing them about the use of the EMS, primarily to provide ambulance and emergency medical service and the use of alternative outpatient opportunities for non-emergency cases.	Analytical report. Plan of measures / roadmap (rus + eng)
3	The development of a Behavioral Change Strategy, which will include an assessment of the current situation, a proposal for effective communication measures and an action plan to implement the strategy to increase public awareness of the effective use of the EMS and eliminate the non-rational use of the system that currently exists in the country.	Behavioral Change Strategy (Rus + Eng)
4	Specific proposals for the development, testing and revision of information, educational and communication (IEC) materials, press releases and other analytical materials (videos, banners, posters, booklets, notes, articles, interviews, etc.) aimed at raising awareness of various target groups of the population (elderly people, students, schoolchildren, housewives, etc.)	A report with proposals to revise the IEC materials on changing behavior on the effective use of the emergency medical service. (rus + eng)
5	Formation of a detailed report with a full package of documents, including a plan of measures for the dissemination and exchange of information, the Behavioral Change Strategy.	Final report approved in the established manner (rus + eng)

 

3. Qualification requirements:

 

General requirements

The consultant should have relevant international experience in the development of Strategic documents, experience in disseminating information to promote a change in behavior preferably, or in related matters, including in Central Asia, Eastern Europe and/or USA. A high level of knowledge of oral and written English is mandatory, knowledge of the Russian language will be an advantage. It is also important to have interpersonal skills. In preparing complementary aspects of the “Emergency Medical Services Project”, the consultant should work closely with other international and national consultants.

 

Key qualifications and investments of a consultant

The consultant should have proven experience in developing a Strategy for Behavioral Changes of the Population for the effective use of the EMS and eliminating the rational use of the system, as well as proven experience in the preparation of information and educational materials (videos, banners, posters, booklets, memos, articles, notes, interviews etc.) aimed at raising awareness of different target populations for changing behavior on the effective use of the EMS.

 

The consultant should have:

• higher education, it is preferable to have additional postgraduate education (training) in PR management in the relevant field (medicine, health management or other related field);
• at least 10 years of practical experience in the relevant field (emergency medical service, health management or equivalent), should have proven experience in the preparation of communication and information materials, including conducting PR campaigns;
• experience in projects funded by the World Bank, the European Commission or other donor organizations is an advantage;
• fluency in English, knowledge of the Russian language is an advantage, knowledge of working skills in text editing programs, spreadsheets, e-mail, graphic programs.
•  

4. Deliverable:

 

The consultant should submit all reports in English and Russian:

 

Preliminary report, at the end of the first visit	Content: Work plan for an international consultant with a description of the mechanism for implementing assignments. An analytical report on the current situation in Uzbekistan on the use of EMS and its adjustment to develop a strategy of behavioral changes and actions for its implementation. The development of a specific plan of measures/roadmap for the dissemination and exchange of information to raise public awareness, aimed at informing them about the use of the EMS, primarily for ambulance and emergency medical service and the use of alternative outpatient opportunities for non-emergency cases.
Interim report: after the second visit	A behavioral change strategy, which will include an assessment of the current situation, a proposal for effective communication measures, and an action plan to implement the strategy to increase public awareness of the effective use of the EMS and eliminate the inefficient use of the system that currently exists.
Final report (2 weeks after completion of work)	A final report containing all the points listed above, and detailed recommendations with proposals for revising the IEC materials on changing behavior for the effective use of the emergency medical service system, as well as any additional recommended or proposed areas for improving the quality of medical services for EMS.

 

• The consultant is accountable to the Republican Scientific Center of Emergency Medical Aid (RSCEMA) and the PIU “Emergency Medical Services Project”. The consultant should base his report and take into account all aspects of ToR, noting key issues.

 

• The consultant should provide the following summary reports:

• Preliminary report on planned work with a description of the mechanism for completing tasks (2-4 weeks after the start of work).
• Final activity report - within 10 business days after completion of work.
• All reports must be submitted to the PIU “Emergency Medical Services Project” Executive Director (electronic version + hard copy) in English and Russian. The PIU must approve all reports within 10 business days.

 

• All correspondence with the Government and other departments related to the Project should be sent through the PIU Executive Director. The Final Report and other documents prepared by the consultant should be submitted to the PIU Executive Director (electronic version + hard copy) in Russian and English. The PIU must approve the reports within 10 business days after the report is agreed with the expert commission of the Ministry of Health.

V. Organizational measures:

Executive Agency and Client

The consultant works for RSCEMA and PIU “Emergency Medical Services Project”, working closely with local specialists and partners, both at the ministry level and beyond. This will ensure that local stakeholders are actively involved in the development and detailed implementation of the project. To the extent possible, the consultant should ensure the strengthening of the institutional capacity of the RSCEMA in the course of the project. By order of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, an expert working group has been created at the RSCEMA to work with international and local consultants 

 

The duration of the provision of services:

The consultant will provide its services within _____ days from _____ 2019 to ______ 2020 according to the schedule agreed with the consultant. The remaining ____ business days will be completed at home (if necessary).

Client’s inputs:

The PIU will provide the consultant with a furnished office space, access to document reproduction equipment and local communication services, including the Internet. The consultant should have his own laptop for use during the service period. In addition, the PIU will provide relevant materials and reports through an expert working group, help establish contacts with various interested organizations / institutions, and organize meetings with representatives of interested groups and other interested parties.