Gender Youth and Social Inclusion (GYSI) Assessment - Consultant

Introduction

The USAID Urban Health Activity implemented by Jhpiego and its partners-Uganda Healthcare Federation, Bulamu Healthcare, Living Goods, Youth Alive Uganda, and Population Services International is a five-year cooperative agreement (November 2024 to November 2029) designed and funded by USAID/Uganda to enhance health system resilience and improve the survival and well-being of residents in Kampala City, Mukono, and Wakiso districts. The Activity will strengthen public and private health systems at the facility and community levels to deliver responsive, timely, evidence-based, quality, and respectful services in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH); family planning (FP)/reproductive health (RH); nutrition; and Global Health Security (GHS). This will be achieved through:

1. Improved quality of care,
2. Strengthened private sector service provision,
3. Strengthened community health services, and
4. Improved coordination and multi-sectoral collaboration for urban health programming.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MoH), Kampala Capital City Authority, the district local governments of Mukono and Wakiso and communities, our efforts will lead to a transformed urban health system. This system will ensure that integrated, quality care is delivered at the right health facility- level, time, and location, optimizing resource use, decongesting public facilities, and improving health and well-being. Achieving these results, however, requires a deeper understanding of how gender influences the participation of different population groups in the interventions in compliance with USAID Automated Directive System (ADS) 205 and 201 on Gender and inclusive development.  

GYSI purpose and scope

In line with the Urban Health Activity's implementation framework, a comprehensive assessment of gender, youth, and social determinants is essential to understand their influence on urban health outcomes. The GYSI analysis will identify, understand, and explain gaps between males and females that exist in households, communities. It will also be used      to identify the relevance of gender norms and power relations with the specific context of the 3 districts.. The findings from this assessment will inform the design of a Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GYSI) action plan for the Urban Health Project. The GYSI will be aligned to the five domains of gender analysis including Cultural Norms and Beliefs; Gender Roles, Responsibilities, and Time Use; Laws, Policies, Regulations, and Institutional Practices; Access to and Control over Assets and Resources; Patterns of Power and Decision-making.

It is envisioned that an intersectional lens will be applied in the design and implementation of the GYSI.

The USAID Urban Health Activity seeks to engage a qualified consultant to conduct a Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GYSI) assessment in the target districts of Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Technical Director to execute this assignment effectively.

The study will employ a mixed-methods approach to ensure a comprehensive understanding of GYSI dynamics. The assessment will be conducted within 45 days and will focus on generating actionable insights to inform project design and implementation strategies for improved urban health outcomes

GYSI assessment goal

The overall goal of the Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GYSI) assessment is to      identify, understand and explain the gender, youth, and social determinants influencing the participation, utilization and access to family health services by various population groups targeted by the Urban Health Activity. The results will inform the development of a Gender, Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) strategy to guide urban health activity implementations across all IRs

Objectives of GYSI assessment

1. To establish household and community gender dynamics (access to and control over resources, beliefs and practices, knowledge and perceptions, time use, power relations, policy level gender and youth considerations and underlying norms) and identify how the five gender analysis domains influence/impact the ability of women, young people, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups to access, participate in, and benefit from health services
2. Explore community members/beneficiaries’ roles and influence in leadership and decision-making processes within health service delivery systems.
3. The assessment will determine the positive and negative experiences, perceptions, and attitudes of facility- and community health care providers and their role in gender integration and promotion of an equitable health service delivery responsive to the needs of all individuals, especially the most vulnerable people along the gender equality continuum.
4. Explore how to address gender issues amidst the emerging global health challenges including climate change, infectious diseases, digitalization/technology environmental degradation and others which affect communities and coping mechanisms
5. Based on the findings develop a clear gender action plan with district specific and general issues as well as actions and how measurement will be done

Assesment and Approach Methods

The consultant will be requested to develop a comprehensive research protocol (outlining the design, techniques of data collection, sampling and data analysis framework) and data collection tools. The consultant should ensure the completion of the GYSI Analysis, GYSI Strategy and Action Plan within the stipulated timeframe.

GYSI assessment tasks and expected deliverables

  Tasks

The consultant will be able to perform all the assessment related tasks, including:

1. Conduct a comprehensive literature review to enrich the understanding of the study context and inform the study design and GYSI framework
2. In consultation with the project team refine research questions linking with study objectives and design approach
3. A comprehensive detailed methodology for the GYSI assessment; data collection and analysis techniques and methods, sampling framework (sample size and selection techniques, etc.),
4. Data collection plan, including study tools development.
5. Data analysis plan and coding framework in consultation with Urban Health Activity staff
6. Carry out primary data collection in the field.
7. Participate in the planned entry meetings at KCCA, Mukono and Wakiso districts      
8. Review and incorporate feedback generated from stakeholders      
9. Lead internal validation and external meetings to disseminate the key findings of the assessment.
10. Generate the agreed upon deliverables – GYSI assessment report and GYSI action plan

Key Deliverables

1. Produce a high quality inception report describing methods and techniques to use for this assessment, profile of participants who will be involved (covering a wide range of stakeholders across sectors and at various levels), Ghant chart for tracking milestones/progress
2. Approved research protocol and tools
3. GYSI report and action plan in MS Word Version
4. Powerpoint slides on key findings and recommendations
5. Data sets

Successful candidates will demonstrate the following skills and qualifications:

• Either individual or consultancy firm
• Post-graduate degree in public health, gender studies or related programs from a recognized university  
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience working on issues related to gender and inclusive development.
• Previous experience in undertaking gender analysis and barrier analysis
• Proven track record conducting key informant interviews and focus groups with subject matter experts as well as community members, and in low literacy settings.
• In-depth knowledge and experience in gender and social norms analysis, gender analysis frameworks, quantitative and qualitative research methods including using statistical packages for quantitative and qualitative analyses
• Proven experience supervising qualitative research teams and ensuring qualitative data quality and completeness.
• Demonstrated skills in preparing quality reports and other knowledge products
• Understanding of the 2023 USAID Gender equality policy and priorities for advancing gender equality, female empowerment and inclusive development.      
• Experience in urban health gender programming
• Fluent in English and local language
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and excellent presentation skills, preferably in English
• Ability to be flexible and work independently with little supervision.
• Available for assignment as soon as possible.

Application Requirements

Please submit an Expression of Interest, which should include the following:

1. A detailed technical proposal including Description of how your skills and experience match the TOR requirements, Understanding of the assignment, Proposed methodology, and work plan.
2. A financial proposal: Should include a detailed budget in Uganda Shillings

• CV of team lead and any other key personnel

1. A sample of a similar GYSI study report and GYSI strategy developed.
2. A brief profile of not more than 2 pages of the applicant (in case of firms)

Dissemination

The plan and responsibilities for sharing and using GYSI assessment findings will be developed after the inception report.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON 24TH JANUARY 2025