1.      Background

Family Planning 2020 was launched in July 2012 with a simple commitment that every woman and girl, no matter where she lives, should have the opportunity to use lifesaving, life-changing modern contraception. Uganda was among the 69 low and middle-income countries that pledged to this global initiative to scaling up the use of modern family planning methods to ensure that every Ugandan woman can choose when and how many children to have. These commitments contributed to the nation’s ambitious goal to reduce the unmet need for family planning to 10% and increase the modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (mCPR) to 50% by 2020.

Track20 (2020) estimates indicated that with a modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (mCPR) of 39% among married women, Uganda has 3,321,000 total users and 1,638,000 additional users since 2012. The unmet need for family planning, also a country priority is currently estimated at 31% (09.08.21 Performance Review Report of Uganda’s FP2020 Commitments, n.d.-a).

Based on the above, CSBAG would like to contract the services of a consultant to conduct an assessment on financing and expenditure tracking of government commitments for policy influencing on family planning/maternal and child health. The study will be conducted at both the national and local government level to assess and evaluate resource allocation to FP/MCH at the national and local government level and establish the state of service delivery at the community level.

2.      Rationale for the study

Uganda is the third fastest-growing country in the world, with a population of 45 million, and 48% of the population is under the age of 15.[1] On average, women have approximately 7 children (6.9) if contraceptive and fertility patterns do not change. Nearly half of all pregnancies in Uganda are unplanned and that narrative needs to change if the country is set on averting a population explosion. This can be done through investments to Family Planning (FP) and Maternal Child Health (MCH).

The main objective of the study is to assess the financing and expenditure tracking of government commitments for policy influencing on FP/MCH. The consultant will assess financing interventions at the national and local government level, but also develop and conduct a community score card assessment in 5 districts, which shall enable communities and duty bearers understand the constraints to full utilization of FP/MCH services.

3.      The specific Terms of Reference

The consultant will assess and evaluate resource allocation to FP/MCH at the national and local government level and establish the state of service delivery at the community level. Specifically, for this assignment the consultant will:

• Assess and evaluate resource allocation to FP/MCH at the national and local government level over a period of 5 years, providing both revenue commitments and expenditure
• Establish the state of service delivery of FP/MCH at the community level in the districts of Gulu, Lamwo, Mbarara, Rubirizi and Kampala using a community scorecard. The consultant will work with CSBAG’s members in these districts to identify the respondents.
• Develop 5 policy briefs (1 for each district) highlighting the key findings and recommendations to FP/MCH financing
• Document factors constraining effective provision of FP/MCH services and commodities at the national and local government level.
• Provide clear recommendations on the identified gaps to inform onward advocacy at national and district level, including district specific interventions.

4.      Scope of the study

The study will be undertaken at both the national and local government level, evaluating resource allocation and establishing the state of service delivery for FP/MCH. The local government level assessment will be focused on 5 districts of Gulu, Lamwo, Mbarara, Rubirizi and Kampala.

The consultant will conduct a community score card in each of the 5 districts, which shall enable assessment of citizens’ satisfaction levels with the FP/MCH services provided.

5.      Timeframe

The consultant will be contracted for a period of 20 days from the day of contract signing, not later than 4^th February 2022.

6.      Key Deliverables

The key deliverables of this assignment shall include;

1. Community score card
2. A draft assessment report
3. A final assessment report
4. 5 policy briefs (1 for each district) highlighting the key findings and recommendations

7.      Reporting

The consultant will be reporting directly to the Executive Director on this assignment but will have a close working relationship with the Senior Budget Policy Specialist.

8.      Qualifications

The consultant should have the following qualifications.

• Degree in Economics, public health, gender studies or related from a recognized institution of higher learning
• Should have a deeper understanding of Family Planning and Maternal and Child Health.

• Possession of a post graduate qualification in Economics, Public Health, Gender studies or related will be an added advantage.
• Qualified females are encouraged to apply.
• Should have a clear understanding of national and local government policies and procedures.
• Should have a clear understanding Uganda’s budget process.

9.      Application procedure

Interested consultants/firms are requested to submit Technical and financial proposals (quoted in UGX). These should contain:

1. Description of the understanding of the tasks, including comments on the TORs;
2. A brief critique or advice on, what the TOR ought to have included or considered, from your understanding of the task
3. A description of the methodology to be followed, to achieve the desired objectives.
4. Work plan and time scheduling of information gathering and other activities; and
5. CVs of the consultants/firms

Interested candidates should submit their application letter, updated CVs, technical and financial proposals and references for similar work conducted previously, addressed to the Executive Director, Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG) on email: hr@csbag.org, and cc: snampewo@csbag.org not later than 31^st  December 2021 by 5:00pm.

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[1] Uganda Bureau of Statistics