Overview

Title of Consultancy: Health Systems Researcher to conduct document analysis for the Zimbabwe Eye Health Systems Assessment

Location: Harare, Zimbabwe

Type of Contract: Consultancy

 

Project Background

In the past decade, several countries in sub-Saharan Africa have undertaken assessments of their eye health systems. These assessments are vital for understanding the relative strengths and weaknesses of the eye health system within the wider health system.

The development and delivery of appropriate eye care services depends on the existing general health care system. Implementing appropriate interventions to deliver eye care within the general health system requires an in-depth review and analysis of the different components of the eye health system within the wider health system. No such eye health systems assessment has ever been conducted in Zimbabwe

The study will be conducted in two connected phases – the first phase will focus on a systematic desk-based review of documents (print or electronic), analysis and interpretation of data. This will be a complimentary but comprehensive analysis to answer the research questions set out in the study protocol (see approved study protocol). Phase 2 will utilise findings from phase 1 to develop topic guides and conduct in-depth qualitative interviews with purposively selected stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Overall objective

The purpose of this consultancy is to support phase 1 – the conduct of document analysis and write-up, as the first component of study activities for the Zimbabwe Eye Health Systems Assessment. This will be guided by a stand-alone activity plan to be developed by the consultant in consultation with Sightsavers

 

Duration of Project

The contractual period will be 10 days spread over a month. Payment to the consultant will be a lumpsum at the satisfactory completion of a well-written report accepted by the Sightsavers technical team. The consultant will be responsible for all tax payments. The full value of this consultancy will be US$25,000.00.

Sightsavers will cover cost of software (if required) as well as internet connection for the consultant to access documents but not the cost of travel to and from different offices in Harare to locate grey literature. Town running is included in the consultant’s daily rate.

 

Scope of Work and Deliverables

Please see the Terms of Reference for full scope of work and deliverables

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Skills and Experience

 

Consultant Characteristics

• - Ideally a Master's in a discipline related to public health, health economics, social or behavioural science, or relevant fields, with expertise in Health Systems Research. PhD preferred.
• Will ideally have experience of eye health and related epidemiology and research
• Demonstrated ability to gain the trust and rapidly engage with stakeholders in the eye health sector to access documents (print and electronic) that are required to complete the assignment in a timely manner.
• Be thoroughly informed as to the technical issues and the politically sensitive strategies that one must take to negotiate access to documents and datasets such that work can be successfully conducted.
• A senior researcher with substantial prior experience leading and conducting Health Systems Research studies in Zimbabwe.
• Proven ability to prepare compelling written products including reports is required.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills are required.

 

 

Selection Criteria: Sightsavers is committed to running a fair and transparent tender process and ensuring that all bidders are treated and assessed equally during this process. Bidder quotation responses will be evaluated against Essential Criteria, Capability Criteria, Sustainability Criteria and Commercial Criteria.  These criteria have been especially created to help us determine which bidder is able to offer the best quality and most commercially competitive solution to meet our needs and deliver the most effective programming to our beneficiaries

Next Steps

Closing date

Wednesday 1 October 2025 23:59

How to Express Your Interest

To express your interest to undertake this assignment, please read the TERMS OF REFERENCE and complete our Expression of Interest form including all budget information and upload it to the portal. Interested bidders are also requested to include a CV and examples of previous similar work which should be uploaded to the portal. Interviews are likely to be held the week commencing 20 October 2025 and references will be required for each participating consultant before an agreement is signed. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we actively encourage Expressions of Interest from all sections of the community. Qualified people with a disability are particularly encouraged to express their interest.

Sightsavers is an employer that does not tolerate any form of harassment and has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All potential consultants will be subjected to rigorous background checks and controls.