fiji health sector support program rft... · the tenderer must include all information specified in...

Version 2.3_September 2016 FHSSP is implemented by Abt Associates on behalf of the Australian Government

1 FHSSP is implemented by Abt Associates on behalf of the Australian Government

Fiji Health Sector Support Program

Request for Tender

Counselling Review and Strategy Consultancy

1. Purpose

Abt Associates, on behalf of the Fiji Health Sector Support Program (FHSSP), an Australian

Government funded initiative, invites suitably qualified and experienced individuals or firms to

submit tenders to review the current counselling services in Fiji in consultation with key stakeholders

and provide a comprehensive written, data-driven review paper to assist the Ministry of Health and

Medical Services (MoHMS) to better plan, fund and manage counselling services for the people of Fiji

in the interests of improved mental health and wellbeing.

2. General information

Tenderers must use the tender forms provided and must include all information specified in this

request for tender (RFT) in their tender. Tenderers accept that their failure to provide all information

may result in their tender being excluded from further consideration.

3. RFT particulars

RFT close date: 4.30pm (FJT), Monday, October 17 2016

Validity period: 90 working days from submission

Contact person: Ms Leah Ekbladh

Ph: +679 3215 802

Email: [email protected]

Submission: Tenders to be submitted electronically via email to

[email protected]

Responsibility rests with the tenderer to ensure that its tender reaches FHSSP by the due closing

date.

4. Form of tender

The tender submission must contain the following information:

Schedule A: Tender Form

Schedule B: Tenderer’s Details

Schedule C: Tenderer’s Experience

mailto:[email protected]



Schedule D: Approach and Methodology

Schedule E: Key Personnel

Schedule F: Cost Proposal

The tenderer must include all information specified in this RFT in their submission. The tenderer

accepts that their failure to provide all information may result in their tender being excluded from

further consideration.

The tender may be regarded as non-conforming if it fails to conform to one of these conditions.

Abt Associates reserves the right to seek clarification of a non-conforming tender.

Abt Associates may at its absolute discretion assess or reject a non-conforming tender and will not

enter into any correspondence or discussion about a decision to assess or reject a non-conforming

tender.

5. Evaluation process

Tenders will be evaluated on the basis of a technical and financial assessment in order to achieve the

best value for money outcome. The following selection criteria and weighting will form the basis of

tender assessment:

(a) Tenderer details and experience 50%

(b) Approach & methodology 30%

(c) Schedule & price 20%

Abt Associates reserves the right to seek clarification of, and negotiate the terms included in, short-

listed tenders after tenders close. These discussions will be documented and form part of the tender

for evaluation purposes. Unsuccessful tenderers will have no redress against Abt Associates

regardless of any addition or amendment to any tender submission in these circumstances.

Abt Associates is not bound or required to accept the lowest tender or any tender.

On request, unsuccessful tenderers will be provided with brief written feedback regarding the

selection procedure and the assessment of their tender to the successful tender submission. The

decision of the evaluation panel is final, and the provision of feedback on the evaluation process is for

purposes of courtesy and quality improvement only. No further correspondence will be entered into

on the basis of this feedback.

6. Award of contract

Following the selection of the preferred tenderer, Abt Associates may enter into negotiations with

the preferred tenderer in respect of the scope of services and basis of payment of the contract. Such

negotiations will be strictly limited to matters of details rather than substance.

7. Tender costs

Tenderers are responsible at their own cost for:

(a) Making all arrangements and obtaining and considering all information relating to the

RFT;



(b) The preparation, delivery and lodgement of the tender.

8. Terms of reference

Background

The goal of FHSSP is to remain engaged in the Fiji health sector by contributing to the MoHMS efforts

to achieve its higher level strategic objectives in relation to infant mortality, maternal mortality and

the prevention and management of diabetes as outlined in the MoHMS Strategic Plan.

There are six key objectives for FHSSP:

1. To institutionalise a safe motherhood program at decentralised levels throughout Fiji.

2. To institutionalise a healthy child program throughout Fiji.

3. To improve prevention and management of diabetic foot sepsis and cervical cancer.

4. To revitalise the community health worker program.

5. Targeted health systems strengthening.

6. Assist MoHMS with recovery, rehabilitation and disaster risk reduction activities in response to Tropical Cyclone Winston.

The Program was originally designed as a five year AUD33million program of support to the Fiji

MoHMS to improve health outcomes in Fiji over the period 2011-2016. The Program has now been

extended for a further year to June 2017 with additional funding of AUD5 million. FHSSP is funded

by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is managed by Abt

Associates.

Purpose of this review

The burden of disease from mental health disorders in Fiji has been likened to an iceberg, where only

the tip is seen of this growing issue that has the potential to impact individuals as well as economic

and social development of Fiji. While there has been some efforts in recent years to develop and

implement increased legal, planning and strategic frameworks to support improved mental health

services, gaps remain in workforce development, financing, research and information systems. Over

the past decade, the Australian Aid Program has consistently funded one aspect of the national

mental health system i.e. antenatal and hospital based counselling services on behalf of the MoHMS

with these services being provided through local non-governmental organisations (NGOs). However

the scope of the service need is poorly understood both in terms of disease burden, service

requirements and financing. This review has been commissioned to assist MoHMS to better plan,

fund and manage counselling services for the people of Fiji in the interests of improved mental health

and wellbeing.

The review will consider and present:

International literature review of counselling service delivery models for lower middle

income countries such as Fiji.

Situation analysis of counselling services currently being provided on behalf of MoHMS

including:



o Legal framework for counselling services and standards

o Scope, coverage, reach, perceived benefit, service standards and cost

o Identify any duplication in service needs

o Clarify existing governance, financing, and data-requirements

o Identify referral pathways both within MoHMS and broader service providers

o Workforce capacity, accreditation and standards

o Steps necessary to institute a counselling board or like professional body

A gap analysis between current counselling services and options for service delivery models

identified in the literature review and consistent with existing Mental Health and disability

legislation and policy in Fiji. This gap analysis will take a building blocks approach to the

presentation of the information covering the following building blocks:

o Mental Health Governance

o Financing

o Performance indicators

Mental Health information systems

o Research

o Service Delivery including referral pathways

o Workforce development

Mental Health and Counselling Services in Fiji

In Fiji, robust epidemiological data is largely unavailable regarding the national prevalence or burden

of disease of mental disorders. Likewise, a routine and effective way to track, assess and evaluate

counselling services is also lacking.

Ongoing challenges facing mental health service development and delivery in Fiji include: the stigma

associated with mental health and illness at St. Giles Hospital; limited access to mental health care

which remains focused in urban areas and at the country’s only psychiatric facility; and lack of trained

mental health professionals and allied mental health care workers. To further complicate care,

counselling services are disparate—provided in part by MoHMS, NGOs, and the private sector.

Counselling is not regulated and rigorous training programs do not exist to the extent that basic

counselling skills and services are uniform across levels of care, cadres, or topical areas.

Mental Health Service Delivery

There have been a number of significant events in the evolution of Fiji’s mental health and counselling

services over the last decade. The 2011 Mental Health Decree supported decentralisation of mental

health services from institutional care to integrated health care at the divisional level. In May 2011

the first Mental Health clinic was officially opened by the Minister for Health at Samabula Health

Centre. This was followed by the establishment of the first mental health units, named Stress

Management Units, in Labasa Hospital, Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Suva, and subsequently,

Lautoka Hospital. Furthermore, it is envisioned that follow-up in the community will be supported by

a well-established public health hierarchy involving community health workers (CHW), nursing

stations, health centres, and sub-divisional hospitals.

Workforce development



Within Fiji, there are numerous “counsellors”. However, their qualifications and level of expertise vary

and are often unverified. Training of these counsellors is often informal or they have undergone brief

workshop training (2 to 3 day courses in counselling skills) at local technical institutions or social

services programmes. The MoHMS, other governmental organisations, and the National Mental

Health Advisory Council were responsible for identifying counsellors in the community and providing

specific counselling training. Currently, the MoHMS and other government agencies ie Prisons, Police

and Social Welfare outsource a large swath of its counselling services to a Fijian NGO, Empower

Pacific, which has also trained counsellors for accreditation by the Australian Council of Professional

Counsellors.

In Fiji, there are two major clinical health training institutions, the Fiji School of Nursing and the Fiji

School of Medicine. Specific to mental health, the University of the South Pacific’s School of Social

Sciences in the Faculty of Arts and Law, offers a bachelor's degree with majors available in Social

Work and Psychology, and a Certificate in Basic Counselling, and a Masters Degree in Social Policy

and Administration. The Pacific Theological College has Clinical Pastoral Education for clergy

members. In 2011, modules on mental health were introduced into the Nurse Practitioners Course at

the Fiji School of Nursing. In 2012, a post graduate diploma course in mental health to provide

specialised mental health training for doctors was established and received its first intake of students.

Plans were underway to set up a post graduate masters programme in mental health.

Training of public health staff (nurses and doctors) is ongoing and dependent on availability of funds

and teaching personnel. The training of the public health staff in the divisions as aforementioned is

being done by the staff of St. Giles Hospital with the support of the divisional Mental Health Project

Officer in between sessions. Training of doctors in the divisions has been more difficult and tends to

be one-off brief sessions. Doctors are supported in the divisions through the Mental Health Clinical

Services Network and regular clinics (at least once a quarter) in the Northern and Western Divisions.

Key Stakeholders

The key stakeholders involved in developing a comprehensive counselling review include, but are not

limited to:

Stakeholder working group to support the review (to be organized with MoHMS and FHSSP

support/guidance)

Ministry of Health and Medical Services:

o Deputy Secretary Public Health

o National Adviser NCD

o National Advisor Mental Health

o Director of Nursing

o Selected Divisional Medical Officers and Divisional Health Sisters

Fiji Health Sector Support Program

UNICEF

World Health Organization, including PIMNET

Save the Children

Empower Pacific

Medical Services Pacific

Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre



Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS)

Lifeline

Counselling Centre at USP

FNU, USP

The following documents will be made available to the successful tenderer to review and consider in

the development of the counselling review:

MoHMS National Strategic Plan 2016–2020

MoHMS Annual Corporate Plan, 2015, 2016

National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan, 2012-2016

National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Policy, 2012-2016

National Policy on Persons Living with Disability, 2008

Mental Health Decree, 2010

The full terms of reference for the assignment is included in Annex A.

9. Schedules

A. Tender Form

B. Tenderer’s Details

C. Tenderer’s Experience

D. Approach and Methodology

E. Key Personnel

F. Schedule of Fees

10. Annexes

A: Terms of reference



Schedule A

Request for Tender

Consultancy services

TENDER FORM

To Abt Associates,

We, (Insert tenderer’s full name)

Address: (Insert address)

Phone Number: (Insert phone no)

(a) Offer to undertake the Terms of Reference as defined in the RFT documentation on the

terms described in the RFT and the particulars set out in the enclosed submission.

Total Contract Price: AUD_____________________ (GST exclusive price).

(b) In consideration of Abt Associates promising to consider our tender, will keep this offer

open for a period of ninety working days after the close of tenders.

(c) Nominate the following person as our representative for executive negotiations:

Firm’s representative: (insert title and full name)

Mobile number: (insert mobile number)

Email address: (insert email address)

DATED this _______ day of ___________ 2016

SIGNED for and on behalf of _________________________

(Insert name of tender)

_________________________ _________________________

Signature of Authorised Signatory Name of Authorised Signatory

In the presence of:

_________________________ _________________________

Signature of Witness Name of Witness



Schedule B

Request for Tender


TENDERER’S DETAILS

Item Details (complete as applicable)

Name:

Director(s)/Owner(s):

Postal address

Phone number:

Fax number:

Office location(s):

Number of branches and

locations:

Number of staff:

Years of experience in the field:

Company registration/business

number:

Professional Indemnity

Insurance:

Liability Insurance:

Workers Compensation

Insurance:



Schedule C

Request for Tender


TENDERER’S EXPERIENCE

Provide details of work similar to the proposed contract that the tenderer is currently undertaking or has completed within the last three (3) years.

Project name:

Contract value:

Duration of contract:

Actual or anticipated completion date:

Client name:

Client contact person (name and telephone number)

Description of the scope of services, demonstrating similarity to the proposed contract:

(Note: You are able to include as many examples of previous contracts as you feel appropriate using the format above)



Schedule D

Request for Tender


APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY

In this section the tenderer’s should describe the details of their approach and methodology to

providing the terms of reference.



Schedule E

Request for Tender


KEY PERSONNEL

NB. Please attach current CV (including contact details for at least two professional referees), not more than five pages in length, for the key personnel

who will be associated with the assignment.

Proposed role in the project Name Position in the organisation Details of specific role Details of similar experience



Schedule F

Request for Tender

Consulting services

COST PROPOSAL

As an Australian Aid funded initiative, the FHSSP aligns with the DFAT Adviser Remuneration Framework (ARF).The tenderer is required to provide cost

information for key personnel with respect to the ARF. Further information on the ARF can be found at http://dfat.gov.au/about-

us/publications/Documents/adviser-remuneration-framework-2016.pdf.

Any travel costs (if relevant) from their home base to Suva, Fiji (using direct economy flights) will be in accordance with DFAT accommodation and per

diem rates.

Note: all local costs associated with holding meetings and/or consultation sessions with key stakeholders within Fiji will be paid directly by FHSSP or the

MoHMS and do not need to be included in the cost proposal.

Any assumptions made in developing the cost proposal should be listed.

Key personnel costs

Outputs Expected date of completion

Key personnel Estimated travel support costs (excl. accommodation, per diems)

No. person days

Daily rate Cost AUD (excl. GST)

Output 1 –Detailed Work

Plan

Output 2 – Situational

Analysis Briefing Document

http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Documents/adviser-remuneration-framework-2016.pdf

http://dfat.gov.au/about-us/publications/Documents/adviser-remuneration-framework-2016.pdf



Output 3 – Counselling

Review Paper

The tenderer is required to list out any other costs associated with delivering the terms of reference.

Other costs

Outputs Description Qty Unit cost Cost AUD (excl.

GST)

Output 1 – Detailed Work

Plan

Output 2 – Situational

Analysis Briefing

Document

Output 3 – Counselling

Review Paper

TOTAL (excluding GST) AUD

An nex A: TORs – Counselling Services Review C onsultancy


Terms of Reference

Position Title: Counselling Review and Strategy Consultancy

Program: Fiji Health Support Service Program (FHSSP)

Location: Desk-based and/or Suva, Fiji

Term: November 2016-March 2017, number of working days set by applicant

Reporting To: FHSSP Technical Team Leader

MoHMS

Counterparts:

National Adviser NCD

National Adviser Mental Health

Abt Associates Values The Consultant(s)/Organisation must demonstrate a high level of

integrity and a commitment to the goal of FHSSP to remain engaged in

the Fiji health sector by contributing to the Fiji Ministry of Health and

Medical Service’s (MoHMS) efforts to achieve its higher level strategic

objectives in relation to:

Reducing infant mortality (MDG4)

Improving maternal health (MDG 5)

The prevention and management of diabetes

as outlined in the Strategic Plan of the MoHMS.

The Consultant(s)/Organization must also demonstrate a high level of

commitment to following values of Abt Associates:

Mission-Driven.

We are united by our mission to improve the lives of people worldwide.

Global.

We are a global community, bringing diverse knowledge, expertise, and

perspectives to the many challenges faced by today’s world.

Committed to Excellence.

We strive to meet and exceed the highest professional standards.

Collaborative.

We know that working collaboratively produces excellence.

Accountable.

We take responsibility for what we do and how we do it.

Balanced.

We sustain the energy and commitment we bring to our roles by

promoting a healthy balance between our personal and professional

lives.



Duty Statement: The Consultant(s)/Organisation is responsible for developing, in

consultation with key stakeholders, a written, and to the extent possible,

data-driven review of counselling services in Fiji and develop a

comprehensive scope of services for MoHMS to consider, commission,

and fund.

Specific Duties: Develop a work plan outlining the approach to the assignment.

Undertake a literature review of counselling service provision in

middle income countries that considers governance, financing,

MHIS, referral systems, mental health workforce.

Conduct a situational analysis by reviewing all relevant and current

documents pertaining to counselling programs, policies and

strategies in Fiji (most documents will be provided).

Consult with identified stakeholders to review the existing mental

health policy, other relevant documents/programs and discuss

recent initiatives or updates to counselling data/information.

The following building blocks should be considered during analysis

of collected data (qualitative and quantitative):

o Mental Health governance

o Financing

o Mental health information systems

o Service delivery

o Organizational integration of services and mental health

facilities

o Availability and proper use of psychotropic drugs

o Mental health workforce

o User/consumer and family associations

Based on discussions and consultations, available data and the

aforementioned analysis, develop a counselling review paper

outlining:

o An overview of existing services

o A review of gaps in counselling services

o Recommendations for any additional training or structures

(licensure, accreditation of programs) needed to ensure the

quality and efficacy of counselling

o Prioritization of funding services given the most pressing

counselling needs in Fiji.

Present the paper to key stakeholders for final review.

Performance

Deliverables:

Detailed work plan for the assignment developed and agreed,

outlining key tasks, timeframes and deliverables.

Situational analysis briefing document.

Counselling review paper with options for service provision.



Reporting: The Consultant(s)/Organisation is required to provide:

Situational analysis briefing document

Counselling review paper.

Each report that is provided should be:

Of the highest standard of quality including report content,

formatting, spelling and grammar.

Prepared in accordance FHSSP reporting guidelines.

Provided as an electronic Microsoft Word or Excel file.

Delivered by the required date.