National Consultant to support the development of NCD - NSP

The Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) with the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) seeks to recruit a highly qualified consultant to conduct a final evaluation of the NCD Strategy 2020-2025 and lead the development of a new, evidence-based, and fully costed National NCD Strategy and Action Plan for 2026-2030. This new strategy must build upon lessons learned and be perfectly nested within the national planning cycle, aligning strategically with the goals of HSSP V, the 4x4 Reform, and NST2, while embedding the core principles of equity, inclusivity, scalability, and sustainability to ensure a robust and resilient national NCD response.

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) represent one of the most significant global health challenges of the 21st century. Globally, NCDs are the leading cause of mortality, accounting for over 70% of all deaths. A disproportionate 85% of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where health systems are often ill-equipped to manage the complex and long-term care required. The major NCDs; cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), and diabetes impose a heavy toll on individuals, families, and national economies, hindering socioeconomic development. In Rwanda, the burden of NCDs is substantial and growing. According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), Vital Statistics Report 2024, NCDs, including injuries and disabilities, account for approximately 57% of total annual mortality. This epidemiological transition, characterized by a rising prevalence of NCDs alongside a persistent burden of communicable diseases, presents a dual challenge to the Rwandan health system. Key drivers include lifestyle changes, urbanization, and an aging population. Despite the high burden, many NCD cases remain undiagnosed and untreated, leading to preventable morbidity, disability, and premature death. In response, the Government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), has demonstrated strong political will and commitment to tackling NCDs. This commitment was operationalized through the National Strategy and Costed Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs (2020-2025). This plan aimed to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by 25% by 2025 through a comprehensive, multisectoral approach. Its strategic objectives focused on prevention and risk factor reduction, strengthening health systems for early detection and quality care, enhancing surveillance and research, and improving intersectoral coordination and resource mobilization. As the 2020-2025 strategic period concludes, it is imperative to conduct a thorough evaluation of its implementation. The national landscape has evolved with national new frameworks, including the Health Sector Strategic Plan V (HSSP V) 2024–2029, the transformative 4x4 Health Workforce Development Reform, and the overarching National Strategy for Transformation  (NST2) 2024-2029. NST2 sets the national vision for achieving a high quality of life for all citizens and serves as the primary vehicle for realizing Rwanda's Vision 2050. The forthcoming NCD Strategy (2026-2030) is therefore a critical instrument for operationalizing the health-related goals of NST2's Social Transformation pillar and mitigating the economic impact of NCDs to support the Economic Transformation pillar.

The consultant's scope of work will cover all activities necessary to accomplish the stated objectives, divided into two main phases: (I) Evaluation of the 2020-2025 Strategy and (II) Development of the 2026-2030 Strategy. The core principles of Inclusivity, Sustainability, Scalability, and Equity will guide the entire process. This includes ensuring alignment with NST2's emphasis on citizen participation and leaving no one behind. The consultant will be required to use proven methodologies and reliable data to inform the process, ensuring the final strategy is comprehensive, equitable, and actionable. More specifically, the consultant will be required to:

Phase I: Evaluation of the NCD Strategy and Costed Action Plan (2020-2025)

1. Develop a detailed inception report outlining the evaluation methodology (including an evaluation matrix), a comprehensive work plan, stakeholder mapping, risk assessment, and a clear timeline for all deliverables.
2. Conduct a thorough desk review of all relevant documents, including the NCD Strategy 2020-2025, HSSP V, 4x4 Reform documents, NST2, national health policies, M&E reports, surveillance data (HMIS), research studies, and partner reports.
3. Assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of the 2020-2025 strategy. This includes evaluating progress towards the goal of reducing premature NCD mortality by 25% and achievements under each of the four strategic objectives.
4. Organize and conduct bilateral meetings and key informant interviews with a wide range of stakeholders, including MoH/RBC leadership, NCD Technical Working Groups (TWGs), development partners (e.g., WHO, etc.), civil society organizations (e.g., Rwanda NCD Alliance), private sector entities, academic institutions, and patient representatives.
5. Facilitate a validation workshop with stakeholders to present the draft evaluation findings, gather feedback, and build consensus on key lessons learned and strategic directions for the new plan.
6. Produce a comprehensive Final Evaluation Report detailing the findings, conclusions, and actionable recommendations that will directly inform you of the development of the new strategy.

Phase II: Development of the NCD Strategy and Costed Action Plan (2026-2030)

1. Based on the evaluation findings and stakeholder consultations, draft the new National NCD Strategy (2026-2030). The strategy must include a clear vision, mission, goal, and strategic objectives that are explicitly aligned with the pillars of HSSP V, and the overarching goals of NST2's Social and Economic Transformation Pillars.
2. The strategy must address the full continuum of care (promotion, prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care) for major NCDs (CVDs, cancers, diabetes, CRDs) and their risk factors, including specific, integrated interventions for palliative care, injuries, and disabilities.
3. Analyze the implications of the 4x4 Health Workforce Development Reform on NCD service delivery, projecting human resource needs and capacity gaps for specialized NCD care and integrating workforce development plans into the strategy.
4. Develop a comprehensive Resource Mobilization and Sustainability Strategy, identifying innovative financing mechanisms (e.g., climate finance for health), public-private partnerships, and advocacy pathways to address the projected funding gap and ensure long-term financial viability.
5. Strengthen the multisectoral coordination framework by defining clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability mechanisms for all relevant government ministries (e.g., Finance, Education, Sports, Agriculture, Environment), private sector partners, and civil society.
6. Develop a detailed, costed multi-year Action Plan using a recognized costing tool (e.g., WHO OneHealth Tool). The plan will translate strategic objectives into concrete, prioritized interventions with clear activities, outputs, timelines, and responsible actors.
7. Define a robust Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework for the new strategy, including SMART indicators, baselines, and ambitious but realistic five-year targets aligned with HSSP V, the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), and Global NCD targets (e.g., SDG 3.4). This framework must integrate with the national Health Management Information System (HMIS) and leverage digital tools for real-time tracking.
8. Facilitate a national consultative workshop to review and validate the draft NCD Strategy and Costed Action Plan, ensuring broad ownership and commitment.
9. Finalize the National NCD Strategy and Costed Action Plan 2026-2030, incorporating all feedback, and submit the complete, high-quality document to RBC/MoH for approval

Educational Qualifications:  

Essential: A University degree in Public Health, Health Policy and Planning, Epidemiology, Health Economics, or a related medical or social science field.
Desirable: An advanced university degree (Master or PhD) in Public Health, Health Policy and Planning, Epidemiology, Health Economics, or a related medical or social science field.

Experience  

· At least five (5) years or more of senior-level professional experience in public health program management, focused on the development, implementation, or evaluation of national health strategic plans.
· Demonstrable and extensive experience in the field of Non-Communicable Diseases.
· Proven track record of successfully developing national-level health strategies, preferably in the East African region or similar contexts. Experience in producing documents through a highly consultative process involving government, UN agencies, donors, and civil society is essential.
· Strong expertise in costing health interventions and developing costed action plans, with proficiency in using tools like the WHO One Health Tool.
· Experience in designing and implementing M&E frameworks for large-scale health programs.

Skills/Knowledge

· Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and conceptual abilities.
· Excellent facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to lead high-level multi-stakeholder workshops and meetings.
· Outstanding writing skills in English, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and high-quality technical documents.
· Strong understanding of health systems strengthening, primary health care integration, and multisectoral action for health.
· Familiarity with the Rwandan health system and its strategic priorities (HSSP V, 4x4 Reform, NST2) is a strong asset.
NB: The lead consultant may partner with other consultants who possess the additional skills required to successfully deliver the assignment suitability for the assignment.
· A brief proposal (max 4 pages) outlining their understanding of the ToR and the proposed methodology.
· At least two examples of similar work (e.g., national strategic plans, program evaluations) were previously completed.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert)

Essential: Expert knowledge of English
Desirable: Working knowledge of French

Location

The duty station of the Consultant will be based in Kigali, Rwanda at WHO country office, and Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC).

Travel

The consultant will travel only inside the country to all districts visiting selected hospitals, health centers, and beneficiaries’ communities.

Remuneration and budget

The consultant will be recruited at NOC for three months (3) and the Pay band is level B.
Monthly rate will be 7,901,250 RWF and the total for three months is 23,703,750 RWF

Additional Information

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