Terms of Reference

Consultancy to review and update the National Ear and Hearing Care Plan and document achievements, best practices, and lessons learned from the three years of the WINSIGA NDUMVA Program Implementation

1. Introduction

Hearing loss is a growing public-health concern in Rwanda, affecting communication, learning, and livelihoods. To address this, the Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) developed the National Ear and Hearing Care Plan (NEHCP) 2018–2024 under the Fourth Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP IV).

With the launch of HSSP V (2024–2029), the NEHCP must be reviewed and updated to align with new national priorities. At the same time, the three-year WINSIGA NDUMVA Program (2023–2026) a partnership of RBC, UPHLS, and UNICEF/ATscale has expanded access to ear and hearing care in nine districts.

UPHLS and RBC therefore seek a consultant to (1) update the NEHCP in line with HSSP V and (2) document the program’s key achievements, best practices, and lessons learned.

2. Disability and Ear & Hearing Care Programs in Rwanda

Hearing loss remains a critical yet often overlooked public health and development issue globally and in Rwanda (provide some statistics here). As part of the broader disability and health agenda, Ear and Hearing Care (EHC) is increasingly being recognized as essential to achieving equitable access to health, education, employment, and social inclusion. Early identification of hearing loss, especially in newborns and young children, is critical for timely intervention, as it enables access to rehabilitation, education, and communication opportunities.

The Government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Health and the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), has made notable strides in integrating EHC into national health strategies, particularly through the development and implementation of the National Ear and Hearing Care Plan (NEHCP) 2018–2024. The NEHCP, designed as a sub-strategy under the Fourth Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP IV), guided the country in strengthening the EHC system by focusing on prevention, early detection, clinical management, rehabilitation, and improved coordination among stakeholders. Leveraging existing Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (MNCH) platforms has been central to these efforts, ensuring cost-effectiveness, wider reach, and long-term sustainability.

With the transition to the Fifth Health Sector Strategic Plan (HSSP V) 2024–2029, a revised strategic and implementation framework is required. Updating the NEHCP is not only necessary for sustaining progress and integrating new evidence but also for aligning with global and national commitments, including the World Health Organization’s recommendations on integrating EHC within Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and primary healthcare systems. Rwanda has laid a solid foundation for advancing disability-inclusive health services, particularly in the domain of ear and hearing care, making this a timely opportunity to consolidate progress and shape the future of EHC in the country.

3. Ear and Hearing Care (WINSIGA NDUMVA) Program Context.

Complementing the national strategy, the WINSIGA NDUMVA Program was launched in 2023 as a joint initiative by RBC and the Umbrella of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in the Fight against HIV/AIDS and for Health Promotion (UPHLS), with financial support from UNICEF and ATscale. This three-year program is being implemented across nine districts representing all provinces of Rwanda, with the goal of improving access to quality ear and hearing care liable to integrating other disabilities for inclusive primary health care services.

Key focus areas of the WINSIGA NDUMVA Program include:

• Integration of EHC into existing health systems and primary healthcare services;
• Capacity building of healthcare providers at district and community levels;
• Community engagement and awareness to increase demand for services;
• Provision of hearing assistive technologies (screening equipment/tools, devices, services, and rehabilitation support).

As the program enters its final implementation year (2026), it is vital to document its achievements, best practices, and lessons learned. Doing so will help evaluate its impact, promote sustainability, and inform future EHC program design and national scale-up. Assigning both the NEHCP review and the WINSIGA NDUMVA documentation to the same consultant will ensure a coherent, evidence-informed, and context-sensitive approach that maximizes impact and supports national priorities under HSSP V.

Objectives of the Consultancy

4. The consultancy aims to:

Activity A – NEHCP Update

Review and update the Rwanda National Ear and Hearing Care Plan (NEHCP) for 2025–2029.

Specific objectives:

• Conduct a desk review of NEHCP 2018–2024 and assess its achievements, challenges, and gaps.
• Draft an updated 5-year NEHCP aligned with the strategic directions and priorities of HSSP V (2024–2029).
• Consult relevant stakeholders for input and validation.
• Draft and finalize the updated NEHCP 2025–2029, including a clear implementation framework, M&E plan, and budget.
• Facilitate a national validation workshop for final endorsement of the revised NEHCP.

Activity B – WINSIGA NDUMVA Documentation

Document key achievements, best practices, and lessons learned from the three-year WINSIGA NDUMVA Program (2023–2026).

Specific objectives:

• Review program reports, monitoring data, and stakeholder inputs.
• Identify achievements, challenges, innovative approaches, and lessons learned.
• Produce a comprehensive impact report to inform future programming and support sustainability.

5. Scope of Work

Activity A: NEHCP Update

• Review all relevant documents (NEHCP 2018 - 2024, HSSP V, WHO ear and hearing guidelines, national health policies).
• Hold consultations with RBC, MOH, professional associations, development partners, Health facilities and local implementing partners
• Draft the updated NEHCP 2025 - 2029 and integrate stakeholder feedback.
• Present the draft for validation and finalize the plan.

Activity B: WINSIGA NDUMVA Documentation

• Review program reports, M&E data, and other relevant documentation.
• Conduct consultations and interviews with key stakeholders, health facility staff, and program beneficiaries, including children who received digital hearing aids, and collect human-interest stories.
• Document achievements, best practices, lessons learned, and provide recommendations for future programming.
• Prepare and present a final comprehensive report.
• Prepare policy briefs for advocacy of the sustainability of the program

6. Methodology

The consultant will propose a suitable methodology for the exercise to be conducted successfully.

7. Deliverables 

The following are the expected deliverables:

8. Timeline

The assignment will be conducted in two phases:

• October – December 2025: Review and update the National Ear and Hearing Care Plan 
• February – June 2026: Documentation of achievements, best practices, and lessons learned from three years of the WINSIGA NDUMVA Program

9. Coordination

The RBC/ Non-Communicable Diseases Division/Injuries and Disabilities Unit and UPHLS will coordinate the assignment with technical support from UNICEF.

10. Consultant Profile

The interested consultants must meet the following qualifications and experience:

Academic Qualifications

Lead consultant

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Policy, Social Sciences, Monitoring and Evaluation, Project Management or a related field,
• A background in medicine, nursing, or allied health sciences is considered an asset 
• A higher degree in the above-mentioned field will be an added advantage 

Collaborating consultant

• The lead consultant must pair with an experienced ENT Specialist, with the required expertise in Ear and Hearing Services. 

Professional Experience

• At least 3 years of experience in planning, monitoring and evaluation, policy development, health systems strengthening or program design.
• Proven experience developing or reviewing national strategic plans, programs, policies, or guidelines in the health sector.
• Demonstrated understanding of ear and hearing care in Rwanda or similar contexts.
• Experience documenting program achievements, best practices, and lessons learned is highly desirable.

Technical Skills

• Strong analytical and research skills, including synthesizing quantitative and qualitative data from multiple sources.
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to produce high-quality technical reports in English.
• Proficiency in developing implementation frameworks, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plans, and costing of health program
• Experience designing and conducting interviews, focus group discussions, and collecting human-interest stories.

Consultation and Facilitation Experience

• Demonstrated ability to engage and consult various stakeholders, including government entities, health professionals, civil society, and development partners.
• Experience in organizing and facilitating national-level validation or technical workshops is an added advantage.

Other Competencies

• Ability to work independently, deliver within deadlines, and incorporate feedback from multiple stakeholders.
• Familiarity with Rwanda’s health system, policies, and planning processes is highly desirable.

11. Language

The documents will be produced in English. 

12. Application Process

Qualified consultants with the above profile are strongly encouraged to submit the following documents to the UPHLS email: infos@uphls.org:

• Cover letter 
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) or company profile demonstrating relevant qualifications and experience, including details of any co-facilitator if applicable.
• An all-inclusive financial and technical proposal outlining the methodology, approach, and timeline.
• Names and contact details of three references.

Notice: The deadline for the submission of requested documents is 17/10/2025 at 4:00 pm on infos@uphls.org.

Done at Kigali, on the 9th October 2025

KARANGWA Francois Xavier

Executive Director

UPHLS