Consultancy - Develop Micro Health Insurance MIS - SHP

The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF), an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), is a private, non-denominational, international development agency established in 1967. It seeks sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy and ill-health with special emphasis on the needs of rural communities in mountainous and other resource poor regions, primarily in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Its main areas of focus are education, health, rural development, environment and strengthening civil society.

The Aga Khan Foundation (Pakistan) [AKF(P)] is seeking high calibre professional/firm for the following Consultancy in Gilgit Baltistan (GB).

 “Develop Micro Health Insurance (MHI)-Management Information System (MIS) of Social Health Protection, Micro-Health Insurance Initiative- Gilgit-Baltistan”

I.                   Background and Context

The German Government, through KfW, is providing financial support to the Government of Pakistan for a social health protection micro health insurance (SHP-MHI) scheme in Gilgit district. The Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Consortium, comprising Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme and Jubilee Life Insurance, is implementing the scheme of Micro Health Insurance (MHI) in Gilgit district under a contract with DOH-GB for five years since August 2016.

II.                Rationale of the Consultancy

The existing data management system needs improvement. The project requires an integrated data management system to comply with the MHI project reporting requirement  with the involvement of the five empanelled hospitals and the community field activities for enrolments. This will allow to collect and compile data and develop periodic progress reports of project components. This system will facilitate each health facility to record admitted insured patient information efficiently and linking them with a centralized system that will help project managers for the timely accessing and monitoring insurance enrolments and hospital utilization. The system will provide consolidated data that will enable the Project Director and Secretary Health Gilgit-Baltistan for the better project management, tracking progress against targets and tacking corrective measures. 

The MHI-MIS will develop a database management system (DBMS), to track and update insurance enrolments and hospital in-patient records of insured patients. The advantages of the MHI-MIS will be to retrieve, update information, efficient data sharing and communication, with reliable data backup and security.

Key characteristics of MHI-MIS includes the following:

a.       Simple and user-friendly system not dependent on regular assistance of the IT Specialist.

b.      Flexibility in creating reports, ability of exporting data into MS Excel/Access for data analysis and reporting.

c.       User logins with their complete logs.

d.      Relevant access – different authorities at different levels

e.       Progress at a glance – real time progress dashboard for project leaders including SHPI Staff and Secretary Health

f.       Synchronization of the available data with existing MIS of health facilities and AKRSP and PMU

g.       Real time acceptance of bills and processing of insurance claims

h.      Online decision of insurance cases – approval/ rejection

i.        Real time analysis of reports regarding admissions in hospitals, disease trends, user rates etc. 

j.        Multiple methods of data inputs – data entry through screen, synchronization via excel sheets and/or other MIS generated files.

k.      Strong data validation checks and auto correction data.

III.             Scope of Work

The consultant/ firm to undertake the MHI-MIS development process and system design; the specifications of the system are outlined as follows:

1. Conduct a detailed needs assessment and gap analysis in light of
   1. The reporting requirements of SHPI,
   2. Meetings with stakeholders (AKDN, PMU, OPM),
   3. Reviewing existing data collection tools and processes
   4. Reviewing the MISs of similar health insurance programmes especially the MIS used by State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan
   5. Liaising with IT Specialists and the staff of GB Health Department and AKFP and the Project Director MHI in Gilgit.
2. The software for developing the system will be mutually agreed between the consultant, AKFP, JLI and PMU,
3. The expert will also identify the users/user groups, user interface specifications for each user group, key data elements for data execution and its methodology for data collection and punching. This will be finalized in a meeting between consultant and representatives of DOH-GB, AKFP, JLI AKRSP and OPM.
4. Develop MIS, its analytical dashboard with appropriate data analysis tools
5. Respond to feedback from key staff members during the design of the MHI-MIS system.
6. Recommend a comprehensive backup and recovery strategy utilizing current and relevant backup methodologies.
7. Adhere to security standards, best practices, and current security policies of Government of Pakistan and AKDN as well.
8. Recommend necessary maintenance plans with clear instructions of the maintenance of the system.
9. Facilitate first time data entry and train MIS users on all software components
10. Develop complete documentation of the MHI-MIS system and user manual.

k.      In addition to MIS an android app shall also be developed to access the real time data on cell phones by stakeholders.

IV.              The Key Deliverables will be

1. Needs Assessment Report – Highlighting the data requirements and current gaps in the existing systems
2. MIS with its flowcharts, design plan and source code
3. MIS Documentation and User Manual
4. Mobile Application

V.                 Timeline of the Consultancy

The duration of the Consultancy would be for 20 days .

Vi        Assignment Management

The consultants/firm will work closely with the Health manager AKFP and will be reporting to the consortium committee comprising of project Director Programme Implementation Unit of SHPI-GB, representative of OPM and AKFP. The deliverables to be reviewed and endorsed by the committee.

Vii       Payment Plan

The following payment plan is proposed for the assignment:

1. 20% of the contract value as advance on signing of the contract and inception report.
2. 20% of the contract value on submission of first draft of research report, summary report and manuscript.
3. 60% of the contract value on submission of the final research report, summary report and manuscript.

All applicable taxes will be deducted at source, as per Government of Pakistan (GOP) statutory laws.

VIII     Qualifications and Experience

The prospective consultant/ Consultancy firm is expected to demonstrate an appropriate balance of management, technical skills and research skills, knowledge of the region, and experience in qualitative and/or mixed method research and expertise in Management Information System (MIS). Consultants /consultancy firm should possess excellent writing skills and analytical skills. Qualifications of key representatives should include:

1. At least a master’s degree in Public Health, Social Sciences Research or another relevant field of study;
2. Good understanding of the GB health sector and context;
3. Minimum of 7 years of demonstrated experience in qualitative and/or mixed methods research including training and supervising qualitative research assistants;
4. Excellent analytical and report writing skills;
5. Excellent analytical and report writing skills;
6. Strong leadership, planning and problem-solving skills;
7. Must be able to work independently with excellent demonstrated teamwork and      coordination skills;
8. Previous experience working for or with international non-governmental organizations and donors is desirable.

Please note that the applicant(s) are advised to upload their Profiles, Technical & Financial proposal(s) properly. No direct application will be entertained.

AKF(P) offers a competitive remuneration package and conducive working environment. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.

Interested consultants/firms should forward their applications or profiles by March 24, 2020.

Please note that only short-listed candidates/firms will be contacted.