Call For Consultancy
CONSULTANT TO DEVELOP A POLICY BRIEF ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH - KENYA
INTRODUCTION
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Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are a significant public health challenge in Kenya, accounting for over 50% of hospital admissions and nearly 40% of total deaths annually. Physical inactivity is one of the major modifiable risk factors contributing to the rise in NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) identifies physical inactivity as the fourth leading risk factor for mortality, responsible for approximately 3.2 million deaths annually.
Kenya has witnessed a notable decline in physical activity levels over the years. According to the Kenya STEPwise Survey for NCDs (2015), nearly 6% of adults in Kenya are physically inactive, with urbanization and lifestyle changes contributing significantly to this trend. Furthermore, a majority of school-aged children fail to meet the WHO recommendation of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. The education sector faces challenges in implementing physical education programs due to inadequate infrastructure, limited resources, and competing academic demands.
The insufficient levels of physical activity in Kenya have far-reaching implications, including an increased prevalence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, especially in urban areas. The rising burden of NCDs not only affects individuals’ health but also imposes a substantial economic cost on families, the health sector, and the national economy.
Addressing physical inactivity requires a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach that prioritizes health promotion and the creation of enabling environments to support active lifestyles. In a step to emphasize and offer a strategy for promotion of physical activity in Kenya, the Ministry of Health developed the National Physical Activity Action Plan 2018-2023 which provides a framework for sustained and comprehensive actions to promote health-enhancing physical activity. The plan also builds upon the achievements of different stakeholders who are already providing facilities and opportunities for the practice of regular physical activity.
The Ministry of Health, recognizes the urgent need to promote physical activity as a key strategy for NCD prevention. In this regard, a policy brief on physical activity will provide actionable recommendations for fostering a culture of active living and creating supportive systems across all sectors, including health, education, and urban planning.
BACKGROUND
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Kenya’s growing burden of NCDs poses a significant threat to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While the government has made strides in addressing NCDs through policies such as the Kenya Health Policy 2014–2030 and the National Strategy for the Prevention and Control of NCDs, there remains a gap in targeted interventions to address physical inactivity.
The policy brief developed will serve as a critical tool for:
- Highlighting the relationship between physical inactivity and NCDs in Kenya, supported by current data and evidence.
- Identifying gaps in the existing legal, policy, and institutional frameworks related to physical activity.
- Providing evidence-based, actionable recommendations for creating enabling environments that promote physical activity across all sectors.
- Advocating for multi-sectoral collaboration, particularly between the health, education, and urban planning sectors.
- Supporting decision-makers in prioritizing investments and policies to reduce physical inactivity and its associated health and economic burden.
PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY
______________________________________________________________________________
The purpose of this consultancy is therefore to develop a policy brief on physical activity aimed at reducing the burden of NCDs and promoting overall health and well-being in Kenya.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
The specific objectives of this consultancy are to;
1. Conduct a comprehensive desk review of existing data, legal, policy, and institutional frameworks related to physical activity in Kenya, including the education sector.
2. Analyze national and global trends in physical activity and their impact on NCDs.
3. Collaborate with the Physical Activity Technical Working Group (TWG), chaired by the Ministry of Health, to gather insights and validate findings.
4. Identify barriers and enablers to physical activity in Kenya, including sociocultural, economic, and infrastructural factors.
5. Draft a policy brief that outlines the current status, challenges, and opportunities for promoting physical activity in Kenya, with clear recommendations for multi-sectoral action.
6. Present the draft policy brief to the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders for review and validation.
7. Incorporate feedback and submit the final policy brief.
EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
The key deliverables from this consultancy will include;
1. An inception report detailing the methodology, work plan, and timelines.
2. A comprehensive review of the national and global physical activity landscape, including education and urban planning perspectives.
3. A draft policy brief on physical activity, including actionable recommendations.
4. A finalized policy brief incorporating feedback form the physical activity technical working Group.
DESIRED COMPETENCIES
______________________________________________________________________________
- Advanced Degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Law, or any other related field
- Minimum of Seven (7) years of experience in policy development, preferably in public health or NCD prevention and physical activity management
- Strong understanding of Kenya’s health system, legal frameworks, and NCD burden
- Experience working with technical working groups or multi-sectoral teams
- Demonstrated experience in drafting policy briefs and conducting stakeholder consultations
- Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.
REPORTING AND SUPERVISION
______________________________________________________________________________
The Consultant will work closely with the Physical Activity Technical Working Group (TWG). Regular progress updates will be required as per the agreed upon work plan.
DURATION OF THE CONSULTANCY ASSIGNMENT
______________________________________________________________________________
This assignment should be completed within 2 months after signing the Consultancy Agreement. The final policy brief should be submitted within this period.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
______________________________________________________________________________
If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, have the requisite experience, skills and education and have worked within the public health or NCD prevention and physical activity management space writing policy briefs, we are interested in meeting you to see how you can work together with Our Client through this Consultancy. Please share with us the following;
1. A 2-3 paged Expression of Interest (EOI) addressing your interest, understanding of this TOR, proposed methodology, work plan and consultancy fee, including how your previous experience matches the consultancy objectives outlined herein.
2. Your updated CV - illustrating relevant work experience and qualifications aligned to this TOR.
3. Electronic copies of at least 2 reports or policy briefs you have personally drafted in previous consultancies for similar assignments.
HOW TO APPLY
___________________________________________________________________
Please address the above to the Recruiting Manager: recruitment@mal-consultancy.com with the subject of your application being “Expression of Interest To Develop A Policy Brief On Physical Activity For The Ministry Of Health - Kenya (Your Name).”
All applications received will be subjected to a fair and competitive review process.
Only shortlisted Consultants will be contacted.
This call for Consultancy will close on Sunday 16th February 2024 at 5.00pm EAT.
The Ministry of Health, recognizes the urgent need to promote physical activity as a key strategy for NCD prevention. In this regard, a policy brief on physical activity will provide actionable recommendations for fostering a culture of active living and creating supportive systems across all sectors, including health, education, and urban planning.
BACKGROUND
______________________________________________________________________________
Kenya’s growing burden of NCDs poses a significant threat to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While the government has made strides in addressing NCDs through policies such as the Kenya Health Policy 2014–2030 and the National Strategy for the Prevention and Control of NCDs, there remains a gap in targeted interventions to address physical inactivity.
The policy brief developed will serve as a critical tool for:
- Highlighting the relationship between physical inactivity and NCDs in Kenya, supported by current data and evidence.
- Identifying gaps in the existing legal, policy, and institutional frameworks related to physical activity.
- Providing evidence-based, actionable recommendations for creating enabling environments that promote physical activity across all sectors.
- Advocating for multi-sectoral collaboration, particularly between the health, education, and urban planning sectors.
- Supporting decision-makers in prioritizing investments and policies to reduce physical inactivity and its associated health and economic burden.
PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY
______________________________________________________________________________
The purpose of this consultancy is therefore to develop a policy brief on physical activity aimed at reducing the burden of NCDs and promoting overall health and well-being in Kenya.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
The specific objectives of this consultancy are to;
1. Conduct a comprehensive desk review of existing data, legal, policy, and institutional frameworks related to physical activity in Kenya, including the education sector.
2. Analyze national and global trends in physical activity and their impact on NCDs.
3. Collaborate with the Physical Activity Technical Working Group (TWG), chaired by the Ministry of Health, to gather insights and validate findings.
4. Identify barriers and enablers to physical activity in Kenya, including sociocultural, economic, and infrastructural factors.
5. Draft a policy brief that outlines the current status, challenges, and opportunities for promoting physical activity in Kenya, with clear recommendations for multi-sectoral action.
6. Present the draft policy brief to the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders for review and validation.
7. Incorporate feedback and submit the final policy brief.
EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
The key deliverables from this consultancy will include;
1. An inception report detailing the methodology, work plan, and timelines.
2. A comprehensive review of the national and global physical activity landscape, including education and urban planning perspectives.
3. A draft policy brief on physical activity, including actionable recommendations.
4. A finalized policy brief incorporating feedback form the physical activity technical working Group.
DESIRED COMPETENCIES
______________________________________________________________________________
- Advanced Degree in Public Health, Health Policy, Law, or any other related field
- Minimum of Seven (7) years of experience in policy development, preferably in public health or NCD prevention and physical activity management
- Strong understanding of Kenya’s health system, legal frameworks, and NCD burden
- Experience working with technical working groups or multi-sectoral teams
- Demonstrated experience in drafting policy briefs and conducting stakeholder consultations
- Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills.
REPORTING AND SUPERVISION
______________________________________________________________________________
The Consultant will work closely with the Physical Activity Technical Working Group (TWG). Regular progress updates will be required as per the agreed upon work plan.
DURATION OF THE CONSULTANCY ASSIGNMENT
______________________________________________________________________________
This assignment should be completed within 2 months after signing the Consultancy Agreement. The final policy brief should be submitted within this period.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
______________________________________________________________________________
If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, have the requisite experience, skills and education and have worked within the public health or NCD prevention and physical activity management space writing policy briefs, we are interested in meeting you to see how you can work together with Our Client through this Consultancy. Please share with us the following;
1. A 2-3 paged Expression of Interest (EOI) addressing your interest, understanding of this TOR, proposed methodology, work plan and consultancy fee, including how your previous experience matches the consultancy objectives outlined herein.
2. Your updated CV - illustrating relevant work experience and qualifications aligned to this TOR.
3. Electronic copies of at least 2 reports or policy briefs you have personally drafted in previous consultancies for similar assignments.
HOW TO APPLY
___________________________________________________________________
Please address the above to the Recruiting Manager: recruitment@mal-consultancy.com with the subject of your application being “Expression of Interest To Develop A Policy Brief On Physical Activity For The Ministry Of Health - Kenya (Your Name).”
All applications received will be subjected to a fair and competitive review process.
Only shortlisted Consultants will be contacted.
This call for Consultancy will close on Sunday 16th February 2024 at 5.00pm EAT.
