SolidarMed is a leading non-profit organization working to improve the health care of 2.5 million people in Lesotho, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Working together with national partners to strengthen health systems and community capacities, we are committed to scientific evidence and policy dialogue both as foundations and objectives of our work.
SolidarMed is looking for a coordinator of the micro-entrepreneurship component of a large Non-Communicable Disease program in Lesotho (duration 1 year).
Micro Enterprise ComBaCaL Coordinator – Terms of reference
Rationale
In 2020, a consortium led by SolidarMed won a competitive call by the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) with a project to improve the health and well-being of people affected from Non-Communicable Diseases in Lesotho: ComBaCaL (Community-Based chronic disease Care Lesotho). The other members of the consortium are: the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, the Ministry of Health Lesotho, the National University Lesotho (NUL) and a representative community leader. The project will last for 5 years, having started in Q1 2021, ending in Q4 2025.
Building on previous and ongoing community-based HIV/TB care and eHealth programs in two districts – Butha-Buthe and Mokhotlong – ComBaCaL aims to establish and validate a large-scale community-based NCD care model, built upon the Lay Health Worker program and integrated in HIV/TB care, with the following components:
- decentralized NCD care through lay health providers;
- e-Health-tool to monitor patients at village, facility, district and central level (incl. a patient empowerment component);
- self-sustainability through micro-entrepreneurship;
- a cluster-randomized trial to generate policy-relevant evidence;
- co-creation of freely available generic training material and monitoring tools.
These Terms of Reference relate to (iii) hence the implementation of a micro-enterprise concept for the ComBaCaL project. We have recruited a total of 100 lay health workers who will provide community-based health services for non-communicable diseases (NCD) to their community members. Their activities will include diagnosis, prevention and treatment to local households.
With the aim to ensure long-term sustainability beyond the secured funding cycle, the lay health workers are encouraged to start their own small-scale businesses through interest-free loans. For this, the project will (1) provide adequate entrepreneurship training, (2) organize ongoing mentorship and supervision to start, monitor and grow their businesses (3) grant access to loan-based micro financing schemes. This initiative aims to support the lay health worker’s economic independence to ultimately ensure his/her voluntary services to NCD patients.
The trainings are based on the SIYB (Start and Improve Your Business) modules developed by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
Scope of work
- Conduct simplified SIYB trainings for Lay Health Workers in mostly rural settings
- Develop, test and implement the appropriate supervision and mentoring structure for up to 100 micro-entrepreneurs in the two districts
- Develop, test and implement an efficient micro-finance system as well as ongoing management and oversight of the financing monitoring tools through the linkage of local financial institutions
- Integrate a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation tool to enable impact measurement and academic publication at later stages
Setting/Background
Lesotho experiences a double burden of disease with the continued high prevalence of communicable diseases and a rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). In 2018, HIV prevalence (15-49 years) was 23.6% and tuberculosis (TB) incidence was estimated at 724/100,000. Lesotho has made significant progress towards the global HIV and TB goals, through decentralized models of care and task-shifting to health workers at primary and community level to deliver accessible, equitable and differentiated services ensuring access for rural communities.
SolidarMed aims to expand quality and reach of NCD care in two rural districts of Lesotho: Butha-Buthe (120,000 people) and Mokhotlong (100,000 people). Butha-Buthe district is rural with most of its people surviving on subsistence agriculture. Butha-Buthe town is the major semi-urban town, situated about 129 km (2 hours’ drive) from the capital Maseru and hosts an increasing number of small-scale businesses. Mokhotlong district is extremely rural and suffers from harsh weather conditions with dry snowy winters. With the lowest population density (24/sq km), access to health services is severely compromised due to the poor terrain and road infrastructure. Mokhotlong town is 297 km from the capital Maseru (5 hours ‘drive) and 169 km from Butha-Buthe town (3 hours’ drive) along the only tarred national road in the district.
Professional Qualifications and experience
The coordinator will need to have the following qualifications and experience:
- Bachelor in Business Administration from a reputed University
- Strong interest in micro-entrepreneurship in developing countries.
- Proven experience in planning and execution of related/similar community-based microenterprise projects, especially in rural settings
- Experience of exposure to Start Up / micro-enterprise or enterprise formation is a strong asset
- Mentorship experience in related field and for similar population groups is an asset
- Demonstrate exposure and experience in utilizing monitoring and evaluation methods
- Knowledge/experience working with diverse stakeholders.
The coordinator should demonstrate the following abilities:
- Excellent report writing and English language skills
- A track record of innovative thinking;
- Work independently within strict timelines;
- A “start-up” mentality
- Strong interpersonal, teamwork and open communication skills.
Duration of assignment
The coordinator should be available to start the assignment from August 2023 and be available for a period of 1 year. The coordinator will be based in Lesotho, in Butha-Buthe district and will be expected to work from the SolidarMed Butha Buthe Office from Mon-Friday (5 days/week) with exception to duty travels.
Renumeration will be commensurate with seniority and experience.
Reporting
The micro-enterprise coordinator will provide monthly progress reports to the extended management team. The coordinator will work in a matrix structure. The direct supervisor will be the project Manager for ComBaCaL in Lesotho. Weekly technical steering and guidance will be provided by the program Manager for Lesotho, based in SolidarMed’s Office in Switzerland.
Interested candidates should send applications via email to: [email protected] before close of business 19th June 2023. Subject line: Micro Enterprise Coordinator
Applications must include:
- A cover letter outlining your motivation and how you meet the requirements.
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae indicating relevant work experience and contact details of 3 professional referees
- Certified copies of your latest and /or most relevant qualification
This is a consultancy engagement, Applicants must be registered with the following:
- Revenue Services Lesotho_ Submit tax clearance and VAT registration certificate if applicable.
- Ministry of Trade _Submit Traders Licences,
NB:
- ALL applications must be submitted via email – NO HARD COPY/in person application submissions will be accepted
- Only short-listed candidates will be contacted