Abt Global

RFP – Consultancy for Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Trainings for Health Care Workers (HCW) in Primary Health Care Facilities

Posted
17 June 2025 12:33pm
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Regions
Pacific
Sectors
Gender Equality
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Summary

Abt Global is a mission-driven, global leader with a proven track record in complex program implementation in the international development sector. We offer bold solutions and technical excellence in Health, Economic Growth, Governance, Research & Evaluation, Environment & Energy, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion. Working with our many partners, we have driven a measurable social impact for more than 55 years, to achieve our mission of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. We operate in remote and challenging environments and employ more than 3,700 staff in over 50 countries. For more information about us and what we do, visit our website at www.abtglobal.com.

Abt Global values individuality and celebrates difference with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity, gender, and disability inclusion. We strongly encourage women, men, people with diverse backgrounds and people living with disabilities to apply for this position. 

We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protecting and prevent harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation in any form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.

FPSP, also referred to as the ‘Platform,’ a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) investment, will contribute to the delivery of Fiji’s national development priorities, in line with the Australia’s International Development Policy, the Fiji-Australia Vuvale Partnership and the Development Partnership Plan. 

The Platform will deliver key bilateral programs, such as health, education, scholarships, social infrastructure, governance, climate and emergency preparedness and response. Platform activities will identify and address climate risks, promote climate action, and gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) across and beyond the sector programs.

The Platform has three functional Outcomes: 

  1. The Platform has delivered its sector program outcomes, including through supporting strategic coherence, planning, partnerships management, data and learning across the portfolio of investments.

  2. The Platform has prioritised gender equality, disability-inclusive development, and climate and disaster resilience, in its systems and practices. This includes in how it undertakes sector programming and its engagement with selected Government of Fiji (GoF) agencies.

  3. The Platform administers timely and efficient programming that is: value for money; maximises use of local supply chains; and supports good governance, and public diplomacy, effective decision making and risk management.

The Fiji Program Support Platform (the Platform) implements over fifty percent of Australia’s bilateral development support to Fiji across a range of sector programs in education, health, Australia Awards, disaster response, cyclone recovery, social infrastructure, and technical assistance to improve public sector governance in Fiji. 

The Platform integrates cross-cutting themes, including gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI), climate and disaster resilience, across sectoral programs. In particular, the Platform seeks to strengthen program outcomes by better addressing the needs of targeted beneficiaries including those who are often marginalised. The Australian Government is supporting Fiji’s health sector through the AFHP working with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS). 

The program’s high-level End of Program Outcomes (EOPOs) are:

  • Improved systems are used by MHMS and health workers for evidence-based planning and resource allocation (workforce and budget), clinical care, digital health, and medical supply chains; and

  • Targeted healthcare facilities equitably deliver improved primary health services, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and non-communicable disease (NCD) services.

Consultancy Background

The MHMS Strategic Plan 2020-2025 and Fiji’s National Development Plan 2025-2029 and Vision 2050, both prioritize inclusive socio-economic development for the betterment of all Fijians, irrespective of their geographical location, gender, ethnicity, physical and intellectual capabilities, or social and economic status. Fiji's National Gender Policy and Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2018 complement the NDP, emphasizing that individuals with disabilities have the right to the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination.

AFHP's contributions to DFAT's Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Strategy, which adopts a twin-track approach (GEDSI specific and mainstreaming initiatives), continue to aim to enhance women's participation in decision-making and leadership. A systematic GEDSI approach represents a long-term investment in development effectiveness and an opportunity for Australia to develop innovative solutions to problems faced by development and humanitarian actors worldwide. Key to mainstreaming is the facilitation of GEDSI training to those who are in regular contact with vulnerable groups and healthcare providers. 

The recently endorsed National Disability Inclusive Health and Rehabilitation Action Plan identifies disability inclusion training as a critical activity for healthcare staff in Fiji. Combining disability inclusion training with gender training will strengthen GEDSI mainstreaming initiatives across healthcare facilities in Fiji, enhancing the quality of services provided to vulnerable groups. AFHP is committed to strengthening workforce development and improving the patient experience across healthcare facilities in Fiji through facilitating GEDSI training for healthcare workers in the subdivisions. This training will not only bolster staff capacity in the areas of gender and disability but also strengthen local service provider networks.

Description

Scope of Works

The Consultant/Organisation will provide a series of targeted gender equality, social inclusion and disability inclusion training for primary health care staff on site at MHMS facilities using a customised GEDSI training package of support. The role will deliver the GEDSI trainings to staff utilising human rights-based approaches and modalities that are Fiji context specific and framed on the GEDSI principles of Do no Harm, Nothing about us without us, localisation, and Intersectionality. The role will provide guidance to health care workers on the implementation of equity, equality and inclusion in their own lives and professions. The role will work closely with the AFHP GEDSI Specialist, MEL Specialist, Senior Program Manager and Team Lead on navigating the training materials, logistics, schedules, and reporting. 

Key responsibilities 

  • Ensure the GEDSI Training package is GEDSI principle led, locally relevant and robust with interactive activities that build stronger practice and capacity. 

  • Support capacity building through a comprehensive GEDSI training program. 

  • Facilitate the printing and dissemination of the GEDSI Training package. 

  • Complete all evaluations and reporting post GEDSI Training.

Phase 1: GEDSI Training Design

The consultant will formulate a standardized 1-day GEDSI training program for delivery at nominated primary health care facilities. This includes developing the GEDSI training material and content (including overall objective, daily objectives, outcomes and session activities, evaluations and GEDSI Action plans template) ensuring they are technically sound, align to Fiji’s and Australia’s diversity, equity and inclusion principles and commitments and context specific to Fiji’s health care facilities.

Phase 2: GEDSI Training Delivery 

The consultant will work with the AFHP and MHMS to finalize the GEDSI training package and deliver it to clinical and allied health staff at subdivisional facilities. Training is to be delivered on-site with up to 20 staff per training course to ensure services are not disrupted. The consultant will also finalize and submit a package of materials for the participants that include session plans, referral pathways, and templates for personal GEDSI action plans.

Phase 3: Report writing and dissemination 

The consultant will produce a final report on the entire activity, including recommendations for future training, GEDSI policies, and programmatic action. The report will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders, including MHMS, other government agencies, and international organizations. Reporting includes completed pre and post evaluations and analysis.

Selection Criteria

The consultant(s)/organisation should have:

  • Expertise in public health, GEDSI program development, training content design, and training facilitation, particularly for primary health facilities and initiatives, or related fields.

  • Demonstrated experience in developing GEDSI training modules and delivering capacity building programs. Experience with DFAT funded programs would be desirable. 

  • Familiarity with the Fijian health care system and excellent communication skills are highly desirable.

  • Demonstrated experience in project/activity conception and design based on a consultative approach. 

  • Experience in monitoring evaluation and learning activities for projects and preferably with DFAT MEL requirements. 

  • Knowledge of, or familiarity with DFAT’s compliance standards for development programs, particularly child protection, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) and fraud awareness and control requirements and practice.

  • Strong stakeholder engagement, research, and analytical skills.

  • Experience working in Fiji is highly desirable.

    Submission

    Submissions will be evaluated by an independent evaluation assessment panel and successful will be formally notified of the outcome of the process. 

    To access the RFP documents and Response Form, go to website: 

    Interested parties may request the RFP documentation via email at tenders@fpsp.org.fj or can access the RFP documents online from https://www.abtassociates.com/solicitations/australia-solicitations.

    Application Forms with required documentation must be submitted electronically in PDF format at the latest by 11:59pm (Fiji time) on Monday 30 June 2025 to: tenders@fpsp.org.fj