MOH/NHTC — Expression of interest

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

(Consulting Services- Individual Selection)

Assignment Title: Consultancy for the, “REVIEW OF A COMPETENCY-BASED CURRICULUM FOR THE DIPLOMA IN MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE PROGRAM AT THE NATIONAL HEALTH TRAINING COLLEGE, MASERU LESOTHO.”

Reference No.: MOH/NHTC/001-23   

1. Introduction

Lesotho is faced with a critical shortage of Human Resources for Health (HRH) both in numbers, quality and relevance. In an effort to address this problem, the Government of Lesotho has established National Health Training College (NHTC) as an academic institution of higher learning for education and training of HRH in different health disciplines.

One of the disciplines offered at NHTC is the Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences Program. The Country needs professionals who can provide accurate services to the communities. These professionals will enable provision of comprehensive service delivery requiring enhanced competencies by the graduates.

2.         Background:

NHTC is a Higher Education Public Institution under the Ministry of Health whose mandate is to educate health professionals in different disciplines. It is governed by the NHTC Order No.7 of 1992 and the Higher Education Act NO. 1 of 2004. It is an affiliate of the National University of Lesotho. It currently offers twelve (12) programs at certificate and diploma levels in Social Work, Dental Therapy, Environmental Health Sciences, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Nursing and Midwifery and Pharmacy.

It is against this premise that NHTC plans to respond to the Ministry’s identified HRH needs aimed at improving the quality of care accessible to the people of Lesotho. The College plans to review the current Diploma in Medical Laboratory Sciences curriculum to align it with the current educational trends, societal needs, graduate required competencies and Lesotho Qualifications framework (LQF).

3.         Main Objective

To review the current competency-based macro and micro curriculum and develop implementation capacity among Teachers for improved graduate competencies in the field of Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) in an effort to support the Health Sector with competent Human Resources for Health providing services for priority health areas in Lesotho.

4.         Expected Outputs:

4.1       Engaged faculty and other Stakeholders in the determination of competencies and content for the review of the MLS curriculum

4.2       Developed work books and clinical teaching and learning manual for the Students

4.3       Developed faculty capacity in the development and implementation of the curriculum

4.4       Developed curriculum for Diploma in MLS Program

4.5       Developed implementation plan for the MLS Program

4.6       Facilitated expert reviewers for the MLS curriculum and work books

5.         Method of work:

The Consultant will work collaboratively with the Director Academic at NHTC to ensure that the assignment is undertaken with the support as shall be required. Therefore, the Consultant will:

5.1       Have three (3) contact sessions in Lesotho by holding three (3) workshops each taking ten (10) days as hereunder indicated:

• Workshop 1 Macro and micro curriculum (for 20 participants) 9th-20th October 2023 (10 days)
• Workshop 2 Clinical teaching and learning manual (for 20 participants) 30^th October -10th November 2023 (10 days)
• Workshop 3 Capacity building (for 15 participants –teachers & preceptors) 5days

5.2       Review the existing MLS curriculum and conduct desk review of the documents significant to align the curriculum framework.

5.3       Hold a two weeks’ workshop for the faculty in the program and the stakeholders to develop competencies and curriculum content for the Program in a one stop environment to expedite the work.

5.4       Consolidate the curriculum and in collaboration with the faculty, develop an implementation plan.

5.5       Facilitate that the curriculum has had an expert review

5.6       May undertake some of the activities away from Lesotho at the place that shall be appropriate and convenient for quality work.

5.7       The NHTC and the Consultant shall develop an activity plan which will be a guiding document    to undertake and monitor progress of the assigned work.

5.8       The Director Academic will work with the Consultant during the process of curriculum review and assist the Consultant with all the requisite documents for the entire activity to a signed off completion of the whole assignment.

6.         The Key deliverables:

6.1       Developed Competency-based Curriculum with the modules for Diploma in MLS which have undergone expert review

6.2       Developed work books and the clinical teaching and learning manual for the Students

6.3       Developed the Implementation plan for the Diploma in MLS

6.4       Provided Capacity building material for curriculum development for the Faculty who engaged in the process.

The Ministry of Health now invites eligible Consultants to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are:

1. Lead consultant must have advanced degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences preferably at Master’s Degree level and above;
2. Expertise in Competency based curriculum development in Health sciences
3. Proven experience in conducting similar assignments with competency based curriculum (two assignments as minimum)
4. At least three years of experience in Competency based curriculum development or related fields (Experience in MLS curriculum is preferable)
5. Proficient knowledge in international and local standards in curriculum.
6. Excellent report writing and communication skills.
7. Fluency in English.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to the Public Procurement Act 2023.

Further information and Clarifications can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0800 to 1630 hours.

Posting Period 21^st August – 15^th September 2023

Expression of Interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by e-mail) by 12:00 Noon 15^th September 2023.

Ministry of Health

Procurement Unit

Corner Constitutional and Linare Road

Attn: Mr. S. Makhetha

P.O. Box 514

Maseru 100

Tel 🙁 +266) 2232 8957

E-mail: nleutsoa@gmail.com, and copied to: motsukunyanemolise@gmail.com, semakhetha@gmail.com