Call for expression of interest: DESSO Programme, Guinea Conakry

Sightsavers is looking for an external evaluator to conduct a strategic evaluation of its ten year project co-funded by CBM and Sightsavers and is calling for an expression of interest to undertake the evaluation.

Sightsavers and CBM have co-funded the DESSO – post doctoral Diploma of Specialized Ophthalmology (Diplôme d'Études Supérieures Spécialisées d'Ophtalmologie) - programme since 2002 as a response to an urgent need for more human resources for eye health, particularly eye doctors in Francophone West Africa. The DESSO programme is a Francophone Sub-Regional Programme, under the umbrella of the West African Health Organization. It is supervised and accredited by the West African College of Surgeons. The DESSO was created to fill this gap with a mission to train ophthalmologists in Francophone West Africa, who would actively participate in the fight against blindness in line with the objectives of VISION 2020. The first batch (four students) was admitted in May 2004.

This evaluation is therefore planned as a formative assessment of the whole DESSO programme since its inception in 2002. Findings of this evaluation are expected to inform the DESSO strategy, especially in light of contemporary discourse around Health Systems Strengthening.

The evaluators will be guided by specific evaluation questions drawn along the OECD Development Assistance Committee’s (DAC) evaluation criteria. The evaluator(s)/team are expected to conform to these criteria.

The evaluation is expected to take place between 27 February and 3 May 2012. The final report should be available no later than 3 May 2012.

The lead evaluator should have following core competencies: a public health specialist with skills in project/programme analysis and comprehensive understanding of broad issues that impact eye health: human resource development for healthcare, gender, disability, marginalisation and the MDGs. They should have exceptional skills in understanding health systems strengthening and extensive experience in conducting large scale evaluations. S/he must be fluent in French and English.

Please see the full terms of reference for this assignment

How to express your interest

To express your interest to undertake this assignment, please download our expression of interest pack and return the completed expression of interest form by email to evaluations@sightsavers.org Expressions presented in any other format, including the submission of CVs will not be considered during the process.

Deadline for receipt of expressions of interest: 31 January 2012.

The successful applicant will be contacted by 20 February 2012 and should be ready to start the evaluation by 27 February 2012.

We very much regret that, in view of the large number of expressions we receive, we are unable to respond if you are unsuccessful. Should you not hear from Sightsavers within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful. I am sure that you will understand the need to concentrate resources towards our work.

Thank you for your interest in Sightsavers.