Review of Kenya National Eye Health Strategic Plan (2020-2025)

Introduction

The Fred Hollows Foundation (The Foundation) is a secular non-profit public health organisation based in Australia, which was founded in 1992 by eminent eye surgeon Professor Fred Hollows. The Foundation focuses on strengthening eye health systems and the treatment and prevention of avoidable blindness caused by Cataract, Trachoma, Diabetic Retinopathy, and Refractive Error. It operates in more than 20 countries across Australia, The Pacific, South and South-East Asia, and Africa. The Foundation was named The Australian Charity of the Year 2013 at the inaugural Australian Charity Awards.

The Foundation began working in Kenya in 2004, partnering with the Ministry of Health (MoH) to deliver comprehensive eye health care in the three hitherto districts (now counties) of Nakuru, Homa Bay, and Migori, evolving to eventually cover 22 counties based on the needs identified in the National Plan for Blindness Prevention (NPBP). Working in partnership with the MoH, The Foundation strives to improve access to high quality eye health services through community empowerment, development of appropriate infrastructure to enhance coverage of effective eye health programmes, and improvement of the quality of eye health workforce education and training through capacity strengthening of health professional training institutions.

Project background

The Ministry of Health in its mandate to implement the Kenyan constitution developed the Kenya Health Policy Framework 2014 to 2030. Through medium term plans, the policy is implemented by the different sub sectors, within the health system, all geared towards delivering the highest attainable standards of Health to the people of Kenya.

A series of National eye Health Strategic plans have been implemented over time all contributing to the wider Health Sector Strategic Plans. The implementation of the Kenya national Eye Health Strategic Plan 2020-2025 came to an end in 2025, and the process of developing the next plan have commenced. The strategy to be evaluated was developed with key reference to the World report on vision 2019, from where targets were generated.

As part of implementation of the strategy and contributing to the process of developing the next strategy, a Mid-Term evaluation of the strategy was conducted in 2023, and the findings are available. Key major eye health interventions have been implemented by the Ministry of Health with support from external partners. The Fred Hollows Foundation, CBM International, Sight Savers International, Operation Eyesight Universal among others have supported a wide range of eye care services in the country by working closely with the Eye Health Section of the Ministry of Health. All these interventions were aimed at contributing to the attainment of the goals of the national eye health strategic plan. The End of the 2020 -2025 eye health strategy review is proposed to consolidate the overall implementation of the whole Strategic plan, as part of the planning process for the 2026-2030 strategy. The evaluation is also part of accountability linking to the broader health sector goals and Universal health Coverage. A competent expert or team of experts is required to undertake this assignment and present a precise and detailed report. A core team has been established by Eye Health Section to offer general guidance on the process and the recommendations of the report will be useful in the design of the next strategic phase of eye care interventions in Kenya.

The Strategic Objectives of the National Eye Health Strategic Plan (NEHSP) 2020 – 2025 were generated in line with the WHO Health Systems Strengthening areas as outlined below;

1. Eye Health Sector Governance

Key Objectives

1. Improve Governance arrangements in eye health
2. Strengthen eye health partnership
3. Strengthen eye health stewardship
4. Ensure Continuous Quality Improvement and Assurance

2. Eye Health Care Financing

Key Objective

1. To define the different sources of funds for eye health and strategies to mobilize the resources, for implementation of eye health Strategy

3. Eye Health Service Delivery

Key Objectives

1. Scale up inclusive and integrated strategies for management of eye diseases.
2. Enhance community awareness and empowerment on eye health
3. Reduce the burden of visual impairment through delivery of integrated patient services
4. Provide palliative care for the Blind (Rehabilitate the irreversibly blind).
5. Promote surgical outcome monitoring and service quality Assurance

4. Eye Health Human Resource

Key Objectives

1. Avail adequate Human Resources for Eye Health (HReH) at all levels of the health system

5.Eye Health Information Systems

Key Objectives

1. Enhance collection and reporting of eye health data at all levels
2. Improve quality of data at all levels
3. Promote utilization of data at all levels
4. Promote data privacy and protection

6. Eye Health Products and Technologies

Key Objectives

1. Improve availability of eye drugs and products by strengthening the supply chain system
2. Enhance quality of eye health commodities
3. Promote use of innovation and technology in eye health sector

7. Eye Health Infrastructure

Key Objectives

1. To develop/ provide requisite infrastructure &
2. Equipment for enhanced eye health service delivery

8. Eye health Research

Key Objectives

1. Promote evidence-based decision making in eye health.
2. Coordinate National research agenda in eye health
3. Promotion of Learning and teaching through conferences 

The selected individuals or teams are expected to review the achievements, challenges and suggest recommendations across these strategic objectives.

Purpose of the review of the national eye health strategic plan 2020 –2025

The purpose is to conduct evaluation and compile a report of the implementation of the National Eye health strategic plan 2020-2025, against stated objectives.  The report shall comprise of findings of the desired achievements, contribution to broader health Sector goals, lessons learnt facilitating the implementations of the strategy and propose feasible recommendations for consideration for the next strategy.

Approach & METHODOLOGY

FHF Kenya will engage  qualified individuals, teams or institutions to conduct the final evaluation of the NEHSP 2020 - 2025. The selected consultants will be expected to develop a detailed evaluation methodology in close collaboration with FHF Kenya and MOH technical Team. While the consultant will have the flexibility to propose the most appropriate approach, the methodology must, at a minimum, incorporate both quantitative and qualitative methods to ensure a comprehensive and balanced assessment.

Proposed methods for data collection

1. Desk review of literature, including but not limited to;

• Kenya Health Policy Framework 2030
• National Eye Health Strategic Plan 2020-2025
• World Report on Vision 2019
• National Health Sector Strategic Plan 2018-2023
• Kenya health Information Systems Reports
• The Kenya RAAB 2024 report
• Midterm review report of the National Eye Health Strategy Plan 202 -2025
• Other relevant Literature especially policy documents.

Review of Key Project Reports generated by eye health NGOs working in Kenya such as Fred Hollows Foundation, CBM International, Sight Savers International Operation Eyesight Universal among others. Among project reports to be reviewed include; Vision Impact Project and Peek screening by CBM International

• FHF and other eye NGOs program reports

2. Key Informants Interviews; Online or in person including National and County informants, Key Eye NGO-Partners among other stakeholders directly involved in or impacted by the project

• Snow ball as found necessary

3. Consultative Work-shops-In person or Virtual ?data collection and Validation? with Key stakeholders-including National and County informants, Key Eye NGO-Partners, professional bodies, training Institutions.

4. Gather any other relevant information in context and align with the wider global and national health agenda.

While the following methods are indicative, the consultant is encouraged to propose additional or alternative approaches that enhance the evaluation’s depth and relevance.

Deliverables

The following deliverables are expected from the consultant in completing the assignment:

• Evaluation Plan/Inception plan containing methodology, timelines, budget and evaluation team
• Completed data collection tools containing sub questions under the proposed key evaluation questions
• Obtain ethics approval from relevant research bodies in Kenya
• Raw data shared with the Foundation in agreed format.
• Hold a validation workshop to share preliminary findings
• Draft strategy review report and summary slide decks
• A 1–2-page brief, including Key messages and recommendations, to support development of the next eye health strategic plan; A 5-page executive summary with key recommendations
• A full strategy review report of not more than 25 pages on the prescribed template

The Foundation in partnership with MOH – Eye Health Section will provide the following:

• Focal person to support in undertaking the assignment
• Provide additional documents required for desk review.
• Give feedback on the evaluation plan and methodology
• Provide feedback on draft data collection tools, reports, and other deliverables
• Support coordination between the consultant and partners during the entire assessment activities.

Schedule

The evaluation is scheduled to commence in April 2026 and will span approximately 60 working days. This period will encompass desk reviews, fieldwork where applicable, stakeholder interviews, data analysis, report writing, and a final presentation to The Fred Hollows Foundation Kenya and Ministry of Health.

Proposed Evaluation Timelines

Evaluation team & qualifications

Experts Profile and Competences

Technical

1. At least a master’s degree in public policy, Development studies, Medicine, Public Health, or related health and development sciences.
2. Demonstrable experience in reviewing and design of organizational strategies of public health programs.
3. Experience in development and use of quantitative and qualitative data collection tools and evaluation methods
4. Strong knowledge and experience working with the Kenyan health care systems and overall understanding of Kenyan health sector policies
5. Strong analytical skills
6. Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English

Non-Technical

1. Ability to communicate/facilitate workshops with diverse groups of people
2. Familiarity in working with the NGO and MoH process.
3. Fluency in spoken and written English is essential.
4. Ability to do basic analysis and synthesis of quantitative and Qualitative data.
5. Ability to draft technical and advocacy Reports/Documents

The following additional skills and experience are highly desirable:

• Knowledge of eye health landscape in Kenya and a sound understanding of programs and strategies relating to eye health in Kenya
• Experience conducting evaluations particularly of eye health programs in Kenya.
• Experience obtaining research ethics approval from ethics bodies in Kenya

Management and logistics

The Consultant will work in close collaboration with the National Eye Health Planning “Core Team, to jointly develop and agree on a plan of work.

1. The Consultants will provide weekly briefings online or face to face as best deemed
2. The core Team will facilitate necessary communications, and provide any necessary information and support to enable the process.

Application process:

Individual or institutions interested should submit a cover letter, resume, technical and financial proposals to The Foundation office in Kenya by 8^th April 2026. Please reference “Consultancy for End Term Review/Evaluation – National Eye Health Strategic Plan 2020 - 2025” and send to the following address: procurementkenya@hollows.org. Only submissions with complete documents as stated in the TOR and those meeting minimum requirements will be considered. Qualified consultants may be subjected to a background check on child protection as a condition for engagement.

Confidentiality

The evaluator/s agree to not divulge confidential information to any person for any reason during or after completion of this contract with The Foundation. Upon completion or termination of this contract, the evaluator/s undertake to return to The Foundation any materials, files or property in their possession that relate to the work of The Foundation. The consultant will be responsible for safety, security and administration of primary and secondary data collected from FHF or otherwise.

Intellectual Property

All intellectual property and/or copyright material produced by the evaluator/s whilst under contract to The Foundation remain the property of The Foundation and will not be shared with third parties without the express permission of The Foundation. The evaluator/s are required to surrender any copyright material created during the term of the contract to The Foundation upon completion or termination of the contract.

Safeguarding People

The Fred Hollows Foundation is committed to ensuring that its activities are implemented in a safe and productive environment which prevents harm and avoids negative impacts on the health and safety of all people, particularly children, vulnerable people, and disadvantaged groups. The Foundation has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment of any kind. All personnel including contractors/consultants are expected to uphold and promote high standards of professional conduct in line with The Foundation’s Safeguarding People Policy including Code of Conduct. Contractors/consultants will be expected to sign and adhere to The Foundation’s Safeguarding Code of Conduct and provide any background checks as required.

INSURANCE

Any consultants involved in this evaluation will be required to have in place insurance arrangements appropriate to provision of the requirements in this Terms of Reference including travel insurance.

Ethical and other Considerations

The evaluator and evaluation team are expected to maintain high professional and ethical standards and comply with The Foundation’s Research and Evaluation Policy. An ethics approval from a recognised ethics body will be required following the design of the study. The Foundation is committed to ensuring a safe environment and culture for all people, including children, with whom we come in contact during our work. All members of the evaluation team will be required to comply with The Foundation’s Safeguarding People Policy and sign the Safeguarding Code of Conduct.