International Consultant for conducting assessment of the HIV Laboratory services and functioning

Background

The United National Development Program (UNDP) Country Office (CO) in the Republic of Tajikistan was selected as the Principal Recipient (PR) in the implementation of eight grants provided to the Republic of Tajikistan by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria for 2003-2017.

The Transition Funding Mechanism period has been awarded for the period of October 2015 - 31 December 2017 aimed at achieve universal access to HIV services; prevention, care, treatment and support that enables people with HIV to live a fulfilling life. The HIV project activities consists of 11 objectives focusing on HIV prevention and harm reduction among key populations, including prison inmates; treatment, care and support for People Living with HIV (PLWH); tuberculosis (TB) prevention; prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission; elimination of legal barriers in HIV area; improving the system of monitoring and evaluation through enhancing healthcare information system.

The main goal of HIV project is to achieve universal access to HIV services as well as prevention, treatment, care and support that enables people to live fulfilling life. The project targets are aligned with the objectives of the National Strategy Plan for the period of 2015-2017 as well as National Health Strategy 2010-2020.

The HIV Laboratory network supported by UNDP CO in the Republic of Tajikistan through its HIV Programme - Global Fund Project Implementation Unit is supporting the Republican AIDS Center and Regional (Oblast) HIV Centers in their objectives to provide quality services to beneficiaries. Since, 2003, UNDP Global Fund is the major donor for the Republican and Regional HIV laboratories, providing technical support and supply with equipment, consumables, reagents and other needs to carry out the institutions functioning. Furthermore, internationally recognized standard operation systems were introduced in AIDS Centers and laboratories to strengthen institutional structure of the government agencies and local organizations, which should be further enhanced. A wide range of capacity-building trainings, study tours, workshops are also needed yearly to contribute to sustainability of health development in the field of procurement, storage, supply management, laboratory accreditation/system.

Due to complexity and constant changes in the work of laboratory network, including the testing algorithm of HIV in the country, the current consultancy is needed to support both HIV project and National laboratories to achieve set up goals and objectives. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Goals and objectives:

The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of HIV laboratory operations and development practical recommendations to improve the quality of the laboratory services.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Conduct an exhaustive assessment of the National HIV/AIDS centers’ Laboratories capacity (infrastructure; equipment; human resource; SoPs etc.);
• Conduct a desk assessment of the existing recording and reporting systems of the National HIV/AIDS laboratory system;
• Support National AIDS centers’ laboratories in development of annual operation/developing plan for the laboratory;
• Provide recommendations to the National HIV/AIDS center Laboratory and the National AIDS Programme to ensure the quality of services and upgrade the laboratory technical skills required for HIV diagnosis: RDT, IFA/ELISA testing, CD4 count, HIV Viral Load and laboratory quality control;
• Assess the existing laboratory for national and international standards compliance (management system, organization, document control, equipment, qualifications, validation, personnel and operational procedures);
• Conduct a GAP analysis showing the detailed corrective and preventive actions needed to comply with the international standards (ISO 15189; ISO/IEC 17025; ISO 9001);
• Facilitate for preparation of the SoPs and to train selected analysts to carry out IFA/ELISA, CD4 tests and HIV Viral Load tests;
• Guide the relevant national laboratory analysts for maintenance of the database on quality control of HIV lab services of the analysts attached to health institutions and training;
• Assist forecasting and buffering of HIV testing kits, CD4 kits, HIV VL kits, Laboratory reagents and equipment and specifications and distribution plan to avoid stock out situation for HIV lab services;
• Recommendations on expansion or reduction of use of GenXpert machines. How National AIDS Center’s laboratory can serve as a Reference lab for Genxpert testing. QC for GenXpert;
• Together with ART international consultant reviews the ART monitoring: CD4, VL, EID: correctness of testing, interpretation of results, using results in prescribing / changing schemes of treatment, etc;
• Review algorithm of testing and assess its compliance with WHO recommendations considering country context;
• Targeted testing of key and general population: considering reduced donors funding on procurement of test kits and considering shift of the HIV transmission modes. 

For detailed information, please refer to annex 1- Terms of Reference of the below link. 

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without stigma and discrimination;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment;
• Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.

Functional Competencies:

• Extensive knowledge of WHO and UNAIDS recommendations and guides on ART and HIV program;
• Extensive knowledge of Laboratory international and WHO standards related to HIV program.
• Excellent communication skills;
• Excellent analytical skills;
• Strong oral and writing skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• University degree in medicine, public health, and laboratory or other relevant areas.

Experience:

• Proven experience of a minimum of 5 years of clinical work or working on medical settings related to HIV laboratory program;
• Practical experience on working with HIV laboratory methodologies: VL, CD4, EID, IFA, etc;
• The experience on assessment mission on field;
• Good technical skills in measurement and evaluation, including grasp of methodological and operational dimensions and the ability to link corporate and country level issues.

Language:

• Excellent knowledge of English language, knowledge of Russian or Farsi (Tajik) language is desirable 

Application Procedure:

Please follow the link to the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice:

http://www.undp.tj/va/upload/va/ICPN%20International%20Consultant%20for%20conducting%20assessment%20of%20the%20HIV%20Laboratory%20services%20and%20functioning.doc

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.