ROSTER of HIV/EPTCT Consultants to be engaged by UNICEF offices across different locations in India

Consultancy Roster

LOCATION: New Delhi / any of the 13 UNICEF Field Offices (Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Guwahati, Hyderabad/Telangana, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Raipur and Ranchi)

VALIDITY OF ROSTER: FOUR YEARS

 CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION SUBMISSION: 28 May 2018

1. BACKGROUND:

 India has made rapid strides in terms of halting and reversing the HIV epidemic in the country. The country has reached the MDG Goal 6 for HIV . The current adult HIV prevalence in the country is at 0.26%. The Mid-Term Appraisal of the National AIDS Control Programme- Phase-IV has concluded and Government of India is committed to the SDG goal of ending HIV Epidemic in India.  Prevention of Parent to Child Transmission of HIV continues to a priority for India and the country is committed to dual elimination of Parent to Child Transmission(EPTCT) of HIV and Syphilis by the year 2020.

A number of policy and programme shifts have happened to facilitate the final push to elimination. The testing of pregnant women has gone up in the past year from 40 % to 47% and is set to accelerate over the next couple of years. In the interim, the country is moving ahead with setting up systems for sub-national validation in the 5 states with coverage of pregnant women > 90%. The testing of pregnant women for HIV and Syphilis continues to be low in the highly populous and high maternal mortality states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa, Rajasthan, Assam, Madhya Pradesh. Delhi

As a technical partner, UNICEF supports both national and state Governments’ efforts for implementation of the national and state HIV/EPTCT program through convergent engagement at accelerating the efficiency of implementation of the ePTCT program through effective support to strong linkages with overall Reproductive, Maternal and new-born Health service provision.

2. PURPOSE:

UNICEF is trying to build a pool of pre-qualified high-caliber candidates to be hired as ‘HIV/EPTCT Consultants’, from which UNICEF country office and different state offices can quickly select and fill a requirement through a faster contracting process as soon as a need is identified.

Candidates who meet the required qualifications and experience are invited to apply following which a desk review of their skills and experience will be done to determine whether they qualify for the HIV/EPTCT Roster. The process will ensure all candidates in a HIV/EPTCT Roster Group are evaluated prior to recommendation for a specific consultancy opportunity. Successful candidates will be notified and placed in a HIV/EPTCT Roster Group for a four (4) year period. However, engagement of identified consultants for specific assignments would be as per the terms and conditions specified in the contract entered into.

The Roster of HIV/EPTCT Consultants, once in place, will allow UNICEF to select three or more potential candidates from the roster for further appraisal and selection of one candidate, rather than going through a formal advertisement process for each consultancy assignment. Ideally, this will expedite the placement of consultants (both short term and long term) and also provide the supervisor the scope to choose from a vast pool of potential candidates with HIV/EPTCT background. The database will be managed centrally by Supply & Procurement (S&P) section, New Delhi. In this context, should the currently on-board consultants with UNICEF be interested in being considered for future opportunities with UNICEF, they need to apply to the roster.

3. LOCATION:

 The position would be responsible for providing technical support to national / state / divisional / district level/ sub-district levels (in certain cases) HIV/EPTCT programming in UNICEF supported states in India, with specific deliverables to be achieved for improved HIV/EPTCT outcomes. The position would be based at Country Office or State or selected district HQs within the states. Possible locations are: New Delhi, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Guwahati, Hyderabad/Telangana, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Raipur and Ranchi.

  4. VALIDITY OF ROSTER:

The roster once established would be valid for a period of 4-years.

5. QUALIFICATION, SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Education: Medical Sciences/Allied Medical Sciences/ Post Graduate degree/ diploma in Health Management, Social Sciences/MBA in Health Management from reputed University
• Technical knowledge: Excellent technical knowledge about public health and HIV/EPTCT programs especially in context of India
• Language: Fluency in English and Hindi is required. Knowledge of other local Indian language as relevant to the state is an asset. Good negotiation and influencing skills supported by excellent communication and presentation skills is desirable.
• Computer literate and conversant with MS Office and its application, internet, e-mail
• Working knowledge on analysis package like SPSS/ EP-Info/STATA will be an added advantage
• Knowledge/familiarity with the national flagship programs (NACP, EPTCT, EID etc.)
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment and to establish harmonious and effective working relationships with governmental, non-governmental and civil society organizations

6. HOW TO APPLY: Your application should contain the following 4 attachments:

Please submit your online application before COB 28 May 2018.

•  A Cover letter explaining the motivation for applying and also explaining how the qualifications and skill-set of the candidate are suitable for this position (to be uploaded online under cover letter)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) (to be uploaded online under CV/resume)
• Two work samples  (one of each)– a) HIV AIDS/EPTCT related program document/reports/ publications/ b) HIV/AIDS/EPTCT related data analysis (PPT/Reports)

• • (Please upload under work sample online either using Google drive or using Dropbox)

• Technical Experience Template (Annex A) - to be uploaded under Educational Certificate

You will notice that scores have been assigned to the work sample and technical experience template. Hence, it is mandatory to upload these documents. Without these documents your application will be considered incomplete and will be invalidated.

 PS: In your online application, you are not required to quote your professional/travel fee. However, if these fields are mandatory in the application form then either enter a 'n/a' or a '0' to be able to proceed further in completing the online application form.

7. Evaluation Criteria

The criteria for evaluation will be as follows:

1. Language and content of cover letter                         -           Min 07/Max 10
2. Relevant Education Qualifications                             -           Min 14/Max 20
3. Relevant work/technical experience                           -           Min 21/Max 30
4. Quality including content of work samples                -            Min 28/Max 40

Candidates' who score 70 marks and above and also score the minimum points against each of the above sub-criteria will be considered for inclusion in the roster

Total points to qualify in overall technical evaluation     Min 70/Max 100

• Any attempt to unduly influence UNICEF’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.
• Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted.
• Please note, UNICEF does not charge any fee during any stage of the process.

For any clarifications, please contact:

UNICEF

Supply & Procurement Section

73, Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110003

Telephone # +91-11-24606516 (Direct)

Fax # +91-11-24391410; Email: indconsultants@unicef.org