Individual National Consultancy - Technical assistance to revise UNICEF developed National methodology on perinatal mortality audit and training for capacity development of National Task Force

Individual National Consultancy - Technical assistance to revise UNICEF developed National methodology on perinatal mortality audit and training for capacity development of National Task Force

Technical assistance to revise UNICEF developed National methodology on perinatal mortality audit and training for capacity development of National Task Force

Individual National Consultancy

 Introduction

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia saw considerable improvements in maternal and newborn health outcomes from 1990 until 2010.   The perinatal death rate decreased from 21.0/1000 live births in 1990 to 12.6/1000 in 2010.  This trend, however, appeared to stop and remain flat since 2010, and be reversed over the past years, reaching a perinatal mortality rate of 16/1000 live births again in 2016. This has alarmed Government, health professionals and the general public.

Given this, there is an urgent need for analysis of the causes of this alarming trend – an understanding of what the reasons behind this increasing mortality rate is so that immediate actions can be taken to reverse the trend. 

To do this, UNICEF is already providing support to the Ministry of Health (MoH) to develop a methodology and appropriate reporting forms for analysis of single cases of perinatal mortality. Development of the methodology is part of the comprehensive plan of MoH to address and reverse growing rates of perinatal mortality, in collaboration with WHO and UNFPA. To further support this process, UNICEF and the MoH will also build the capacities of the country’s Task Force that will perform an audit for every single mortality case and provide data to inform decision and policy making processes.

Purpose of assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to provide technical assistance to the Government in (1) development of a methodology for a perinatal mortality audit and (2) build the capacities of relevant practitioners to effectively conduct mortality assessment based on audit guidelines with recommendations for action. The audit data will obtain information about underlying causes of perinatal and neonatal mortality, to be able to address root causes and contributing factors.

To this end, the consultant(s) will assess the methodology developed by UNICEF in 2015; compare it with WHO Application of ICD-10 to deaths during the perinatal period and Making Every Baby Count – audit and review of stillbirths and neonatal deaths methodology and amend the existing documents, as appropriate; revise existing reporting forms; compare the forms with recommended WHO forms and adapt them accordingly; familiarize with training modules that are currently developed by WHO and UNICEF, prepare training plan for the core group of practitioners that will perform the audit; and conduct ToT for a select group of experts. In addition, the consultant(s) will propose the arrangements for establishment of the audit body and required legislation, as to assure appropriate protection, legal and otherwise, to create enabling environment in which audit can take place.

Main activities

Review of existing documents: the consultant(s) shall conduct a desk review of existing methodology developed by UNICEF in 2015, in relation to the purpose of this assignment. The desk review will rely on documentation available at UNICEF office (National methodology for expert revision of perinatal mortality, Guidelines to conduct perinatal mortality audit, reporting forms and WHO Application of ICD-10 to deaths during the perinatal period and Making Every Baby Count – audit and review of stillbirths and neonatal deaths methodology); UNICEF will contribute in providing relevant documents for this review.

1. Adaptation of existing documents: the consultant(s) shall perform a comparison of the documents on perinatal mortality audit produced by UNICEF in 2015 and WHO methodology (Making every baby count: audit and review of stillbirths and neonatal deaths and The WHO application of ICD-10 to deaths during the perinatal period: ICD-PM) and adapt the existing documents taking into consideration the current country context. The consultant(s) should also revise existing reporting forms, compare them with WHO recommended forms and amend them as appropriate;
2. Training module(s): in consultation with UNICEF, the MoH and other relevant stakeholders, the consultant(s) shall familiarize with the training modules for implementation of audit methodology (currently under development by WHO and UNICEF), including utilization of appropriate definitions of stillbirths and neonatal deaths and filling in appropriate forms. The training modules shall be based on the principles of adult learning and shall be accompanied by relevant handouts and international best practices and standards reference materials.
3. Training: based on the training modules, the consultant(s) shall deliver training to the National Task force (to be nominated by Minister of Health), thus creating a pool of trainers able to replicate the training modules to additional health professionals, as needed.
4. Establishment of National Neonatal Mortality Audit body: The consultant(s) should prepare an action plan for establishment of National Neonatal Mortality Audit body with defined ToR, responsibilities and accountability and propose the best setting where this body will be institutionalized (or, in case of independent body, propose accountability mechanisms).  
5. Reporting: Prepare and submit to UNICEF a final narrative report outlining the entire work process and paying special attention to identified constraints and proposals and recommendations for the future.

 Major deliverables:

1: By July 30, 2018, submit for UNICEF review and approval an inception report outlining key findings from a revision of existing documents, as well as a detailed methodological approach and timeline of activities;

2: By the end of July 2018, submit for UNICEF review and approval draft training plan on training for perinatal mortality audit;

3: By September 15, 2018, conduct ToT training and incorporate any adjustments to training modules based on an initial assessment of training relevance;

4: By the end of October 2018, submit for UNICEF review and approval, a final narrative report, including recommendations for establishment and placement of National perinatal mortality audit body/unit and required legislation.

Qualification or specialized knowledge/experience required:

• Medical Doctor, with advanced University degree in public health or medical science; and/or
• Gynaecologist or neonatologist with advanced University degree in public health;
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in public health and/or maternity ward;
• Relevant experience in adaptation of survey/analysis instruments research and analysis;
• Relevant experience in training delivery;
• Excellent oral and writing skills in English.

Estimated duration of contract: 15 July – 31 October 2018

 Application Process:

Individuals interested in the consultancy should submit the following documentation:

1. Technical Proposal that shall include:
   1. Brief (max. 4 page) methodology and approach on how the assignment will be carried, including a detailed timeline of proposed activities (all applicants);
   2. Cover letter and CVs of proposed consultant(s)
   3. Three recent (not older than 3 years) reference letters relevant for the assignment (all applicants).
2. Financial Proposal that shall include:
   1. Fees for the consultant(s);
   2. Other (please provide details).

The technical proposal should be an integral part of your cover letter and the financial proposal should be a separate document

Please note that costs related to translation and organization of training events (conference room, accommodation and food for participants, etc.) shall be directly covered by UNICEF and do not need to be included in the financial proposal.

Selection Criteria:

All proposals will be assessed first on their technical merit and subsequently on their financial proposal. The proposal with the best overall value (composed of technical merit and financial proposal) will be recommended for approval.

*) Only proposals which receive a minimum of 40 points for the quality of the technical proposal will be considered further for the financial proposal.

Recourse: UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.