Individual International consultancy for development of the Action plan to implement requirements for validation of e-MTCT in laboratory system in Uzbekistan

The objective of this consultancy is to provide support to the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan by development of a time-bound comprehensive Action Plan (Road map) for delivering high-impact HIV testing services.

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Background

Uzbekistan has a strong surveillance system for the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT). Thereat, there are guidelines for reporting (by whom, to whom, frequency) in place, there is a procedure for registering mother-infant couples for HIV-positive mothers, as well as for registering pregnant women with HIV-positive status. Pregnant women are mainly registered in early pregnancy (up to 12 weeks). An HIV-positive pregnant woman and her child are monitored by both a general practitioner (GP) and an infectious disease specialist at the regional AIDS Center.

However, HIV testing strategy and algorithm existing in the country, imperfection of internal laboratory quality control programs for laboratory tests, lack of external HIV laboratory quality control programs (and, since 2018, external quality control programs for HIV serological markers), limitations in the provision of laboratory monitoring services for HIV and the effectiveness of antiretroviral treatment (ART), the practice of sampling and transportation of blood in the country does not allow to obtain any evidence of quality of testing, correctness of results, timeliness and accessibility of the provided laboratory services and require the implementation of measures to bring all the components in line with the criteria developed by WHO to validate the eMTCT.

There is a need to develop a time-bound comprehensive Action Plan (Road map) for delivering high-impact HIV testing services, including linkage to HIV prevention, care and treatment services and other clinical and support services, in diverse settings and populations, and coordination with laboratory services to support quality assurance. For this purpose, UNICEF Country office in collaboration with Ministry of Health is hiring the International Consultant for development of the Action plan to implement requirements for validation of e-MTCT in laboratory system in Uzbekistan.

Objectives

The objective of this consultancy is to provide support to the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan by development of a time-bound comprehensive Action Plan (Road map) for delivering high-impact HIV testing services.

Timeline & Deliverables

The individual consultancy is expected to be carried out within 15 working days, starting from 15 March 2021 and ending on 30 April 2021. Delivery dates (based on the work plan).

• Detailed review of the policy framework, plans, standards, SOPs for testing, reports from recent laboratory evaluations, and relevant documents and information on the organization and functioning of the national laboratory system - Desk review report - 3 working days
• Online interviews with managers of national/regional/district laboratories - Desk review report - 2 working days
• Draft Action Plan for delivering high-impact HIV testing services. Presentation of the Action Plan to national partners and discussion -  Draft Action Plan - 5 working days
• Finalization of the Action Plan - Final Action Plan - 5 working days 

Methodology/Activities

1. Desk review to review policy framework, plans, standards, SOPs, reports and all other related documents. Online interviews with managers of national laboratories. To understand what the progress was made in addressing recommendations made by the international expert in 2019 and to make sure the legislation and standards are in line with the international standards and WHO recommendations.
2. Online interviews/focus group discussions with the managers of national/regional/district laboratories. Validation of the obtained information with national experts and managers. 
3. Discussion of draft Action plan with national partners prior to finalization. Finalization of a time-bound comprehensive Action Plan (Road map) for delivering high-impact HIV testing services, including linkage to HIV prevention, care and treatment services and other clinical and support services, in diverse settings and populations, and coordination with laboratory services to support quality assurance.

Management

The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of Chief of Child Health and Wellbeing.

Resource requirements and payments

The basis for calculation of the consultancy fee is based on the complexity of work, the level of expertise and the Administrative Instruction (ST/AI/2013/4) on Consultants and individual contractors.

Note: The final decision on selection of the Consultant will be made based on the “best value for money” principle. The payment schedule will be as indicated in the table on timelines and deliverables upon satisfactory completion of all deliverables and submission of the financial statement. Payments might be partially or fully withheld in case of unsatisfactory performance of duties or failure to provide the deliverables by the agreed deadlines.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• University degree in Medicine/Public Health
• Specialized in Laboratory services
• At least 5-year experience working in HIV/syphilis surveillance and program evaluation.
• Proven experience in conducting and/or managing HIV/Syphilis related research and studies, or e-MTCT
• Proven 5-year experience of working with international and national technical partner agencies on HIV/STIs
• Relevant 5-year experience in the WHO European Region, particularly in Uzbekistan or other countries is an asset
• Good command of written English
• Knowledge of Russian will be an asset

Procedures and Working Conditions

Consultant is expected to work on-line. The applicants shall be required to submit a statement of good health prior to commencement of work and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. Consultants are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to United Nations staff members.

Reservations

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if deliverable(s) incomplete, not finalized or for failure to meet deadlines. UNICEF will reserve copyright of all developed materials and own primary data collected through this assignment. The materials cannot be published or disseminated without prior written permission of UNICEF. UNICEF will be free to adapt and modify them in the future. The contractor must respect the confidentiality of the information handled during the assignment. Documents and information provided must be used only for the tasks related to these terms of reference.

UNICEF undertakes no liability for taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant on payments made under this contract.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.