Background

Project Title:  Continuing Scaling up of the Response to HIV in Uzbekistan, with Particular Focus on most at Risk Populations

UNDP is a key partner to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and works in a number of countries as a Principal Recipient. A decision by the Multisectoral Expert Council selected UNDP as the Principal Recipient for the first phase of the HIV Round 3 Rolling Continuation Channel grant. The Global Fund to fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria provides funds for the provide support of grants for the implementation of the National Programmes on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in the Republic of Uzbekistan. In its role as Principal Recipient under the HIV Round 3 Rolling Continuation Channel, UNDP is responsible for the financial and programmatic management of the Global Fund grant as well as for the procurement of pharmaceuticals, health and non-health products. The overall goal of the grant is to Continue Scaling up the response to HIV in Uzbekistan, with particular focus on Most at Risk Populations.

The strategic goal of Public Health system is to provide quality health care and creating a safe environment for patients and medical staff in organizations engaged in medical activities. Infections associated with medical care (IAMC) are an essential part of the problem because of widespread negative consequences for the health of patients, staff and the state's economy.

The general criteria for classifying cases of IAMC is a direct link their occurrence with medical care (treatment, diagnostic studies, immunization, etc.). That is why IAMCs include infections, not only joining the main disease in hospitalized patients, but also related to the provision of all types of medical care (outpatient, educational, health facilities, institutions, social welfare, the provision of ambulance home care, etc.), as well as infections of health workers as a result of their professional activities.

As one of the main strategies for preventing IAMC is a safe injection practices and immunization; UNDP/GF Project "Continuing scale up of the response to HIV in Uzbekistan, with particular focus on the most at risk population" is searching for qualified candidate for the position of the International Consultant to assess infectious safety of patients and medical specialists in medical establishments of 5 geographical areas in Uzbekistan.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Review of the current normative and legislative documents related to the Infection control in HCF
• Develop and agreed an instrument for the rapid assessment of infectious safety of patients and medical specialists in medical establishments. The instrument should be developed taking into account that the assessment will be 1) conducted on the republican level and in 5 pilot oblasts out of 14 administrative units in the country, 2) the sample size should be identified based on the number of HCF in each of the oblasts (1792 HCF up to the primary healthcare level in the 5 regions.
• Conduct the rapid assessment of infectious safety of patients and medical specialists in medical establishments.
• Development recommendations on: revision of the respective normative documentation on MOH level targeted to HCF, improvement of existing health education strategies aimed at safe behavior of health care workers and patients.
• To estimate the availability of equipment and supplies, including development of list of health products and other medical equipment as well as definition of their quantity, managing waste safely and appropriately in accordance with the normative acts in place. 

• Report that outlines current situation with the injection safety:   (i) needs of the project implementation regions in single use instruments  and  (ii) priority list and quantification of the single use instrument to be procured by the UNDP for project implementation purposes

The following deliverables and indicative schedule are expected from the consultancy contract. Exact dates of beginning and completion stages as well as scope of works for each phase can be corrected by Project Manager based on reasonable justification by the consultant. The project reserves the right, if necessary, to amend the terms of reference of a consultant on a written agreement. The final schedule will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy assignment. All deliverables should be submitted to the project by the Consultants in Russian.

• Desk Review (Home based)/Stage I . Timeframe 3 days. (i)  A list of gaps as identified through desk review of the existing data, National protocols, information and knowledge.  (ii) Agreed outline of a proposed program for field work. (iii) Approved instruments for field work to fill in the identified gaps.
• Field work and report drafting (Field visit)/Stage II Meetings with the national stakeholders; Visits to HCF in 5 regions of Uzbekistan; Pre-final draft report with appropriate recommendations submitted to the Project Manager; Timeframe 7 days.
• Report finalization (Home based)/Stage III; Final report package submitted to the Project Manager UNDP/GFATM project on HIV; timeframe 5 days

Competencies

• Proven ability to conceptualize, plan and manage programmes as well as to transfer knowledge and skills
• Proven ability to work with national counterparts.
• Knowledge of practical use of computer (Ms Word, Excel, PowerPoint and statistical software).
• Strategic planning, development of strategies, policies and program framework
• Excellent command of written and spoken English. Knowledge of local languages will be an added advantage
• Excellent communications and result-oriented skills, ability to work in a team, ethics and honesty, ability to meet tight deadlines and to work effectively under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

• University degree in Public Health or Pharmacy and Master’s degree in Public Health/Environmental Health/or any relevant field 

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years combined experience at National and International level, in public Health or environmental health, of which at least 3 years in Safe Health Care Management.
• Demonstrated experience in development of systems for infectious safety management at national levels and ensuring its implementation.
• Experience of developing Policies, Manuals, Standard operating procedures for the infectious safety management.

• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of local languages will be an added advantage

Evaluation Methodology

Cumulative Analysis:

• The individual consultants will be evaluated based on the Cumulative analysis methodology.  The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:  a) responsive/compliant/acceptable.  b) Having received the highest score out of the set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
• * Technical Criteria weight – 70%
• * Financial Criteria weight – 30%
• Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points for the Technical Criteria will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.