UNDP Jobs - 59605- International Consultant on Conducting Mid-term As

International Consultant on Conducting Mid-term Assessment of the National Strategic Programme on HIV Response 2013-2017

Location :

Tashkent, UZBEKISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

13-Sep-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

30 working days, 10 days in October, 20 days in November 2015

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

On December 27, 2012 at a meeting of the Special Anti-epidemic Sub-commission for Coordination of strategic programs to respond to HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis of the Republic of Uzbekistan the National Strategic Programme for HIV response for 2013-2017 (NSP) was reviewed and approved.

Given the lessons learned from the previous Strategic Programme 2007-2011, this programme has incorporated a wide range of issues that will improve the accountability of implementers. This program has become the quintessence of one of the three fundamental principles of effective responding to HIV infection, adopted by the UN General Assembly, i.e. the commonly agreed action framework.

However, the experience of the previous years drew attention to the need to strengthen monitoring and evaluation system that will determine the performance of response activities, which are reflected in the Strategic Programme 2013-2017.

During the past period the Government, donors, international and nongovernmental organizations have made tremendous efforts in combating HIV in Uzbekistan. Positive and sustainable results exist in a number of strategic directions; however, realization of some components of the Programme was not carried out on the due level. Within the period of Programme implementation, some changes also occurred in the epidemiological terms, including increased number of HIV-infected children and labour migrants, leading to greater focus on conducting HIV response actions.

In this context, the assessment will determine the achievements and shortcomings in the directions, peculiarities of epidemiological dynamics and quality of the activities. Presence of the report on programme implementation will enable determining the next steps for the country in addressing the epidemic of HIV infection.

The objective of the mission is conducting a mid-term assessment of implementation of the National Strategic Programme of the Republic of Uzbekistan on responding to HIV/AIDS 2013-2017 and develop relevant recommendations based on the achieved results for further improvement of NSP implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities

International Consultant under the direct supervision of the M&E Coordinator UNDP Project «Continuing scale up of the response to HIV with particular focus on Most At Risk Populations and strengthening systems and capacity for universal access to HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care in Uzbekistan» bears responsibility for conducting mid-term assessment of the National Strategic Programme on HIV response 2013-2017, specifically:

To lead NSP mid-term assessment process;
To develop and coordinate with stakeholders methods and tools for conducting NSP implementation assessment process;
To conduct the meeting with the national consultants, to define their TORs and discuss the data collection methods and report preparation;
To define the regions for conducting assessment together with the key stakeholders.

To evaluate efficiency and mid-term results, achieved within the NSP implementation in 2013-2015 and in accordance with NSP objectives:

Improving the regulatory framework in order to ensure universal access to services;
HIV prevention among MARPs;
Prevention of HIV transmission in health facilities;
Prevention of HIV transmission from mother to child (PMTCT);
Prevention of HIV and STIs among the general population;
Ensuring universal access to diagnosis and treatment of HIV and STIs;
Strengthening National M&E system;
To identify major gaps and difficulties under the NSP implementation at all levels, and to provide the recommendations for further improvement;
To prepare preliminary report and discuss it with national and international partners at round table meeting;
To finalize the NSP mid-term assessment report, taking into account the results of the Round table discussion;
To submit the final version of the report to the UNDP/GF project and Secretariat of Multisectoral Expert Council.

Key outputs:

Assessment technique, agreed with the stakeholders;
Pre-final draft report, based on assessment outcomes presented at a round table with national and international partners;
Final Report on mid-term assessment with relevant recommendations to improve implementation of NSP.

Evaluation Methods and Approaches

The assessment of NSP to be done in accordance with WHO tool on Assessment of National Health Strategies. The assessment methodology to be used for assessing an overall national health strategy or specific sub-sectoral and multi-sectoral strategies.

It should examine the strengths and weaknesses of five sets of attributes considered the foundation of any comprehensive national strategy:

Situation analysis and programming: clarity and relevance of strategies, based on sound situation analysis;
The process through which national plans and strategies have been developed;
Costs and financing of the strategy;
Implementation and management arrangements;
Results, monitoring, review mechanisms.

Data collection

The Programme Review will use a multiple method approach for data collection that includes desk reviews, group and individual interviews, field visits and surveys. The appropriate set of methods would vary depending on country context.

Validation

Data analysis will follow objective, verifiable methods. All information will be validated to the greatest possible extent.

Stakeholder participation

A strong participatory approach, involving concerned stakeholders is envisaged. The identification of the stakeholders, including Government representatives of ministries/agencies, civil society organizations, private sector representatives, UN Agencies, multilateral organizations, bilateral donors, and beneficiaries will be carried out.

Timeframe and fees

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 project in Russian.

Assessment technique agreed with stakeholders and submitted to the Project Manager UNDP/GF project - Due date: 15 October 2015;
Final report package submitted to the Project Manager with recommendations on strengthening national HIV response - Due date 30 November 2015.

This is a lump sum contract that should include costs of consultancy and other related costs, if any, required to produce the above deliverables. Payment will be released in 1 installment upon timely submission of respective deliverables and their acceptance by the Project Manager and UNDP CO.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Excellent written and oral communication skills, focus on results;
Ability to interact productively in a teamwork environment;
Initiative, good analytical skills;
Ability to work under tight schedule while respecting deadlines achievement, ethics and honesty;
Good ability to use information and communication technologies as tools and resources;
Good interpersonal, facilitation and training skills.

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in in public health, medicine, sociology, epidemiology.

Experience:

At least 5 years’ of experience in research/assessment/evaluation of the health programs;
Experience of working on HIV/AIDS in Central Asia, preferably Uzbekistan;
Experience in HIV programme design and implementation;
Extensive experience in health programme evaluations;
Extensive experience in the field of HIV prevention, treatment, care, support, PMTCT, and HIV;
Experience in conducting surveys/interview;
Experience in preparing analytical reports;
Experience of working with international organizations and projects.

Language:

Knowledge of Russian;
English is an asset.

Others:

Strong analytical skills
Timely delivery of good-quality products;
Excellent communication skills, result oriented;
Ability to perform under tight deadlines and timely task performance, ethics and honesty.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

P-11 form and Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability;
Applicants are required to fill and sign a P11 Form and Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and submit it to the online application;
Above mentioned documents can be obtained at http://www.uz.undp.org/content/uzbekistan/en/home/operations/jobs/

Application process:

To submit your application online, please follow the steps below:

Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11) and Offeror’s Letter;
Merge your P11, Offeror’s Letter into a single file;
Click on the Job Title;
Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and click “Submit Application”;
Upload your forms

You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

Note:

Only shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide a financial proposal.

Financial Proposal:

Lump sum contracts:

This is a lump sum contract. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days);
The payment will be made in one installment to be issued upon completion and submission of Performance Evaluation Form (PEF) on the works performed as indicated in the terms of reference.

Travel:

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP does not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation:

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:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable;
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.