Hiring Office: UNFPA/Georgia Country Office.

The UN Joint Programme (JP) Minimizing the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in Georgia through telemedicine and digital health solutions is funded by the Delegation of the European Union to Georgia. The programme cycle is 36 months. The Action is aimed at supporting Georgia’s Primary Health Care (PHC) system in rural areas to: (a) mitigate disruption of services due to the COVID-19 outbreak; and, (b) deliver high quality SRH services, especially in hard to reach areas. The focus would be on introducing new service delivery approaches into the rural PHC system such as telemedicine and telecare and improving the capacity of rural doctors to provide quality SRH services through tele-education. This requires community engagement to increase demand for telehealth services from both the health care providers and patients, as well as creating a supportive environment in which strategies, structure(s), funding mechanisms, equipment and monitoring systems are in place. In addition, support will be provided to public health service to improve surveillance, data management and contact tracing by implementing modern, easy to handle digital technologies. As a result, Georgia will be well equipped/positioned to not only address current emergency health challenges but also future needs while moving towards Universal Health Coverage.

The intervention logic of the UN Joint Project (JP) is that the implementation of comprehensive telemedicine solutions paired with investment in the health system and increasing the capacity of PHC to better manage Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) may contribute to curbing the number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities, assuming complementary prevention and response measures, including vaccination, continue to be rolled out in the country, especially at primary care level and in rural settings. That is why the action, in addition to having a COVID-19 specific component, includes activities to advance the overall shift of the Georgian health system towards digitalization and strengthened PHC with potential gains in a broad range of conditions, including Sexual & Reproductive Health (SRH) related issues; for which UNFPA is custodian. The approach is comprehensive and includes interventions addressing legislative frameworks, governance mechanisms, SOPs and guidelines, direct technical support to national authorities, medical and IT/digital supplies and capacity-building.

The JP will be implemented by four UN partners, WHO (lead), UNICEF, UNOPS & UNFPA; bringing their respective areas of expertise and added-value to contribute to the overall project objective to minimize the COVID-19 pandemic's negative impact on people’s health and the health system through quality telemedicine services.

Within the project overall framework, UNFPA will be specifically responsible and accountable for delivering the following activities:

1. Under Output 2.1: Online training/communication platform for primary care providers developed and fully operational:

• Development of locally relevant evidence-based clinical guidelines and protocols for remote consultations at PHC level, including criteria for defining patient eligibility for telemedicine services;
• Development/adaptation of evidence-based clinical guidelines, protocols and training module(s) for remote delivery of SRH services, with focus on Antenatal care (ANC) and SRH professionals in COVID-19 context and beyond;
• Content development and updates for existing COVID-19 website and PHC training platform on pregnancy-related issues and other SRH topics in the context of COVID-19 and beyond, applying life-course approach.

1. Under Output 3.1: Public awareness and health literacy on prevention of COVID-19 and determinants of susceptibility for severe infection (comorbidity, mental health, and socioeconomic factors), including health promotion and education improved:

• Increase awareness of mothers and caregivers on the issues concerning their health and health of their children in COVID-19 era and beyond [in close conjunction with UNICEF];
• Development of targeted communication and social mobilization campaign(s) to support the uptake of telemedicine solutions [in close conjunction with WHO & UNICEF].

The major purpose of this consultancy is to support UNFPA CO in development of a project Roadmap for planning development of Telehealth SRH Services in Georgia, within the framework of the UN Joint Project.

Specific Tasks:

• Conduct consultation meetings and interviews (coordinated by the project team) with the main stakeholders from the government, SRH service providers and local experts; as well as JP Participating UN Agencies (PUNOs).
• Conduct desktop reviews on experiences, best practices and lessons learnt of other countries in the development and implementation of successful approaches and evidence-based practices in SRH arena; to be applicable for the country context.

1. Develop a situation analysis report combining the primary and secondary data/info derived from the stakeholder consultation and literature review. The report should include:
2. mapping of actors in the sector;
3. current SRH telehealth service provisions/practice;
4. challenges/implementation bottlenecks and potential opportunities to be addressed via a telehealth project.

• Provide direct technical advice to UNFPA CO regarding the introduction of SRH telemedicine approaches in Georgia for COVID-19 response and beyond;

• Develop a Roadmap on how to proceed with the JP implementation process with specific recommendations and implementation essentials, including:

1. networking pathways with key stakeholders & PUNOs;
2. what UNFPA needs to accomplish with telehealth now; what can be done and what not? Critical limitations and potential pitfalls - areas for caution in expanding telehealth to support better outcomes, rather than exacerbate health inequities;
3. what regulations, statutes, and guidelines apply?
4. how costs associated with telehealth care may be financed, to ensure parity in coverage and adequate reimbursement for telehealth, such that telehealth visits are covered at the same rate as in-person care delivery?
5. how telehealth systems should ensure the safety of people’s personal information, and the protection of people’s privacy when accessing care?
6. specific milestones and approximate timelines for each key activity.

If and when necessary, the international consultant will receive consultations from the designated representative of the UNFPA Georgia CO team.

The outlined deliverables will be submitted no later than the following dates:

1. Situation analysis report not later than 20 June
2. Recommendations & Roadmap for implementation of telehealth strategies in SRH field – no later than 25 July;

Note: the delivery dates may be swapped/changed by the consultant subject to the written agreement with the UNFPA Georgia CO Program Analyst.

The Consultant will be entitled to a DSA and other travel related costs as per UNFPA policies;

Travel costs will be settled separately from the consultant fees. 

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN Agencies;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;

Functional competencies:

• Strong communication and analytical skills;
• Demonstrated skills in drafting reports;
• Ability to work under pressure with several tasks and various deadlines;
• Actively generates creative, practical approaches and solutions to overcome challenging situations;
• Excellent writing, presentation/public speaking skills;
• A pro-active approach to problem-solving;
• Computer literacy;

Academic Qualification:

• Advanced academic degree in Medicine, Public Health Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or related healthcare field is required.
• Post-graduate University Degree or equivalent (preferably Ph. D.) in Public Health, SRH or equivalent professional work experience is desirable.

Experience and Competencies:

• Sound knowledge of telemedicine/telehealth/telecare in SRHR.
• Previous experience with design and implementation of international best practices in the area of telehealth and digital health platforms/tools.
• At least 5 years of experience in development of project implementation workplans/roadmaps at international levels especially developing countries;
• Strong communication and analytical skills;
• Actively generates creative, practical approaches and solutions to overcome challenging situations;
• Excellent writing, presentation/public speaking skills;
• Work experience in EECA countries would be given advantage.

Language Requirements

• Proficiency in both spoken and written English.

UNFPA/Geo CO team will provide feedback/ guidance to the International Consultant throughout the assignment. 

Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and project budgetary arrangements.

The Consultant will be entitled to a DSA and other travel related costs as per UNFPA policies;

Travel costs will be settled separately from the consultant fees. 

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.

Proposals should be sent by e-mail to  UNFPA Tbilisi Office at mataradze@unfpa.org and shengelia@unfpa.org , no later than 20 May 2022 COB.

The application should contain:

1. P11 Form (Attachced)
2. CV