UNDP Jobs - 70704- International consultant to evaluate access, avail

International consultant to evaluate access, availability and satisfaction MARPs with HIV prevention, diagnosis, VCT, treatment, care and support programmes

Location :

Home based desk work with one mission to Tashkent, UZBEKISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

01-Mar-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 April- 15 May,2017 (17 working days including 2 w/d for desk review and 15 w/d. mission

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

The first harm reduction programs started in Uzbekistan in 1999. UNAIDS and UNODC provided funding for the establishment of the first three Trust Points (clinics) in Tashkent that initiated provision of needle exchange in the country. Later, based on the positive results of the pilot needle exchange program in Tashkent, the Ministry of Health in 2000 issued a decree (Order of MoH #392, July 21, 2000) to establish similar Trust Points across all regions of Uzbekistan. Shortly thereafter needle exchange became available through 200 Trust Points, though national coverage remained extremely low until 2004 due to limited funding and technical capacity of staff at Trust Points.

The inception of the GF HIV grant in 2004 marked a new era in the development of harm reduction in Uzbekistan as harm reduction services were established in all administrative territories of the country with a significantly expanded spectrum of services and coverage of target groups. In 2005 the GF project supported establishment of so called “Friendly Clinics”, specialized medical facilities that, for the first time, began to apply syndromic STI treatment for vulnerable groups.

The new Strategic Program includes targeted activities aimed at providing vulnerable groups with quality information materials tailored to their specific prevention needs. The country coordination mechanism has set up a Commission designed to enforce the compliance of all HIV related information materials with Uzbek national identity and values. Production of any HIV printed or multimedia materials requires review and endorsement by this Commission.

In addition to unrestricted commercial sales of condoms through pharmacies, free condoms are available through a network of Trust Points, Friendly clinics and outreach interventions by NGOs all around the country. Formally, there are no barriers, prohibitions or restrictions on the provision of this service. Free HIV counseling is provided at all Trust Points, friendly clinics and AIDS centers whereas HIV testing is carried out only at AIDS centers. The service is universally accessible. The current regulatory framework enables these agencies to provide the service on the principles of anonymity and confidentiality. The service is provided free of charge.

ART is freely available in Uzbekistan through 14 territorial AIDS centers under the overall coordination of the Republican AIDS Centre. There are no formal barriers to accessing this service based on gender, ethnicity, age, co-occurring disorders, social status etc.

Criteria for the initiation of therapy were reviewed in 2012 and brought in line with WHO recommendations (3rd and 4th clinical stages, and/or CD4 count less than 350). Therapy is available only to people living with HIV registered and enrolled in HIV care at AIDS centers. The current legislation guarantees full confidentiality of this service.

Considering the availability and access to a comprehensive package of services to the target groups services can be distinguished for rendered directly in the ongoing program of harm reduction: Needle exchange, condoms, STI diagnosis and treatment, distribution of IEC, counseling and testing for HIV and services, receipt of which is theoretically possible by referral: ART, drug treatment, diagnosis and treatment of viral hepatitis and tuberculosis.

The Constitution and other laws and regulations of Uzbekistan guarantee the free, no time-limited treatment of socially significant diseases, such as HIV / AIDS, substance abuse and tuberculosis.

The Global Fund has approved the application of Uzbekistan for a grant in the amount of 16,471,000 dollars for the continuation of funding for the fight against HIV on 2016-2018.

The main objective of the project is to prevent the spread of HIV infection in the general population by reducing its impact on the most vulnerable groups and the strengthening of health systems and national capacity to achieve universal access to prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care of HIV in Uzbekistan.

During the last period of the Project has increased the share of state funding to expand the program for the prevention of HIV transmission, PMTCT, HIV testing, which increased the possibility of universal access to diagnosis, treatment, care and support for people living with HIV and vulnerable groups.

The Republic of Uzbekistan is a country where the HIV epidemic is concentrated on the stage. With strategic program to combat the spread of HIV, and the corresponding national action plan to combat the spread of HIV infection developed and implemented in the country since 2003, the Government of Uzbekistan has provided a complex of appropriate preventive and therapeutic measures, which helped to stabilize the situation. In these documents, considerable attention was paid to the prevention of HIV among high-risk groups, which was conducted through 230 offices of trust and 30 friendly clinics operating in the country.

As part of the project it is planned to conduct operational research. The purpose of the operational research to collect information on the scale and quality of existing harm reduction services for most-at-risk populations (MARPs), as well as to identify capacity-building gaps and recommendations for potential scale-up and improvements.

This study will review existing services for MARPs including:

Assessment/analysis of impact/outcomes of harm reduction programme operating through Trust points for PWID, outreach interventions and Friendly Clinics for SWs and outreach intervention for MSM (assessment of impact of harm reduction services for HIV transmission among target groups).
Assessment of access to and the quality of harm reduction services with the focus on NSEP, outreach interventions, syndromic treatment of STIs in Friendly Cabinets, and condoms distribution
Review of existing service delivery system of harm reduction intervention in accordance with existing protocols and standards, gaps analysis
Clients’ needs and satisfaction analysis

The study will be conducted in selected administrative regions of Uzbekistan. The recommendation of this survey will serve as a planning tool for GFATM grant programs and serve as a tool for the development of strategies and the activities of the Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders that work in the area of HIV.

Objective: to assess the satisfaction of program clients with services offered by the prevention program and based on the findings identify strategies to improve the effectiveness of preventive and curative programs among high-risk groups and people living with HIV.

To prepare and submit Final report, which will need to be endorsed by National partner, along with incorporated feedback and comments by National Consultants, to Project Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities

Review of the current normative and legislative documents, programs and projects related IDUs in Uzbekistan
Preparation of a work plan, list of proposed meetings, a study methodology and a study protocol: Determination of the design, methodology and tools to work on the study. These documents will be submitted by Project Team to national partner for review and approval.
To meet with national stakeholders, international organizations and NGOs representatives in Tashkent.
To provide training for national consultants on the methodology and tools of research PDI. Consultant is expected to prepare a draft training agenda, presentations, handout materials, and self-assessment questionnaire for trainees.
Provide analytical advice to Project team and national consultants on criteria to identify study regions and define the methodology and plan of study
To prepare necessary tools and instrument (docs, questionnaire, form, focus groups docs) for field work
To conduct assessment with national consultants. Participate in carrying out of the field phase of the study (questionnaire, meetings, consultations, focus groups)
To analyze results, findings and develop recommendations jointly with national consultant and partners.
Prepare a draft report based on field data and desk-review assessment;
Presentation of preliminary results of the study to project team and national stakeholders and discussion of the draft report at a meeting with national partners
Finalize and present the final research report with recommendations based on the comments of partners

Deliverables:

Development of operational research program and instruments i.e - detailed work plan, a list of proposed meetings, methodology of assessment, a study of protocol; Desk work – 2 days, due date by April 5 2017. 20% of lump sum
Study protocol discussed and agreed with National Partner (Republican AIDS Center); Orientation training on research with National Consultants was conducted; Conducted the field stage research with a short report on field mission; Analysis of the data of assessment; Draft report prepared and presented to the National Partner and stakeholders for review and endorsement; Field work – 15 days; Due date by April 28; The final report with recommendations in Russian. Due date by May 10. 80% of lump sum

This lump sum contract, which should include consultancy costs, travel, DSA, visa and other associated costs, if any, required to obtain the aforementioned results. Payment will be released in 2 installments upon timely submission of respective deliverables to Project Manager. The consultant will closely work with RAC National Consultants and under the consultation with UNDP GF project M&E Coordinator.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Ability to work in close collaboration with a group of national and international experts, to meet strict deadlines and plan the work according to priorities;
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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s or University degree in Public Health, Social Development Studies or in other relevant sciences;

Experience:

5 years of relevant experience in developing research methodologies and research among risk groups in the CIS countries - required. - Proven knowledge and practical application of research methodology - asset;
Significant experience in conducting such evaluations and studies - desired;
Experience in working with national experts to collect and analyze the necessary data - desired.
To conduct training activities in the direction of the field work for the interviewers - desired.
Experience in drawing up the report to include comments and observations - asset.
Experience in conducting research in Uzbekistan is an advantage.

Language requirements:

Fluent in Russian language

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Explaining why you are the most suitable for the work (2 pages or less)
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 and 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 two installments 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.