UNDP Jobs - 70708- International consultant on identifying barriers t

International consultant on identifying barriers to adherence to ART in Uzbekistan

Location :

Home based desk work with one mission to Tashkent, UZBEKISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

April 3 – May 10, 2017 (14 working days including 2 w/d for desk review and 12 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 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, developed and implemented in the country since 2003, the Government of Uzbekistan has provided a complex of appropriate preventive and therapeutic measures.

Uzbekistan, country in Central Asia, with concentrated HIV epidemic, is scaling up a national ART program by provision of free antiretroviral (ARV) drugs since April 2006. This scale-up of ART and related care in Uzbekistan has been one of the most impressive accomplishments in the AIDS response of recent years, from 215 on ART at the end of 2006 to more than 15 000 people receiving ART by the end of 2016.

Adherence, “the extent to which a person’s behavior – taking medication, following a diet and/or executing lifestyle changes, corresponds with agreed recommendations from a health care provider” (WHO 2003), is a crucial element for scaling up HIV treatment. One of the greatest public health concerns about poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy is that suboptimal adherence — including taking fewer pills than prescribed, taking doses at the wrong time and interrupting treatment — may lead to the development of drug-resistant viral strains. Drug resistance can render first-line drugs ineffective for patients and require second-line drugs that are more complex, more costly and carry greater side-effects and risks of drug interactions.

Taking into account the above mentioned, the goal of research is to assess/analyze levels and patterns of adherence to ART with identification of contributing factors, development of recommendations on improving the quality and service delivery system for PLHIV in Uzbekistan.

Objectives of Assignment

To develop operational research program and instruments depends on establishment (governmental/non-governmental).
To conduct research including following aspects: - assessment/analysis of levels (optimal or suboptimal: high, moderate or low) and patterns of adherence (influence of health care and system-related factors (service delivery of ART); patients’ clinical condition and therapy-related factors; social and demographic patient-related factors; social context and social interactions etc.) in different settings (republican, regional and rayon), the factors and circumstances that lead to suboptimal adherence, including treatment interruption/discontinuation;
To develop recommendations with addressing research gaps may contribute to improved adherence;
To submit draft final report to national partner and national consultants for feedback and review;
To prepare and submit Final report, which has been endorsed by National partner along with incorporated feedback and comments by National Consultants, to Project Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities

Requirements for design of the research: the research should be designed to use qualitative and quantitative research methodologies including: i) review of relevant documents; ii) interviews with key stakeholders and staff involved in provision of services; iii) interviews with target populations, iv) service delivery points facility audit and observation. The research also can include elements of self-assessments of service providers.

The main steps of work:

Development of operational research program and instruments as described above;

Conduction of training for national consultants on the methodology and tools of research;

Selection of administrative locations (oblasts – subject to negotiation) jointly with national consultants;

Data collection activities;

Preparation of analytical report draft and presentation to partners;

Development of full, written summary report, presentation to RAC, MoH and UNDP.

* Collected information will serve as a reference source and be used for program planning and will guide formulation of the strategy and activities of the Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders dealing with HIV services for PLHIV in the country.

Deliverables

Development of work plan, operational research program and instruments; Desk work – 2 days; Due date by April 5. 20% of lump sum
Conduction of training for national consultants on the methodology and tools of research; Selection of administrative locations (oblasts – subject to negotiation) jointly with national consultants; Data analysis; Draft analytical report and presentation to partners. Field work – 12 days. Due date by April 26. Final report with recommendations in Russian. Due date by May 5. 80% of lump sum.

This is an output-based contract that should include costs of consultancy, travel, DSA, visa and other related costs, if any, required to produce the above deliverables. 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 Treatment 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:

Graduate degree in Public Health or in other relevant sciences is required;

Experience:

5 years of relevant experience in the development of research methodologies to conduct different researches among people living with HIV in the CIS countries and their practical application;
Experience in conducting trainings for interviewers to conduct the study.
Significant experience in conducting operational evaluations and studies;
Experience in the preparation of the reports;
Experience in conducting research on HIV in Uzbekistan welcomed.

Language Requirements:

An excellent knowledge of Russian.

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.