International Consultant_Health Research and Analysis, UNFPA, Uzbekistan

TERMS OF REFERENCE (to be completed by Hiring Office)

Hiring Office:

UNFPA Uzbekistan CO

Background:

UNFPA Uzbekistan is an active member of UNAIDS working group and contributor to UBRAF programme framework. Within few years, UNFPA conducted a number of interventions focused on building capacity of school teachers to share the key evidence-based and reliable information on HIV and STI prevention among school children and peers, sustain this practice through inclusion this sessions to pre-diploma curricula of University in one of the regions of Uzbekistan, and development of the clinical protocol on management of HIV positive pregnant and women in delivery for medical practitioners.

In late 2023 UNFPA started implementation of large-scale nationwide project (Vision 2030 MCH) on improvement of perinatal care through equipping of 227 maternities and capacity building of 40,000 medical practitioners working in maternal and newborn healthcare. As part of UNFPA commitment, it was decided to conduct a survey to assess the level of access to and quality of perinatal services provided to HIV positive pregnant and women in deliveries. This will allow to make necessary adjustments to the capacity building activities and/or make relevant recommendations to the Ministry of Health on improvement of on-job and pre-service training curricula for medical practitioners after project is completed.

The study will be conducted among medical practitioners working in maternities and PHC level and pregnant women and women in labor by the group of trained national experts led by international expert. All data will be collected and analyzed by using special tools and platforms whereas questionnaire will be specifically developed for this study and agreed with the Ministry of Health prior to start.

Purpose of consultancy:

The purpose of the consultancy is to engage international expertise in leading a survey among HIV positive pregnant women and women in labor and medical practitioners on quality of and access to perinatal and maternal services, analyze collected information and develop a list of recommendations for its improvement.

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

The International Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Familiarization and contextual understanding: Get acquainted with the purpose of the survey and other programme documents related to this issue.
2. Inception report development: To develop an inception report with detailed description of methodology recommended for this survey, including justification for the choice of methodology in the context of the survey's objectives,  key groups for sampling, required cohorts, and geographical coverage to ensure representative sampling. 
3. Pilot protocol development: To design a pilot study protocol, which includes testing the questionnaire with a small subset of the target group, to refine questions for clarity, assess the time needed to complete the questionnaire, and ensure the reliability and validity of the survey instruments
4. Questionnaire design and validation:  To develop and pilot a questionnaire/s ensuring they capture the required data effectively, and undergo a rigorous validation process with the national consultant group, incorporating feedback to ensure cultural and contextual relevance
5. Training and capacity building: To capacitate national consultant group on how to conduct the survey and collected/stored information, focusing on effective survey administration, ethical data collection practices, and secure data storage and management protocols
6. Data analysis and interpretation :To analyze collected and processed data, Interpret the data within the context of the local healthcare environment to provide relevant insights.
7. Collaborative review and recommendations formulation: To discuss key findings with the national consultant group and develop recommendations of what and how can be addressed by the government in service delivery
8. Final reporting: To develop a final report with key findings and list of recommendations, including an executive summary, methodological appendix, and actionable steps for implementation

Duration and working schedule:

Duration: this consultancy will be implemented within 2 calendar years (2024-2025) with the number of days specified per each consultant below:

27 days (2024 – 13 days, 2025 – 14 days)

1. Developing of the inception report with methodology of the survey – 5 days,
2. Development, pilotingand agreement on questionnaire (consolidating tool) – 6 days
3. Coordinating data collection phase through online consultations– 2 days
4. Analysing consolidated data and developing the draft of the report – 10 days
5. Final report with key findings and recommendations – 5 days

Deliverables/results: 

1. Comprehensive inception report detailing the proposed methodology, sampling rationale, cohorts, and geographical scope.
2. Pilot study protocol specifying the testing of the questionnaire.
3. Validated survey questionnaire ready for deployment post-pilot testing.
4. Training module for the national consultant group on survey conduct and data management.
5. Analytical report interpreting the collected data with respect to the local healthcare environment.
6. Synthesized document discussing key findings and actionable government recommendations.
7. 7. Final report encapsulating all findings, recommendations, and an executive summary.

Place where services are to be delivered:

International consultant will be working remotely. All travel expenses if any will be covered by UNFPA in line with international travel policies and guidelines.

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

Duration: 2 years with initial planning stage in the QII-III of 2024, survey conducted in QIV 2024 – QI and QII of 2025, and final report submitted and presented in QIII of 2025.

Note: The duration of the work plan may be adjusted per each deliverable, but it will not exceed the total number of working days.   

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The monitoring will be ensured by means of regular information exchange on progress via e-mail. Regular online meetings with the UNFPA Uzbekistan and national partners on the updates will be organised. 

Supervisory arrangements: 

Expected travel:

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

Academic Qualifications:

Master in health research, sociology, gender equality, social development, public health or related discipline.

Years of Experience:

• 5 years of relevant professional experience at the national and international level in the field of health research and analysis, social development, HIV prevention, health policy or sociology. 
• Good knowledge and understanding of maternal health, HIV prevention, health systems, health research
• Data driven analytical approach with excellent writing and reporting skills.
• Proven experience on coordinating team work on report writing.
• Excellent computer skills (especially MS Office applications) and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource.
• Experience in using SPSS or other data processing software

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Russian. 

Please note that before starting its assignment the selected consultant would be asked to submit a series of documents (health statement, certification of health insurance; passport, vendor form, security certificates etc.), as well as to follow two mandatory online courses: i) Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and ii) Fraud and Corruption Awareness.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

n/a

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

Specific Conditions

The payment will be conducted as a lump sum at the end of 2024 and upon completion of the consultancy in 2025, after submission and approval report stipulating the effective number of working days and deliverables. 

Language of the final report: English

1. Ownership of outputs: the Ministry of Health, UNFPA CO