Individual Consultancy on support to the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry in organization and conducting Turkmenistan National Micronutrients Survey (TNMS)

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

Turkmenistan pays high attention to maternal and child health and nutrition. There have been tangible efforts to fight iron deficiency and anemia over the past two decades leading to the introduction and nation-wide implementation of flour fortification and universal salt iodization (USI) programmes by the Government. However, the data on anemia, iron deficiency, folic acid deficiency, and Vitamin A deficiency are outdated as the last study of anemia among women and children was conducted in 2011. On average, the anemia prevalence in the country was at 44.3% in 6-59 months old children; 52.9% - in pregnant women; 56.5% - in non-pregnant women of reproductive age; and at 38.3% - in men. Although the causes of the high anemia prevalence are not fully understood in Turkmenistan, the hypothesis is that direct risk factors are likely iron, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and folate deficiencies. Given the significant impact of micronutrient deficiencies on the wellbeing of children and women, and considering the fact that the current evidence on micronutrient deficiencies is outdated, undertaking a national micronutrient survey is critical. The national micronutrient survey will support the policy makers to understand how the flour fortification and supplementation programmes are working, and will also provide fresh and applied evidence needed for policy advocacy and programming to address the priority micronutrients. As per the signed work plan for 2020 and draft 2021 workplan, UNICEF’s office in Turkmenistan is committed to support the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry (MoHMI) to undertake this survey.

Pupose of the assignment:

The purpose of the assignment is to provide liaison support to the MoHMI and their institutions, namely National Scientific MCH Center (field team); International Training Research Center and Public Health and Nutrition Center (both for lab tests) and International Research Agency in conducting the Turkmenistan National Micronutrient Survey (TNMS) in the two phased approach from 01 November 2020 until 20 December 2021 with one month break (January 2021)

Specific Tasks

Support the survey implementation with all required logistic and liaison assistance, including translation the relevant correspondence in preparation, training, implementation, technical supervision, quality assurance, data collection and analysis, and reporting of the survey. Specifically, the National consultant will contribute to the TNM Survey, as follows:

1. Liaise and collaborate with the International Research Agency and MOHMI with their entities and ensure effective communication with translation of the relevant discussion and correspondence (excepts the protocols/tools/reports);

2. Organize calls/meetings and discussion during the preparation process of the phase 1: the protocol and tools development, sampling preparation and assessment of the capacity of laboratories in the country;

3. Ensure close communication with all other stakeholders in Turkmenistan to ensure a wide representation of different organizations at crucial stages;

4. Organize the calls/meetings and discussion during the preparation and implementation process of the phase2: with providing support to MOHMI with their entities in critical review the terms of references prepared by International Research Agency for the interviewers, phlebotomists, anthropometrics and team leaders;

5. Organize the calls/meetings and discussion between the MOHMI and the International Research Agency in process of the pre-selection of the various survey teams;

6. Organize community sensitization activities, coordinate with MOH and their entities timely obtaining of the required permits and authorizations for the field teams;

7. Organize and ensure translation of questionnaires and other relevant documents into Russian and/or Turkmen, as appropriate;

8. In accordance with TNMS schedule and under the guide of the Health and Nutrition Specialist plan and organize logistic requirements, including arranging meetings, hiring survey workers, and arranging transport for survey teams;

9. In consultation with the MOHMI and International Research Agency, support UNICEF CO in procurement planning and finalization of the list of supplies with specifications for all required for TNMS supplies: e.g. stationary, blood sampling material, blood processing utensils, laboratory equipment or reagents, etc.;

10. Organize the Validation workshop in close collaboration with MOHMI and UNICEF CO in consultation with GroundWork.

Workplan and deliverables

The consultancy will cover the period of the Turkmenistan National Micronutrient Survey (TNMS) conducting in the two phased approach from 09 November 2020 until 20 December 2021 with one-month break (January 2021) and will be based on the monthly reports in accordance with TNMS schedule below in table 1. The consultant is expected to work from home and with his own computer/equipment with visits to the office when required or scheduled by the Supervisor;

Travel to the 6 velayats at least for 5 working days each or outside of the country is expected for this consultancy and cost of the in-country travel need to be included into the contract.

The deliverables and timeline of the Consultancy is in line with the TNMS Schedule below table 1 in the attached ToR

Reporting requirements

National Survey Consultant will timely provide monthly reports and final report as per UNICEF requirements at the end of the assignment in Russian or English

Payment schedule

The payment in US dollars will be made monthly upon delivery the monthly report, according to the following schedule:

In 2020 during the phase 1: November 30 and December 25 (or in the 1st decade of January 2021 due to end of year closure procedures);

In 2021 during the phase 2: February 28; March 30; April 30; May 30; June 30; July 30; August 30;

September 30; October 30; November 30; December 20.

Work arrangements

Day to day supervision and guidance will be provided by UNICEF Turkmenistan Health and Nutrition Specialist. UNICEF will regularly communicate with the National Survey Consultant and provide UNICEF and UN requirements, guidance on specific questions, feedback on performance and all other necessary support to achieve objectives of the consultancy.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

•Qualifications and Skills Required

- University/advanced degree in statistics, health, nutrition, nursery, sociology, social sciences, international relations, or other relevant fields;

- Experience in statistical analysis and social analytics;

- Experience in assisting the survey/project planning and implementation

- Statistical software knowledge is an asset

- Good communication and networking skills;

- Knowledge of the national aspects of work with the ministries, and especially in the area health;

- Knowledge of English; Turkmen and Russian;

Technical Proposal

The technical proposal should include

- A cover letter, including

Assessment of suitability vis-à-vis the requirements of this ToR;

A summary of experience in similar assignments;

One-pager with a proposal on the approach to ensure the quality of services;

Links to/attachments of examples of similar work;

CV of the candidate

References

Financial Proposal

Candidates are expected to submit a lump sum financial proposal in US dollars to complete the entire assignment based on the terms of reference. The lump sum should cover deliverables indicated above and the expected in-country travels for the period of 01 February – 30 September 2021.

The both technical and financial proposal need to be submitted by the November 2, 2020 6 pm GMT+5

Evaluation

Each proposal will be assessed first on its technical merits and subsequently on its price. In making the final decision, UNICEF considers both technical and financial aspects to ensure best value for money. The Evaluation Team first reviews the technical aspects of the offer (on the basis of the qualifications described above), followed by review of the financial offers of the technically compliant candidates. The proposal obtaining the highest overall score after adding the scores for the technical and financial proposals together, that offers the best value for money will be recommended for award of the contract.

A cumulative analysis will be used to evaluate and award proposals. The evaluation criteria associated with this TOR is split between technical and financial as follows: 70% Technical, 30% Financial, 100 % Total.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.