Individual Consultancy: PMTCT Consultant to conduct an analysis of vertical transmission among pregnant and lactating adolescent girls and young women, 15-24 years

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Application deadline 3 years ago: Sunday 13 Dec 2020 at 21:55 UTC

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Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

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.

For every child, Health

How can you make a difference?

Purpose and Objectives

HIV epidemic disproportionally impacts AGYW compared to adolescent boys and young men (ABYM). For example, HIV prevalence among AGYW is more than double that among ABYM: 10% vs 4% (2020, Spectrum estimates). Emerging data from programmes in sub-Saharan Africa highlight that HIV-infected pregnant adolescents have poorer prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) service outcomes, including lower PMTCT service uptake, compared to HIV-infected pregnant adults. In addition, the limited evidence available suggests that there may be higher rates of mother-to-child HIV transmission among infants of HIV-infected pregnant adolescents (Ramraj et al., 2018).

In 2018, 41,500 women seroconverted while pregnant or lactating of these, 19,300 (47%) were 15-24 years. The new child infections due to mother to child transmission were 16,180 and 40% were due to mother infected during pregnancy (1,890) or while lactating (4,530). Overall, 41% of all births occurred among 15-24-year olds (UNAIDS Estimates, 2019). HIV prevalence among adolescent girls and women (aged 15-24) in Mozambique is 7.2% (more than twice as high as their male counterparts, 3.6%), while the pregnancy rate in that age group is 48%; vertical transmission is 15% in all pregnant women living with HIV (UNAIDS Estimates 2019). However, the rate of vertical transmission among pregnant and lactating adolescent girls and young women is unknown.

Methodology and Technical Approach:

The consultant will collaborate with the HIV Program, Public Health Directorate at the Ministry of Health (MISAU) to conduct an analysis of routine PMTCT programmatic data in targeted provinces the vertical transmission rate among children born to mothers aged 15-24.

Activities and Tasks and Timeline

This activity therefore aims to address data gaps and inform effective geographic prioritization of programming toward Mozambique’s achievements of the Global Elimination Agenda and will guide the development of strategies to be included.

Timeline

1.

Desk review of PMTCT, AGYW pregnant and breastfeeding women, and vertical transmission in Mozambique

30 November

2.

Reveiw and adapt DQA SOPs for 18 month EID results, submit protocol amendment, if required

5 December

3.

Design DQA implementation Plan, including sampling methodlogy

5 December

4.

Implement the DQA using the protocols developed and engaging the National DQA team as co-assessors.

5 December

5.

Conduct programmatic mapping of AGYW ASRH/PMTCT programmes

12 December

6.

Develop draft report of results, methodology, recommendations, and lessons learned

22 December

7.

Stakeholder validation meeting

10 January

8.

Final report

30 January

Deliverables and Payments****:

Payments will be processed upon acceptance of the corresponding deliverable and against an invoice that will make reference to the contract reference and deliverable number. Payments will be approved by the respective section chief.

Deliverable 1:

Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days): first week

Deliverable/product(s): Inception Report (including timeline, key stakeholders and documents for consultation)

Payment (indicate amount or %): 15%

Deliverable 2:

Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days): within 1 month

Deliverable/product(s): Draft Report. (including full draft, summary narrative and initial recommendations)

Payment (indicate amount or %): 50%

Deliverable 3:

Delivery timeframe (specify weeks, months or working days): within 2 weeks of feedback

Deliverable/product(s): Final report/recommendations and PPT (including inventory of documentation)

Payment (indicate amount or %): 35%

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

  • Qualifications and Specialized Knowledge:

    1. An advanced university degree (Masters or bachelor’s with 8 years’ experience) in statistics, public health or related social science. (NOC/P3 level)
    2. Proven experience of conducting Data Quality Assessment DQA of Health Sector data
    3. Experience of PMTCT Data quality assessment or HIV/AIDS DQA
    4. Excellent Communication Skills (verbal and written) and report writing skills in English and Portuguese
    5. Medical, nursing, midwifery or public health background is an added advantage
    6. Previous experience in assessments/surveys preferred

    Annex 3 - TOR Consultant for PMTCT and DQA rev MT 09-11-2020.docx

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.

Remarks:

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.

Added 3 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: unicef.org