Individual international consultancy on technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan (MoHMI)

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.

For every child, health

Turkmenistan made considerable efforts to improve infrastructure at the central level while strengthening PHC remains an urgent priority. Home visiting (HV) is an integral part of the PHC system, providing universal access to health services. However, the quality of provided services for outpatient and in-patient care is inadequate, and standards of provision of health services are outdated. The Government of Turkmenistan continues successfully implementing several national strategies and programmes on reproductive, maternal, child, and adolescent health, child nutrition, and early childhood development. Despite the efforts, child mortality remains the highest in the ECA region, with 42 per 1,000 live births, and infant mortality is its primary contributor, with 36,3 per 1,000 live births. The neonatal mortality rate is 23,6 per 1,000 live births (UN IGME, 2019). The country’s SDG targets to be achieved by 2030 are 12 and 25 per 1,000 live births for neonatal and under-five mortality, accordingly. Data on quality of care immediately after birth shows that most newborns receive primary care upon birth. At the same time, survival indicators suggest some challenges with the quality and extent of timely newborn care.

During the past decade, the management of children with diarrhea and suspected pneumonia has worsened. Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) is a crucial intervention for a holistic approach to reducing childhood mortality and morbidity through interventions that target the most common deaths in children under 5 years. Evidence suggests that IMCI was significantly associated with a 15% reduction in child mortality when activities were implemented in health facilities and communities[1]. The country must make strategic efforts to integrate the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) approach in primary health care nationwide and to ensure continuity of quality care for sick children both in inpatient and outpatient facilities through the development and introduction of a national IMCI policy and guidelines, improved teaching of IMCI in pre-service and post-diploma training curricula for doctors and nurses, and development of sustainable supervisory support, especially for primary healthcare providers

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How can you make a difference?

Purpose of Assignment:

The assignment's overall purpose is to collaborate with the Ministry of Health in implementing the MOH Order on IMCI Scaling up and providing technical assistance in adapting and contextualizing the WHO PHC Guidelines for Children and Adolescents, ensuring that they align with the country's healthcare system and meet the unique needs of Turkmenistan's child and adolescent population.

Scope of Work/ Work Assignments:

In cooperation with the IMCI National Coordinator and MOH IMCI and PB Task Forces, the consultant will:

Task 1: IMCI Scaling up support.

Task 2: Commencement and Needs Assessment for PB adaptation.

Task 3: Adaptation of Guidelines.

Task 4: Validation and Review.

Task 5: Mentor to support the capacity-building activities.

Task 6: Reporting and Documentation

Work Assignment Overview

The consultancy will cover 26 working days between November 10, 2023 – November 30, 2024. The expert is expected to work home-based. The timeline below is a decent attempt at deadlines, considering the period needed for translation, sharing of documents, and receipt of feedback. Depending on the progress and details, more than 2 reviews of some documents may be required, which may affect the timelines as per TMS-TOR_PHC Pocket book adaptation_International consultancy_rev 17.10.2023.pdf

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

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Advanced University Degree in pediatric with previous training in Integrated Management of Childhood training would be an asset, and/or a Medical Doctor with experience in working in IMCI over the last 5 years (20 pts). • Undertaken work in revision, updating, or development of policies, manuals, and or guidelines previously (20 pts); • Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in one of the above areas area with IMCI focus, in particular (10pts); • Demonstrated experience in the Europe and Central Asia region as a strong asset (10 pts); • Excellent command of English, both oral and written; working command of Russian or Turkmen is a strong asset (10 pts)

The technical proposal should include

- A cover letter, including o Assessment of suitability vis-à-vis the requirements of this ToR; o A summary of experience in similar assignments; o Links to/attachments of examples of similar work; - CV of the candidate (including qualifications and experience) - References

Financial proposal:

Candidates are expected to submit a lump sum financial proposal to complete the entire assignment based on the terms of reference. The lump sum should be broken down to show the detail for the following:

Number of working days: 26

Unit cost:xxx

Total cost:xxx

Evaluation criteria:

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, followed by a 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 the contract award.

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:

75 % Technical

25 % Financial

100 % Total

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

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.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.