National Consultancy, Data Management Consultant for Path to elimination validation (PTE) process for HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B, Windhoek, Namibia (For Namibia Nationals only)

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Background and Purpose of Activity/Assignment: The global community has committed to eliminating of vertical transmission of HIV and syphilis as a public health priority. In 2014 the World Health Organization (WHO), together with the UN and bilateral partners released the first edition of the Global guidance on dual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and syphilis as a public health threat. In 2015 the Global Validation Advisory Committee for Elimination of Mother-to-Child Transmission (eMTCT) was established and that same year the first country, Cuba, was validated. The second edition of the guidance, published in 2017, introduced Path to Elimination (PTE) to recognize the achievements of high burden countries, with progressively higher targets representing, bronze, silver and gold tiers on a continuum towards full validation. The third version, released in 2021, provides guidance for triple elimination of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B virus (HBV). Despite having one of the highest HIV prevalence in the world, Namibia has made significant strides in improving performance of key indicators on prevention of vertical transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis. The country has attained a universal coverage of over 95% for process indicators including those for first ANC attendance, HIV testing among pregnant women and maternal antiretroviral treatment (ART). Although there is lack of adequate data on syphilis situation in the country, with syphilis prevalence rate of 2% among women receiving ANC services, congenital syphilis indicators are expected to be similar to those for PMTCT of HIV. Namibia’s HIV estimates in 2020 showed that the overall mother-to-transmission rate (MTCT) rate reduced from 13.4% in 2012 to 3.8% in 2019. Despite this progress, challenges to attainment of eMTCT of HIV and congenital syphilis exist.

Namibia is considered to be one of the countries that is ready to be validated for the Path to Elimination of HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis B (PTE). In preparation for the PTE validation, several important steps have been undertaken by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS). In 2020 the country launched the national roadmap for the elimination of mother-to- child transmission of HIV and congenital syphilis (2020-2024) which sets the goal and milestones to have Namibia certified as having achieved the Gold Status tier as per WHO’s Path to Elimination (PTE) targets by 2024. The National Validation Committee (NVC) chaired by MoHSS was established in 2020 and members trained on PTE validation processes. To evaluate whether the country meets and qualifies for the validation of eMTCT of HIV and syphilis, the MoHSS with the support of UNICEF conducted a pre-validation assessment of the current programme status of MTCT of HIV and syphilis to establish the baseline status of eMTCT of HIV and congenital syphilis indicators against the global standards for validation and to provide an understanding of Namibia's current position on its PTE as stipulated in the National Roadmap. The Pre-validation assessment noted that the country is on the right path to achieving elimination as programmes are strongly rooted in Primary Health Care with improvements in the detection and management of HIV and syphilis in pregnant women, with the rates of MTCT reduced, equal and or below the global elimination targets. In this regard, the country seeks to apply for validation for being on the path to triple elimination of MTCT based on the criteria set by WHO for high HIV burden countries.

Against this background and at the request of the MoHSS, technical support was provided to Namibia in October 2022 by a joint Global and Regional validation team to support country preparations for PTE validation application. Support provided included retraining of the NVC members and technical leads on the PTE validation process, including on the triple elimination agenda as per the revised 2021 validation guidance and the development of an operational plan for the PTE validation process detailing the activities, roles and responsibilities, TA required and timelines. As such, the Government of Namibia, through the MoHSS, with support from the UN family and other partners, is in the process of hiring consultants to support the PTE triple validation exercise. This includes the recruitment of data management consultant for the overall PTE validation process. Towards this end, and on behalf of the National Validation Committee, UNICEF is seeking the services of a consultant who will be responsible for data collection, management, and analysis for the validation assessment of eMTCT of HIV, Congenital syphilis, and Hepatitis B Virus.

How can you make a difference?

Scope of Work: Goal and Objective: Under the guidance of the NVC Chairperson, Director of Primary Health Care, MoHSS, and direct supervision of the HIV Specialist (PMTCT & Community Health), the consultant will support the collection of quantitative data, management, and analysis for the PTE triple elimination of Mother to Child Transmission of HIV, Congenital Syphilis and HBV. The overall objectives of PTE validation process are to: •Assess achievement of the process and impact indicators against the set targets for the validation of elimination of MTCT of HIV, Congenital syphilis and HBV using the standard data assessment and verification tools. •Assess the country’s eMTCT programs to determine compliance with regional and global validation criteria and processes and eligibility for validation on Path To Elimination (PTE) •Build national consensus on and finalize a national validation report. •Contribute to the submission of the national validation report and apply for PTE validation to the Regional Validation Committee (RVC).

The consultancy specific objectives are to: • Lead quantitative data collection, data management and analysis for the PTE validation assessment. • Conduct data abstraction of syphilis and hepatitis B Virus in high volume and low-performing sites. • Compile data management thematic report on eMTCT of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B Virus of the final assessment report.

Work relationships: The consultant will engage and work in close collaboration with the MoHSS and the thematic leads on laboratory, programme service delivery, Human Rights, Gender Equality, and community engagement throughout all the stages of the PTE validation process.

Work Assignment Overview

Key Activities and Tasks****Deliverables/Outputs****Timeline****Payment schedule• Be the technical lead in data management and analysis for the validation assessment.

• In liaison with the National lead consultant coordinator, the NVC and the assessment secretariat ensure quantitative data collection tools and other required instruments are available and the teams equipped to conduct field work of the highest quality possible.Approved inception report (detailed proposed methodology and workplan)3 days • Ensure the assessment follows laid down procedures and is conducted in an ethical manner. • In collaboration with the National lead consultant coordinate field data collection teams and ensure timely data collection and analysis.Final versions of quantitative data collection tools for HIV, Syphilis and Hep. Virus pre-tested and data collected.5 days • Conduct data abstraction of syphilis and hepatitis B Virus in high volume and low-performing sites.Syphilis and Hepatitis B data abstracted in high volume and low performing sites, and report documented.10 days • Present final thematic report on eMTCT of HIV, Syphilis and Hepatitis B Virus of the final assessment report to the MoHSS, NVC, RVC and partnersCompile draft data thematic assessment reports8 days30%• Participate in and facilitate stakeholders’ workshops to disseminate preliminary and final findings.Submission of the validated and approved final data thematic report for consolidation with National assessment report for HIV, Congenital Syphilis and HBV4 days70%To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• A bachelor’s degree in statistics, epidemiology, demography, or its equivalent with more than 8 years of experience in related health field, or previous UN experience will be an added advantage. • Strong analytical, quantitative research skills with experience in managing large data sets; and data abstraction from DHIS2 will be an added advantage. • Very good command of written and spoken English. • Very good presentation and report writing skills. • Evidence of having worked with government/ public health institutions will be an added advantage • Demonstrable good data management skills • Experience in designing and using databases.

Administrative issues Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

How to Apply Qualified and interested candidates are encouraged to submit an online application before the closing date. Please submit expression of interest together with: • A cover letter, no longer than 1 page, and curriculum vitae showing how the consultant meets the required qualifications, experience and expertise • Technical Proposal demonstrating the consultant’s understanding of the Terms of References, the proposed methodology/approach and timelines for the respective deliverables; and • A financial proposal/budget, which must include all expenses related to the assignment (including travel costs). UNIECF will not cover any costs of the consultancy not included in the financial proposal (excludes costs of meetings for attendees).

Incomplete applications e.g. without financial/budget proposal will not be considered.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

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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.