National Consultancy: Pre- validation of mother-to-child transmission programme (PMTCT) for HIV and Syphilis at national level in order to reach elimination mother to child transmission (EMT

Consultant Medical & Health Programme & Policy

Contract

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Background

In Iran, the HIV epidemic is mainly concentrated among key populations with high-risk behaviors. In 2022, the most common modes of transmission were unsafe sexual contact (57.2%), injecting drug use (15.9%), mother-to-child transmission (1.5%) and unknown path of transmission (25.4%) of all diagnosed patients. The prevalence of HIV among IDU users and other key population is less than 5%. So, it seems Iran can be considered as a low prevalence country. In recent years it seems there are some changes in the HIV epidemiology, for example shifting from men to women and from drug injection to sexual contact transmission. Based on the recent data, the total number of women diagnosed with HIV increased from 4.7% in 2001 to 30% in 2022. By these trends the PMTCT program is getting more important.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran has developed national program for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) since 2014. National PMTCT program has progressed in a phased approach. Currently the PMTCT program has included HIV testing in the antenatal care and HIV testing in routine pregnant women examinations in all ANC care services in Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities. Considering the aim of MoHME to prepare for the country validation process and be certified for dual elimination of mother to child transmission (EMTCT) for HIV and Syphilis, it is necessary to conduct a pre-validation assessment using the WHO Global guidance on criteria and processes for validation to examine the current progress, assess the gaps and propose key actions to be taken to achieve EMTCT of HIV and Syphilis. .

Essential EMTCT services include:

• Testing for HIV and syphilis in antenatal care clinics.

• Prompt and efficacious interventions to treat women with positive test, and to prevent transmission of the infection(s) to their children.

• Counselling for women and their partners to reduce transmission risk and ensure appropriate treatment,

• Appropriately attended, safe delivery.

• Appropriate follow-up of exposed infants, including HBV vaccine dose at birth.

• Optimal infant feeding; and

• Lifelong treatment and care for mothers living with HIV, or eligible for treatment for syphilis.

This assignment will contribute to the objectives of planned output 1.3 and activity No.2 of 2023-2024 workplan.

How can you make a difference?

Objective and scope of work:

• To conduct pre-validation assessment on national readiness for dual elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV and Congenital Syphilis at the national and sub-national level, with benefiting the model for low HIV prevalence in general population and concentrated countries on 4 core areas including data quality, laboratory quality assurance, program and service assessment, and human rights, gender equality and community engagement.
• To develop the pre-validation report which includes the current progress, bottlenecks/barriers to be addressed and proposed actions. The technical consultant will organize a consultative meeting to present the draft pre-validation report for discussion with stakeholders to address barriers and gaps which could translate to solid, practical, and clear recommendations in each area on how to overcome the bottlenecks.
• To develop a practical action plan/road map along with monitoring tool for execution of the due plan with a clear timeframe.

Methodology and Technical Approach:

The consultant will be required to work closely with the MoHME (HIV unit) and UNICEF Health and Nutrition specialist and officer in charge for programme in Health and Nutrition unit.

Desk review and developing the technical and financial proposals for achieving the results and convene the consultative meetings with relevant experts at national and sub-national level through MoHME facilitation.

To conduct the national pre-validation assessment on EMTCT of HIV and syphilis should consider the four fields of validation assessment:

a) Data and surveillance systems including desk review to assess the reliability of the generated/ existing data (public/ private sectors) to evaluate achievement of the elimination targets, and to ascertain that the impact and coverage targets were achieved.

b) Programme evaluation and assessment, including reviewing and validating current recording and reporting system for PMTCT activities key gaps in surveillance, monitoring and evaluation of PMTCT of HIV and syphilis service delivery system. Selective cross checking must be made with the national data.

c) Laboratory assessment including reviewing Quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) on HIV/syphilis diagnosis in Iran to verifies the existence of an adequate laboratory network to provide the services needed to achieve and maintain a programme for EMTCT of HIV and syphilis, and to ensure that the results generated by the laboratory network are accurate and reliable.

d) Health rights, gender equality and community engagement including reviewing the laws for human rights protection (women and children, adolescents/ young people, marginalized/ key populations) and sexual and reproductive rights. This will also include a review of international human rights and gender equality instruments - conventions, treaties, protocols that Iran has signed and/or ratified to date.

The assessment should be run based on the UNICEF/WHO documents for concentrated HIV epidemic countries.

Activities, Deliverables, Indicators, Timeframe, and Schedule of Payment

Deliverable1: Preparation of executive plan based on the desk review and conducting the consultative meeting with the experts and stakeholders. This executive plan will address the methodology to reach the target including field visits, consultative meetings with experts, deliver of reports and explanation how the deliverables of the contract will be achieved and other schedules. The document will also specify the contents of the progress reports.

Indicator: Submission of executive plan

Timeframe: 2 weeks after signing the contract

Payment: 20 percent

Deliverable 2: Conducting the pre-validation assessment and a consultative meeting to discuss the results with stakeholders and drafting the recommendations.

Progress report on conducting the pre-validation assessment on 4 core areas of EMTCT approaches using WHO pre-validation assessment checklist. Field visit to review and validate current recording and reporting system for PMTCT activities.

Indicator: Submission of progress report on the pre-validation assessment and recommendations draft

Timeframe: End of 2 months and 2 weeks after the first deliverable

Payment: 50 percent

Deliverable 3: Delivery of final report after organizing a workshop with relevant experts and stakeholders on the findings of pre-validation and drafting an action plan.

Final report including the barriers, enablers, recommendations, and feasible action plan with time frame and monitoring plan

Indicator: Submission of final report

Timeframe: End of one month after the second deliverable

Payment: 30 percent

N.B. All reports and presentations should be submitted in English

Management and Organization

Management: The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of UNICEF Iran’s Health and Nutrition specialist. The head of HIV office, the Center for Communicable Diseases Control (CCDC), in Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME) will be the responsible government partner.

Travel: Required travel to universities will be covered by UNICEF based on the invoices which will be received.

Budget and terms of payment

The assignment will be funded by UNICEF.

The consultancy fee shall be paid in 3 installments to the consultant, upon approval of the above-mentioned deliverables by MoHME and UNICEF.

Conditions of Work

The consultant trips and mission to the field will be organized by HIV unit. UNICEF is responsible to cover the related mission of the consultant. Upon receiving travel invoices, for each mission the amount will be paid.

NOTE FOR CONSULTANTS AND INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTORS:

The Consultant should submit a technical proposal including a plan and a timeline for conducting the consultancy and an overview of the subject to demonstrate his/her knowledge.

Please submit a financial offer along with your proposal, which contains the following information:

Fee for services to be provided – based on the deliverables in the Terms of Reference

Wherever possible, indicate the itemized cost of the travel (air tickets etc.) in the country.

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

The consultant should possess the following qualifications:

• Minimum doctorate university degree in medicine, health, or public health.

• Strong understanding of the National HIV, AIDS M&E system including the surveillance system for prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV and other STIs. Being familiar with the framework of national PMTCT programme

• Excellent knowledge and skills in research (qualitative as well as quantitative) methods with strong analytical and report writing skills.

• At least three scientific publications or national reports in the reliable journals.

• Experience in working collaboratively to resolve complex issues, including with stakeholders who may hold differing views and conflicting interests.

• Experience working with government organizations, especially with the MoHME, and related institutions and private sector dealing with HIV/AIDS programme, major public health programs and key population network and other vulnerable populations

Knowledge & Skills:

• Effective communication, planning, analytical and training skills.

• Good knowledge of computer skills, proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).

• Ability to work in a team and establish effective working relations.

• Ability to manage projects and coordinate multiple stakeholders.

• Previous working experience with UNICEF/UNs is an asset.

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.

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Added 4 months ago - Updated 4 months ago - Source: unicef.org