03 June 2015
INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT PROCUREMENT NOTICE
Country: Tajikistan
Description of Assignment: International Consultant for Coordination and assistance to the management of the projects implemented by UNDP Tajikistan in the field of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Period of assignment/services: 3 months, early July – End September 2015
Period of assignment: Early July - End of September 2015
Type: International Consultancy
Deadline: 17 June, 2015
Application procedures
Interested candidates are should apply online via website www.jobs.undp.org:
- Filled Personal History Form should be uploaded in your account. Please upload the exact P11 form instead of CV or Resume.
- Additional documents should be sent to e-mail address , for proper evaluation:
• Proposal:
- stating your interest and qualifications for the advertised position
- provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work
• Financial proposal
• Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references
Please note that incomplete applications will not be further considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials
Candidates should submit the above-mentioned materials by 17 of June 2015 via e-mail to . Title of assignment should be written in the subject line of the email
Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to the address or e-mail: .
INTRODUCTION
UNDP has been interim Principal Recipient (PR) for Global Fund grants in Tajikistan since 2003. During that time, UNDP has worked to support national and civil society organizations in the delivery of programme activities aimed at prevention, testing and counseling for HIV; implementation of the Stop TB Strategy, including TB services for prison population; and distribution of bed nets, spraying and awareness activities for malaria. In addition to these activities UNDP has emphasized the need to strengthen the institutional capacities for managing and implementing Global Fund grants and improve management of national disease responses. As such, the strengthening of Government capacities for programme management, procurement, financial management and monitoring and evaluation has been a prime focus area of UNDP’s support to the Government of Tajikistan and its Sub-Recipients.
International Consultant acts as a supporter for management of UNDP/GF HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Control Programme and advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of the programme. Apart from the assistance to the grants management, the incumbent identifies new programme areas while ensuring consistency with UNDAF/CPD/CPAP priorities and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities. International Consultant supervises HIV, TB and Malaria projects’ team and works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations team in the Country Office, Programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to successfully implement the UNDP/GF HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Control programme.
Country background and context[1]
In 2003, Tajikistan became one of the first countries in Central Asia to implement a Global Fund HIV grant. UNDP was selected by the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM), called the National Coordination Committee (NCC) in Tajikistan, to be PR for HIV in 2003 and, later in 2005 and 2007 for malaria and tuberculosis grants.4 UNDP’s support to the implementation of Global Fund grants is in line with UNDP’s Strategic Plan, which defines overarching priorities for the organization for the period 2014-2017, and includes a focus on strengthening institutions to progressively deliver universal access to basic services. Currently, UNDP is managing a total grant portfolio of more than US$ 136 million. The grants for all three diseases are performing well, with an A1 rating for the tuberculosis grant, and A2 ratings for the HIV and malaria grants.
The HIV epidemic in Tajikistan is classified as a concentrated epidemic. The main key populations (KP) are people who inject drugs, sex workers and men who have sex with men (MSM). An estimated 12,000 people live with HIV and the adult prevalence rate in Tajikistan is 0.3%. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Tajikistan is one of the 27 high multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) burden countries in the world. Currently, the Global Fund is one of the main donors providing significant support to the Ministry of Health, including essential life saving treatment services. Malaria is nearly eradicated in Tajikistan, with no new reported cases in the first half of 2014 and only 14 cases (of which three were local infections) registered in 2013. This is down from a high of more than 30,000 reported cases in 1997.
Objectives of the Consultancy
Ensure the overall guidance and assistance to the Program Implementation Unit to implement the approved Project Annual Work Plans for the period of 2015. Specifically the following key responsibilities are expected from the Consultancy:
§ Coordination to follow identified strategic direction of UNDP/GF HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Control programme activities;
§ Assistance to management of both programmatic and financial aspects of the projects implemented by UNDP Tajikistan in the field of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and funded by GF and UNDP;
§ Provision of technical leadership to the implementation of the grants, in coordination with Government, UN agencies, donors and other partners;
§ Ensure that the implemented projects contribute to the broader national strategy and aligned with the national priorities of the Government of Tajikistan.
Scope of the work
The scope of the consultancy work is expected to include the following key multi layered areas of responsibilities and management of grant closure process in line with the Global Fund rules and regulations:
§ Programme planning, management, monitoring and oversight: a) optimizing the organizational capacity to deliver efficiently UNDP HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria control programme in Tajikistan in compliance with GF/UNDP policy, rules and regulations; b) implementing internal programme oversight, quality control and transfer the capacity through daily work between UNDP project team and SR corresponding team; c) conducting in-depth programmatic and performance analysis, identifying risks including initiating actions and finally d) corresponding grant negotiation with the Global Fund for HIV NFM grant, preparing grant closure plans for TB and Malaria grants, follow up on audit and investigation management actions.
§ Policy advice and strategic technical guidance and leadership: a) providing technical assistance to manage the overall strategic direction including the setting of programme direction and identification of strategic priorities in line with the Country Programme Action Plan; b) contributing to harmonization and integration of the HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria control programme into the national strategic documents on AIDS, TB and Malaria; and c) mainstreaming gender, good governance, human rights, capacity building, development planning into implementation of health-related projects;
§ Building strategic partnership and alliances: a) enhancing partnerships with National Committee on AIDS, TB and Malaria, Ministry of Health, UN agencies and other implementing partners as well as with the international and local stakeholders; b) keeping on the transparent and efficient implementation of the programme, and mobilizing appropriate acceleration and scale-up efforts of the programme; c) collaborating with clients, partners and stakeholders to link and harmonize approaches and to promote common interests and achievement of results; and d) reporting and accounting practices of IPs including programme results, budgeting and financial key performance indicators.
Key Expected Products
§ Reports of regular monitoring of grant implementation and timely response to any arising issues
§ Weekly guidance to the PIU team to submit quality PU/DRs for HIV, TB and Malaria
§ Updates on implementation of action plans to address audit recommendations
§ Timely responses and implementation of GF management actions
§ Grant closure plans for TB and malaria grants prepared and approved by the GF
§ Annual reports by ensuring implementation of AWPs and Capacity Development Plan
§ TRP and GF requested documents on NFM HIV grant during grant making process
§ Reports on Grant making process for the HIV NFM grant completed and grant signed
Skills and Qualifications
Education: Master Degree preferably in Public Health, Social Sciences or other relevant field
Experience: At least 7 years experience in Public Health or international development, including:
§ Minimum 4 years in the field of HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis.
§ At least 4 years of management responsibilities of large health programmes in complex setting
§ Knowledge of UNDP or the GF programme design and/or implementation
Language requirements:
Excellent written and spoken skill of the UN working language (English) of the duty station;
Knowledge of Russian or Farsi is an asset.
DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.
Interested international consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their Qualifications:
§ Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work
§ Financial proposal (standard template attached – to be filled in and signed)
§ Personal CV including past experience in similar projects.
FINANCIAL PROPOSAL
Monthly payment contract will be issued for the consultant based on the provided deliverables. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount with the breakdown of:
1) Monthly consultancy fee which should include living allowances in Tajikistan
2) travel* (air tickets/visa fees)[2]
TRAVEL
Within Tajikistan all travel arrangements will be managed by UNDP Country Office in line with the rules and procedures for the field visits of staff and consultants. In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.
In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses shall be agreed upon, between UNDP Tajikistan and the contracted Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.
Other travel/transportation costs related to implementation of the afore-mentioned assignment in Tajikistan and outside will be covered by the project upon prior agreement between UNDP and contracted Individual Consultant.
EVALUATION
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis methodology. The award of the Contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated as responsive/compliant/acceptable and having received the highest score out of the below set weighted technical and financial criteria:
* Evaluation of Technical Proposal: Criteria weight – 70%;
* Evaluation of Financial Proposal: Criteria weight – 30%
Technical Proposal Evaluation / Points (weights)1 / Masters degree in public health, social sciences, or medicine/public health or other relevant areas / Max 15
2 / At least7 years of working experience in management of international development programmes, of which 4 years international experience in Central Asia and preferably large health programmes. / Max 15
3 / Proven skills in on health care and public health system, social protection and other relevant spheres including excellent knowledge in national policy and strategy development; / Max 15
4 / An experience in Grant negotiation, proposal writing and grant closure experience / Max 15
5 / Experience with programme management in UNDP (or other UN agencies) and/or GF supported programmes / Max 10
Technical evaluations / Max 70 points
Min 50 points
Total Technical Proposal weight / 70%
Total Financial Proposal weight / 30%
ANNEXES 1 -TERMS OF REFERENCES (TOR)
ANNEX 2 – FINANCIAL PROPOSAL FORM (Professional fee should be inclusive living allowance as indicated on page 4 of IC procurement notice)
ANNEX 3 – INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
ANNEX 1
TERMS OF REFERENCE
International Consultant
HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria and Capacity Development Projects
Background information:
UNDP is a key partner to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and is the UN agency assuming the role of Principal Recipient of HIV, TB and Malaria GF grants in Tajikistan from 2003 to date. In its role as Principal Recipient (PR), UNDP is responsible for the financial and programmatic management of the Global Fund grant as well as for the procurement of pharmaceuticals, health and non-health products. The projects under the GF grant provide support to implementation of the National Programmes on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in the Republic of Tajikistan. The overall goal of the projects is to build the capacity of the national institutes, to reduce the burden of HIV and Tuberculosis, to interrupt transmission of malaria, to reduce morbidity, and to contain and prevent malaria outbreaksUnder the overall guidance of the Country Director and coordination with Programme Unit, the International Consultant acts as a supporter for management of UNDP/GF HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Control Programme and advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of the programme. Apart from the assistance to the grants management, the incumbent identifies new programme areas while ensuring consistency with UNDAF/CPD/CPAP priorities and creative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities. International Consultant supervises HIV, TB and Malaria projects’ team and works in close collaboration with the Programme and Operations team in the Country Office, Programme staff in other UN Agencies, UNDP HQs staff and Government officials, technical advisors and experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and civil society to successfully implement the UNDP/GF HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Control programme.
Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Country Director and coordination with the Programme Unit, the International Consultant is responsible for the strategic direction of UNDP/GF HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria Control programme activities from programme design through implementation. S/he will be responsible for the overall coordination and assistance to management of both programmatic and financial aspects of the projects implemented by UNDP Tajikistan in the field of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and funded by UNDP, Global Fund and other donors. S/he will provide technical leadership to the implementation of the grants, in coordination with Government, UN agencies, donors and other partners, to ensure that the implemented projects contribute to the broader national strategy.
Scope of Work for the Consultancy
1. Programme planning, management, monitoring and oversight
§ Through sound assistance to management, optimize the organizational capacity to deliver efficiently UNDP HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria control programme in Tajikistan in compliance with UNDP policy, rules and regulations.