International Consultant on conducting assessment of the National Strategic Programme on HIV response 2007-2011

On February 1, 2007 at a meeting of the Special Anti-epidemic Sub commission for Coordination of strategic programs to respond to HIV / AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis of the Republic of Uzbekistan the National Strategic Programme for HIV responce for 2007-2011 (NSP) was reviewed and approved. Given the lessons learned from the previous Strategic Programme 2003-2006, this programme has incorporated a wide range of issues that will improve the accountability of implementers. This program has become the quintessence of one of the three fundamental principles of effective responding to HIV infection, adopted by the UN General Assembly, i.e. the commonly agreed action framework. However, the experience of the previous years drew attention to the need to strengthen monitoring and evaluation system that will determine the performance of response activities, which are reflected in the Strategic Programme 2007-2011. During the past period the Government, donors, international and nongovernmental organizations have made tremendous efforts in combating HIV in Uzbekistan. Positive and sustainable results exist in a number of strategic directions; however, realization of some components of the Programme was not carried out on the due level. Within the period of Programme implementation some changes also occurred in the epidemiological terms, including increased number of HIV-infected children and labour migrants, leading to greater focus on conducting HIV response actions. In this context, the assessment will determine the achievements and shortcomings in the directions, peculiarities of epidemiological dynamics and quality of the activities. Presence of the report on programme implementation will enable determining the next steps for the country in addressing the epidemic of HIV infection. The objective of this mission is to assess implementation of the National Strategic Programme of the Republic of Uzbekistan on responding to HIV/AIDS 2007-2011 and develop relevant recommendations based on the received results for further inclusion in the new National Strategic Programme.

Duties and Responsibilities

Lead NSP assessment process Develop and coordinate with the stakeholders methods (design and instruments) for conducting NSP implementation assessment process. Define regions for research together with the stakeholders in the country Training them on the methods of assessing NSP implementation. Define effective strategies of introducing directions of the programme by the analyzing the areas of upgrading the state of policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan on HIV response, the area of prophylactics, HIV treatment, care, and support for people living with HIV. Assess the impact of NSP implementation on HIV incidence. Assess results achieved by the Programme in 2007-2011, including analysis of funds used. Prepare preliminary report, taking into account data, lesons learned and outputs, including in the report recommendations on the main directions of next NSP. Facilitate discussion of the preliminary report on conducting assessment of the State programme at a round table with national and international partners aimed at receiving comments. Present final report with relevant recommendations to the department of the Republican AIDS Center. Key outputs: Assessment technique, agreed with the stakeholders; A group of national stakeholders is trained on NSP assessment methods. Pre-final draft report, based on assessment outcomes presented at a round table with national and international partners. Final Report with recommendations on strengthening national HIV response in accordance with the National Strategic Programme on HIV. The following deliverables and indicative schedule are expected from the consultancy contract. Exact dates of beginning and completion stages as well as scope of works for each phase can be corrected by Project Manager based on reasonable justification by the consultant. The project reserves the right, if necessary, to amend the terms of reference of a consultant on a written agreement. The final schedule will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy assignment. All deliverables should be submitted to the project by the Consultant in Russian. Deliverables/Timeframe/Payment 1.Assessment technique agreed with stakeholders and submitted to the Project Manager UNDP/GF project. 30 September, 2011 2.Final report package submitted to the Project Manager with recommendations on strengthening national HIV response.30 October, 2011. This is a lump sum contract that should include costs of consultancy and other related costs, if any, required to produce the above deliverables. Payment will be released in one installment upon timely submission of respective deliverables and their acceptance by the Project Manager and UNDP CO.

Competencies

Strong analytical skills Timely delivery of good-quality products; Excellent communication skills, result oriented; Ability to perform under pressure, meet tight deadlines and timely task performance, Ethics and honesty.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Post graduate degree in medicine, public health, sociology or any social science Experience: At least 5 years experience in conducting health care system experience, including that in the area of HIV/AIDS; Experience of working on HIV/AIDS in Central Asia, preferably Uzbekistan; Experience in teamwork; Experience in preparing analytical reports; Experience of working with international organizations and projects. Language Requirements: Knowledge of Russian is a must. English is an asset. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: 1. Proposal: Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work 2. P-11 form Applicants are required to fill and sign a P11 Form and submit it on the online application. The P11 Form can be obtained at http://www.undp.uz/en/download/index.php?type=file&parent=3209&doc=100739 Application process: To submit your application online, please follow the steps below: Download and complete the UN Personal History Form (P11). Merge your P11 and Proposal into a single file. Click on the Job Title. Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and click “Submit Application”. Upload your P11 form instead of CV. You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system. Only shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide a financial proposal FINANCIAL PROPOSAL This is a lump sum contract. The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days). The payment will be made in one installment to be issued upon completion and submission of certification of payment for each installment as well as the Performance Evaluation Form (PEF) on the works performed as indicated in the terms of reference for the final payment. Travel: All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP does 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 should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. EVALUATION The individual consultants will be evaluated based on the Cumulative analysis methodology. The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable b) Having received the highest score out of the set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. * Technical Criteria weight – 70%: education 30%; Years of relevant experience 30%; Language skills 10% * Financial Criteria weight – 30% Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points for the Technical Criteria will be considered for the Financial Evaluation

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

International Consultant on conducting assessment of the National Strategic Programme on HIV response 2007-2011