UNICEF UKRAINE
TERMS OF REFERENCE
National consultant on scientific issues for the project on piloting of the innovative
Dry Blood Spot (DBS) technology for Early Child Diagnostics of HIV among
newborns in four selected oblasts of Ukraine
Duration: January 2016 – December 2016, 11 months.
1. Purpose of Contract:
To provide scientific research and management within the piloting of the project on
introduction of Dry Blood Spot (DBS) technology for Early Child Diagnostics of HIV among
newborns in four oblast of Ukraine.
Background
Despite a good progress in the coverage of services on prevention of mother-to-child
transmission (PMTCT) and pediatric AIDS in Ukraine, there are serious issues and challenges
that remain not addressed. Among them is the issue of early infant diagnostics (EID) of HIV.
With the introduction of early DNA PCR diagnostics, which is one of the most accurate
diagnostic tools used to detect the presence of the human immunodeficiency virus in the blood,
the coverage of early testing of newborns born to HIV-positive mothers is still inadequate for
timely diagnostics of HIV and appropriate follow-up with standard antiretroviral treatment
(ART).
An introduction of a new technology for early detection of HIV infection among newborns
within the country, should enable health providers to initiate early antiretroviral treatment for
HIV- infected infants in timely manner and. WHO recommends using DBS as the method that
saves costs on both HIV diagnosis and care for HIV-exposed infants. This will consequently
contribute in a long-term to an improvement of the health outcomes for infants and children,
first reduction of the morbidity and mortality. All these, will also result in major improvements
in service provision, including social care and support for families. Given its low cost and
simplicity, the DBS technology also allows its integration into primary maternal and child
health care system.
The analysis of situation with EID in the country, and official MoH data confirm that despite
the introduction of early DNA PCR diagnostics in 2006, the 85 per cent coverage of early
testing is still inadequate for timely diagnosis of HIV and appropriate follow-up with standard
ART for children. Due to UNICEF advocacy, a DBS method was included in 2013 into a new
National AIDS Programme 2014 – 2018, as a technology for a routine laboratory practice for
diagnostic of HIV among newborns at national level. DBS method also is included into
updated regulation, namely Clinical Protocol of ART for children and PMTCT Clinical
Protocol.
UNICEF provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health in the area of Early Infant
Diagnostics of HIV, as a part of the complex measures within the PMTCT programme.
Ukrainian Centre for Disease Control (UCDC) is a leading institution in HIV response in the
country. The official request of UNICEF assistance among others has a request to support the
piloting of the DBS in four selected sites of Ukraine (Kiev City, Mykolaiv, Odessa and
Dnipropetrovsk oblasts).
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UNICEF started support of the one-year pilot project of introduction of a new DBS method
for EID among children born to HIV-positive mothers in four mentioned above selected sites
in November 2015. It is expected that results obtained during and after introduction of DBS
in four oblasts will be used for a Ministry of Health decision regarding the future scale up
the method at national level and funding needs from the state budget for national introduction
of a new DBS method.
This requires a provision of a gap analysis of the EID of HIV infrastructure, needs assessment
and analysis of effectiveness of the method supported by scientific data. There is a need in
a national expert, qualified in the area of epidemiology of PMTCT, including Early Infant
Diagnostics of HIV, who can collect and analyse all data related to the pilot project, providing
comparative scientific analysis of the routine laboratory methods and, introduced within the
pilot, DBS method and provide technical expertise.
2. Objectives of the Contract with expected results / outcome / products /sub
products/outputs:
The objectives are:
To provide scientific expertise of the pilot project of introduction of the Dry Blood Spot
(DBS) technology for Early Child Diagnostics of HIV among newborns in four selected sites
and prepare justification of the needs for future scale up the method at national level and
funding needs from the state budget for national introduction of a new DBS method.
Results expected:
i) The results obtained within the piloting of a new method are documented;
ii) Operational study of comparative advantages of a new DBS method versus routine
laboratory methods of EID of HIV is conducted and serves as justification and advocacy
tool for a Ministry of Health for decision taking;
iii) Scientific justification is included into a Plan of further scale up of the DBS method
developed and submitted to the Ministry of Health for approval.
Outputs:
1. Coordination and facilitation of the pilot project related activities with local partner
organisations and national health institutions and authorities;
2. Review of available statistical, scientific and/or other project related data sources;
3. Provision of scientific expertise related to the DBS method introduction;
4. Support in organisation and participation in the round tables and other project-related
meetings and training within the project with and for national and local counterparts;
5. Assistance in developing a regulation (methodological guidelines, information letters,
instructions etc.) in the respective area of EID of HIV;
6. Documentation of project implementation, analysis of the obtained results;
7. Presentation of the results at stakeholders meeting.
1.
2.
3.
4.
3. Delivery dates based on the work plan (to be approved by UNICEF HIV/AIDS
Officer):
Monthly reports (by the 5th day of the following month);
Report of a gap analysis and needs assessment required for national scale up of the DBS
method – March 2016;
Reports on monitoring visits to the selected sites with findings, problems analysis and
recommendations – April and October 2016;
Draft methodological recommendation on usage of DBS method as a tool for EID of HIV
among children born to HIV-positive mothers – June 2016;
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5. Draft of Operational study on comparative advantages of a new DBS method versus
routine laboratory methods of EID of HIV – October 2016;
6. Comparative scientific analysis of the routine laboratory methods and, introduced within
the pilot, DBS method – November 2016;
7. PP presentation on a DBS method at the training for laboratory assistants and
paediatricians from selected pilot sites –April and October 2016;
8. PP presentation on the results of DBS introduction at the round table for implementing
partners and national health authorities (UCDC, the MoH) – November 2016;
9. Plan of scale up the DBS at national level – December 2016;
10. Final report with the project results on the project’s implementation - by 20 December
2016.
4. Details of how the work should be delivered:
The consultant has to develop and submit to UNICEF monthly reports on daily activities.
5. Performance indicators for evaluation of results:
The evaluation of results will be based on the following indicators:
 Technical and professional competence (will be measured by the quality of product
provided to UNICEF and feedback from UNICEF and the Ministry of Health and UCDC)
 Quality of work (timely submission of the final product to UNICEF)
 Quantity of work (completing the assignments indicated in parts 2, 3, and 4 above)
 In addition, such indicators as work relations, responsibility and communication will be
taken into account during the evaluation of the consultant’s work.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
6. Qualifications/specialized knowledge/experience required to complete the task:
An advanced university degree in Medicine/Biology; and academic degree in medical
science;
At least eight years’ scientific experience of work in the area of HIV and PMTCT and
knowledge of the strategy diagnostic of HIV, including EID of HIV and specific technical
knowledge in the area of new laboratory methods, including DBS;
Experience in the project related scientific data analysis;
Strong organisational and managerial skills;
Experience of work with the partners (regional health care institutions, local AIDS Centres
and UCDC);
Knowledge and understanding of the national HIV programme goals and implementation
mechanisms;
Experience in the development of analytical materials and regulation is an added
advantage;
Experience in writing analytical reports.
Good organisational, communication and managerial skills.
7. Definition of supervision arrangements:
Consultant will be supervised by the HIV/AIDS Officer, UNICEF Ukraine.
8. Description of official travel involved:
Travels are planned to the project sites within the country (Mykolaiv, Odessa and
Dnipropetrovsk oblasts). Whenever the consultant is required to travel, no Travel
Authorization will be issued. Travel costs shall be estimated and submitted within the
application package, together with the fee quotation. The travel can commence upon the
consultant’s provision of certificate of completion of UN Basic (II) and Advance Security in
the Field Course as well as Mine and Explosive Remnants of War Awareness if travelling to
Eastern Ukraine according to the UNDSS recommendations. ATO zone. The consultant is
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to be responsible for insurance costs on his or her own, except MAIP insurance, which is
added into the contract.
9. UNICEF recourse in the case of unsatisfactory performance:
In the event of unsatisfactory performance, UNICEF reserves the right to terminate the
Agreement. In case of partially satisfactory performance, such as serious delays causing the
negative impact on meeting the programme objectives, low quality or insufficient depth
and/or scope of the assessment completion, UNICEF is entitled to decrease the payment by
the range from 30 to 50%.
10. Support provided by UNICEF:
Technical assistance, consultations, funding.
The deadline for submission of applications is 18 January 2016
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Applicants who fulfil the above requirements are requested to complete
a United Nations Personal History Form (P. 11) which is available at a
web-site http://www.unicef.org/ukraine/overview_10566.html and
submit it together with a CV and a cover letter describing your
professional interest in working for UNICEF.
Please indicate
National consultant on scientific issues for the project on piloting of
the innovative Dry Blood Spot (DBS) technology for Early Child Diagnostics of HIV
among newborns in four selected oblasts of Ukraine
in the subject line.
E-mail: recruitment_kiev@unicef.org
ttarasova@unicef.org
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and
encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious
and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to
become a part of our organisation
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