Post Title:
National individual consultancy on Technical Assistance to the
Ministry of Health in Development of Laboratory protocol on
HIV Early Infant Diagnosis (EID)
Duration of contract:
Office location:
Closing date:
June-July 2013 (30 w/d)
Dushanbe, Tajikistan
07 June 2013
TERMS OF REFERENCE
BACKGROUND
The percentage of newly registered HIV cases among women in Tajikistan increased during recent
years by three times, including the HIV cases among pregnant women. As of 31 December 2012, the
total cumulative number of pregnant women who had registered as HIV-positive was 370. And only in
2012, there were 110 new HIV cases among pregnant women. According to the national sentinel
surveillance system, HIV prevalence among pregnant women ranges from 0.5 – 1.0 per cent. Although
HIV prevalence among pregnant women does not exceed 1 per cent, it remains a challenge as the
number of pregnant women in Tajikistan who do not receive antenatal care services where HIV
counseling and testing takes place, reaches up to 40 per cent.
As of December 31, 2012, the Republican AIDS Centre reported the total number of HIV-confirmed
cases among children to be 261.?. The number of infants born from HIV-positive mothers is increasing
in Tajikistan. More than one hundred newborn infants from HIV-positive mothers are still under
epidemiologic observation awaiting final confirmation of their HIV status at the age of 18 months, as
mandated by the current national protocol.
The testing for HIV using the dry blood spot technique (DBS) is not used in Tajikistan. Infants are
tested on parents’ initiative often involving travel to the capital, which is usually the unique place
where PCR testing is available. Current practice of blood transportation system is very weak and has a
negative impact on accuracy and reliability and quality of the testing process.
However, the recent experience of countries which introduced the DBS for Early Infant Diagnosis of
HIV (EID) has a potential to improve the overall quality of PCR to the benefit of many people living
with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). It ensures that children who are born to HIV-positive mothers and suspected
of HIV would have a better access to viral load monitoring and overall improvement of clinical care.
PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY:
To provide technical support to the MoH RT in development of EID protocol and building capacity of
the national laboratory specialists to introduce the algorithm of DBS for EID.
KEY ASSIGNMENTS:
In consultation with UNICEF HIV/AIDS and YPHD Officer and the MoH national working group on
EID, the consultant will provide the following services:

To develop a laboratory clinical protocol with a national algorithm to introduce and implement
DBS for EID on national level. The protocol should address the establishment and rollout of
EID strategy that is relevant, effective, efficient, and sustainable. The protocol should have the
list of essential supply to support the DBS for EID for PCR machine functioning at the
Republican AIDS center.
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
In consultation with the specialists responsible for HIV laboratory diagnosis based at the
Republican AIDS center, to develop a national mechanism for DBS logistics management
from remote area (testing point) to the central laboratory for PCR diagnosis.

To facilitate the round table with the national working group, experts from laboratory
department of AIDS centers, interested donors, and other decision makers to discuss and
finalise the laboratory clinical protocol.

To provide training sessions for local implementing partners on how to introduce and conduct
the DBS methodology for EID.
DELIVERABLES AND TIME FRAME:
By the end of June (Deliverable 1):
 The laboratory clinical protocol with a national algorithm on EID is developed. It includes the
list of essential supply to support the DBS for EID for PCR machine functioning at the
Republican AIDS center. The national mechanism for DBS logistics management from remote
area to the central laboratory for PCR diagnosis should also be developed as a part of the
protocol.
By the end of July (Deliverables 2 and 3):

The round table with the national working group, experts from the laboratory department of
AIDS centers, interested donors and other decision makers is conducted.

Two 3-day training sessions for local AIDS centers specialists is provided and conducted in
Dushanbe and Khudjand.
QUALIFICATIONS:
•
Advanced university degree in public health, focussing on immunology, laboratory, virology
expertise and capacity related to PCR diagnosis;
•
At least eight years of professional experience in management of virology laboratory, building
capacity of the laboratory specialists in using of dry blood spots (DBS) for EID, development
laboratory protocols and algorithms in to manage the EID.
•
Adaptability and flexibility in working within a complex and dynamic environment.
•
Experience working in UNICEF/WHO or other international organizations in the similar field.
•
Very good organization, analytical , and communication skills (both written and oral);
•
Fluency in Russian and English id preferable
•
Computer literacy.
PROPOSED FEE, PERIOD AND DURATION OF CONSULTANCY:
Consultancy fee is negotiated based on the market price for the mentioned tasks.
The timing is June-July 2013, total of 30 w/d:


20 working days to prepare the draft methodology and instruction for certification and ToR for
the implementing partner.
10 working days to conduct round table and training session for AIDS laboratory and MCH
specialists.
LOCATION AND TRAVEL:
The consultant will be stationed in Dushanbe with travel to the field if it will be needed. Local travel
cost will be covered by UNICEF.
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HEALTH STATEMENT & CERTIFICATE
Before commencing work, the contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good
health and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement.
SUPERVISION AND WORK RELATIONS:
National consultant will work under supervision of the UNICEF Chief, Health & Nutrition, in close
coordination with UNICEF Young People’s Health Development & Participation (YPHD&P) Officer
and the Ministry of Health of Tajikistan.
APPLICATION PROCEDURES:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a Letter of interest, CV, UN Personal History Form (P11)
(at www.unicef.org/tajikistan/resources_6744.html) and references from previous consultancies to
recruitmentdushanbe@unicef.org by the deadline of 07 June 2013.
In their Letter of Interest, candidates should highlight previous work experience relevant to the
assignment, the attributes that make them suitable, their proposed approach to the assignment, their
anticipated fee for the consultancy work and the payment schedule. Links to any relevant publications
and any other relevant documentation can be included.
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