UNICEF UKRAINE
TERMS OF REFERENCE
National coordinator for the project on introduction of Dry Blood Spot (DBS) technology for Early Child Diagnostics of HIV among newborns at national level
Duration: 25 March – 25 December 2013
1.
Purpose of Special Service Agreement:
To coordinate activities, related to the expansion of the pilot project on introduction of Dry
Blood Spot (DBS) technology for Early Child Diagnostics of HIV among newborns at national level though establishing of liaison between local and national implementing partners.
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 and institutions in providing care in timely manner and initiating and early antiretroviral treatment for HIV- infected infants, save costs on both HIV diagnosis and care for HIV-exposed infants and will consequently contribute in a long-term to an improvement of the health outcomes for infants and children, including 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, supported by UNICEF in 2011 - 2012 within the framework of the project ‘Introduction of Dry Blood Spot (DBS) technology for Early Child Diagnostics of
HIV among newborns’, showed the advantages of DBS method for EID of HIV in Ukraine and defined the gaps and further steps in introduction the DBS technology as a routine laboratory practice. The assessment also confirmed 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.
UNICEF supported project in 2011 – 2012 resulted in the decision of the Ministry of Health to introduce a new DBS method in six pilot oblasts as the first stage of the gradual implementation nationally. 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 diagnostic of HIV among newborns at national level.
A new technology introduction requires coordination of the respective activities and establishing of liaison between local partners, including six pilots, with national partners from the Ukrainian Centre for Diseases Control (UCDC) and the Ministry of Health.

Therefore, there is a need in an expert, qualified in the area of laboratory diagnostics of
HIV, who can coordinate the activities related to expansion of the project at national level.
2.
Objectives of the Special Service Agreement with expected results / outcome / products /sub products/outputs:
The objectives of the SSA are:
To coordinate activities, related to the expansion of the pilot project on introduction of Dry
Blood Spot (DBS) technology for Early Child Diagnostics of HIV among newborns at national level though establishing of liaison between local and national implementing partners.
Results expected: i) Activities, related to the expansion of the pilot project on introduction of DBS method for EID of HIV among newborns at national level are coordinated; ii) A new DBS method is introduced in Ukraine nationwide; iii) The results obtained are documented.
Outputs:
1.
Supervision, coordination and facilitation of the project related activities with local partner organisations and national health institutions and authorities;
2.
Review of available statistical or other specific or/and other project related data sources;
3.
Support in organisation and participation in the round tables and other project-related meetings relevant national, sub-national and local counterparts;
4.
Assistance in developing a new regulatory framework in the area of EID of HIV;
5.
Documentation of project implementation, analysis of the obtained results;
6.
Presentation of the results at stakeholders meeting.
3.
Delivery dates based on the work plan (to be approved by UNICEF HIV/AIDS
Officer):
1.
Monthly reports (by the 5 th
day of the following month);
2.
Reports on monitoring visits to the sites with findings, problems analysis and recommendations – May and September 2013;
3.
Updated report on analysis of situation in early diagnostics of HIV among children born to HIV-positive mothers – by May, 2013;
4.
PP presentation on the analysis of situation in early diagnostics of HIV among children born to HIV-positive mothers at the round table for implementing partners and national health authorities, such as UCDC and State Service on HIV/AIDS and Other Socially
Dangerous Diseases – June 28, 2013;
5.
Draft methodological recommendation on usage of DBS method as a tool for EID of
HIV among children born to HIV-positive mothers – August, 2013;
6.
PP presentation on a DBS method for the training of laboratory assistants and paediatricians all oblast of Ukraine – 20 September and 10 October, 2013;
7.
Final report with the project results on the project’s implementation and introduction in
Ukraine DBS method nationwide - by 20 December, 2013.
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, UCDC and
State Service on HIV/AIDS and Other Socially Dangerous Diseases)

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.
6.
Qualifications/specialized knowledge/experience required to complete the task: a.
A university degree in Medicine; b.
At least five years of practical experience in laboratory diagnostics of HIV and specific knowledge in the area of new methods, including DBS; c.
Experience in the project related data analysis; d.
Strong organisational and managerial skills; e.
Experience of work with the partners (regional health care institutions, local AIDS
Centres, UCDC and State Service on HIV/AIDS and Other Socially Dangerous
Diseases); f.
Knowledge and understanding of the national HIV programme; g.
Experience with the execution of assessments, reviews or evaluations will be an added advantage; h.
Experience in writing analytical reports.
7.
Definition of supervision arrangements:
Consultant will be supervised by the HIV/AIDS Officer, UNICEF Ukraine.
8.
Description of official travel involved:
Travels maybe to the project sites within the country. The local travel will be paid separately. No travel shall be undertaken prior to completing the UN Basic and Advanced
Security in the Field Courses. The consultant is required to certify being covered by medical/health insurance.
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 25 March 2013.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Applicants that fulfil the above requirements are requested to complete a United Nations Personal History Form (P. 11) which is available at a web-site www.unicef.org/employ and submit it together with a resume/CV and a cover letter describing your professional interests in working for UNICEF.
Applications should be sent to:
UNICEF Office, 1, Klovskiy Uzviz, Kyiv, Ukraine
Fax No. 380-44-230-2506

E-mail: ttarasova@unicef.org
( Please indicate ‘ National coordinator for DBS technology ’ in the subject of your application)