TERMS OF
REFERENCE
United Nations Children ’s Fund
Uzbekistan Country Office
16, Sharaf Rashidov street
10029, Tashkent,
Republic of Uzbekistan
Telephone: (99871) 2339512
Fax :(99871) 140 65 08
Web-site: www.unicef.org
For the international expert on finalization of the normative document outlining effective
referral service for maternal and newborn healthcare.
Background:
In Uzbekistan, steady progress has been made on improving the health, nutrition and wellbeing of
mothers and children since gaining the Independence in 1991. In 2003, the Government of
Uzbekistan initiated a sector reform programme to improve maternal and child health services.
The Programme, supported by UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA, World Bank, ADB, and others, addressed the
gaps in supply and capacity development.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is leading the collaborative efforts of several partners to implement,
disseminate and document the comprehensive strategic approach to improve maternal and
perinatal health, supported by UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO technical expertise.
Despite support provided by international development agencies, the critical shortages and
shortcomings in health workforces and health infrastructures still exist in Uzbekistan. Many
maternal deaths occur due to inappropriate care infrastructure, ineffective provision of health
care and poor referral system. In this context and based on the request from MoH, three UN
agencies - UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO – collaborated to identify and provide international expertise
for development of MOH normative document for perinatal referral system. In 2012, two
consultants were contracted (OB specialist and neonatologist) to support the MoH in development
of normative base for effective referral system by identification of constraints and gaps in the
introduction and implementation of effective referral system in Uzbekistan. In addition, the
identification of key areas regarding the establishment of a referral system (regionalization),
including areas such as: criteria for referral, level of care, organization’s mechanisms, legislation,
financing, and others was performed.
UNICEF and MOH with support of European Union (EU) are currently implementing a Project on
“Improvement of Mother and Child Health Services in Uzbekistan” phase II. The project foresees
revision of series of protocols, standards and normative documents related to quality of MCH, as
well as capacity development of health professionals to implement Newborn and Child Survival
Packages. The establishment of a functioning perinatal referral system is one of the ways for
improvement the quality of both maternal and neonatal services as well as their survival. In this
context finalization and implementation of regionalization of perinatal care services is crucial for
the improvement of quality of MCH services.
Based on last year support of the international expert on regionalization of perinatal care Ministry
of Health of Uzbekistan started the development of regionalization normative base. Currently
draft version of prikaz is prepared by the MoH technical group, and there is a need for expert
review and finalization by International expert.
Purpose:
The overall purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical support to MoH to finalize
normative documents (order) for effective perinatal referral system.
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TERMS OF
REFERENCE
United Nations Children ’s Fund
Uzbekistan Country Office
16, Sharaf Rashidov street
10029, Tashkent,
Republic of Uzbekistan
Telephone: (99871) 2339512
Fax :(99871) 140 65 08
Web-site: www.unicef.org
Tasks and duties

The desk review of MOH updated order on referral system in Uzbekistan prepared by the
local working group;

Working with group of national experts responsible for the order preparation;

Conduct de-briefings with UNICEF, MoH staff and the Management of the Republican
Perinatal Centre

Review of the final document, provide recommendation for finalization and present the
final version to relevant stakeholders
The timeline for contract
 6 working days – one out of the country and 5 in the country (1 days for initial desk review
days for facilitation of MoH working group and2 days for finalization of document and
presentation to the relevant stakeholders)
 The contract is envisage starting in June 2013.
Duty station and official travels
Official travels will be to Tashkent Uzbekistan and will be paid as per UNICEF’s financial
regulations.
Qualifications/or specialized knowledge/experience required:
 Advanced degree from Medical University on Pediatrics or Neonatology;
 Familiarity and practical experience in the implementation of WHO recommended
strategies “Making Pregnancy Safer”, “Effective Perinatal Care”,
 Proven track record of similar type of expertise;
 At least 10 years of professional experience in maternal and child health related program
implementation;
 Solid knowledge of perinatal care system in Uzbekistan;
 Experience of working in countries in transition on collecting, analyzing, and preparing
recommendations to child and maternal health, health policy formulation;
 Good analytical, communication, networking and facilitation skills;
 Knowledge of English and Russian languages is a must.
Supervisor
The specialist will work directly with the IMCH project staff in collaboration with the Team Leader
and UNICEF Health Officer and under the supervision of Chef of Health section.
Medical clearance
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TERMS OF
REFERENCE
United Nations Children ’s Fund
Uzbekistan Country Office
16, Sharaf Rashidov street
10029, Tashkent,
Republic of Uzbekistan
Telephone: (99871) 2339512
Fax :(99871) 140 65 08
Web-site: www.unicef.org
Consultants expected to work in any office of the Organization shall be required to submit a
statement of good health prior to commencement of work and to take full responsibility for the
accuracy of that statement, including confirmation that they have been fully informed regarding
inoculations required for the country or countries to which travel is authorized.
Insurance
Consultants are fully responsible for arranging, at their own expense, such life, health and other
forms of insurance covering the period of their services on behalf of UNICEF as they consider
appropriate. Consultants are not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes
available to United Nations staff members.
SUBMISSIONS FROM INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS
The application should be submitted by e-mail with CV, filled Personal History (P11) and expected
fee for consultancy to the following e-mail address: tshirvanova@unicef.org
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