Republic of Moldova

National consultant/s for qualitative assessment of opioid substitution treatment services in Moldova mission (UNODC)

Vacancy Number: Pr12/00203

Location:	Chisinau, Moldova
Application Deadline:	03 Oct 2012, 23:59 (GMT+2:00)
Type of Contract:	Individual Contract
Starting date:	08 Oct 2012
Reference to the project:	XCEA01 Strengthening national capacities in Eastern Europe and Central Asia to address HIV/AIDS in vulnerable populations
Expected Duration of Assignment:	8 October – 30 November 2012
Submission Instructions: Proposals should be submitted online or by email to vacancies-moldova@undp.org, no later than 3 October 2012. Any request for clarification must be sent by standard electronic communication to the following e-mail: elena.jidobin@unodc.org.UNDP/UNODC will respond by standard electronic mail and will send copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.
Supporting Documents: Terms of Reference Individual Consultant Procurement Notice Personal History Form (P11) UNDP General Conditions of Individual Contract

Background

Moldova has a significant HIV epidemic which is particularly concentrated among certain sub-populations, such as injecting drug users. HIV prevalence among the general population is currently 0.37%. As of January 1, 2012, a cumulative number of 7,125 HIV cases were registered, including 2,268 in the Transnistrian region. National policy framework guiding the HIV response in the Republic of Moldova is implemented through the National Program on Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS and STIs for 2011-2015 (NAP). Harm reduction programs are part of the NAP and are the focus of Government interventions as a response to the epidemic in the next years.

Since 2003, with support from Global Fund Round 1 and 6 and 8, there has been commendable progress in mobilization of resources and efforts for the scale-up of prevention programs for major MARPs (IDUs, SWs, MSMs), including in penitentiary system. Due to rapid scale-up of Harm Reduction Programs among MARPs, both in the civil sector (IDUs, SWs, MSM) and in penitentiaries (IDUs), the Republic of Moldova is known as an example of best practice. Currently under the Global Fund Grant Round 8 a component aims at ensuring higher rates of enrolment by identifying IDUs and referring them to OST. There is a special focus on active IDUs, who typically require more support to remain adherent to OST, with the aim to reduce high drop out rates that are currently registered. Currently HIV prevention in IDUs relies 100% on GFATM Round 6-8 funds and there are no committed funds for OST in the next NAP 2011-2015. 

Given the evidence on the effectiveness of drug-dependence treatment for HIV/AIDS  prevention among injecting drug users, it is strongly recommended that a full and comprehensive range of high-quality treatment services be established in affected communities and that as many injecting drug users as possible have access to them (WHO, UNAIDS and UNODC). Substitution treatment with methadone has been recognized as an effective tool for prevention of spread of HIV infection among IDUs and increases the adherence of IDU living with HIV to ARV therapy.

OST as part of the NAP for 2011-2015 is implemented in Moldova since 2004 in civil sector and since 2005 in prisons in three sites (National Narcological Dispensary, Department of Penitentiary Institutions and Clinical Hospital in Balti city). Even though the projects cover three country sites, the number of beneficiaries/coverage with services is very low.

Latest trends of lower number of beneficiaries of OST included into treatment program, high rate of dropout rate alert national partners and question sustainability of resources invested on behalf of the Global Fund. In Moldova, OST is fully covered by the external funds. As a consequence of these, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Centre for Health Policies and Studies (PAS Center) are ready to support the Government in identifying barriers towards improving and successfully implement OST programs in Moldova.

In this context, with the aim to improve current OST services for IDUs in Moldova, UNODC and PAS Center issues this call for proposals for a national consultant or team of consultants to support the team of international consultants to undertake qualitative assessment of opioid substitution therapy services in Moldova in 2012 (in community and prison).

Scope of work

Under the guidance of an international consultant who will lead the assessment process, the expected output for the national consultant/s’ assignment is to participate in the qualitative evaluation/assessment of OST service in the Republic of Moldova. The consultancy foresees in country travel.

To conduct a comprehensive assessment the following tasks are suggested for implementation with reference to data collection: 

• Undertake a desk review of Moldova OST: achievements and constraints as per program reports available at country level.
• Consult with the international consultant on the quantitative and qualitative assessment methodology design. Adjust to Moldova context the methodology for collecting quantitative and qualitative data and finalize research tools;
• Organize the process of data collection locally for both civil and prison sectors, coordinate with national partners the methodology and work plan

1. Conduct semi-structured interviews with key OST stakeholders, key staff of OST treatment centers and psycho-social support centers;
2. Conduct interviews and focus groups with OST patients, persons who inject drugs and do not undergo treatment, OST medical staff ;

• Prepare transcripts from focus groups into Russian or English languages and send to international consultants;
• All quantitative data collection filled in questionnaires (hard copy) should be prepared to be sent to international consultant for processing in SPSS by courier mail. National consultants will organize the distribution and collection of the TPQ forms (in Russian language) for patients at OST sites;
• Participate in a two- days training for service providers on drug dependence treatment services, and serve as resource persons for the training program. 
• National consultant/s should be available for continuous communication with international consultants in the process of the data collection and during the data processing, in case any queries about in process of collection of information arise.
• National assessment consultant/s will locate internal documents or parts of the documents, if available, at OST sites and provide translation into English or Russian under the guidance of international consultant. 
• National assessment consultant/s in cooperation with all 3 OST sites will inspect relevant medical records and basic indicators for 2012 in consultation with international consultant.
• National consultant/s shall support the international consultant organize a capacity building activity at the end of the mission, in depth training course for service providers of OST treatment. Costs for the training course shall be covered by WHO office in Moldova.
• National consultant/s shall accompany the international expert/s during his/her mission in Moldova to meetings, briefings, etc. 
• National consultant/s are expected to report on a weekly basis to UNODC, WHO and PAS about the assessment progress, plans and are responsible of monitoring the assessment timeline together with the international consultant/s.

Monitoring and reporting requirements

• The consultant/s will report directly to UNODC/PAS Center/WHO.

For detailed information, please refer to Annex 1 – Terms of Reference.

Requirements for experience

I.  Academic Qualifications:

• At least a Master’s Degree or equivalent in Public Health, Sociology, Social Work, Public Administration or related field connected with HIV/AIDS;

II. Years of experience:

• Experience in interviewing and in working with the target group of the research – people using drugs, HIV positive people;
• Experience in conducting both qualitative and quantitative research on health related subjects (e.g. focus groups).  Knowledge of the use of various research methodology and sources, including ones relevant to capacity and needs assessment;

III. Competencies:

• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to HIV prevention, including among injection drug users and in prisons, WHO/UNAIDS/UNODC guidelines provisions;
• Deep understanding and knowledge of nationally provided services on HIV and harm reduction, specifically opioid substitution therapy;
• Ability to work independently and take initiative;
• Good knowledge of English, Romanian and Russian is required.
• Computer literacy and ability to effectively use office technology equipment, IT tools

Documents to be included

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. Financial proposal;
3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references or the dully filled Personal History Form (P11).

Financial proposal

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR.  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).  

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel.  In general, UNDP should 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.

 

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