International consultant to assess effectiveness of supportive supervision approach in Tajikistan, 22 w/ds, Dushanbe, Tajikistan

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential. 

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone. 

And we never give up. 

For every child, hope

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy, and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfil their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. Therefore, the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Maternal and Child Health (MCH) remains a priority in Tajikistan’s National Development and Health Sector policies and strategies* including Tajikistan’s commitment to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Poor quality of care is a major concern of the Ministry of Health for several reasons: insufficient training of health workers, lack of evidence-based clinical guidelines, underuse of generic drugs, poor infrastructure, limited budget and lack of essential equipment at primary and secondary levels of health care (Health System Review, 2016)**. MoHSP has recognized the challenges of improving quality of care and made efforts in addressing them through revision and development of protocols and the introduction of accreditation system. However, with the introduction of an accreditation system and review of maternal death and near-miss cases, there was no emphasis on continuous quality improvement at all levels of care.
Since 2020 UNICEF has provided technical support to the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSPP) for the implementation of outputs 1 and 3 of the “Maternal and Child Health Integrated Care (MCHIC)” Project funded by Asian Development Bank. The project aims at improving the health status and well-being of mothers and children in 3 districts (Shamsuddin Shohin, Rasht, and Fayzobod) focusing on the integrated MCH care delivery at both primary and secondary healthcare levels. The MCHIC project targets the following three outputs:

(i) Integrated quality MCH services delivery improved in project districts;

(ii) MCH services rationalized, upgraded, equipped and case-based payment system piloted in project targeted districts; and

(iii) Knowledge on maternal and child health and health-seeking behaviour improved through various communication activities implemented.

UNICEF has supported the establishment of a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) mechanism for healthcare services in PHC and hospital level: designed a continuous quality and supportive supervision approach following an initial ev, developed relevant technical guides, organized the training of specialists at the national and district level as well as PHC providers in the use of the quality-of-care tools. Since 2022 the supportive supervision approach for the first time is being piloted in Rasht, Faizobod and Shohin targeted districts in Tajikistan through engagement of the medical education centres and institutes assigned by MoHSP. To improve and rollout this model of supportive supervision as best practice at the national level UNICEF is planning to assess effectiveness of supportive supervision in Rasht, Faizobod and Shohin districts

Within this context, UNICEF Tajikistan Country Office is seeking an individual international consultant to provide technical assistance in developing assessment methodology, tools, and analysis of the effectiveness of the supportive supervision approach in three piloted districts in Tajikistan.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the supervision of the Health Officer, the consultant is expected to work closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of RT. The main objective of the international consultant is to support the Ministry in assessing the effectiveness of supportive supervision in Rasht, Faizobod and Sh. Shohin districts.

The required technical support will include a review of the reports on supportive supervision, development of methodology, designing of tools for assessment and training of the teams at the districts and national level to conduct assessment. Due to the first piloted experience of a supportive supervision approach in the country, a specialist with knowledge and experience on the assessment of the effectiveness of supportive supervision is not available.
The international consultant is expected to analyze assessment results with a demonstration of gaps and effectiveness of supportive supervision and provide a comprehensive report with recommendations for further improvement of the supportive supervision approach

Under the supervision of the Health Officer, the consultant is expected to perform and accomplish the following tasks:
▪ Development of methodology and design of specific tools for assessment of effectiveness of supportive supervision approach.
▪ Training for the assessment team selected by the MoHSP in regional and district levels. The training will include an orientation of the assessment team on the methodology and assessment tool, and testing tools in Rasht, Shohin and Faizobod districts.
▪ Facilitation of the initial discussions of the assessment results with the supportive supervision teams (the Republican clinical center for Family Medicine, the Republican Scientific and Clinical Centre of Paediatrics, the Republican Reproductive Health Centre, the Institute of Postgraduate Education for Health Workers) to develop recommendations and agree on the further steps for system’s improvement.

▪ Development of assessment report, elaborating assessment findings, the recommendations, and a road map for further improvement of supportive supervision system.
▪ Presentation of the results of the assessment and recommendations to MoHSP, the medical education centers, institutes that are engaged in supportive supervision systems, district health managers, and other relevant stakeholders.
▪ Final report summarizing the process and outcomes of the assignment as well as a set of recommendations and follow-up actions.

Work Assignment/Tasks/Milestone/Deliverables/Outputs/Anticipated Timeline

1. Develop methodology and design specific tools for assessment of effectiveness of supportive supervision approach
Inception report, methodology and assessment tools, 8 w/s, April 2024

2. Train the assessment teams selected by the MoHSP in regional and district levels. The training will include an orientation of the assessment team on the methodology and assessment tools/The assigned assessment team trained on methodology and assessment tools, 2 w/ds, April 2024

3. Facilitate initial discussions of the assessment findings with the supportive supervision teams/ The assessment findings are to be discussed with the supportive supervision teams; 1 w/ds, May 2024

4. Develop an assessment analytical report, elaborating assessment findings, the recommendations and a road map for further improvement of supportive supervision system/The analytical report with recommendations, and road map for improvement of supportive supervision system; 10 w/ds, May–June 24, 50% (1st installment)

5. Present the results of the assessment of the effectiveness of supportive supervision, recommendations to MoHSP, the medical education centers, institutes engaged in the supportive supervision system, district health managers, and other relevant stakeholders.
Assessment results and set of recommendations presented to MoHSP and other relevant stakeholders, 1 w/ds, June 24

6. Produce a final report summarizing the outcomes of the assignment as well as a set of recommendations and follow-up actions.
Final report summarizing the outcomes of the assignment as well as a set of recommendations and follow-up actions; June 24,50% (last installment)

Consultancy days: 22 w/ds, during Apr-June 2024

Travel expected: 1 week trip to Dushanbe, Tajikistan 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

*Republic of Tajikistan. 2017. National Development Strategy 2030. Dushanbe.
**Khodjamurodov G, Sodiqova D, Akkazieva B., & B. Rechel, (2016) Tajikistan: Heath system review. Health Systems in Transition, 18 (1) pp.1-114

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

• Education: Advanced University degree in the fields of Public Health and Epidemiology or any related fields. Clinical background specializing in maternal, neonatal and child health care be an advantage.

• Work Experience: Minimum 8-10 years of practical experience in the field of maternal, neonatal and child health services; Proven experience of adapting global standards and guidelines to developing countries context. Proven experience in developing methodology. Evaluation/assessment tools and conducting competency-based training.
• Expertise and consultancy experiences with international/UN organization in the field of maternal, neonatal and child health services, continuous quality improvement and supportive supervision system, and health system strengthening. Experience in CEE/CIS countries is an asset.
• Competencies: Strong analytical and conceptual thinking. Excellent writing skills. Excellent communication and presentation skills with stakeholders and the ability to work under pressure and commitment to work to a tight timeframe.
• Language: Fluency in English (written and spoken), knowledge of Russian and/or Tajik is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 To view our competency framework, please visit  here. 

 UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.