Tuberculosis (TB) remains a critical public health challenge that requires targeted interventions to ensure effective prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, especially among vulnerable populations like pregnant women. This initiative, embedded within the broader UNDP project framework and leveraging UNFPA's expertise, is designed to achieve significant advancements in the management of TB. By strengthening the capacity of healthcare providers in obstetric and gynecological settings to address TB, the project aims to contribute to earlier diagnosis, improved treatment adherence, and a reduction in the overall burden of TB in Turkmenistan.

 In February 2024, UNFPA initiated cooperation with UNDP to support the implementation of the gender action plan of the Global Fund's TB grant in Turkmenistan. A key aspect of this partnership is enhancing the capacity of obstetrician-gynecologists in Mother and Child Health (MCH) clinics to manage TB effectively.

  Empowering vulnerable populations, especially women affected with tuberculosis (TB), is important in safeguarding their reproductive rights. To do this, the creation and dissemination of informative brochures are essential. These brochures will serve as an educational resource, providing information about TB prevention, treatment, and its intersection with reproductive health. By clearly outlining available healthcare services, dispelling myths, and promoting open dialogue, these materials will enable women with TB to make informed decisions about their health and future, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes and the realization of their reproductive rights.

 To ensure the brochure is medically accurate, culturally relevant, and linguistically precise, local experts specialized on RH and TB will be working on its creation in both Turkmen and Russian languages. Given this, it is required involving one national consultant for reproductive health (RH), for ensuring equitable access to high-quality information and services, thereby reaching women affected by TB and leaving no one behind.

  The national specialist will work collaboratively with the National Consultant on development of TB treatment protocol, TB and Reproductive Health Brochures for national Reproductive Health specialists, UNFPA Reproductive Health National Programme Analyst and national Ministry of Health and Medical Industry (MoHMI) specialists to develop TB treatment brochures for pregnant women, including the following stages:

Assessment stage - 2 days

• Conduct a desk review of existing materials and data on pregnant women diagnosed with TB, international best practices, and WHO recommendations, with focusing on the reproductive health aspects. 

Development stage - 8 days

• Develop RH related content for A5 format 6-pager brochure for use by obstetrician-gynecologists, TB doctors and pregnant women.
• Aligning and finalizing the TB and RH brochure in collaboration with national consultant on development of TB treatment protocol, TB related content of Brochures for national Reproductive Health specialists.
• Submit the draft 6-pager brochures to the MoHMI for review and support the clearance process by addressing any comments and resubmitting a final version.

Analysis and reporting stage - 2 days

• Prepare a final consultancy report.

Deliverable 1: Assessment report by November 12th, 2025.

Deliverable 2: RH content for Brochure is developed by November 30th, 2025.

Deliverable 3: Final consultancy report by December 10th, 2025.

Two National Consultants will work collaboratively and report to the UNFPA Programme Analyst on Reproductive Health. The consultants will weekly provide an update on progress by email or ad-hoc, on challenges encountered and support needed. 

Ethical Considerations

UNFPA requires its consultants to adhere to ethical principles and standards when doing research. The selected consultant should clearly identify any potential ethical issues and approaches, as well as the processes for ethical review in the inception report.

National Ownership

The involvement of appropriate national partners will be a critical condition for the development of all the mission outcome materials in ensuring stakeholder ownership and its subsequent utilisation.

• Advanced degree in medicine, with specialization in Obstetrics and Gynecology or first level degree combined with 2 additional years of relevant experience.
• Recognised national researcher and practitioner with at least 5 years of professional experience in reproductive health, dev-t of protocols, standards, guidelines, programs and monitoring tools. 
• Advanced degree in Medicine, specialized in OB/GYN  combined with 2 additional years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in applying WHO recommendations and evidence gathered from the medical science and clinical field to development of the expected outputs under this assignment. 
• Fluency in Russian and Turkmen. Knowledge of English is an advantage; 
• Familiarity and prior experience with UNFPA or other UN agency context is an asset.

The consultancy fee will be calculated based on the NO-C level of the of the UN Salary Scale for National Officer categories effective 1 November 2020 and will be paid in a lump sum upon successful completion of deliverables.

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. Persons with disabilities, and individuals of other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity.