Local Coordinator for screening part, Consultant, Tashkent, Uzbekistan

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Hiring Office:

UNFPA CO in Uzbekistan

Purpose of consultancy:

After successful completion of the 4-years piloting of HPV DNA cervical cancer screening project in the Republic of Karakalpakstan and Chirchik city, UNFPA supported the Ministry of Health by sharing the results and recommendations for development of the National Strategy on elimination of the cervical cancer screening. The document served as a platform for fruitful collaboration and issuance of the President decree at the end of 2024. 

In 2025 UNFPA continues supporting the Ministry of Health in implementing the roadmap followed the President decree to ensure national cervical cancer screening is accessible and efficient. The first step is to organize the coordination centers at the national and regional levels based in Republican Scientific and Practical Medical Center of Mother and Child Health and regional branches of the center (hereinafter, Centers), align capacity of the staff with roadmap requirements, organize overall coordination of the nationwide screening process. 

The purpose of the national coordinators is to deploy the roadmap through overall planning, coordination, and monitoring of the screening process at all levels.

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

Coordinator for screening part:

• To get acquainted with the roadmap, results of the previous projects, and overall situation in the country in terms of cervical cancer prevention
• To assess the capacity of the national, regional and PHC facilities to conduct CC&BC screening
• To contribute to development of the requirements for staffing and functional responsibilities for personnel involved in CC&BC screening at all levels
• To identify knowledge gaps and prepare a list of the learning resources required for effective screening
• To monitor implementation of screening and coordinate treatment of patients at PHC level
• To coordinate information exchange between different levels and ensure timely support if needed
• To monitor the functioning of the referral system during the screening process to ensure necessary treatment for HPV positive women with cervical lesions 
• To coordinate data collection from testing facilities, laboratories, and oncology centers to ensure all diagnoses and treatment prescribed/performed are correct
• To contribute to the updates and reports and participate in the meetings when necessary
• To keep effective communication with the national and international experts to ensure alignment of the screening with the international and evidence-based screening methods
• To coordinate work with population on promoting CC&BC screening and ensure voluntary attendance for screening

Duration and working schedule:

The work is expected to start on January and end on July 2025. 

The coordinators are expected to work 10 days per month each to deliver results as per the list of responsibilities above

Place where services are to be delivered:

Coordinators are expected to work in Tashkent city, online and offline. UNFPA will not cover expenses related to the local and international travel if such needs arise 

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

Deliverables for the Coordinator for screening part:

1. Capacity of staff is sufficient to perform high-quality CC&BC screening
2. Learning resources are mobilized to improve knowledge and skills of the staff involved in CC&BC screening
3. Paths for tests and testing results and referral system for patients are fully functional
4. Screening programme executed at all levels as planned in the roadmap
5. Communication campaign for population is launched
6. Monthly updates on screening process are submitted to the Ministry of Health and UNFPA
7. Monthly reports are submitted to the Ministry of Health and UNFPA

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

• Monitoring of the process will be done by the responsible focal point from the Ministry of Health and UNFPA NPO on SRH on a regular basis
• Electronic version of the report should be submitted not later than 3 days after completion of work
• Language of the Report and presentations:  Russian

Supervisory arrangements: 

• The coordinators will work under the direct supervision of and report to the responsible focal point from the Ministry of Health and UNFPA NPO on SRH
•  

Expected travel:

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

The expertise/qualifications of the national coordinators:

• Master degree in OB&GYN, oncology, medicine and/or public health;
• Professional knowledge and experience of Cervical cancer prevention
• Knowledge of national system of service provision including oncology
• Strong knowledge of the health systems; knowledge of SRH is an asset; 
• Project management knowledge and skills
• Strong knowledge of national and international stakeholders;
• Strong communication and reporting skills 

Inputs/services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

UNFPA will provide necessary support in providing translation during meetings with international stakeholders when needed.

Payment will be done on monthly basis upon submission of monthly report by each coordinator.