1. Background Information on the Project
The EECA is one of the three regions globally where the HIV epidemic is growing. Late HIV diagnosis is common in countries of the EECA region and is often related to late confirmation of HIV test results. It can often take months between the first test and confirmatory test results, and, consequently, people are often lost to follow-up, resulting in delays to treatment initiation.
For the funding allocation 2021-2024, Global Fund country grants emphasize the scale-up of differentiated testing strategies for key populations, especially increased access and uptake of community-based triage testing, self-testing and improving the linkage to care for key populations. However, very few countries have formalized new approaches in their national policies and practices and most do not include technical support for this process in their national grants. Of twelve (12) countries in the EECA region, only Moldova and Kyrgyzstan have updated their national testing strategy/guidelines, while a further four (4) - Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan - have revised their testing strategies to simplify confirmation stages but have retained the Western blot.
Aligning national policies with the latest WHO guidelines on HIV testing services requires a bolder effort towards simplification and decentralization of HIV testing services and decentralization of confirmation of test result services to district and local levels where appropriate. The countries of the EECA region have a strong, but often rigid, vertical and fragmented health system structure inherited from the Soviet system. This creates resistance at central level towards decentralization and integration of services at lower levels of service delivery. Unlike other regions, EECA countries might require a more gradual transition approach in order to consider the potential extra costs and other implications for services.
Therefore, it is critical to ensure preparatory interventions for implementation of changes that may occur through updating HIV testing strategies (including revised functional responsibilities of institutions at different levels, capacity building, etc.).
To address these needs, the Project is supporting the development of an operational guidance on decentralization and rapid initiation of HIV testing and treatment based on countries experience (Moldova and Kyrgyzstan, countries that have adopted the new HTS strategies).
The aim of operational guidance is to provide procedural information (processes, steps and timelines) and general considerations related to the decentralization and rapid initiation of HIV testing and treatment based on Kyrgyzstan experience. The guidance also will describe the lessons learned and the recommendations for other countries.
2. Scope of work
The scope of this consultancy is to develop an operational guidance on decentralization and rapid initiation of HIV testing and treatment based on Kyrgyzstan experience.
3. Objectives of the assignment
The Consultant is expected to develop an operational guidance on decentralization and rapid initiation of HIV testing and treatment based on Kyrgyzstan experience (processes, steps, timelines, needed support, lessons learned, recommendations).
4. Reporting requirements and cooperation arrangements
The consultant will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Program Coordinator of the PAS Center. The deliverables will be produced in Kyrgyzstan or English language.
5. Qualification requirements and basis for evaluation
- General qualifications (30 points):
- University degree in public health;
- Minimum 5 years of progressive professional experience in the area of HIV.
- Adequacy for the assignment (50 points):
- Technical expertise gained through experience in the area of HIV
- Experience in design and implementation of HIV testing policies
- A thorough understanding of the HIV testing strategies in Kyrgyzstan
- Working operational knowledge and understanding of an operational guidance
- Solid computer literacy and excellent online communication skills
- Language and other qualifications (20 points):
- Ability to synthesize complex information and issues;
- Very good communication and presentation skills with government and other stakeholders;
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
6. Duration of the assignment
The consultancy is expected from June 2023 to September 2023.
Estimated LOE – 20 days.
7. Deliverables
The Consultant is expected to produce the following deliverable:
An operational guidance on decentralization and rapid initiation of HIV testing and treatment based on Kyrgyzstan experience.
How to apply
The Center for Health Policies and Studies (PAS Center) has received financing from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria toward the cost of the Sustainability of Services for Key Populations in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (“EECA”)” project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for development of an operational guidance on decentralization and rapid initiation of HIV testing and treatment based on Kyrgyzstan experience.
The PAS Center now invites eligible individual consultants to indicate their interest in providing the services. The Consultants are hereby invited to submit their updated CV. Please note that the PAS Center is not bound to accept any of the CVs.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016, Revised November 2017 and August 2018 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.
A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the „Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants” method set out in the Procurement Regulations.
The PAS Center will select the consultants on the basis of comparison of consultants’s qualifications for the assignment and conformity with the TOR’s requirements.
First-hand information about the ToR can be obtained from the person below during office hours 09.00 to 18.00.
Lucia Pirtina – Program Coordinator, PAS Center
E-mail: lucia.pirtina@pas.md
The deadline for submission of Consultant’s CV is June 14, 2023, 6:00 PM o’clock, Moldova local time
CVs can be submitted by e-mail to the address below:
E-mail: cezar.captaciuc@pas.md