Maternal and Child Health (RMCH) expert

Consultant

Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health expert for the "Ishonch" Fund Project in Uzbekistan.

1. Background

A Reproductive and Maternal and Child Health (RMCH) expert is sought to support the implementation of essential deliverables of a Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) funded project on Maternal and Perinatal Care. This initiative is in support of Uzbekistan's national Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The Uzbekistan Vision 2030 Fund (ISHONCH) has been established by the United Nations (UN) as an inter-agency pooled fund with a specific focus on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of Uzbekistan by 2030. It is established within the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for the years 2021-2025, and their subsequent frameworks.

The development of the Vision 2030 Fund has been carried out through inclusive participatory consultations with national stakeholders’ contributors, UN entities, and international financial institutions. The primary aim of the fund is to support the Uzbekistan government's national reform agenda complemented with principled, transparent, and effective programs for asset restitution, primarily targeted towards the achievement of SDGs. In addition, the fund is intended to enhance accelerated progress towards the SDGs, contributing to socio-economic development.

The consultant will strategically support the project team with expert knowledge of the health ecosystems broadly and reproductive maternal and child health specifically. It is essential that the consultant is available for in-person assistance to ensure effective implementation of the RMCH component of the project.

2. Deliverables

Deliverable 1: Develop a comprehensive plan of action delineating the details of all the semi structured interviews with MoH, line ministries and other stakeholders. (Expected 1 July – 30 July 2024).

Objective: To facilitate conduction of comprehensive assessment on enhancing transparency and accountability in the health system.

Liaise with MoH regarding the approval of assessment tools and assessment methodologies by the Ethical Review Committee.
Assist the international consultant in the organization and facilitation of structured interviews in alignment with the given guidance.
Assist the international and national teams in the preparation of assessment report and the organization of the policy dialogue.
Establish an appropriate documentation and record keeping system for the Vision 2030 Fund project and the MCH program in general.

Deliverable 2: Develop a comprehensive training plan involving all components of the project. (Expected 1 August 31st August 2024).

Objective: To coordinate all the Vision 2030 Fund project related capacity building activities.

Outputs:

Facilitate the organization and facilitation of all training activities at national and regional levels including briefing of consultants and key officials from Ministry of Health and other line ministries.
Organize and facilitate the project internal and monthly coordination meetings.
Participate in the participating UN agencies technical review meetings
Undertake field visits to monitor the implementation progress of project activities.
Collaborate closely with UN agencies, international and national health NGOs to document, monitor and evaluate experience and results of implementation of the project.

Deliverable 3: Develop a plan (road map) for reviewing and adaptation of all Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, and Child Health clinical protocols. (Expected 1S September, 30th September 2024).

Objective: To review and adapt the clinical protocols in consultation with other partners.

Outputs:

Develop a plan of action with specified timeline for review and adaptation of clinical protocols.
Develop a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the adapted clinical protocols.
Work closely with MCH department of the MoH and the involved UN agencies and other partners in the development, review, and adaptation of the clinical protocols.

3. Contract duration

Contract start: 01 July 2024.

Contract end: 30 September 2024

4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Qualifications

Educational qualifications: A first university degree in medicine, public health or related area; and an advanced university degree (Masters level) in public health, reproductive and maternal health, or related area.

Experience

Essential:

Minimum 10 years of relevant experience, incl. in the development of health strategies or programmes.
Demonstrated experience providing technical and policy support.
Demonstrated experience of developing and implementing RMCH programmes, incl. policies, strategies, plans and monitoring & evaluation frameworks.

Desirable:

Relevant experience working with UN agencies, and other international development partners both in Uzbekistan.
Demonstrated experience of developing and adapting clinical RMCH protocols.

Skills/Knowledge:

Demonstrated knowledge of public health and RMCH policies and strategies.
Demonstrated skills in report writing, research, and standard Microsoft office applications.
Excellent communication (oral and written) skills.
Strong cross-cultural communications and ability to work in teams.
Strong interpersonal, networking and diplomacy skills.
Conscientious, with the ability to take the initiative and work independently under general guidance and meet tight deadlines.

Languages:

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English.

Professional working knowledge of Russian.

Desirable:

Professional working knowledge of Uzbek.

5. Supervision

Dr Nazokat Kasymova, Public Health Officer, WHO’s Country Office Uzbekistan.

E-mail: kasymovan@who.int

6. Location (including in-country missions, if any)

Onsite consultancy

7. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

The remuneration will be determined based on the selected candidates’ qualifications in line WHO policy.

All applications with CV and cover letter should now be sent to MARDANOVA, Nurdida at mardanovan@who.int. Application deadline is 14 June, 2024.