Consultant for Laboratory Capacity Building At FHI 360

Request for Consultant Services Proposal (RFP)

Solicitation Title: Consultant for Laboratory Capacity Building

Solicitation Number: TB-23-004

Submit Proposal to: HR.Thailand@fhi360.org

Date of Issue of RFP: June 1, 2023

Date Proposal Due: June 14, 2023

Approximate Timeframe Consultant Contract Issued to Successful Candidate(s):

Agreement may be issued on/about July 2023. Consultancy duration is 12 months. Extension is possible due to satisfactory performance, budget availability and the project’s need.

Method of Submittal:

Respond via email with attachments in PDF or Microsoft word. Questions about the solicitation may be submitted to hr.thailand@fhi360.org. No phone calls will be accepted to inquire about the position.

Quote Validity:

The Consultant agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 90 days from the date specified for the receipt of offers, unless another time is specified in the addendum of the RFP.

Background

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research and technology – creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories. The Branch of the Family Health International in the Republic of Tajikistan is located in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

FHI 360 advances equity, health, and well-being through data-driven, locally-led solutions — so that humanity thrives.

Project Background

USAID Tajikistan Tuberculosis (TB) Bilateral Activity is a five-year project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID Tajikistan Tuberculosis (TB) Bilateral Activity aims to reduce the burden of TB in the Republic of Tajikistan. The project activity results are focused on improving case detection and notification for all forms of TB, increasing the number of patients cured of all forms of TB, strengthening TB prevention by expanded preventive treatment and improved infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions, and strengthening TB system resilience and reliance in public health emergencies.

Scope of Work

FHI 360 is seeking a qualified Laboratory Consultant for USAID End Tuberculosis in Tajikistan. Laboratory Consultant provides technical guidance to the national Laboratory Specialist of the Programme. Coordinate the work of the project with its sub-recipients’ laboratory networks on standard diagnostic procedures, quality management systems, reporting, observing, and analyzing of stocks on central and peripheral levels, forecasting of needs, timely submission of orders. Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• In close collaboration with FHI360l Diagnostics and Laboratory Advisor, strengthen the capacity of the TB diagnostic laboratories especially NRL, to support the national TB surveillance system, as well as the detection of MDR-TB and XDR TB;
• Provide technical assistance to the NRL, regional, and district TB laboratories on updating the laboratory Standard Operations Procedures for TB testing (microscopy, GX, LPA, Solid and liquid culture, equipment, biosafety);
• Provide technical assistance to the NRL, regional, and district TB laboratories on the development of laboratory equipment maintenance plan;
• Provide technical assistance on analysis of the laboratory reagents and consumables stocks and consumption rates at the national and regional levels;
• Provide technical assistance on Quantification of TB lab reagents and consumables at the national and regional levels, forecasting of quarterly and yearly;
• Provide technical assistance on collection of the laboratory testing reports;
• Provide technical directions to the national and regional TB laboratory specialists for their successful performance of their agreed responsibilities;
• Assist FHI360 in the TB Diagnostic Network Assessment (DNA Net TB);
• Assist in developing key documents and tools such as laboratory protocols, planning documents, budgets, standard operating procedures, training curriculum, and product specifications;
• Recommend specifications for physical TB laboratory setup, equipment, supply, and human resources requirements;
• Enhance systems such sample referral, and quality assurance;
• Through participatory approach, undertake regular field visits to the project sites with the purpose of performing monitoring assessments;
• Participate in and effectively provide sound technical support to the TB technical working group meetings;
• Closely coordinate with FHI360 staff members in order to ensure timely and substantial reporting on activities implemented;
• Advise FHI360 management on project implementation and actively participate in discussions related to efficient and effective program implementation;
• Perform other duties as required by FHI360 management.

Deliverables:

• Updated laboratory Standard Operations Procedures for TB testing (microscopy, GX, LPA, Solid and liquid culture, equipment, biosafety);
• Laboratory equipment maintenance plan developed and submitted to NTP;
• Monthly, quarterly, and annual analysis of the laboratory reagents and consumables stocks and consumption rates at the national and regional levels prepared and submitted;
• Monthly, quarterly, and annual report on sample referral (from district to regional and from regional to NRL), including the number of rejected samples;
• Monthly report on status of the Diagnostic Network Assessment (DNA Net TB);

Location of Work

Work will be performed remotely. The consultant must have access to reliable internet access and are available for periodic virtual meetings with project team in Dushanbe, Tajikistan (UTC +5) time zone.

Travel

Travel(s) within the country is anticipated. This is to be discussed and agreement with Technical Monitor.

Qualifications

Desired Qualifications include:

Education: MD/Ph.D. in health/microbiology.

Experience and skills

• 10 years of demonstrated experience in the TB laboratory field
• Demonstrated knowledge of modern requirements for successful laboratory program implementation at the national/regional levels according to WHO recommendations, including biosafety and quality control issues
• Solid experience in planning, facilitation of procuring, installation, quality control, usage and maintenance of lab equipment and consumables
• Solid experience in TB laboratory data collection, reporting, and analysis
• Track record of producing high-quality documents/products
• Strong assessment, planning, management, facilitation, and communications skills
• Fluency in written and spoken Tajik and Russian languages (English is an advantage).
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and maintain effective relationships with multiple stakeholders across public and private sectors.
• Knowledge and experience in working with USAID or other donor-funded programming preferred.
• Ability to articulate and communicate in a clear and positive fashion.
• Ability to work independently and manage a high-volume workflow.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

• Candidates will be shortlisted based on how well they meet the minimum requirements for the position, as demonstrated via the cover letter and CV/resume.
• Evaluation will be based on best value, through a combination of qualifications including education (20%), relevant experience (60%), and proposed daily rate (20%).
• Only shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by the Technical Monitor(s) and references may be consulted.
• Award will be presented to the candidate who passes the interview.

FHI 360 is committed to creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment. FHI 360 strongly encourages candidates of diverse backgrounds to apply, including across the spectrum of sex, age, gender identity, disability, race, color, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable law. FHI 360 also aims to meet any reasonable accommodations that an applicant requires.

FHI 360 Disclaimers

• FHI 360 may perform a background check on any selected Consultant candidates.
• FHI 360 may cancel the solicitation and not award.
• FHI 360 may reject any or all responses received.
• Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award commitment by FHI 360.
• FHI 360 reserves the right to disqualify any offer based on failure of the offeror to follow solicitation instructions.
• FHI 360 will not compensate any offeror for responding to solicitation.
• FHI 360 reserves the right to issue award based on initial evaluation of offers without further discussion.
• FHI 360 may choose to award only part of the activities in the solicitation, or issue multiple awards based on the solicitation activities.
• FHI 360 reserves the right to waive minor proposal deficiencies that can be corrected prior to award determination to promote competition.
• FHI 360’s supplier terms and conditions can be found here while our consultant terms and conditions can be found here.