International consultancy to develop TB-REP 2.0 countries’ cases At PAS Center

I. Background information on the project

Despite notable progress in the past decade, TB is still of public health concern in most of the countries within the WHO European Region. The Eastern European region has the highest rates of drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) in the world. According to WHO estimates, 17% of new TB cases and 53% of previously treated cases in the region had rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) in 2017, compared to global figures of 3.5% and 18%, respectively. TB in Eastern Europe and Central Asia Project on Advancing People-Centered Quality TB Care – From the New Model of Care Towards Improving DR-TB Early Detection and Treatment Outcomes (TB-REP 2.0 Project), funded by the Global Fund (GF) and implemented by Centre for Health Policies and Studies (PAS Center) as Principal Recipient jointly with the project partners, has been supporting EECA countries to tackle high burden of TB and MDR TB and bring TB care closer to patients. TB-REP 2.0 is focusing on strengthening people-centered approaches in TB care through sustainable transformation of the health systems and meaningful involvement of communities and civil society.

TB-REP 2.0 has been approved for a 3-year period, from 2019 to 2021. The project is covering eleven countries with high incidence of TB in EECA region, namely Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan. It is a multi-partner project implemented by the PAS Center, as the principal recipient in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO Europe), TB Europe Coalition (TBEC), TBpeople and Global TB Caucus.

Documenting the progress towards proposed objectives (1) To ensure full engagement of communities and civil society in TB prevention and care for improving TB and DR-TB case detection and patient care outcomes; (2) To strengthen health systems to enable integrated patient-centered TB and DR-TB care delivery systems for meeting challenges and addressing the needs of key populations, is one of the monitoring activities under the project.

In the context of the above, and with the aim to measure country progress against project goals, PAS Center is contracting a consultant to develop TB-REP 2.0 countries status cases.

II. Scope of work

The objective of the assignment is to provide summaries of TB-REP 2.0 status (countries cases) against project goals and objectives.

III. Objectives of the assignment

The consultant is expected to:

1. Review project background materials (programme progress overview) and tools, reference epidemiological and financial data (WHO, Stop TB Partnership) and assess data on TB, health and community systems for each of the 11 countries;
2. Collect additional data on TB-REP 2.0 countries from interviews and/or survey among countries’ partners and other relevant stakeholders, as needed.
3. Develop a short countries’ briefs to capture outputs and outcomes of TB-REP 2.0 activities in 11 countries against 7 programme’s dimensions:
4. Strengthen case finding strategies, especially for key populations – leading to improved and timely access of KPs and other groups to TB care cascade.
5. Improve early diagnosis through operationalization of DR TB diagnostic guidelines.
6. Improve quality of TB care and case holding.
7. Increase TB treatment adherence through developing standardized package and integrate patient support as part of the TB care standard and introduce innovative digital adherence tools.
8. Improve sustainable access to medicines, improve health finance for TB response, improve data systems.
9. Increase the political visibility and commitment to TB reform as well as accountability at country level.
10. Strengthen the capacity of civil society and community actors’ capacity and monitoring small grants program.
11. Conceptualize the presentation of country cases in a short, understandable and user friendly manner.

PAS Center will support and connect the consultant with TB-REP 2.0 countries partners for data collection, as well as share the existing documents and previously developed similar documents.

IV. Expected deliverables

The consultant is expected to produce the following deliverables:

• 11 briefs for each of TB-REP 2.0 countries to capture outputs and outcomes of TB-REP 2.0 activities in 11 countries against 7 programme’s dimensions.

Deliverable need to be presented in English and Russian. PAS Center will ensure translation to the second language as needed.

V. Reporting requirements

The consultant will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Program Coordinator of the PAS Center and present the deliverables within the required timeline.

VI. Qualification requirements and basis for evaluation

The Qualification requirements and basis for evaluation (evaluation criteria) and selection of the consultant are the following:
General Qualifications (30 points)

• University degree in public health, social science, healthcare management, organizational management or other relevant field;
• At least 5 years of professional experience in the area of public health and health policy;

Adequacy for the assignment (45 points):

• Proven understanding of health and community systems organization, in particular for care of infectious diseases;
• Demonstrated regional or international experience in working on public health related projects;
• Demonstrated capacity to analyze programmatic information and develop strategic plans;
• Relevant experience in working with international organizations and/or national agencies implementing externally funded TB programs and projects;
• Proven understanding of the elements and principles of the people-centred model of TB care;
• Well qualified in providing technical assistance and conducting consultancy assignments;
• Familiarity with TB global agenda, EECA regional and national TB programs, TB governmental and non-governmental stakeholders from EECA region is a great asset.

Language and other qualifications (25 points):

• Written fluency in English and Russian;
• Excellent drafting skills;
• Ability to work independently, respond to feedback in a timely and professional manner, and meet deadlines;
• Ability to synthesize complex information and issues;
• Ability to plan and produce quality results to meet established goals, generate innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations.

VII. Duration of the assignment

The consultancy will take place from November to mid-December 2021.

VIII. Payment schedule

The consultant will receive the payment upon submission and acceptance the deliverables listed under point IV above.