Procurement Notices

Consultancy Title:

Consultant on development and roll out of Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenize (G6PD) testing and the radical treatment of Plasmodium vivax using primaquine

Application Deadline:

3rd November, 2017 (5pm Fiji Time)

Project Name:

Pilot project implementing malaria G6PD deficiency testing in Vanuatu, as part of the broader project title: "Sustaining Universal Coverage of LLINs in Vanuatu" funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria

Duty Station:

The consultant will be required to be present in Port Vila, Vanuatu for 10 working days from 20th November to 1 December and work 5 days home based for report or as agreed with UNDP

Post Level:

International consultant

Languages required:

English

Duration of the Contract:

 Contract period: 20 November – 8 December 2017

 Number of working days: 15 days (10 days in country & 5 days home based)

Objectives:

The objective of The G6PD Test Consultant will be developing a "G6PD RDT Testing and Treatment Project Protocols and Guidelines.

Background

The Vanuatu Ministry of Health, in response to their National Strategic Plans for TB/HIV and Malaria, submitted proposals to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (Global Fund). Vanuatu has been a recipient of Global Fund support for over ten years. In 2014 Vanuatu, along with 10 other Pacific Island Countries submitted a Concept Note to the Global Fund for ongoing funding support through to 2017. The Global Fund approved the funding for 2015-2017. UNDP has been nominated as Principal Recipient. Since July 2015, jointly with the Ministry of Health, WHO and other partners, UNDP has been implementing the new programs in Vanuatu.

The Malaria Plasmodium vivax is hidden liver specie that continues to relapse and it presents as a reservoir for additional transmission to others. Primaquine is the only drug effective against liver-stage parasites. However, safely and effectively prescribing the medicine remains a challenge due to the 14-day period of administration (for non- deficiency G6PD) to clear liver-stage parasites and due to the risk of the acute hemolytic anemia (platelet dysfunction) in G6PD deficiency patients, which has a prevalence of 3-35% of the population in the tropics. The use of primiaquine is therefore linked to the G6PD deficiency status of the patient, which is rarely known. New point of care rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) to determine G6PD status became available recently, and an expert review group convened in 2014 to review evidence and develop guidelines on testing for G6PD deficiency.

The WHO recommends that "Where feasible all patients should be tested for G6PD deficiency before administering primaquine. Testing for G6PD deficiency should be considered an integral part of ensuring universal access to diagnosis and treatment". Advice based on the expert review group states that one of the guiding principles on treating P. vivax and on using G6PD testing at the point of care includes:

 To prevent relapse, treat P. vivax or P. ovale malaria children and adults (except pregnant women, infants aged < 6 months, women breastfeeding infants aged < 6 months, women breastfeeding older infants unless they are known not to be G6PD deficient and people with G6PD deficiency) with a 14-day course of primaquine at 0.25–0.5 mg base/kg body weight daily in all transmission settings.

Objectives:

As G6PD RDT tests is a new initiative in Vanuatu, it is important that a comprehensive, well-structured and informative Protocol document is developed to guide the piloting of their use. The G6PD Test Consultant will therefore focus on developing a "G6PD RDT Testing and Treatment Project Protocols and Guidelines" that will include:

 Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) for health facility staff; and

 Job aids, such as step wise flowcharts for testing patient G6PD status using point of care RDTs and subsequent treatment using primaquine, as per the and National Malaria Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines.

 Specification and quantities of required RDT test kits and supplies based on the targeted health facilities, including a shipment, storage and distribution plan for each of the pilot provinces, which will also help to prevent expiration and stock out of G6PD RDTs at health facilities.

 The Protocol should also include a provision on how to evaluate the impact of the intervention so that at the completion of the pilot project the program can determine if the G6PD RDT warrants national expansion and roll out;

 At the same time Consultant is responsible for working closely with the National Case Management Coordinator and the National Malaria Reference Laboratory Technician and to brief them on implementation of the project protocols and how to train provincial health facility staff on complying with the project protocols.

Scope of work, Responsibilities and Description of Proposed Work

Under the guidance and coordination of the Ministry of Health and other in country malaria stakeholders (WHO and UNDP) the G6PD Test Consultant will focus on developing a "G6PD RDT Testing and Treatment Project Protocols and Guidelines" by undertaking the following task:

1. Develop Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) for health facility staff; and Job aids, such as step wise flowcharts for testing patient G6PD status using point of care RDTs and subsequent treatment using primaquine, as per the and National Malaria Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines.

2. Develop specification and quantities of required RDT test kits and supplies based on the targeted health facilities, including a shipment, storage and distribution plan for each of the pilot provinces, which will also help to prevent expiration and stock out of G6PD RDTs at health facilities.

3. Develop Protocol that should also include a provision on how to evaluate the impact of the intervention so that at the completion of the pilot project the program can determine if the G6PD RDT warrants national expansion and roll out;

4. Responsible for working closely with the National Case Management Coordinator and the National Malaria Reference Laboratory Technician and to brief them on implementation of the project protocols and how to train provincial health facility staff on complying with the project protocols.

The consultant will have additional home based work days to finalize the project protocols, but will keep in touch with the MOH team and in country technical support partners (WHO, UNDP) to share drafts copies for feedback.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The duration and timeline of the deliverables is indicated in the below table: Deliverable/ Outputs

Target Due Dates

Payment Schedule

Review & Approvals Required from

1. Development of G6PD RDT Testing and Treatment Project Protocols for Vanuatu which defines the roles and responsibilities of the Ministry of Health, the national malaria staff, the provincial malaria staff and the health facility staff (at each of the three levels of service delivery) that will be targeted in the pilot project.

20 Nov - 1 Dec 2017

10%

MOH team and in country technical support partners (WHO, UNDP)

2. Job aids for health facility workers, specifically flowcharts for testing patients G6PD status, treating with primaquine and any follow up that is required.

20 Nov - 1 Dec 2017

10%

MOH team and in country technical support partners (WHO, UNDP)

Resources Provided

 Training materials support and G6PD RDTs will be provided.

Supervision/Reporting

 The position will report to the Coordinator of the National Vector Borne Disease Control program and to the UNDP Programme Manager.

Requirement for Qualifications & Experience

i) Academic Qualifications

 Minimum University degree in medicine or science with postgraduate degree in public health, tropical medicine, medical parasitology or epidemiology.

ii) Years of experience & skills

 Minimum of ten (10) years of technical expertise and experience in clinical management of malaria, disease surveillance, health situation analysis, strategic thinking, supply chain management, program management and evaluation, operational research

 Experience in monitoring and evaluation at international level

iii) Other Competencies

 Demonstrated strong IT skills. (MS Excel/Word)

 Experience working in/with international donor-funded projects

 Proven Oral and Written communication skills in English.

 Reliably delivers on promises and honors commitments, holding himself/herself accountable for actions.

 Gains cooperation from other through understanding of the political and organizational culture.

 Works collaboratively with team members sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity.

Proposal Requirements

Financial Proposal

Note: Consultants must quote prices in US Dollars (USD). Lump Sum Amount -

i) Clearly state that the lump sum amount must be "all-inclusive ¹";

ii) Clearly state that the contract price is fixed regardless of the changes in the cost components;

iii) Include in its initial payment the actual cost of the IC’s travel to arrive at such designated Duty Station. Such cases therefore imply that the completion of the journey can be considered as one of the deliverables payable upon arrival.

Daily Fee -

When the daily fee option is used, the TOR must clearly specify that:

i) The Daily Fee must be "all-inclusive ¹" and

ii) an IC Time Sheet must be submitted by the Contractor, duly approved by the Individual Contractor’s supervisor, which shall serve as the basis for the payment of fees.

¹ The term "all-inclusive" implies that all costs (professional Fees, Local Travel Costs, living allowances, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the proposal.

Payment Schedule:

 Delivery of agreed outputs

 Payment dates

 20% Advance payment (All-Inclusive Lump Sum Fee) permitted upon arrival into Vanuatu plus actual cost of the IC’s travel (Most economical and direct route) to Vanuatu.

 80% of Remaining All-Inclusive Lump Sum Fee to be paid based on satisfactory completion of outputs and certification by the Ministry and other in country stakeholders (UNDP and WHO).

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Cumulative analysis

The proposals will be evaluated using the cumulative analysis method with a split 70% technical and 30% financial scoring. The proposal with the highest cumulative scoring will be awarded the contract. Applications will be evaluated technically and points are attributed based on how well the proposal meets the requirements of the Terms of Reference using the guidelines detailed in the table below:

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract may be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weighting; 70%

* Financial Criteria weighting; 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the Technical Evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation. Interviews may be conducted as part of technical assessment for shortlisted proposals. Criteria

Points

Percentage

Qualification - 55

Minimum University degree in medicine or science with postgraduate degree in public health, tropical medicine, medical parasitology or epidemiology. -15

Experience

Minimum of ten (10) years of technical expertise and experience in clinical management of malaria, disease surveillance, health situation analysis, strategic thinking, supply chain management, program management and evaluation, operational - 25

Experience in monitoring and evaluation at international level. - 15

Competencies - 15

Demonstrated strong IT skills. (MS Excel/Word) - 5

Proven Oral and Written communication skills in English - 5

Experience working in/with international donor-funded projects - 5

Technical Criteria 70%

**If necessary interviews shall also be conducted as part of the technical evaluation to ascertain best value for money.

Financial Criteria – Lowest Price - 30%

Total - 100%

Proposal Submission

The Following documents should be submitted:

i) Duly accomplished and signed Offeror’s letter/filled-in-template to UNDP confirming interest and breakdown if cost supporting the Final All-Inclusive Price as per Template. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/ company/ institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP;

ii) Completed and Signed P11 Form, indicating all past experiences from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate;

iii) At least three (3) professional referees;

iv) Brief Description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment and description of Approach to Work (Methodology)

v) Copy of degree(s)/Diploma(s)

vi) Copy of Passport Bio Data page

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on "All-Inclusive" Daily Fee for the contract period. The term "all-inclusive" implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, consumables, etc.) that could be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment are already factored into the daily fee submitted in the proposal. If applicable, travel or daily allowance cost (if any work is to be done outside the IC’s duty station) should be identified separately. The consultant is expected to submit time sheets and a monthly progress report against the achievement of the ToR deliverables to the Country Coordinator, Governance Unit management structure, highlighting achievements, key issues, and recommendations for UNDP, government, and other relevant stakeholders.

In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Annexes

 Annex I – P11 Form

 Annex II – Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual IC, including Financial Proposal Template

 Annex III - Individual IC General Terms and Conditions

The P11 form and Template for confirmation of interest and Submission of Financial Proposal is available under the procurement section of UNDP Fiji website (www.pacific.undp.org)

For any clarification regarding this assignment please write to Mr. Imran Khan on Imran.khan@undp.org . For submission of proposals email to etenderbox.pacific@undp.org   

Incomplete proposals or proposals sent to incorrect address may not be considered