Consultant to provide Diagnostics Expertise to HIV and Hepatitis

 

THIS RFP IN EXTENDED UNTIL 27 AUGUST 2017, 17:00 CET

 

1. INTRODUCTION

Despite major progress in the global HIV response over past 15 years, HIV continues to be a public health burden in all regions with inequitable coverage of diagnosis, prevention strategies and treatment with antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). Effective interventions and services need to be targeted to individuals and populations most in need, while maintaining quality and efficiency in rapidly expanding programmes. Ending both the HIV and hepatitis epidemics is feasible given the tools currently available and in the pipeline (in terms of drugs and diagnostics). Despite improvements in access to viral load (VL) monitoring, there is still limited capacity in the majority of countries with high burden of HIV to provide adequate VL. Similarly, coverage of early infant diagnosis (EID) also remains low and access to tools for EID remain inaccessible to most LMICs. Collating and consolidating evidence, best practices, and information are critical to the normative guidance role of WHO and will be essential for HIV and HCV diagnostics over the coming years.                                                                                                                                                                       

2. Objectives of the assignment:

The consultant will assist the TAC and GHP units with technical expertise and works in close collaboration with the Diagnostic Technical Officer in TAC to support WHO’s work support the development of operational guidance and conduct monitoring exercises related to diagnostics relevant for HIV and Hepatitis treatment and care.

3. Main Tasks:

Task 1:      

Support country guideline uptake (EID, VL scale-up, HCV lab and translational research) by facilitating diagnostic recommendations uptake mapping of previous studies and meta-analyses. Mapping of completed research used in guidelines will focus on HIV diagnostic recommendations, particularly early infant diagnosis, CD4, and viral load.

Deliverable 1.1: Draft recommendation uptake map for early infant diagnosis

Deliverable 1.2: Draft recommendation uptake map for viral load

Deliverable 1.3: Draft recommendation uptake map for CD4

Time line: Month 2, 4, and 6 respectively

Task 2:       

Conduct systematic reviews looking at the performance of alternative viral load specimens.

Deliverable 2.1: 1-2 systematic reviews with clear recommendations finalised.

Time line: Month 8

Task 3:     

Provide technical and programmatic expertise on diagnostic integration of HIV/TB multi-disease platforms, including mapping and placement guidance of current and future technologies.

Deliverable 3.1: Draft concept for mapping submitted

Deliverable 3.2: Multi-disease platform mapping across priority countries

Time frame: Month 1, 5

Task 4:    

Review and conduct periodic rapid assessments of innovative EID strategies at programmatic level with the goal of collecting complementary evidence to inform normative guidance.

Deliverable 4.1: Preliminary analysis of studies using viral load as a diagnostic in Uganda and Mozambique

Deliverable 4.2: Review and assessment of EID Strategies

Time frame: Month 3, 9

Task 5:    

Support joint update of the Point of Care Testing Quality Assurance Handbook with key stakeholders (CDC, USAID, CHAI, MSF, EGPAF, etc.).

Deliverable 5.1: Produce draft update of the POCT QA handbook

Deliverable 5.2: Integrate comments of reviewers and final draft update of the POCT QA Handbook.

Time frame: Month 7, 12

Task 6:     

Provision of technical assistance to early adopter countries taking viral load, early infant diagnostic, and hepatitis technologies to scale (both conventional and POC).

Deliverable 6.1: Desk review on country experiences of EID collected and summarised in one report completed

Deliverable 6.2: Support AFRO/IST on diagnostic priorities and regional consultations

Deliverable 6.3: Provide technical assistance to 2-4 focus countries on HIV diagnostics

Time frame: Month 12

Task 7:     

Support the Diagnostics synergy meeting to discuss UNITAID funded/diagnostic stakeholder projects’ and studies’ outcomes research.

Deliverable 7.1: Meeting concept note, agenda, and meeting report

Time frame: Month 10

4. Key requirements for this consultancy:

Essential Education:

Bachelors in laboratory medicine, biology, or public health.

Desirable Education:

Masters in laboratory medicine, public health (MPH), or epidemiology or Medical degree with specialization in laboratory medicine

     Essential Work experience:

At least seven years’ experience, in a national and international context, in the area of HIV laboratory medicine, including expertise in working in resource-limited settings. Three years’ experience in the development of strategies and guidance for HIV and/or hepatitis diagnostics and project management.

Desirable Work experience:

Familiarity and experience with the WHO and a proven track record of technical support provision to LMIC.

Skills and Competencies:

• Good communication and presentation skills
• Demonstrated capacity to write and communicate in English
• Ability to work as part of a team, and high level of interpersonal skills to work with Ministry of Health officials and partners

5. Additional information:

The place of performance of the work under the Contract shall be on site, within the WHO premises at WHO headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland).

The implementation of the assignment may require international travel; costs for such travel will be borne by WHO according to its rules and regulations. The contractor has to be legally entitled to work in the country or countries where the work is to be carried out, and is expected to be in the possession of an unrestricted passport.

This consultancy will be initiated for 12 months, and for 12 days per month. Upon successful completion, it may be prolonged up to  a maximum of 24 months as agreed upon by both parties following the conditions in the first part of the contract (but adjusted based on annual inflation)  and pending on the availability of resources and performance.

6. Submission of proposals:

No later than 20 August 2017 (17:00 CET), the bidder shall complete and return by either email or hard copy to WHO (only when this step is completed the bidder is regarded as a prospective bidder):

a)      Covering letter signed by the respective authority.

b)      Proposal (including, but not restricted to, technical and financial documents).

c)      RFP Confidentiality Undertaking  form completed/signed.

d)      RFP Acknowledgement form completed/signed as confirmation of the bidder's intention to submit a bona fide proposal and designate its representative to whom communications may be directed, including any addenda.

e)      RFP Acceptance form completed/signed.                

f)       RFP Completeness form completed/signed.                                                                                                                                      

A prospective bidder requiring any clarification on technical, contractual or commercial matters may notify WHO via email at the following address no later than 11 August 2017 (16:00 CET).

 

• Email for submissions of forms and/or proposal: pdifin@who.int

  (use subject: Bid Ref 2017/HTM/HIV/010)

• Mailing address for submission of proposal:

  World Health Organization

  ­­­­Mr. Jerome Peron

  HQ/HIV, PDI/FIN, D45034

  Bid Ref: 2017/HTM/HIV/010

  20, Avenue Appia

CH-1211 Geneva 27

 

Refer to attached documents for additional information.