Unicef recruits a Consultant for the Assess and design a framework for implementation phases of Point-Of-Care Viral Load & Early Infant Diagnosis sample and waste management, Nairobi, Kenya

Unicef recruits a Consultant for the Assess and design a framework for implementation phases of Point-Of-Care Viral Load & Early Infant Diagnosis sample and waste management, Nairobi, Kenya

 

Apply here

 

Background and Justification :

Laboratory diagnostic services are essential to guide patient care and treatment for a variety of health conditions. The National HIV Reference Laboratory (NHRL) of the Ministry of Health (MoH) together with the support from UNICEF and CHAI laboratory Point of care (POC) partners are implementing a program to support Viral Load ( VL)  and Early Infant Diagnosis (EID)  Point-Nucleic acid testing techniques , thereby creating the opportunity to strengthen specimen referral networks and support for a robust laboratory Monitoring & Evaluation (M & E) framework at the county level to support multi-disease testing among other areas. This would enable NHRL POC implementing team to build on certain programmatic strengths (i.e. the various mechanisms through HIV partners mainly funded by the United States Government [USG]) and better coordinate and manage its VL & EID specimen referral systems into one comprehensive and integrated network.

In Kenya, diagnostic services can be provided in a tiered framework that ranges from the national centralized laboratory to remote health facilities that have limited resources. A well implemented centralized laboratory has the potential to achieve high throughput testing with multi-purpose platforms, often at low cost. To date, the function of existing laboratory services in the country remains suboptimal due to multiple factors including low instrument utilization rates, inadequate data management, supply chain issues, human resource challenges, low rates of results returned, poor quality systems, suboptimal sample transportation systems and low-quality specimens.

Point-of-care testing (POCT) is medical diagnostic testing at or near the point of care—that is, at the time and place of patient care. The MOH through NHRL and NASCOP has been working with UNICEF, EGPAF, CHAI, MSF, GHI, PLHIV networks and other key partners to introduce POCT for Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) for HIV testing with simplicity through innovative technology adaptation and placemen.  As at June 2018, two platforms/machines are approved and validated for use in Kenya; Alere Q and GeneXpert and implemented in over 20 counties supporting over 700 facilities as a pilot. Additionally, through gene Xpert, viral testing for specific populations is currently being piloted in select counties.

This consultancy will support the initial assessment of POC sample and waste management implementation in Kenya. It will inform the future design and implementation phases of Point-Of-Care Viral Load and EID testing through inclusion of the findings in a documented, costed and publicly-available plan, within the country that reflects unique needs and circumstances of each county engaged and ultimately guide county specific VL/EID transition plans. The expected product will be a report on the county laboratory capacity in relation to multi-disease test integration in support for HIV Early Infant Diagnosis, Viral Load and Tuberculosis testing; a county baseline M & E framework report and a county capacity assessment to support Point-Of-Care waste management.

Scope of Work :

Goal and Objective :  Under the supervision of Chief of HIV Section UNICEF and the Head of National HIV Reference

Laboratory, the Consultant will :

Develop a situation analysis report on the capacity of county laboratories to undertake integrated multi-disease testing, waste management as well as develop an M & E framework and database for the proposed county and national laboratory network.

Outcome :  

• Improvement in the diagnostic capacity utilization for the county and national laboratories for VL, EID, TB and other pathogens ;
• A proposed framework for implementing an interconnected laboratory network that will efficiently track patients, specimens, waste and data to and from various types of jurisdictions ;
• Improvement in specimen and waste collection methods, transport logistics, timelines and cost.

 

Methodology :

This will mainly require both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to conduct:

• A desk review of the available documented framework versus current situation regarding laboratory capacity utilization and networking between the ten county laboratories and NHRL. The purpose of the review it to highlight and identify the gaps and expected actions towards an integrated laboratory network  ;
• Stakeholder consultation including doctors, nurses, laboratory technologists and managers at the national, county and community level. Travel to Mombasa, Migori, Kisumu, Garissa, Laikipia, Wajir, Bungoma, Baringo and Turkana for stakeholder consultation. This will include VL, EID, TB care and treatment service providers, County Health Management Teams, Laboratory Managers and patients. This process will provide information that will inform the development of a measurable improvement in an integrated laboratory network, starting from sample collection, transportation, laboratory testing (local and centralized) to feedback of the results and waste management ;
• Collation, triangulation and analysis for final report .

 

Deliverables :

• Desk review on sample and waste referral approaches and opportunities especially in developing countries and in the context of POC ;
• Draft qualitative analytical report. The report will contain the following performance metrics :
  • A database together with a data dictionary for the waste and M & E framework ;
  • Results from the analysis of the laboratory capacity assessment survey data ;
  • Proposed additional investments required (if any) for the support of POC diagnosis. These shall be presented to the MoH and UNICEF for fact checking, comments and    finalisation. (Max 30 pages, including an executive summary).
• Presentation of the draft report to UNICEF and MOH by Consultant. (Max 20 slides) ;
• Final Report, incorporating the revisions and feedback from stakeholders. (Max 30 pages including an executive summary);
• The report will contain 1) An M & E and waste management Framework 2) The current national and county laboratory capacity and utilization report including waste management. 3) The conceptual plan and additional investments necessary for the integration and capacity improvement of the laboratory network including waste management.

Proposed Timeframe :

It is expected that the duration of this consultancy will last 25 working days

Skill and experience :

It is expected that the individual consultant will have the following skills and experience :

• Relevant academic background and training in Public Health, Epidemiology, Neonatology, Laboratory Medicine, Biostatistics or other, as appropriate ;
• Demonstrable technical knowledge and research experience in Maternal Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) within the context of Kenya ;
• Expertise in conducting community and stakeholder dialogues including targeting marginal groups including adolescents and young peoples, the poor, rural populations ;
• Experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods ;
• Previous experience working with UNICEF and other UN agencies an asset ;
• Cultural and gender sensitivity ;

Technical proposal evaluation criteria will be based on the following :

• Overall response, completeness, overall concord between requirements and proposal (15 points)   ;
• Experience, overall experience of Candidate (20 points) ;
• Technical skills, relevance to requirements of analysis (15 points) ;
• Proposed methodology/time frame (20 points) ;
• Financial proposal (30 points) .

Advertised : 15 Jul 2019 E. Africa Standard Time
Applications close : 26 Jul 2019 11:55 PM E. Africa Standard Time

 

Apply here