IOM_ National Consultant TBMIG.

Vacancy Number: UN21/02248

Location:
Application Deadline: 21 Jun 2021, 23:00 (GMT+2:00)
Reference to the project: International Organization for Migration
Expected Duration of Assignment:



Background

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is looking for National Consultant/s, according to the Terms of Reference below, to start on 01 July 2021.

 

Title of Position:

National Consultant

Duty Station:

Chisinau, Moldova

Classification:

Consultant

Type of Appointment:

Consultancy Contract

Duration:

120 working days within six months’ period

Technical supervision:

Program Coordinator

Organizational Unit:

Migration Health


 1. 
Background Information:

Within the framework of the International Development Fund (IDF) funded project “Enhancing Gender-Sensitive TB Detection, Surveillance, Treatment and Prevention among Mobile Populations from the Republic of Moldova”, IOM proposed to institute a  good migration and health governance in the Republic of Moldova by developing effective migrant-centered and evidence-based policies, and mainstreaming gender and migrant-sensitive TB interventions throughout the Moldovan National TB Program, while contributing to empower TB affected migrants and their families as development actors.

IOM stresses its extensive experience in empowering governments, migrants, and communities to prevent, detect and respond to health threats along the mobility continuum, whilst advocating for migrant-inclusive approaches. IOM’s migration health programs take place among migrants and crisis-affected populations, on communicable disease prevention such as TB, early diagnosis, treatment, health service availability and sensitization against stigma and discrimination. This relevant expertise makes IOM in the Republic of Moldova the best suited to implement the proposed project.

Moldovan migrant workers are shouldering a much higher tuberculosis (TB) burden than the general population due to their mobility pattern, as many Moldovans seek work in high-TB burden countries such as the Russian Federation. Moreover, migrants are facing barriers in accessing healthcare and TB treatment due to their mobility, language barriers, limited social support systems to facilitate healthcare access and possible discrimination by health workers. In this context, migrants are unable to fulfil their full potential as development actors.

The fear and stigma associated with TB have different impacts on men and women, often due to women living in more precarious social and economic conditions than men. A deficient health system coupled with the lack of access to treatment and irregular migration make patients, particularly migrant women, default on their treatment and drive them into developing multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB). However, the intersecting factors of gender and migration have been generally neglected in TB research and policy interventions.

  1. Nature of the consultancy:

In order to reach the overall objective, the selected National Consultant/s will execute a comparative qualitative study comparing gender differences in health care seeking behavior, access to TB treatment, and knowledge on and perception of tuberculosis in full compliance with the framework for the prevention and reduction of the TB burden among migrants, adapted from the WHO's End TB Strategy [1].

The study will include a sample of 30 TB health workers and 100 migrants with TB (50 men and 50 women) from rural and urban localities. Also, will be conducted 16 focus groups discussions (4 - with health providers and 12 - with migrants with TB). The Phtisiopneumology Institute “Chiril Draganiuc” will support in identifying 100 TB patients in the country and 30 TB health workers. The data will be gathered through qualitative semi-structured interviews and focus groups conducted with the voluntary participation of the respondents and in fulfillment of ethical research standards. The data shall be analyzed using the thematic framework method and by comparing the main themes identified in interview samples by gender.

The collected data should consider the gender and present specific trends and issues if these are identified.

Objectives:

  1. Assessment of knowledge, attitudes and practices on gender differences and access to health services among mobile population affected by tuberculosis.
  2. Evaluation of the health workers’ attitudes toward migration and immigrant patients, in relation of accessing TB medical services.
  3. Identifying barriers to access TB medical services among mobile population affected by TB.
  4. Conclusions and recommendations.
  1. IOM Project to which the consultancy is contributing: “Enhancing Gender-Sensitive TB Detection, Surveillance, Treatment and Prevention among Mobile Populations from the Republic of Moldova”
  1. Tasks to be performed under this contract:
  • Evaluate and expand the existing methodology that include (research questions for semi-structured interviews and focus groups, background and significance, design: time frame and approach, selection criteria and sampling design, survey instrument, statistical issues, ethical issues).
  • Conduct 130 qualitative semi-structured interviews among 50 men and 50 women migrants with TB and 30 TB health workers.
  • Conduct 16 focus groups discussions out of which 4 - with health providers and 12 - with migrants with TB.
  • Transcriptions of focus groups discussions and semi-structured interviews.
  • Analysis and drafting of research report.
  • Conduct peer review and validation of report.
  • Deliver presentation of the findings of the field research during at least two events, with the main relevant stakeholders.
  1. Tangible and measurable output of the work assignment:
  • A comprehensive data collection on Gender, Migration and TB and barriers to the health services.
  • An Evaluation report on the quality and integrity research process.
  • Final research analysis report.
  1. Realistic delivery dates and details as to how the work must be delivered:

 All the services specified in this TOR shall be provided by the Consultant during the period from 01 July 2021 till 20 December 2021.

 

TIMELINE

TASK / DELIVERABLE

 

 

01.07.2021- 20.07.2021

Deliverable 1

·         Final study methodology and methodological instruments to be used for carrying out the research: (a) final version of semi-structured guidelines, (c) final version of the guidelines for focus-group discussions, (d) proposed structure/content topics of the research report.

 

21.07.2021– 20.10.2021

 

Perform warranted tasks related to:

·         Data collection from: TB migrant patient/ health providers

·         Administrative tasks related to the organization of field research logistics.

 

20.10.2021-20.11.2021

Deliverable 2

·         Short report on the field research activity, including the processed data with collected responses.

·         First draft of the Study Report.

·         Peer review and validation of report

·         One presentation of the intermediary findings for stakeholders performed.

 

20.12.2021

Deliverable 3

·         Final draft of the Study Report.

·         Presentation of the main findings during a public event.

  1. Performance indicators for evaluation of results (value of services rendered in relation to their cost):

The consultant’s performance will be evaluated by the Program Coordinator against the following criteria:

  1. Satisfactory completion of tasks indicated in this TOR
  2. Quality of the comprehensive final report
  3. Feedback from the stakeholders and development partners
  1. Logistics and Timing:

 The selected National Consultant/s shall sign a contract with IOM for stipulated assignment. The Consultant/s will work under the direct supervision and guidance of the IOM and NTP assigned staff. The submitted deliverables, which should be provided in Romanian, shall be endorsed by the IOM’s Migration and Health Program Coordination and NTP. Depending on the epidemiological situation, the method of data collection (online/offline) will be decided.

The Consultancy and its tasks here under shall be performed during 01 July 2021 – 20 December 2021. Starting with day of the consultancy contract signing, the National Consultant will be given up to 120 working days to carry out the entire assignment. The fee will be paid to the Consultant/s in 3 (three) instalments, according to the established delivery schedule, upon completion by the Consultant/s of all tasks specified in these terms of reference and upon certification of deliverables by the IOM and NTP assigned staff.

In order to undertake the field research, it is expected that during the assignment the Consultant/s will travel, specifically to six hospitals within country, to undertake semi-structured interviews and focus groups as specified in the timeline of this terms of reference.

Note: The 120 number of working days have been estimated as being sufficient/feasible for the envisaged volume of work to be completed successfully and is proposed as a guideline for the duration of the assignment. It cannot and shall not be used as criteria for completion of work/assignment. The provision of envisaged deliverables approved by the IOM and NTP, shall be the only criteria for National Consultant’s work being completed and eligible for payment/s.

 

  1. Required Qualifications and Experience:

 Education:

  • Advanced degree (MA or PhD) in sociology or demography or related areas relevant for the assignment.
  • Complementary studies in Public Health will be an advantage.
  • Other formal education relevant for the assignment.

Experience:

  • At least 5 years of proven experience in conducting social research, the experience in health-related studies is an advantage.
  • At least 5-10 years’ working experience in a field related to TB surveillance will be an advantage.
  • Proven experience (at least 7 years) in developing analytical works in migration and /or health related fields.
  • Proven experience in applying quantitative and qualitative research methods for research of similar complexity – at least 2 research projects conducted.
  • Experience in working with international organizations and UN agencies.

Competencies and Skills:

  • Strong analytical, writing and communication skills.
  • Good knowledge of the communicable diseases and migration concept.
  • Familiarity with IOM’s mandate.
  • Familiarity with European/international standards and best practices in the field migration.
  • Fluency in Romanian and Russian; good command of oral and written English.
  • Good interpersonal skills, solid judgment/decision making, initiative and creativity.
  • Cultural and gender sensitivity.

 10. Diversity: Adheres to the core values of the United Nations; in particular, is respectful of differences of culture, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, language, age, HIV status, disability, and sexual orientation, or other status.

 11. Languages: Good command of Russian and Romanian is a requirement. Knowledge of English would be desired.

How to apply:

Email your CV and cover letter to: hrchisinau@iom.md and vnazaria@iom.int

Please indicate the mandatory Subject title for the application: “Consultant TBMIG -Job application”

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for the appointment.

Closing date for applications: 21 June 2021; however, interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply sooner.

Only pre-selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.

The offer to the candidate is subject to funding confirmation.

IOM reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal and to annul the selection process and reject all Proposals at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to affected Service Providers.

[1] The End TB Strategy. https://www.who.int/tb/strategy/End_TB_Strategy.