National consultancy to provide technical assistance in accelerating universal salt iodization (USI) efforts in Tajikistan

 Background and rationale

Tajikistan was among the first countries in Central Asia to adopt the national law on iodization of table salt (2002, amended in 2007), but Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD) remains a significant public health problem in Tajikistan. Despite the major efforts made by the Government and various donors in the area of IDD/Universal Salt Iodization (USI), according to the 2016 Tajikistan Nutrition Survey, the national median UIC (MUIC) for children 6-59 months and women of reproductive age (87.5 µg/L and 75 µg/L, respectively) was significantly below the threshold value of 100 µg/L.

 

The 2012 Demographic Health Survey indicates that over 84% of households (in a sample of over 6,300) used iodized salt. However, the household survey conducted in Khatlon (using titration) in 2015 indicated that mean salt iodine content of 600 salt samples was 3.86 mg/kg, and 594 (99.0%) of the salt samples were inadequately iodized (<15 ppm) and only 2 samples (0.3%) were found to meet the national iodine standard. The same survey also found about population’s knowledge and practice around iodized salt. The majority of respondents (77%) knew about iodized salt and 74% reported that they actually use it.  This suggests that, despite the presence of the national law and the relative success in social mobilization for families to regularly purchase salt labelled as iodized, significant problems remain in iodized salt production, internal and external quality control and regulation.

 

Based on UNICEF   cumulative experience from implementing the USAID funded USI project over the past 5 years, strengthened supply chain both on salt production and inspection spectrum are critical to successful USI programme. Weaknesses on either end of these spectrum left gaps in the quality of Iodized salt that reached end users, thus limiting the optimization of the gains of awareness of Iodized salt use. 

 

UNICEF Tajikistan has been supporting the Government’s USI efforts, focusing on policy advocacy, capacity development, and demand creation. Considering the current situation as described above, UNICEF recently shifted its USI strategy to refocus on supply-side interventions, particularly the establishment of a rigorous quality control and assurance system by the major salt producers and external quality control authorities, while continuing the communication efforts. Accordingly, a number of activities targeting inspection agencies, namely Tajikstandard and Sanitary Epidemiological Services (SES), as well as salt producers are planned.

 

With a view to addressing the legislative gaps[1] and mobilizing stronger political commitment to USI, UNICEF intends to work closely with the high-level Micronutrient (MN) multi-sectoral working group established under the Prime Minister’s Office. Specific focus of UNICEF support will be on enhancing USI monitoring, supervision and enforcement mechanisms by government inspection agencies.    

 

Against this background, UNICEF in Tajikistan is seeking the services if a national USI consultant to conduct capacity development aimed at accelerating USI efforts in Tajikistan.

 

OBJECTIVE:

The proposed national consultancy would provide technical assistance to the UNICEF country office for the  implementation some of the recommendations of the capacity needs assessment and capacity building of salt producers on internal quality monitoring, and support Inspection Agencies in setting up effective supervision and quality enforcement mechanisms.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT:

The national consultant will be responsible for the assignments stipulated below.

 

1. Capacity building of salt producers:

• Review of relevant assessment documents and development of the manual for salt laboratory method as well as for internal monitoring for salt iodization that responds to identified needs.
• Development of capacity development plan and packages for salt producers on internal quality monitoring for salt iodization. 

2. Support the inspection agencies to set up an effective supervision and enforcement mechanism, specifically:

• Development of training and informational materials (such as e brochures or leaflets with information on the general labeling requirements for food in general; e.g. registration of approved brands, name and address of supplier, expiration date, net weight, and others) for salt inspectors.
• Development of manual for monitoring and guideline/checklist for inspection visits at salt retail points.
• Conduct training workshops for salt inspectors on inspection, at different levels and on proper documentation of inspections outcomes.

 

 

KEY DELIVERABLES:

 

№	Tasks	Deliverables of tasks	Deadline	Estimated number of work days	Payment Schedule
1.	Development of the manual for salt laboratory method as well as for internal monitoring for salt iodization.	Manual for salt laboratory method as well as for internal monitoring for salt iodization prepared and approved by the government	20 of December 2020	10	50% of consultancy fee upon submission of manuals approved by UNICEF and Government
2.	Training of salt producers on internal monitoring for salt iodization.	Quality control/assurance workshops conducted for salt producers	10 January 2021	10
3.	Development of training and educational materials for the inspectors.	Training and educational materials developed and approved by the inspection agencies.	25 of December 2020	10
4	Development of manual for monitoring to carry out the inspection visits at any retail store selling fortified foods.	Manual for monitoring to carry out the inspection visits at any retail store selling fortified foods developed and approved by the inspection agencies.	30 of December 2020	15
5	Conduct training workshops for the salt inspectors on inspection, at different levels and proper documentation of inspections outcomes.	Training workshops for the salt inspectors on inspection, at different levels and proper documentation of inspections outcomes conducted.	30 January 2021	20
6	Prepare a completion report for the completed tasks.	Final consultancy completion report	15 February 2021	15	50% upon UNICEF approval of all deliverables

 

Considering the prevailing COVID-19 situation, the tasks and deliverables may need adjustment, therefore the consultant is required to be flexible to re-adjust the deliverable in consultation with UNICEF.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/output is incomplete, not delivered, or for failure to meet deadlines.

 

TRAVEL

The consultant will be stationed in Dushanbe with travel to Khujand city , Sughd region  (4 days), Kulob  city (8 days) and Bokhtar city (4 days) of Khatlon region, Khorog city (5 days) of  GBAO and Rasht district (5 days).

 

 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Advanced University Degree in nutrition, public health, social science or business administration or other related disciplines. Training in food fortification will be an added advantage

Work Experience: 5 years of professional experience in program management in the development field, and relevant work experience in the field of Universal Salt Iodization/Iodine Deficiency Disorder.

Competencies: Solid knowledge and work experience with grounded understanding of Government processes and procedures and familiarity with development of manuals in Tajikistan.

Technical Knowledge: Excellent facilitation, analytical and report writing skills.

Language: Fluency in Tajik and Russian languages (written and oral).

 

 

EVALUATION PROCESS:

 

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application.
2. A technical proposal with proposed methodology/approach to managing the project, showing understanding of tasks, work plan.
3. Financial quote for the consultancy in TJS per deliverable, and/or daily rate in TJS. The travel cost and DSA should be indicated separately in additional line.
4. CV.
5. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables.
6. At least 2 References

 

Queries can be sent to: [email protected]  with subject line “National consultancy to provide technical assistance in accelerating universal salt iodization (USI) efforts in Tajikistan.” Applications must be received in the system by 15 November 2020 at our website: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index.php  

 

Travel costs and DSA will be covered in accordance with UN rules and regulations. No other remunerations apply. UNICEF considers best value for money as criteria for evaluating potential candidates.  As a general principle, the fees payable to a consultant or individual contractor follow the “best value for money” principle, i.e., achieving the desired outcome at the lowest possible fee. Please note that consultants and individual contractors are responsible for assuming costs for obtaining visas and travel insurance.

 

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis methodology. The award of the Contract shall 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 weighted set of technical and financial criteria.

* Technical Criteria weight – 70%;

* Financial Criteria weight – 30%;

 

Criteria	Weight	Max. Point
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (max. 70 points)	70%	70
Overall Response (25 points)
Understanding of tasks, objectives and completeness and coherence of response		15
Overall match between the TOR requirements and proposal		10
Proposed Methodology and Approach (20 points)
Quality of proposed approach/methodology		10
Quality of proposed work plan		10
Technical Capacity (25 points)
Advanced University Degree in public health, nutrition, social science or business administration or other related disciplines. Training in food fortification will be an added advantage		5
5 years of professional experience in program management in the development field, and relevant work experience in the field of Universal Salt Iodization/Iodine Deficiency Disorder.		5
Solid knowledge and work experience with grounded understanding of Government processes and procedures and familiarity with development of manuals in Tajikistan.		10
Excellent proficiency in Tajik and Russian languages (written and oral).		5
FINANCIAL PROPOSAL (max. 30 points) (daily rate, lump sum, per deliverable, Economy Air Ticket)	30%	30
TOTAL SCORE (max. 100 points)

 

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in Technical Criteria evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.