National consultant on the update of the digital software

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Hiring office:

UNFPA Turkmenistan CO

Title:

Individual consultancy services (national) on the update of the digital software for the administrative data collection form in the area of maternal health /Form 19.

The background and purpose of consultancy:

UNFPA is supporting the Ministry of Health and the Medical Industry (MOHMI) of Turkmenistan in integrating digital solutions into the health system for improving the effectiveness and efficiency, as well as accelerating the health services provision by health specialists. Recently, UNFPA has launched the development of a mobile application for obstetric doctors’ all-in-one access to the critical clinical documentations. Furthermore, UNFPA aims to incorporate more digital solutions into the work of the MOHMI with the objective of further improving operational efficiency, data accuracy, and future planning.

UNFPA Turkmenistan, within the implementation of the Action Plan of the National Strategy for RMNCAH in Turkmenistan with the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, aims to update digital programme Access to serve as a centralized digital tool of report forms for national obstetrician-gynecologists for their easy access.

The ACCESS program, a vital tool for the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry, serves as a digital tool for statistical data and reporting for national obstetric gynecologists. The last update to the program was in 2018, and this project aims to ensure the program remains a relevant, accurate, and efficient tool that meets the current needs of its users.

The project is a key component of UNFPA’s broader strategy to promote digitalization as an innovation within the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry.

The primary goal of this project is to update and modernize the ACCESS program. The rationale for this update is to address its outdated nature, which has resulted in technical inefficiencies, potential data inaccuracies, and a user interface that does not align with current best practices. By updating the program, it is aimed to:

• Improve Data Accuracy and Integrity: Minimize errors in data entry and ensure the integrity of the collected information.
• Enhance User Experience: Create a more intuitive and efficient user interface that reduces the administrative burden on obstetric gynecologists.
• Ensure Technical Relevance: Modernize the underlying technology to ensure compatibility with contemporary operating systems, browsers, and mobile devices.

In this regard, a national expert to update the Access Programme (IT specialist) is required. The national consultant specialist will additionally be responsible for providing capacity-building training to MoHMI administrators and users, focusing on programme use and management.

Scope of work:

The national consultant will be working with UNFPA RH NPO and national MoHMI specialists on updating the Access Programme for obstetrician-gynecologists including the following stages:

Stage 1: Desk review – 3 days

• Preparatory work together with specialists of the MoHMI responsible for collecting data on Form 19 “Report on medical care for pregnant women, women in labour and maternity” (3 working days)

Stage 2: Development and Testing – 20 days

• To update the currently used version of MS Access according to the system requirements of computers in medical and preventive institutions (1 working day).
• Update the data processing, analysis and dissemination programme in accordance with the new format (design) of the form approved by the MoH MI (8 working days).
• Maintain and update the electronic directory of health care facilities that collect data for Form 19 (3 working days).
• Verify algorithms for logical consistency of data between sections of the updated programme (2 working days).
• Update the instruction manual for users of the programme (3 working days).
• To test the updated programme, with a guarantee of data reception and transmission at all 3 levels of processing (3 working days).

Stage 3: Capacity building and reporting – 4 working days

• Provide the capacity building training for healthcare specialists (2 working days)
• Prepare a final consultancy report (2 working days)

The national specialist will also advise on the UNFPA role and contribution in communication with national authorities in the National Communications Agency, if necessary.

Duration and working schedule:

The duration of this consultancy is 27 working days from November 3, 2025 till December 10th, 2025 including operational closure of the contract.

Outcomes and deliverables:

Deliverable 1. Assessment report by November 6, 2025.

Deliverable 2. Access programme updated and tested by November 30, 2025.

Deliverable 3. 2 days training conducted for MoHMI Administrators & OB-GYNs, by December 7th, 2025

Deliverable 4. Final consultancy report by December 10th, 2025.

Place where services are to be delivered:

The consultancy services will need to be delivered on the duty station of the National Consultant and in a distant mode.

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered:

Dates for deliverables as indicated in the outcomes and deliverables section. All deliverables should be submitted in an electronic format.

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

The UNFPA Programme Analyst on Reproductive Health will monitor the National Consultant’s work through reviewing submitted materials. The consultant will weekly provide an update on progress by email or ad-hoc, on challenges encountered and support needed.

Ethical Considerations

UNFPA requires its consultants to adhere to ethical principles and standards when doing research. The selected consultant should clearly identify any potential ethical issues and approaches, as well as the processes for ethical review in the inception report.

National Ownership

The involvement of appropriate national partners will be a critical condition for the development of all the mission outcome materials in ensuring stakeholder ownership and its subsequent utilisation.

Supervisory arrangements:

The National Consultants will directly work under the supervision of and report to the UNFPA Programme Analyst on reproductive health, along with the overall guidance from the UNFPA Head of Office.

Expected travel:

No travel is expected under this consultancy.

Required expertise, qualifications, and competencies including language requirements:

• Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in programming, preferably for healthcare or government projects.
• OR Bachelor’s Degree in the same fields combined with 2 additional years of relevant experience
• Experience working with Government organisations and/or international organizations
• Understanding of data encryption, secure APIs, and user authentication, as well as experience in composing technical documentation
• Skills in stakeholder coordination, including communication and training skills.
• Fluency in Turkmen, Russian. Knowledge of English is an advantage.
• Expertise in cybersecurity, or database management will be an advantage.

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner, if applicable:

UNFPA will provide the consultant with all the necessary materials, data, information, and available reports. The UNFPA Country Office will put together a list of core sources and readings before the start of the consultancy.

Other relevant information or special conditions, if any:

The consultancy fee will be calculated based on the NO-C level of the UN

Salary Scale for National Officer categories effective 1 November 2020 and will

be paid in a lump sum upon successful completion of deliverables.

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. Persons with disabilities, and individuals of other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity.

Read Full Description