Job Description

TERMS OF REFERENCE
Hiring office:	UNFPA Turkmenistan CO
Title:	Individual consultancy services (international) on adoption of cervical and breast cancer treatment clinical protocols and development of compliance monitoring indicators.
The background and purpose of consultancy:	Cervical and breast cancers remain top two leading cancer mortality causes among women , but also curable if detected early and adequately treated. The annual number of new cervical cancer cases in the world has been projected to increase from 570 000 to 700 000 between 2018 and 2030, with the annual number of deaths projected to increase from 311 000 to 400 000. UNFPA supports the national government in strengthening the healthcare system, emphasizing accessible, high-quality cervical and breast cancer screening and treatment. Efforts in Turkmenistan to eliminate cervical cancer include supporting HPV vaccination for both girls and boys, promoting screening initiatives, and guaranteeing access to treatment for diagnosed individuals. By implementing organized screening and treatment programs, UNFPA aims to decrease cervical cancer burden of disease. UNFPA has supported training of up to 80% of the country's cytologists and colposcopists. The capacity of the national colposcopists is strengthened with regard to improving early detection and treatment of cervical cancer. UNFPA also prioritizes on ensuring timely, high-quality treatment by supporting the development of chemotherapy and other essential cancer treatment facilities. UNFPA provided support to national oncologists in 2025 to update and improve chemotherapy protocols for treating cervical and breast cancer. There is a recognized need to further enhance the capacity of oncologists, in the treatment of cervical and breast cancers. Treatment protocols and methods need to be updated to align with WHO recommendations, current evidence, and the latest medical advancements. Through these integrated efforts, UNFPA aims to improve 5-year survival rates for women with cervical and breast cancers, thereby increasing life expectancy and overall well-being. This comprehensive approach reflects UNFPA's dedication to women's health and reducing the impact of these cancers on SRH-related morbidity rate. Therefore, there is a need for an international specialist to assess existing protocols, develop updated clinical protocols, and deliver training to national oncologists in Turkmenistan. There is a recognized need to update clinical protocols to align with WHO recommendations and latest medical advancements. Furthermore, to ensure these updates translate into patient care, there is a critical need for a clinical compliance framework. This consultancy aims to develop updated clinical protocols and a manual peer-review methodology with specific indicators to monitor adherence at both the national and hospital levels, ensuring a unified standard of care.
Scope of work:	The international expert will work with UNFPA RH NPO and national MOHMI specialists on adoption of treatment protocols including the following stages: 1. Assessment and revision phase - 10 working day Desk review of existing treatment protocols for cervical and breast cancers. Conduct 1 (one) online technical meeting to clarify with national oncologists on the cervical and breast cancer treatment opportunities and current methodologies. Update protocols to align with WHO standards and international good practices. Conduct 3 days training with national specialists on the updated clinical protocols. 2. Methodology development - 8 working days Develop a Manual Peer-Review Methodology for clinicians to evaluate adherence to protocols Define Clinical Compliance Indicators for national monitoring and internal audit Develop of standardized reporting templates for hospital administrators and Ministry of Health specialists. Conduct a 2 days workshop with national specialists to refine and finalize the methodology 3. Reporting phase - 2 working days Develop a final report with an executive summary and implementation roadmap.
Duration and working schedule:	The Duration of this consultancy is 20 working days, from April 18th to July 31st 2026 including operational closure of the contract. Dates may vary due to availability of the expert and the national partners.
Outcomes and deliverables:	The timeline below shows the final dates of delivery and can be performed earlier than that Deliverable 1. Assessment Report, including a desk review of current protocols, a summary of technical recommendations from online meetings, and the first draft of updated clinical protocols for cervical and breast cancer aligned with WHO standards developed by May 15th Deliverable 2. 3-day training conducted for national specialists on the updated clinical protocols by May 25 th. Deliverable 3. 2 days workshop for national partners on Manual peer-review methodology and clinical compliance indicators conducted by May 30th. Deliverable 4. A complete package consisting of the Manual peer-review methodology, the set of clinical compliance indicators (national and internal), and standardized reporting templates for MoHMI and hospital administrators developed by June 20th. Deliverable 5. Final consultancy report developed by July 20th.
Place where services are to be delivered:	The consultancy services will need to be delivered in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan and online.
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 International Consultant’s work through reviewing submitted materials. The consultant will provide an update on a weekly basis on progress, challenges encountered, and support requirements. 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 International 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:	One in-country travel for 6 days is expected under this consultancy. During presence in the country, consultant will meet with UNFPA staff and deliver tasks specified above. Exact dates of travel to be agreed with the selected consultant. Logistic arrangements such as visa, tickets, stay in Turkmenistan to be arranged by the UNFPA country office. Travel costs will be covered additionally according to the UNFPA’s Duty Travel Policy
Required expertise, qualifications, and competencies including language requirements:	Advanced degree in medical sciences (Oncology, Gynaecology, Mammology); Qualified oncologist possessing minimum 7 years of relevant experience. Knowledge of existing WHO recommendations and good practices as well as evidence collected by research institutions and societies. Experience in development of protocols, manuals, methodologies and related documentation. Fluency in English. Knowledge of Russian is an asset; Familiarity and experience with the Central Asian context is an asset.
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 P-4 level of the of the UN Salary Scale for Professional and higher categories effective 1 January 2026 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.