International consultant on adoption of breast cancer treatment clinical protocols and development of compliance monitoring indicators

Description

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Hiring office:

UNFPA Turkmenistan CO

Title:

Individual consultancy services (international) on adoption of breast cancer treatment clinical protocols and development of compliance monitoring indicators.

The background and purpose of consultancy:

Within the national health landscape of Turkmenistan, breast cancer persists as a primary contributor to women's cancer mortality. Consequently, the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry has emphasized the strategic necessity of institutionalizing standardized, comprehensive frameworks for oncological care.

Despite the current absence of a systematic national screening program on breast cancer, it is imperative to secure high-tier diagnostic accuracy, staging, and therapeutic management for identified cases to mitigate mortality rates. 

UNFPA remains committed to facilitating prompt, high-quality interventions by strengthening chemotherapy, surgical treatment, radiotherapy and essential cancer treatment care. This includes previous technical assistance provided in 2025 to refine chemotherapy protocols specifically for cervical and breast cancer management.

The prevailing clinical landscape for breast cancer management necessitates a unified standard to mitigate subjective staging and treatment delays while ensuring multidisciplinary care continuity. Such standardization is vital to harmonize national practices with WHO standards and international clinical advancements. This integrated strategy underscores the commitment to improving women’s health outcomes and reducing morbidity related to sexual and reproductive health.

In light of these requirements, an international expert is sought to evaluate current frameworks, assist in the update of clinical protocols for breast cancer treatment, and provide specialized training to national oncological specialists.

The objective of this assignment is the development of modernized clinical protocols alongside a manual peer-review methodology and compliance indicators to monitor protocol adherence at institutional and national levels.

Scope of work:

The international expert will work with UNFPA RH NPA 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 local treatment protocol for breast cancer, identify gaps and provide recommendations.
   • Conduct 1 (one) online technical meeting to present evidence based desk review results to national oncologists.
   • Support update of breast cancer protocol to align with WHO standards and international good practices.
   • Conduct 3 days online training with national specialists on the updated clinical protocol.
2. Methodology development - 5working days
   • Develop a manual peer-review methodology for clinicians to assess adherence to protocols as a part of the quality assurance cycle, including clinical compliance indicators for national monitoring and internal audit.
   • Conduct a one day online workshop with national specialists on manual peer-review methodology and clinical compliance indicators.
3. Reporting phase - 3 working days
   • Develop a final consultancy report and set of related documents.

Duration and working schedule:

The Duration of this consultancy is 18 working days, from August 10th to November 30th 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 breast cancer aligned with WHO

standards developed by August 30th

Deliverable 2. 3-day online training conducted for national specialists on the updated clinical protocols by September 25th.

Deliverable 3. A complete package consisting of the set of Manual peer-review methodology clinical compliance indicators developed by October 20th.

Deliverable 4. One day online workshop for national partners on Manual peer-review methodology and clinical compliance indicators conducted by November 10th.

Deliverable 5. Final consultancy report developed by November 25th.

Place where

services are to be delivered:

The consultancy services will need to be delivered 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:

Travel is not expected under this consultancy.

Required expertise, qualifications, and competencies including language requirements:

• Advanced degree in medical sciences (Oncology and Mammology);
• Qualified oncologist possessing minimum 7 years of relevant experience in the area of breast cancer treatment.
• Knowledge of existing WHO recommendations and good practices as well as evidence collected by research institutions and societies.
• Experience in development of protocols, clinical guidances or recommendations , methodologies and.
• Fluency in Russian or English;
• 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.