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

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.