National Consultant - HIV and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), WHO Viet Nam

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Purpose of consultancy  

The National consultant will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health of Viet Nam including in evaluating the pilot of integrated multi-disease viral load testing using point-of-care platform and implementing long-acting injectable PrEP.

Background  

WHO guidelines recommend that countries adopt point-of-care (POC) platforms for viral load testing and, where feasible, utilize multi-disease devices to expand access to HIV and hepatitis testing. Based on POC platforms already deployed in the tuberculosis program, WHO supported the Ministry of Health in piloting integrated HIV and HCV viral load testing. With the pilot now completed, an evaluation is required to document findings, implementation experience, and recommendations to inform national scale-up.

In 2025, WHO issued new guidelines on lenacapavir (LEN) for HIV prevention and on testing strategies for long-acting injectable PrEP. LEN represents a major advance, particularly for men who have sex with men (MSM) and other high-risk populations. In Viet Nam, HIV transmission has shifted from people who inject drugs to MSM. Evidence shows LEN is highly effective in reducing HIV risk among MSM, and its introduction could significantly lower new infections and accelerate progress toward ending AIDS by 2030.

This consultancy will support the Ministry of Health in assessing community acceptability and preferences for LEN as PrEP, and in developing training materials and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for implementation. The consultant will also provide technical assistance to the Ministry on related tasks as needed.

Outputs and Deliverables

Output 1: Support Ministry of Health of Viet Nam in preparing for the implementation of long-acting injectable PrEP.

Activities:
- Conduct a survey on community needs, preferences, and willingness to pay; 
- Develop communication materials and training resources to facilitate rollout.

Deliverable 1.1: Training materials on long-acting injectable PrEP to be submitted on 20 May 2026;
Deliverable 1.2: Technical report on community needs, preferences, and willingness to pay for long-acting injectable PrEP to be submitted by 20 July 2026;

Output 2: Conduct an evaluation of the pilot on integrated multi-disease viral load testing using point-of-care platforms

Activities: 
- Collect qualitative data
- Analyze data 
- Prepare a comprehensive evaluation report

Deliverable 2.1: Evaluation report on the findings and recommendations of the pilot of integrated multi-disease viral load testing using point-of-care platform to be submitted on 20 August 2026.

Output 3: Provide technical assistance to the Viet Nam Administration for Disease Prevention as required

Activities: 
Participate in technical meetings 
Contribute to programmatic discussions.

Deliverable 3.1: Report on technical support to VADP in implementation of HIV activity to be submitted on 20 October 2026.
Deliverable 3.2: Final technical report on the implementation of the required tasks to be submitted on 15 December 2026.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational qualifications    

Essential:

• The applicant must hold a university degree from a recognized institution and an advanced university degree (e.g., Master’s) in public health, epidemiology, or medicine.

Desirable:

• A PhD in these areas is desirable.

Work Experience

Essential:

• At least 10 years of professional experience in HIV prevention and/or treatment

Desirable:

• Demonstrated expertise in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
• Demonstrated experience in project implementation and evaluation.
• Experience working with Ministry of Health, other national stakeholders and communities.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge

• Strong knowledge of WHO guidelines on HIV testing, prevention and treatment.
• Strong stakeholder and community engagement skills.
• Strong report writing abilities.  
• Able to travel within the country when required during the contract period.

Language requirements

• Fluency in English, with strong writing and communication skills.
   

Location

The consultant will be based on WHO Viet Nam office.

Travel

• The consultant will be required to travel to selected provinces when required 
• All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.
  
   

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded)

• Remuneration: US$2,500/month 

• Expected duration of contract: 9 months from April to December 2026

  
   

Additional Information:

•    This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
•    Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
•    A written test may be used as a form of screening.
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