National Consultant- In support of the Adolescent HIV- All In strategy, to strengthen the adolescent HIV/AIDs prevention and treatment response

Consultancy

DUTY STATION: Delhi with travel to specified states/ selected districts as required

DURATION OF CONSULTANCY:  Approximately 4.5 months – (mid August 2018 – 31 December 2018)

CLOSING DATE: 23 July 2018

Background:

HIV/AIDS is a significant contributor to mortality among adolescents 10-19 worldwide. In fact, the number of AIDS-related deaths among adolescents aged 10 -19 has doubled in the past 15 years as children who acquired HIV through MTCT who are either not on ART or fall out of care, have progressed to AIDS. The profile of adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) differs across the regions. In Sub-Sahara Africa the majority of ALHIV were infected via vertical (mother-to-child) transmission. In Asia, Central Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa, HIV infections among adolescents are driven by unsafe sexual behaviours and needle exchange. The few studies that include adolescents from low and concentrated HIV epidemic countries, especially outside of sub-Sahara Africa, suggest that HIV prevalence is disproportionately high among adolescent “key populations,” that include (a) adolescents who inject drugs, (b) gay and bisexual adolescent boys, (c) transgender adolescents and (d) adolescents who sell sex, including children (aged 10 - 17) exploited through the selling of sex.

National and sub-national data systems rarely provide the age- and sex-disaggregated data required to define the different needs of adolescents in the 10-14 and 15-19 year age groups. Yet it is clear that there are gaps in access, and variable quality of services for adolescents in many settings. Lack of health care provider skills in working with adolescents, age of consent laws, high levels of HIV- stigma, including in health care settings and schools, and inadequate youth focused health education and communication all contribute to limited access to information and services to prevent HIV infections, and to access treatment among adolescents. UNAIDS’ 2015 global estimates indicate that new HIV infections have plateaued at 2.1 million a year over the last 5 years in the total population, and declined only 7% (from 270 thousand to 250 thousand) in adolescents 15-19 years: clearly, progress on preventing new infections in adolescents and adults is insufficient. Investment in primary HIV prevention has focused on PMTCT and medical male circumcision, and increasingly on HIV treatment for prevention, whereas other components of “combination prevention” are not adequately supported and have not been sufficiently scaled up. In all regions, HIV disproportionally affects some of the most vulnerable and socially excluded populations who are key to halting the spread of the epidemic. In 88 out of 159 countries, more than half of all the estimated new infections are among key populations.

Effective responses require a solid understanding of the epidemiologic factors and structural drivers of the epidemic in addition to both the supportive and harmful laws and policies. It also requires policy makers and service providers to have the skills and relationships of trust to include key populations safely in planning and delivery of services for their own health and welfare. Demographic trends are producing a dramatic increase in the numbers of children and adolescents living in regions most affected by HIV.  As the population of these younger age groups continues to increase, the sexual and reproductive health knowledge and behaviour of adolescents today will define the scale of the epidemic in the future. In the absence of scaled up effective sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services and prevention interventions, new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths will increase at an unprecedented rate among this age group. The sheer numbers of youth in Asia, nearing 600 million, demand expanded and sustained responses. Such demographic shifts pose significant challenges to national health systems and signal the need for urgent action to prepare for the expected increase in demand for prevention and treatment services.

UNICEF, UNAIDS and partners launched the ALL IN Agenda aimed at reducing new HIV infections among adolescents by 75% and AIDS related deaths by 65% by 2020 targeting 25 countries globally including India. As part of the “All In” Initiative, UNICEF ICO RCH Section in collaboration with NACO/MOHFW  will undertake a targeted  three phase country assessment will be conducted to inform adolescent programme improvement and development.

The three cosequitive phases of support include: a) An initial phase of disaggregated data analysis on HIV/AIDs profile among adolescents; b) Based on the findings of the data analysis report support national round tables with national technical group on adolescents to identify critical bottlenecks and c) Support key interventions on adolescent HIV/AIDs prevention and treatment formulated through the clinical roundtables to be incorporated into national HIV/AIDs planning.

Phase one of the assessment was conducted with the technical support of a consultant from Jan to April 2018. It included country assessment process to undertake an equity- based analysis of demographic and HIV epidemiological information on adolescents including adolescent key population groups, and relevant cross-sectoral programmes about adolescents to strengthen adolescent component of the national HIV programme. Based on the findings of the phase one dashboard and indicator analysis, it is now required that Phase 2 and 3 of the assessments are undertaken to bring the assessment to a logical conclusion. The phase 2 would involve national round tables and with key stakeholders and discussions with state to identify critical and support the synthesis of the findings and corrective actions for evidence informed planning and monitoring. This phase of the country assessment would harmonize decision and outputs from phase 2 and 3 into a multisectoral plan for adolescents and HIV, and facilitate development of plans to improve programme implementation at sub national level.

Therefore, services of a National Level consultants are required to undertake the Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the Adolescent All in Assessment, to support NACO in developing a multisectoral integrated National Level Action Plan for Adolescent HIV.

PURPOSE :

To undertake in-depth analysis of bottlenecks affecting coverage of Priority HIV interventions at National Level and in priority geographical locations identified in Phase 1 and to support Evidence informed planning to accelerate corrective actions to address bottlenecks, data gaps, and improve intervention coverage, quality and impact.

Scope of Work: National level with State level engagement as required

The objectives of the consultancy undertaking include:

1. Undertake identification of key barriers and bottlenecks limiting effective coverage of priority HIV programme interventions for adolescents related to supply, demand, quality and structural factors and agreement on the priority activities needed to address the identified bottlenecks
2. Development of National and Sub National Action plans that reflect the corrective actions for the selected interventions from Phase 2  inclusive of stakeholder roles and responsibilities, including resources, strategic partnerships and monitoring and evaluation

The global guidance document and the All In Tools will guide the work of the consultancy.

SUPERVISOR:

• Maternal Health Specialist and Health Specialist

CONTRACT DURATION:

Approximately 4.5 months (mid August – 31 December 2018)

DUTY STATION:

Delhi with travel to specified states/ selected districts as required

MAJOR TASKS:

     Conduct Causality Analysis for understanding the key gaps and bottlenecks  limiting effective coverage of priority HIV programme interventions for adolescents related to supply, demand, quality and structural factors  (Phase 2)

1. 1. Undertake filed visit and focus groups discussions or key information interviews (KII) with the service providers, adolescent networks and groups and community members and thematic experts (national and state level) inclusive of development of the questionnaires and formats, finalization and seeking approval from NACO technical team, implementing FGDs and KII to understand the key barriers and gaps as well as explore the potential and recommended solutions for addressing these gaps.
   2. Facilitate national level and prioritized state level discussions in consultation with NACO to understand are the causes of the observed bottlenecks and why for coverage levels for commodity, human resources, accessibility, utilization, continuity and quality. Identify what are the structural barriers, i.e. policy and legislation, budget logistics and social norms to be addressed and what are the management weakness to be addressed
   3. Validate the proposed action with the government and a team of technical expert, policy makers, Program manager, service providers and adolsecent groups in the Adolescent TRG meeting which is inclusive of coordination for TRG meeting, technical session and finding presentation and summarization of agreement on the priority activities needed to address the identified bottlenecks
   4. Input the findings from the qualitative exercise into the AADM Phase 2 tool and generate the Phase 2 report
2. Development of National and Sub National Action plans that reflect the corrective actions for the selected interventions from Phase 2  inclusive of stakeholder roles and responsibilities, including resources, strategic partnerships and monitoring and evaluation (Phase 3)
   1. Facilitate review of corrective actions for the selected interventions from Phase 2 by a team comprised of policymakers, planners, donors, representative of adolescence networks and UNJT
   2. Define objectives, output and activities for the national and sub national micro plan that is informed from the previously selected corrective actions. 
   3. Input the objective, outputs and activities into the micro plan template and facilitate discussion and agreement on partner roles and responsibilities, including resources, partnerships and monitoring and evaluation
   4.  Develop a data collection and improvement plan that outlines roles and responsibilities and a monitoring and evaluation plan for tracking the progress of implementation of the agreed action.
   5. Prepare a detailed Phase 3 report inclusive of a framework for tracking and reviewing the reduction of bottlenecks and key recommendations

DELIVERABLES

Expected deliverables from this consultancy include:

1.  Phase 2 – Causality Analysis conducted  inclusive of FGDs, KII and stakeholder consultations
2. Validated Analytical report of Phase 2 Assessment including AADM phase 2 tool
3. Phase 3 – Draft National/subnational level micro plan in AADM tool format with defined objectives, output and activities that is informed from the previously selected corrective actions. 
4. Validated National/Subnational level micro plan by Expert group outlining roles and responsibilities and timelines
5. Detailed Phase 3 report inclusive of data improvement plan, and framework for reviewing reduction of bottlenecks

PAYMENT TERMS

• Payment is linked to receipt and satisfactory acceptance of deliverables.
• Travel expenses will be reimbursed at actuals based on submission of original invoices/reports.
• Per Diem will be reimbursed at UNICEF consultant rates.

 Essential Educational Qualifications & Professional Experience for Consultant

•  Postgraduate degree in public health, sociology and/or other social sciences.
• At least 5 years or more of experience in Programme Development and Strategic Planning
• Experience in HIV and adolescent program development
• Research skills: data collection skills for both qualitative and quantitative data, data analysis, and report writing.
• Experience with conducting bottleneck analysis and development of action plans to address identified bottlenecks.
• Experience in working on supporting HIV/AIDS projects and research and working with national and State HIV/AIDs program; NACO; SACS and partners
• Experience in writing reports of high quality and scientific standard.
• Familiarity with national frameworks; national programme assessment and planning is an advantage.

 Competencies:

• Excellent knowledge of current global research and/or initiatives on HIV and adolescent.
• Ability to liaise with relevant government ministries, NACO, youth and adolescents networks government offices, CSOs, youth and adolescent networks and the UN Joint team
• Good communication, facilitation and analytical skills mandatory

Please submit your application through the online portal by 24:00 Hours Indian Standard Time on 23 July, 2018.

HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain Three separate attachments:

1. 1. 1. A Cover letter explaining the motivation for applying and also explaining how the qualifications and skill-set of the candidate are suitable for this position (to be uploaded online under cover letter)
      2. Curriculum Vitae (CV) (to be uploaded online under CV/Resume)
      3. A financial proposal indicating deliverable-based professional fee as per template attached below.  Please do not forget to specify your name in the file while saving. (to be uploaded under financial proposal template).  Please click on the link below to access the template:

  Final Financial Bid Template .docx

Please Note: It is mandatory to submit the financial proposal template along with your application.

The selection will be on the basis of Quality and Cost Based Selection Method wherein technical & financial offer would be evaluated  in the ratio of 80:20.  The criteria for technical evaluation will be as follows:

1. Language and content of cover letter                        -           Min 07/Max 10
2. Relevant Education Qualifications                            -           Min 14/Max 20
3. Relevant work/technical experience                          -           Min 21/Max 30

Candidates will be shortlisted for the interview on the basis of the review of sub-criteria 1, 2, 3 as listed above. The candidates who score overall 42 marks and above against criteria (1 through 3) as well as meet the minimum cut-off in each of the above3 sub-criteria will be shortlisted for an interview.

4. Interview                                                                                Min 28/Max 40

Total technical score – 100 Minimum overall qualifying score is 70. Only those candidates who meet the minimum qualifying marks of 70 as well as score the minimum score in each of the above sub-criteria including the interview will be considered technically responsive and their financials will be opened.

• Any attempt to unduly influence UNICEF’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant.
• Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted.
• Please note, UNICEF does not charge any fee during any stage of the process. 

For any clarifications, please contact:

UNICEF

Supply & Procurement Section

73, Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110003

Telephone # +91-11-24606516

Email: indconsultants@unicef.org