Location : Cairo, EGYPT
Application Deadline : 22-Sep-13
Additional Category: Poverty Reduction
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : International Consultant
Languages Required : Arabic English
Expected Duration of Assignment : 30 Working days
Background
UNDP is a founding cosponsor of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), a partner of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and a co-sponsor of several other international health partnerships. UNDP’s work on HIV, health and development leverages the organization’s core strengths and mandates in human development, governance and capacity development to complement the efforts of specialist health-focused UN agencies. UNDP delivers three types of support to countries to improve HIV and health outcomes through attention to (i) HIV mainstreaming, gender equality and the MDGS, (ii) governance, human rights and vulnerable groups, and (iii) Implementation support and capacity development for Global Fund programmes.
The UNDP HIV, Health and Development Programme in the Arab States aims to create heightened awareness and build capacity to increase commitment and leadership for effective HIV responses. A crucial feature of the Programme has been to continue to break the silence surrounding HIV and increase the visibility of the HIV epidemic with quality information and awareness/capacity building interventions while decreasing AIDS related stigma and discrimination.
Main characteristics of HIV / epidemics and key challenges of national responses in Arab countries:
The majority of Arab countries demonstrate low-level and concentrated HIV epidemics. Two Arab countries, Djibouti and Somalia, experience generalized HIV epidemics, with HIV prevalence exceeding 1 per cent among pregnant women . The rise in new infections makes the Arab Region home to one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics, second after Eastern Europe. HIV prevalence, new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths are increasing in this region.
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The majority of Arab countries demonstrate low-level and concentrated HIV epidemics. Two Arab countries, Djibouti and Somalia, experience generalized HIV epidemics, with HIV prevalence exceeding 1 per cent among pregnant women . The rise in new infections makes the Arab Region home to one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics, second after Eastern Europe. HIV prevalence, new HIV infections and AIDS-related deaths are increasing in this region.
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Increasing prevalence of HIV among key populations due to higher risk of exposure. In addition to key populations at higher risk, vulnerable populations including mobile people, prisoners, women and youth are also important to consider in the context of HIV epidemics in Arab countries.
Seventy percent of Arab countries cite stigma and discrimination and difficult social environments experienced by people living with HIV as key challenges in the national HIV response. At least 10 of the 22 countries in the region still report having laws, regulations or policies that present obstacles to effective HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for vulnerable or marginalized populations. In their national strategic plans, a number of Arab countries report that gender inequality in accessing HIV services is a major challenge for national responses to HIV.
Seventy percent of Arab countries cite stigma and discrimination and difficult social environments experienced by people living with HIV as key challenges in the national HIV response. At least 10 of the 22 countries in the region still report having laws, regulations or policies that present obstacles to effective HIV prevention, treatment, care and support for vulnerable or marginalized populations. In their national strategic plans, a number of Arab countries report that gender inequality in accessing HIV services is a major challenge for national responses to HIV.
Many Arab countries still face a shortage of financial resources for the AIDS response, and a number of Arab countries indicate that while political commitment around HIV has increased in recent years, the multi-sector response to HIV needs improvements.
Capacity for surveillance, research and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of national responses is extremely limited in many Arab countries. Additionally health systems, civil society organizations and organizations of people living with HIV are characterized by limited capacity, especially in terms of ability to reach and provide services to key populations at higher risk.Many countries acknowledge significant deficiencies in national monitoring and evaluation systems and the lack of strategic information is a primary challenge as cited by nearly every government in the region.
Recent political and social unrest in the region and implications on HIV response.
Equity and social justice are of paramount importance for responding to the AIDS epidemic. HIV is as much a social and developmental disease as a medical one. Social and behavioral changes are necessary to control and mitigate the impact of AIDS.
The Arab region has recently witnessed major socio-political dynamics that can affect positively or negatively the relevance and impacts of responses to HIV. In light of these dynamics, there has been a growing perception among partners and key players in the region of emerging risks to some of the achievements made, in particular, those relating to human rights, gender equality, and programs targeting key populations ( men having sex with men , sex workers and people who use drugs) . Conversely, the increase use and consumption of social media could provide new opportunities to promote and advocate for inclusive and effective rights-based interventions.
In light of these emerging challenges, the HIV, Health and Development Practice in the UNDP Regional Centre in Cairo
In light of these emerging challenges, the HIV, Health and Development Practice in the UNDP Regional Centre in Cairo
(RCC) in collaboration with the Poverty and Governance Practices is reviewing approaches to HIV responses in the region.
In this regard, a strategic guidance note will be developed for UNDP Country Offices to help with the design and implementation of strategic interventions and programs in the Arab region that more effectively address the recent socioeconomic and political dynamics and emerging challenges in responding to HIV.
This strategic note will be aligned with UNDP’s global strategic plan , strategic priorities for HIV and health and other guiding documents like UNAIDS Division of labour.
It shall also help Country Offices to contribute to achieving the goals and targets set forth in the 2011 United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS and to implement actions adapted to national situations and resources.
In this regard, a strategic guidance note will be developed for UNDP Country Offices to help with the design and implementation of strategic interventions and programs in the Arab region that more effectively address the recent socioeconomic and political dynamics and emerging challenges in responding to HIV.
This strategic note will be aligned with UNDP’s global strategic plan , strategic priorities for HIV and health and other guiding documents like UNAIDS Division of labour.
It shall also help Country Offices to contribute to achieving the goals and targets set forth in the 2011 United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS and to implement actions adapted to national situations and resources.
The RCC is seeking the short term services of a consultant to assist in these efforts.
Expected contents of the strategic guidance note
The strategy guidance note is foreseen to encompass the following elements:
- A consolidation of key lessons learned from UNDP past regional and country level programmatic activities in the area of HIV, as well as mainstreaming of HIV in other programmatic areas ;
- Identification of good practices, as well as gaps and potential needs for adjustments in light of recent changes in the political, economic and social environments of program countries and related challenges and opportunities for transformational change ;
- Provide guidance on assessment tools / frameworks to help Country Offices select and monitor the most appropriate interventions given country HIV and broader development contexts and policy priorities, in line with inclusiveness, human rights, gender equality, and national ownership principles; and Recommendations for innovative and multi-sectoral / integrated approaches and solutions to HIV programming and partnership building, including through South-South cooperation.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Drawing up a plan of action and timetable for accomplishing the consultancy tasks;
- The consultant should present an overall work plan, including detailed plans for each of the task areas. This work plan will be reviewed and approved by RCC HIV/AIDS and Poverty teams. Conduct critical desk review and assessment of previous initiatives, including the on-hold & open- ended ones.
- Conduct interviews and/or focus group discussions with key informant partners and stakeholders including but not limited to BDP, RCC senior management and concerned staff, UNAIDS-Cosponsors, government officials, representatives from CSOs, PLHIV and projects beneficiaries and HIV consultants and champions trained by UNDP e.g Legal experts - CHAHAMA steering committee, etc;
- Review relevant global and regional HIV-related key instruments and documents to ensure that the guidance note will align with UNDP’s strategic directions, mandate and commitments.
Situation analysis to provide a basis for screening the relevance of current HIV interventions and guide the design of future ones in light of recent changes. This could be including some guidance towards building strategic partnerships, identifying key funding opportunities, ensuring national buy-in and sustainability, and mainstreaming prospects.
Develop recommendations for UNDP to best address HIV in the current and the foreseen context in the region.
Present the initial findings and recommendations to RCC, BDP and RBAS and
Submit final report based on partners inputs, feedback and consensus.
Deliverables & Milestones:
- Overall workplan; plan of action and time table, within 2 weeks from signing the contract;
- Draft report including initial findings and recommendations by 31 Oct. 2013;
- Final report not exceed 20-25 pagers by max (including annexes) no later than 15 Nov. 2013;
- Final Report should be presented in both printed and electronic versions.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Functional Competencies
- Ability to conduct in depth interview, focus group discussion and apply other data collection tools;
- Ability to compile multifaceted data and write strategic plans and reports;
- Demonstrates strong analytical skills;
- Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s Degree in Development, Social science, Public Health, Law, Gender or other Health related Studies.
Work experience:
- Professional experience of no less than 8 years, with a minimum of 5 years in national and/or international development experience in Programming, Advocacy and Strategic communication fields, preferably in the area of HIV and/or risk groups in the Arab region;
- Ability to apply substantive knowledge of HIV related issues and develop strategic planning and execution.
Language:
- Fluency in spoken and written Arabic and English. French is an asset.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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