Country: India
Closing date: 23 Jul 2018
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:
The global guidance document and the All In Tools will guide the work of the consultancy.
SUPERVISOR:
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)
DELIVERABLES
Expected deliverables from this consultancy include:
PAYMENT TERMS
Essential Educational Qualifications & Professional Experience forConsultant
Competencies:
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 Threeseparate attachments:
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:
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 overall42 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.
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.
For any clarifications, please contact:
UNICEF
Supply & Procurement Section
73, Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110003
Telephone # +91-11-24606516
Email: indconsultants@unicef.org
How to apply:
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organization. To apply, click on the following link http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/?job=514638