Background

In spite of significant progress, Sub-Saharan Africa still accounts for 69% of the 34 million people living with HIV globally, with more than 13.5 million people living with HIV in SADC Member States alone. For a variety of reasons, women and girls are most heavily affected by HIV in Africa where almost 60% of those living with HIV are women and with 3.1% of young women aged 15–24 living with HIV (versus 1.3% of young men). In addition, up to 37% of female sex workers in Africa are estimated to be living with HIV.[1] Challenges that still need to be overcome include addressing the relatively low uptake of HIV testing, the need for more innovative HIV prevention services targeted at those most affected, and the need to address continuing high levels of stigma and discrimination. To address the above, social and structural interventions most of which fall outside the health realm and are long term in nature are required. Hence the UNAIDS Investment Framework, based on a compilation and analysis of evidence of interventions proven to reduce HIV risk, transmission, morbidity and mortality suggests three key elements of HIV responses in three categories – “basic programme activities”, “critical enablers” and “synergies with development sectors” – to help countries and implementation partners focus and prioritize their efforts to achieve targets of the 2011 United Nations Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS. It also acknowledges that the 6 basic programme activities are most effective – or indeed only possible in some cases – when the broader human rights and development environment, through enablers and synergies, is supportive. Of particular interest in relation to emerging social and structural drivers are the linkages between increasing HIV infections and large infrastructure projects (also known as large capital projects) such as mining, construction of roads, pipelines, transmission lines, dams, power stations, harbors etc.

After a 10-country review of environmental legislation and practice, it has become clear that in spite of a raft of policies and legislation on EIA, there are still too many EIAs for large capital projects which barely meet the minimum requirements for addressing HIV and gender-related issues. The reasons for this are many and include legislative and institutional weaknesses, a lack of awareness about health as a development issue, as well as poor environmental assessment practice. Some of the weaknesses noticed include: poor, conflicting and/or ‘toothless’ environmental legislation; lack of clarity over the inclusiveness of the term ‘environment’; exclusion of worker health and safety from EIAs; lack of direction on gender equality in environmental laws; lack of impact analysis by gender; weak mitigation measures for the management of HIV; and poor implementation of Environmental and Social Management Plan requirements. The penalties for non-compliance with EA legislation are also inadequate, there is a lack of a legislated peer review mechanism and capacities of regulatory authorities around HIV and gender tend to be weak.

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall goal of the consultant’s work will be to provide technical support to EA stakeholders – Governments, national environmental management authorities, developers, EA practitioners, CSOs to strengthen their EA legislation, EA policy environment EA practice including monitoring and evaluation in selected countries as may be requested by the countries. This is intended to promote the needed synergies required to scale up HIV prevention, treatment and care as well as gender empowerment interventions in both phase 1 countries: (Namibia, Lesotho, South Africa, Zambia, Uganda, Malawi and Mozambique), as well as phase 2 countries (Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, DRC, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Angola, Congo Brazzaville, Swaziland, Seychelles and Kenya). 

Within this overall goal, the consultant will be expected to perform the following tasks in 2014 within the country to be assigned:

• Take part in country consultations and enrolment mission in at least 2 countries upon request from the countries and in the company of the UNDP senior Advisor (as a way to be introduced to the country) (4 days);
• Review guidelines and regulations (findings of which will be presented to the country for validation: (2 days);
• Prepare background presentations and provide facilitation support to share findings of the legislation review (2 days);
• Facilitate advocacy and institutional assessment meetings in the countries assigned (4 days);
• Prepare and submit reports based on activities 1-3 above (2 days);
• Follow up actions in assigned countries as requested by the HHD (6 days).

Maximum Total: 20 days (Depending on the needs of the countries assigned)

Competencies

• Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promote the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Display cultural gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

• Demonstrates capacity to train government and officials and other EA stakeholders from the private sector and CSO sectors;
• Good analytical skills;
• Sound understanding of the links between health, HIV, gender and large infrastructure projects;
• Has a good understanding of the UNDP/AfDB Guidelines on integrating HIV and gender in EAs;
• Has good understanding on Environmental Assessment legislations, guidelines and policies;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Builds strong relationships with trainees, stakeholders and partners;
• Understands the linkages and gaps between EIAs and EMPs and compliance Monitoring;
• Ability to identify practical entry points in the EA process where issues of HIV/gender can be integrated.
  

Required Skills and Experience