Background

De

Despite the global decline in the HIV new infections, the Arab regions currently has one of the fastest growing epidemics. According to UNAIDS 2013 Regional Report for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), by 2012, 270,000 people were living with HIV, that is 134% increase than in 2001. With a few exceptions (Djibouti and Somalia), the majority of the HIV epidemic in this region is concentrated among key population at higher risk (people who inject drugs, men who have sex with men and sex workers).

Access of people living with HIV to care, support and treatment is unequal across countries. By the end of 2012, 25,100 people were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), an increase of 4,800 from 2011. However, regional level coverage of people living with HIV was less than 20 per cent. Although access to treatment is free in many countries, other services such as professional confidential counselling, treatment of opportunistic infections and other health care services remain inadequate. The level of poverty experienced by people living with HIV and affected families remain a concern affecting their ability to access or maintain their access to health and social services and exacerbating the impact of the epidemic. While better-off families can offset their losses in income resulting from AIDS with other assets, poor people are more likely to resort to adverse coping strategies (reducing education, food and health expenditures or sending their children to work) that can result in significant loss of human capital.

Many countries in the region have some social protection schemes, that provide some basic services for most vulnerable groups. Depending on contexts, these services include subsidised medical insurance schemes, access to microcredit and lending schemes and in some countries, direct cash transfers or commodities distribution for the most vulnerable families such as families with widows and/or orphans. However, people living with HIV/AIDS are often excluded from these services because of the stigma which is the biggest hindrance, in addition to the lack of awareness or information about how to access these services, all of which necessitates some policy change to ensure inclusion of all vulnerable groups including people living with HIV without jeopardizing their confidentiality.

UNDP has signed a grant agreement with Ford Foundation in support of a new phase of the ‘Karama “initiative”  a project launched by UNDP in 2010 to economically and socially empower people, especially women, living with HIV (PLWH) through partnerships with national CSO for the provision of vocational training and/or micro-credit scheme in order to establish income-generating projects. Acknowledging that livelihood support efforts are critical but not sufficient, the new phase aims to enhance awareness on HIV-sensitive social protection needs and leverage additional social protection packages by policy advocacy and support. It is based on the premise that inclusive and HIV-sensitive social protection can help address some of the key social drivers of the epidemic – income inequalities, gender inequalities, social exclusion – and thus help reduce new infections as well as mitigate epidemic’s impacts. It can especially contribute to addressing issues such as stigma and discrimination, which exacerbate marginalization and vulnerability experienced by key populations at higher risk of infection, including women and girls.

Duties and Responsibilities

The

The purpose of this assignment is to assess the potential and prerequisites for promoting an integrated approach to social protection for PLWH in selected countries of the region (Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Djibouti). This will involve a thorough mapping the existing health insurance and other social protection schemes in each country. Specifically, this will involve: (i) Identifying the different social protection programmes in each country and government bodies and other partners (including NGOs) responsible for delivery; (ii) Examining the qualifying criteria for accessing the various social protection schemes; (iii) Assessing the accessibility of the current social protection programmes by people living with HIV; (iv) Identifying gaps/barriers and opportunities in current practices and making concrete country-specific recommendations on how to overcome. Given the main thrusts of the Karama Initiative, special attention will be paid to assessing opportunities to use NGO based livelihood support initiatives as an entry-point for broadening PLVIH’s access to social/social protection services, and strengthening advocacy for HIV-sensitive social protection.

The consultant is expected to work closely with another consultant who will be working on Socio-economic profiling of People living with HIV (PLHIV) in the same countries. The findings of the mapping will be further discussed and together with the findings of the Socio-economic Profiling of People Living with HIV will be presented during a regional consultation meeting, which will aim at developing an action plan for social protection integration of PLHIV.

Work plan and Methodology:

The consultant will develop and submit a work plan for the total duration of the assignment of the consultation, along with an outline of study methodology and report structure (within first week after the start of the assignment).

Comprehensive (desk) review

of existing published literature about the four countries’ laws, policies and programmes and other relevant documents relating to health and social protection systems and programs (public, private, national or community-based) and related eligibility/accessibility criteria with special reference to inclusion or exclusion of PLVIH, especially women, and other criteria based on income, gender, sexual orientation etc…. .

A draft of the policy review is expected to be submitted to UNDP within three weeks after the beginning of the consultancy.

Data collection through interviews or focus group discussions with key stakeholders (Ministries in charge of social security/protection schemes (Health, Social Affairs, Labor…); international organizations (UNDP, WHO, UNAIDs…); NGOs/CBOs; organizations/networks of PLVIHs..). In consultation with partner CSOs in the four countries, the consultant will prepare a matrix of the institutions to be visited in each country and individuals and/or groups to be interviewed. The consultant will develop qualitative data collection tools, namely, discussion guides, check list…etc. The data collection process will involved field missions in each country.

A draft report on consultation results is expected to be submitted to UNDP within 6 weeks after the beginning of the consultancy.

Study Report drafting and finalization

The final report will be inclusive of the following content:

• Executive summary (2 pages);
• Background (1-2 pages);
• Methodology (1-2 pages);
• Process (key informants, data collection and quality control measures) (2-4 pages);
• Key findings of the policy/program review and data collections regarding the ability of social protection programs to reach out to PLHIV (15 to 20 pages);
• Recommendations (3 pages);
• Conclusion (1 page);
• Annexes- such as SP policies in each country wherever available. (5 pages).

The Draft Study report is expected to be submitted one week before the end of the assignment for review.

Participation/presentation of study findings in a regional consultation:

UNDP and Project Implementing Partners will review outputs, give comments, certify approval/acceptance of intermediate and final outputs within one week after submission

Travel

Ttravel may be required to interview key informants in each country. Travel expenses, if necessary, will be covered by UNDP.

• 30 % of total Payment at the end of first month based on submission of a certificate of payment explaining the key tasks implemented during the month and approved by management;
• 70% at the end of assignment based on submission of a certificate of payment certifying the satisfactory submission of the final report.
  

Competencies

Corporate:

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNDP’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:

Project and Resource Management

• Ability to produce high quality outputs and in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs;
• Ability to focus on impact and results for the client, promoting and demonstrating an ethic of client service;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Ability to work independently, produce high quality inputs;
• Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage competing priorities.

Partnership building and team work

• Demonstrated well developed people management skills;
• Strong ability to create an enabling environment;
• Excellent negotiating and networking skills;
• Demonstrated flexibility to excel in a multi-cultural environment;
• Provides constructive coaching and feedback.

Communications and Advocacy

• Ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences and speak clearly and convincingly;
• Strong presentation skills in meetings with the ability to adapt for different audiences;
• Strong analytical, research and writing skills with demonstrated ability to think strategically;
• Strong capacity to communicate clearly and quickly;
• Strong inter-personal, negotiation and liaison skills.
  

Required Skills and Experience

• Minimum 8 years of relevant national/international professional experience;
• Experience working in the field of HIV, Social protection or public health;
• Work experience from a developing country highly desirable;
• Thorough knowledge of HIV and development issues in the Arab States;
• Proven experience in conducting social research using quantitative and qualitative methods;
• Proven experience in writing reports, articles or related document;
• Experience in quantitative data collection and analysis methods;
• Familiarity with the UN system and other international development organizations an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in Arabic and English, knowledge of French is an asset.