Background

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.

The spread of HIV in the Arab States has been driven by poverty, unemployment, war and conflict, population movements, gender inequality as well as sexual and gender-based violence. The epidemic is further fuelled by high prevalence of HIV-related Stigma and discrimination, which drives those living with HIV and those most-at-risk away from testing, disclosure and access to treatment and other related services. In addition to that, many people living with HIV do not have access to psycho-social and legal support, especially those which can help on positive living and to enjoy their constitutional, civil and Human Rights, due to lack of protective enabling environment on one hand, and also lack of their own awareness about their rights. People living with HIV has also very limited access to information about their sexual and reproductive health, which might expose them to additional risky behaviours that can further deteriorate their health status.

UNDP has signed a project agreement with Ford Foundation to improve the socio-economic situation of people living with HIV in Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia, the project which is called Karama “initiative” aims to enhance awareness on HIV-sensitive social protection needs and leverage additional social protection packages by policy advocacy and support.

Duties and Responsibilities

The assignment aims for collecting and analysing data on the socio-economic status of people living with HIV/AIDS in four countries: Djibouti, Egypt, Tunisia and Algeria. The assessment will cover four major categories of variables: First, demographic that are related to family composition, employment, housing, children education, assets & livelihoods, place of residence, ethnicity and religion. Second, variables related to people’s access to services such as health/medical services (including counselling, Anti retroviral treatment and Prevention of mother to child transmission services), social protection services, legal and religious support services. The assessment – as feasible- will also probe into a third category related to risky behaviour (un protected sex, drug and alcohol abuse) and the fourth category will focus on literacy including treatment and adherence literacy and rights literacy.

The findings of the study will be further discussed during a regional consultation which will propose some key policy advice for supporting the various needs 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 outline of study methodology and report structure (with in the first week after the start of the assignment);
• Comprehensive desk review of the previous phases of the IgA project in the selected countries, and also review of the similar initiatives and studies in and outside the region, and the relevant UNAIDS publications (Guidelines on Positive, Health, Dignity and Prevention for PLHIV). Develop and submit a work plan for the total duration of the assignment;
• Develop the quantitative and qualitative tools for data collection, including questionnaires, focus group discussion guide and key informants interview guide Pre-test and finalize the data collection tools;
• Training of the data collectors in each of the Countries of the study, training should include some practical mock sessions to ensure the best quality and harmonization;
• Data cleansing, editing, entry and analysis, produce the final results in form of tables and graphs, with numerical and categorical presentation as applicable;
• Draft and finalize the final report inclusive of the content below in the final product section. (Within 6 Weeks after the start of the consultancy).

Study Final report inclusive of the following content:

• Executive summary (2 pages);
• Background (1-2 pages);
• Methodology (1-2 pages);
• Process (training, data collection and quality control measures) (2-4 pages);
• Results and interpretation of data (10-15 pages);
• Mapping of Social protection schemes in each country (10-15 pages);
• Recommendations (3 pages);
• Conclusion (1 page);
• Annexes (5 pages).

Participation/presentation of the study findings in a regional consultation

 Oversight: The work will be supervised by the Policy Specialist, HIV, Health and Development and UNDP and Project stakeholders will review outputs, give comments, certify approval/acceptance of intermediate and final outputs within one week after submission.

• 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.

Education

•  An advanced university degree in Health economics, public health, or related social field.

Work 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 and qualitative data collection and analysis methods;
• Familiarity with the UN system and other international development organizations an asset;
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages including data analysis applications (SPSS and/or STATA).   
  

Language:

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

Proposal:

•  A Financial Proposal that indicate the all-inclusive fixed total contract price requested in EGP.