Background

Ukraine has one of the highest prevalence rates of HIV in Europe and Central Asia, with HIV prevalence in the age group of 15-49 years making up 0,62%. According to 2013 estimations, 238 thousand people above the age of 15 are HIV-infected, and yet only one out of two people living with HIV seek medical help and register at a health care institution. During 1987-2013, 245 216 cases of HIV-infection were officially registered in Ukraine among its citizens, including 65 733 AIDS cases and 31 999 AIDS-related deaths. The HIV epidemic in Ukraine is largely concentrated in urban environments, with 77% of new cases of HIV-infection registered among urban population. The expansion of access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) to all people is needed, and the lacking availability of effective treatment of HIV-positive people significantly affect the level of HIV- infection prevalence among the Ukrainian population. 

From a governmental perspective, the issue of HIV and AIDS counteraction is enshrined within Ukrainian state policy in the area of health care and social development, which obligates the country to address the issue in line with international obligations related to the area of HIV and AIDS – particularly the implementation of the Millennium Declaration and 2011 Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: Intensifying Efforts to Eliminate HIV and AIDS. Ukraine also has a national strategy to combat HIV and AIDS, which has been approved for implementation by all branches of state power. According to the state, the following areas are high priority issues for combating HIV and AIDS: strengthening HIV and AIDS prevention; provision of HIV and AIDS treatment for patients in need; observance of rights of people living with HIV; and encouraging tolerance towards people with HIV within the society. 

The current and ongoing crisis in Ukraine has had a significantly detrimental impact on the lives if those infected with HIV and AIDS, as well as those vulnerable to transmission. With Central Government budgets strained, and supplies and medications often unable to reach people living with HIV and those at risk of transmission, the current state of HIV and AIDS within the country is worsening with the increased need for informed and targeted interventions. Moreover, the gender-dimensions of HIV and AIDS are generally overlooked, putting women and girls at higher risk. While gender equality is critical, the focus of the current assignment will be on supporting the UN Women Programme Office in Ukraine to translate UNAIDS Unified Budget, Results, and Accountability Framework (UBRAF) priorities (Goal 3 and 4) on meeting the needs of women and girls, and on stopping gender-based violence in Ukraine, as relevant.  

Responding to this issue, UN Women wishes to hire an International Consultant to undertake an assessment of HIV and AIDS issues in the country and its impact on women and girls, on the basis of which to propose a concrete set of interventions or develop a project proposal for technical assistance and localized gender-sensitive HIV and AIDS response, as relevant.

Scope of Consultancy Assignment

The international consultant will report to the Gender Advisor of UN Women Programme Office [PO] in Kiyv and will work in consultation with the UN Women ECA Regional Office, as well as with colleagues from the Policy and Programme Divisions at UN Women HQ in New York.

Location: Home-based, combined with 4-weeks in-country assignment in Ukraine

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will prepare an inception report which outlines the methodology and detailed work plan [with milestones and timeline] for the assignment.

Prepare an outline of the assessment report and stakeholders’ mapping study report.
The consultant will carry out a research and analysis on HIV and AIDS trends, issues, gaps and opportunities and its impact on women and girls, in line with the UNAIDS UBRAF Goal 3 and 4 and prepare an a need assessment report. 
The consultant will prepare a mapping study of existing partner’s interventions, including capacity gaps and constraints of women’s organizations, NGOs/CSOs, government institutions, as well as the programmatic reach, collaboration, accomplishments and gaps among international organizations and donors that are working to address gender dimensions of HIV and AIDS to highlight potential partners, and areas in which UN Women may be equipped to provide added value to strengthen the work of existing organisations, and networks of people to address identified gaps and challenges.

Prepare a project proposal for UN Women to address the identified gaps or a summary of recommendations, as relevant
Organize consultations/dialogues with all key partner listed in the work plan to validate the findings of the study and entry points for UN Women’s programmatic intervention in Ukraine. 

Assignment Deliverables:

Task:

• The consultant will prepare an inception report which outlines the methodology and detailed work plan [with milestones and timeline] for the assignment.

Deliverable:

•  Inception Report;
  Time-frame and estimated work input: 1 – 5 September (home-based); app. 3 working days.

Task:

• Desk research on HIV and AIDS challenges, issues, opportunities and challenges and its impact on women and girls in Ukraine;
  Deliverable: Initial draft assessment report;
  Time-frame and estimated work input: 5 – 14 September (home-based); app. 7 working days.

Task:

• Organize consultations/dialogues with all key stakeholders listed in the inception report to validate the initial assessment report and undertake a stakeholders’ mapping study.

Deliverable:

• Final assessment report (maximum 20 pages without Annexes); a stakeholders’ mapping study report (10-15 pages)
  Time-frame and estimated work input: 14 September – 10 October (in Ukraine); app. 15 working days.

Task:

• Based on the study reports and consultations, develop a Concept note outlining UN Women’s, programming priorities for the next 2-3 years; 5-8 pages.

Deliverable:

• Concept Note, including Theory of Change or a summary of recommendations, as relevant;
  Time-frame and estimated work input:  14 September – 10 October (in Ukraine); app. 5 working days.

Task:

• Translate the Concept Note to a full-fledged project document. 

Deliverable:

• Final Prodoc (based on UN Women standard template) or a summary of recommendations;
  Time-frame and estimated work input:  15 – 25 October 2015 (home-based); app. 7 working days.

Task:

• Preparation of a mission report.

Deliverable:

•  Mission reports (3-5 pages);  
  Time-frame and estimated work input:  25 - 31 October 2015 (home based); app. 2 working days.

Estimated total: 39 working days

Payment schedule:

• 25% of the amount specified in the Financial Proposal will be disbursed upon submission of the approved Inception Report and outline of the study reports;
• 25% will be disbursed upon submission of the final Needs Assessment report and stakeholders’ mapping report;
• 25% will be disbursed upon submission of the Concept note or a summary of recommendations;
• the remaining 25% following the approval of the project document by the UN Women Gender Advisor.

Review/approval time required to review / approve outputs prior to authorizing payments.

Competencies

• Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
• Flexibility and adaptability to changes and tolerance to uncertainty;
• Strong teamwork.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in social sciences, law, public policy/administration, development studies, gender studies or similar.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in gender expertise and substantive analysis in areas related to HIV and AIDS;
• Strong record in results-based programme planning, formulation, implementation and monitoring;
• Excellent writing skills and experience developing analysis and report documents on gender-related issues areas;
• Knowledge of relevant national and international gender equality standards;
• Experience in undertaking research;
• Experience in the relevant country context and current political, social and economic situation is an asset;
• Previous professional experience with the United Nations in this or a related field would be considered an asset.

Language:

• Written and oral proficiency in English is required;
• Knowledge of intermediate or higher level of Russian is an advantage.

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical criteria – 70% of total evaluation – max 110 points:

• Criterion A – Relevant education (Max points - 20);
• Criterion B – Language skills (Max points - 10).

Criterion C – Relevant Experience (Max 80 in total for all of the following criterion):

• At least 5 years of experience in gender expertise and substantive analysis in areas related to HIV and AIDS (Max 20);
• Strong record in results-based programme planning, formulation, implementation and monitoring (Max 15);
• Ability to undertake research (Max 15);
• Excellent writing skills and experience developing analysis and report documents on gender-related issues areas (Max 5);
• Knowledge of relevant national and international gender equality standards (Max 15);
• Knowledge of the relevant country context and current political, social and economic situation is an asset (Max 5);
• Previous professional experience with the United Nations in this or a related field would be considered an asset (Max 5).

Only candidates who have obtained at least 70% of the points under the technical evaluation will qualify to be considered in the financial evaluation round.

Evaluation of submitted financial offers will be done based on the following formula: S = Fmin / F 30% of total score:

• S - score received on financial evaluation;
• Fmin - the lowest financial offer out of all the submitted offers qualified over the technical evaluation round;
• F - financial offer under the consideration.

Application Procedure:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website.

The application should contain:

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
• Filled P11 form including past experience and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from (http://unwomen.unssc.org/files/UN_P11.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
• Financial Proposal* - Lump sum financial proposal/offer, aggregated  including all necessary travel costs (travel tickets), fee per day and any other expenses essential to undertake the task;
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

UN Women applies fair and transparent selection process that would take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals.

The applicants are required to submit an aggregated financial offer (“aggregated financial offer” is the total sum of all financial claims of the candidate for accomplishment of all tasks spelled out in this ToR).