UNDP Jobs - 70588- Consultant: Promoting Sustainable and Equitable HI

Consultant: Promoting Sustainable and Equitable HIV- related Human Rights and legal Services

Location :

Home-based, travel required, TURKEY

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

02-Mar-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Estimated March - 31 December 2017

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Approximately 110 working days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNDP is the UN’s global development network advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is a founding co-sponsor of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), a partners to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and a co-sponsor of several other international health partnerships. UNDP’s work on HIV, Health and Development leverages the organization’s core strengths and mandates in human development, governance and capacity development to complement the efforts of specialized, health-focused UN agencies.

Despite the global decline in the HIV new infections, the Arab regions currently has one of the fastest growing epidemics. According to UNAIDS 2015 Regional Report for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), by 2015, 230,000 (160 000 -330 000) people were living with HIV, Six countries were home to more than 90% of the estimated people living with HIV in the region. Between 2010 and 2015, new infections in the Middle East and North Africa increased by 4% with an estimated 21 000 (13 000 – 37 000) new infections in 2015 comapred to 20 000 (12 000 – 29 000) in 2010. This increase was occurring among both men and women, but was greater among men. 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 fueled 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 behaviors that can further deteriorate their health status.

UNDP is working extensively with other partners to promote and advance the Human Rights of People living with HIV (PLHIV) and other key population in the Arab countries. UNDP’s continuous engagement with Muslim and Christian Religious leaders in the region since 2004 lead to the establishment of the CHAHAMA Network of Religious leaders which has played a significant role in advocating for removal of the stigma and discrimination against PLHIV. UNDP has also been working with the league of Arab States (LAS) and the Arab Parliament to develop and adopt the Arab Convention for HIV prevention and protection of the rights of people living with HIV. This first regional convention of its kind globally, was adopted by the Arab Parliament in 2012. UNDP is continuing work with LAS and countries to collect the minimum 7 ratifications required for the convention to get into force.

During 2016, UNDP in collaboration with UNAIDS, IDLO and other Civil Society organizations organized the second consultation on HIV and law enforcement, which brought together senior police officers from 9 Arab countries with CSOs working with key population. UNDP also worked with IDLO to support the establishment of the Middle East Network on Legal AID (MENAL), which is a coalition of CSOs that are providing legal aid services for PLHIV and key population.

At the countries level, UNDP supports the development of Legal Environment Assessment (LEA) which provide a comprehensive and participatory assessment and diagnosis of the most eminent Human Rights violations and issues facing PLHIV and key population and provide some practical recommendations for the stakeholders to discuss and take actions on them.

To continue working on this portfolio, especially on supporting the MENAL network and the ratification of the Arab convention, UNDP is seeking the services of a regional legal consultant who will be supporting the HIV, Health and Development team in the region.

Location: Home-based – with missions to Sudan, Tunisia and Istanbul (other missions that might occur during the consultancy will be covered separately according to UNDP rules and regulations)

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will report to the HHD Regional Policy Specialist (Supervisor) with second reporting line to the HHD Team leader, and will work in close collaboration with other Human Rights consultants from HHD Africa and Central Asia and East Europe Regions.

Support the Strengthening of the Middle East Legal AID Network’s (MENAL) coordination, Strategic planning and Resource mobilization:

Provide coordination and support function to the MENAL network, through ensuring preparation for the board meetings, documentation and archiving of the meetings, sharing of the minutes, following up on the decisions.
Support the development of a website for the network, collect and organize the content of the website, and regular update of these contents.
Oversee the process of network formal registration, collect the official letters from the member organizations, research and identify the registrations options and requirements for the board decision.
Identify opportunities for resource mobilization, and oversee the development of relevant concept notes/ proposals in collaboration with UNDP HHD team and the MENAL Board.

Support the conducting of Legal Environment Assessments (LEAs) in Sudan and Tunisia:

Work closely with the International consultant, national consultants and the UNDP country offices and focal points in each of the two countries to collect the relevant documents and texts, and summarize the texts that are available in Arabic.
Co-facilitate the national consultations at the beginning and end of the LEA exercise, ensure adequate preparation for the consultations, including translation of presentations and other materials. Contribute to the reporting of the consultations outcomes.
Provide inputs to the final LEA reports, liaise the collection and compilation of comments from the various stakeholders in the countries.

Support the ratification of the Arab Convention for HIV Prevention and the protection of PLHIV:

Work closely with the league of Arab States, technical secretariat of health in the preparation for the second technical consultation on the convention and co-facilitation of the consultation.
Develop strategy to engage civil society organizations at regional and country levels to lobby for and advocate for the ratification of the convention.

NGOs Social Contracting in the Arab States Region:

Work closely with HHD staff and consultants in the Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) to adapt the NGO Social contracting methodology and tools to the Arab States.
Draft an outlines for strategy and road map for NGOs Social contracting that includes the legal, economic and social implications, with a road map for the implementation of the strategy.

Deliverables:

Deliverable 1 - Detailed work plan that includes all of the duties mentioned above – 3 weeks after signing of the contract;
Deliverable 2 - Monthly reports of the coordination support to the MENAL network, summarizes the main activities and achievements – from the 2nd – 11th Month;
Deliverable 3 - Detailed content for the MENAL website – 3 months after signing the contract;
Deliverable 4 - Draft and final LEA consultation reports in Tunisia – 5 months after signing of the contract;
Deliverable 5 - Draft and final LEA consultation reports in Sudan – 6 months after signing of the contract;
Deliverable 6 - Report summarizing the outcome of the second consultation report on the Arab Convention – 7 months after signing the contract;
Deliverable 7 - Draft and final LEAs reports in each of Sudan and Tunisia – 7 months after signing of the contract;
Deliverable 8 - Draft and final strategy for engaging CSOs in the ratification of the Arab Convention – 9 months after signing the contract;
Deliverable 9 - Draft strategy outlines for NGOs social contracting as providers of HIV and health services – 10 months after signing the contract.

Anticipated Travel
The consultant is expected to conduct the following missions during the consultancy:

Sudan – (two missions, 5 days each)
Tunisia – (two missions, 5 days each)
Istanbul – (2 missions, 3 days each)

Payment Arrangements
Payments will be made upon submitted certification of payments and acceptance by the Supervisor:

1st Payment – 1 month after signing contract and finalizing deliverable 1 – 5%;
2nd Payment – 3 months after signing the contract and finalizing deliverable 3 – 10%;
3rd Payment – 5 months after signing the contract and finalizing deliverable 4 – 15%;
4th Payment – 6 months after signing the contract and finalizing deliverable 5 - 15% ;
5th Payment - 7 months after signing of the contract and finalizing deliverable 6 & 7 – 20%;
6th payment - 9 months after signing of the contract and finalizing deliverables 2 & 8 – 20%;
7th Payment - 10 months after signing of the contract and finalizing deliverable 9 – 15%.

Competencies

Corporate competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’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;
Treats all people fairly without favouritism;
Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional competencies:

Commitment to the principles set forth in the UN High Level Declarations on HIV and AIDS;
Very good understanding of the legal and policy challenges and their practical implications in the region;
Familiarity with the civil society landscape in the region, specifically those working on HIV and legal issues;
Familiarity with the political regional constituencies and the regional legal structures;
Familiarity with the impact of broader Social Determinants of Health (SDH) on health equity and HIV;
Excellent networking and organizational skills, independence and ability to multitask;
Experience in working directly with people living with HIV and other key population is an asset;
Excellent research and writing skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

An advanced degree (master of equivalent) in Law, Public health, Development or other relevant field.

Experience:

Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in the field of human rights, law and health;
Three years of professional experience working closely with PLHIV and key population in provision of legal aid and other services;
Publication: at least one publication (as lead of co-author) on HIV, SDH, HIV in English and focusing on countries in the Arab States region.

Language Skills:

Fluency in English and Arabic (including translation skills between the two languages).

Evaluation of Applicants
Applicants will be evaluated based on a combination of their qualifications and experience (technical evaluation) and a financial proposal
The contract will be awarded to the applicant whose offer as been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/complaint/ acceptable;
Received the highest score of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria as per below specifications.

Only candidates who pass 70% in the technical evaluation will be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria – 70% of total evaluation – max 70 points

Education and additional qualification – max 10 points;
Publications (Listed in P11 with active link) – max 10 points;
Professional experience in the field of human rights, law and health – max 20 points;
Professional experience working closely with PLHIV and key population in provision of legal aid and other services – max 20 points;
Fluency in Arabic and English – max 10 points.

Financial Criteria – 30% of total evaluation – max 30 points.

Application Procedures:
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;
Fully completed and up to date P11 including the past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank P11 form can be downloaded from (http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc) . Please upload the P11 form instead of the CV;
Financial proposal* - 1) total all-inclusive lump sum amount in USD for the tasks specified in this announcement, 2) breakdown of costs related to 2 missions to Sudan (5 days each), 2 missions to Tunisia (5 days each) and 2 missions to Istanbul (3 days each) (incl. a) per diem and b) travel costs).
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into consideration various expenses incurred by the contractor during the contract period. All envisaged costs (including missions specified under this TORs) must be included in the financial proposal. The DSA component of the missions shall not exceed the rates specified by the UN, for more information, please review the DSA circulars on (http://icsc.un.org/rootindex.asp).

The selected consultant is responsible for obtaining necessary visas, if applicable. UNDP will strive to support the application process.
Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivery on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultant are also required to comply with UN security directives, including undergoing the mandatory security trainings and obtaining the required security clearances when traveling. More information are provided on http://dss.un.org.
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found on http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to the large number of applications we receive, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.