Background

UNDP Global Mission Statement

The United Nations Development Programme (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. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

UNDP is a lead agency in UNAIDS for addressing the dimensions of HIV and AIDS relating to human rights, gender and sexual diversity. In addition, UNDP contributes to public health and development partnerships through collaborations with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the ‘Global Fund’), Roll Back Malaria, Stop TB Partnerships, and special programmes on human reproduction and infectious diseases that disproportionately affect poor populations.

As a member of the country-level UN Joint Team on AIDS, UNDP operates strictly in support, and within the framework of national health plans and disease specific national strategies, under the programmatic leadership of national health authorities and respecting the critical role of local civil society organizations (CSOs). Promoting national ownership, developing capacity and strengthening national systems is the over-riding objective of UNDP’s engagement.

UNDP Global Fund Partnership

As part of its wider engagement with the United Nations, the Global Fund has partnered with UNDP since 2003 to ensure that grants are implemented and services are delivered in countries facing complex challenges. The partnership focuses on three closely linked areas of work: implementation support, capacity development, and policy engagement. For implementation support UNDP serves as an interim Principal Recipient (PR) (currently in 25 countries) in a variety of settings including countries that face capacity constraints, complex emergencies, poor governance environments, political upheaval, or donor sanctions. It does so upon request by the Global Fund and/or the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) and when no national entity is able to assume the role at the time. UNDP’s role as PR is an interim arrangement until national entities can assume full responsibility for implementation and capacity of national partners (Government and CSOs) is also strengthened to ensure long-term sustainability of health outcomes.

Global Fund Programmes in Afghanistan

In July 2014, UNDP was selected by the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) of Afghanistan as the Principal Recipient of four Global Fund Grants: HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), Malaria and Health System Strengthening (HSS). The goal of the Global Fund-funded HIV programme, which has started on 1 July 2016, is aligned with the goal of the National Strategic Plan(NSP): Investing in the Response to HIV, 2016-2020, namely to maintain prevalence of HIV below 0.1% among general population and below 5% among key population at high risk in the country. Afghanistan has a low and concentrated HIV epidemic and HIV is a public health concern among the key affected and vulnerable populations. One of the programme objectives is to maintain and scale-up prevention interventions among key populations at high risk and vulnerable groups.

Health Information Systems and M&E

There is scarcity of data on the size, location and risk behaviors of key populations to support strategic prioritization choices and plans for scale-up of coverage and geographical expansion of interventions. The disease and behavior surveillance system with respect to HIV and AIDS remains inadequate. HIV prevalence and behavior outcomes for key populations are measured through successive rounds of Integrated Biological and Behavioral Surveillance (IBBS) surveys in limited number of sites. Mapping, situation assessments, IBBS surveys and population size estimates are not implemented with a defined frequency and to an agreed methodology. Extrapolation of site-based population size estimates and IBBS results to the national level should be well defined and agreed with key national stakeholders.

Afghanistan has a well-structured HMIS at national and provincial level and all health facilities and BPHS implementers report monthly. For HIV and AIDS, the HMIS collects information routinely from Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) centers against only two indicators these are number of HIV tests and number of people tested positive as well as indicators from the blood safety program. The HMIS shares the HIV related data for each type of health facility with National Aids Control Programme (NACP) for further utilization. All other HIV information flows remain parallel. NACP is responsible for data collection, analysis and dissemination of HIV related data in the provinces where there are specific HIV related interventions implemented through different health facilities and contracted non-governmental organizations (NGOs) providing prevention services for key populations. Duplication and different sets of data from interventions for the same period suggest several gaps in the capacities of the M&E system and case notification, which need to be addressed urgently.

Furthermore, persistent challenges exist related to the collection, analysis, reporting and use of data, especially where it concerns measuring coverage indicators along the treatment and care cascades. In the absence of evidence and information regarding people living with HIV (PLHIV) and adherence to ART, especially among people who inject drugs (PWIDs) and homeless clients, it remains a major challenge for further expansion of ART services.

The absence of a national M&E framework with national targets and defined measurement plans has further impeded the collection of reliable information for the HIV programme.

Formal evaluation of the current surveillance activities, including an in-depth evaluation of the design of the system, protocols and procedures, is necessary to establish a robust national surveillance program to support informed decision making about HIV and AIDS interventions. Revision of the national M&E plan and development of an M&E framework will also be necessary for the implementation of the “Three-Ones” principal and achievement of programme goals and objectives. In addition, establishment of a data quality assurance systems and further integration of HIV indicators into the HMIS is required for proper programme monitoring.

UNDP Afghanistan Global Fund Programme Management Unit (PMU) shall engage one M&E Specialist consultant to review and develop routine reporting guideline; and data quality assurance systems (SoP and tools) for HIV in Afghanistan.

Under the supervision of the UNDP - Global Fund Programme Manager, acting in close cooperation with the M&E Specialist, National AIDS Control Programme and other in-country partners including the World Bank, the specific duties of this consultant are as follows:

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work and Deliverables:

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager and direct supervision of the M&E specialist the consultant will be responsible for:

Development of Routine Reporting Guidelines:

• Review the existing HIV/AIDS recording and reporting tools and develop guideline on the use of the recording and reporting tools.

Establishment and roll-out of a data quality assurance (DQA) system for HIV and STIs-related data including:

• In collaboration with the NACP and other relevant stakeholders (M&E Unit of Ministry of Public Health, HMIS department, WHO, WB, SRs) assess the existing data management and data quality assurance mechanisms at the central level and service delivery sites and their relevance and functioning with regards to the routine HIV and STIs data sources;

• Prepare a report on findings of the data quality assessment and in collaboration with the NACP, M&E unit of the Ministry of Public Health and HMIS department reach a consensus on action plan to improve data quality and establish a robust data quality assurance system for the HIV and STI related data;

• In consultation with key stakeholders and technical partners lead the development of guidelines, SOPs and tools for data quality assurance (DQA) for HIV and STIs-related information specific to the needs of the National HIV Program in Afghanistan;

• Support the integration of DQA into routine supportive supervision from central to provincial level and from provincial level to health facilities and other prevention service providers.

Consultative Workshop:

• Facilitate a workshop to discuss the developed DQA SoP, DQA tool, and provide hands-on training in DQA processes and the tools for government staff, NGO staff and other stakeholders implementing HIV services.

Expected Output/Deliverables; Estimated time to complete and Payment Percentage:

• National HIV/AIDs Routine Reporting Guidelines; 06 working days; 25%

• DQA Assessment Report; 05 working days; 15%

• National HIV/AIDS DQA SoPs; 06 working days; 25%

• DQA Tools and Roll out Action Plan; 08 working days; 35%

Payment Modality

All above deliverables should be completed in 25 working days. The consultant should come up with an appropriate schedule for the in country and homebased work.  The 25 working days do not have to be consecutive; the consultant can align the working days as per the need of being in the country or working from home. UNDP will cover the cost of airfare and travel in the country as per UNDP travel policy for Individual Contract mechanism.

Payments under the contract shall be delivery based and be made on receipt of specific milestone reports, and including a timesheet according to UNDP procurement formats for individual contractors approved by the Program Manager or Deputy Program Manager.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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.

Functional competencies:

• Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products;
• Experience in producing HIV related reporting tools;
• Professional and/or academic experience in one or more of the areas of the development or knowledge management field.

Project and Resource Management:

• Ability to produce high quality outputs 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 outputs;
• Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage competing priorities.

Communications and Advocacy:

• Strong 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.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity;

• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;

• Self-development, initiative-taking;

• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work;

• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;

• Creating synergies through self-control;

• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;

• Informed and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in public health, epidemiology, international development or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience working in planning, management and M&E of programs in the health sector with focus on HIV/AIDS;

• Strong knowledge of and demonstrated practical experience in applying the normative guidance on HIV surveillance by technical partners such as WHO, UNAIDS is a must;

• Experience in planning, gathering, analyzing and reporting information needed for M&E systems strengthening and management;

• Epidemiological literacy and skills;

• Demonstrated experience with M&E system strengthening including Data Quality Issues;

• Knowledge of Global Fund’s M&E Tools and guidelines would be an asset;

• Knowledge of UN/UNDP would be an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required;

• Second UN language is an asset.

Working Arrangements:

Institutional Arrangement

• The consultant will have a combination of home based and travel to Kabul. Work under the direct supervision of the Programme of UNDP/Global Fund grants in Afghanistan;

• The consultant will liaise with relevant government departments, WHO, UNAIDS, WB and others as needed;

• GF project office will provide office space and internet facility, logistical and other support service including transport and security applicable to UNDP international personnel. The consultant however is expected to bring his/her own laptop and mobile phone and meet local communications costs (GFP will provide a local pre-paid SIM card). Costs to arrange meetings, workshops, travel costs to and DSA during field visits (if any), etc shall be covered by GF project.

Duration of the Work:

• The duration of work will be Maximum 25 working days starting from 15 August, 2017. The split of working arrangement will be discussed and agreed with consultant.

Duty Station

• The consultancy will be split between home based and Kabul Afghanistan.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

The contractor shall submit a price proposal as below:

• Daily Fee – The contractor shall propose a daily fee which should be inclusive of his/her professional fee, local communication cost and insurance (inclusive of medical health and medical evacuation). The number of working days for which the daily fee shall be payable under the contract is 25 working days;

• Living Allowance (LA) – The contractor shall propose a LA at the Kabul applicable rate of USD 162 per night for his/her stay at the duty station for maximum 12 nights in total. The contractor is NOT allowed to stay in a place of his/her choice other than the UNDSS approved places;

• Travel & Visa – The contractor shall propose an estimated lump sum for home-Kabul-home travel and Afghanistan visa expenses;

The total professional fee, shall be converted into a lump sum contract and payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of deliverables by UNDP/Global Fund under the contract in accordance with the abovementioned schedule of payment.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative Analysis

The award of the contract shall 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;

Technical Criteria weight 70%;

Financial Criteria weight 30%.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria (70 points):

Technical Proposal (30 Marks)

• Technical Approach & Methodology (20 marks) – Explain the understanding of the objectives of the assignment, approach to the services, methodology for carrying out the activities and obtaining the expected output, and the degree of detail of such output. The Applicant should also explain the methodologies proposed to adopt and highlight the compatibility of those methodologies with the proposed approach;

• Work Plan (10 marks) – The Applicant should propose the main activities of the assignment, their content and duration, phasing and interrelations, milestones (including interim approvals by the client), and delivery dates. The proposed work plan should be consistent with the technical approach and methodology, showing understanding of the TOR and ability to translate them into a feasible working plan.

Qualification and Experience (40 marks) [Evaluation of CV]:

• Written Assessment & Work Sample (10 marks) – The short-listed applicants shall submit (upon request) a written evidence of their work that is relevant to the assignment. The applicant may also be requested to participate in an Interview to assess their technical aptitude for the assignment;

• General Qualification (10 marks);

• Experience relevant to the assignment (20 marks).

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

• Duly accomplished confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II);

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

Technical Proposal:

• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;

• A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment and work plan as indicated above.