Background
The UN Joint Advocacy Project on HIV in Tajikistan has been implemented since 2005 with annual updates in planned outcomes, activities and budgeting. The overall goal of the project is to support the National Response on HIV and AIDS, and follow-up with the UN Joint Programming on HIV and AIDS in accordance with Global Task Team. Under the framework of the signed UNJAP Project Document for 2016-17 and Ministry of Health and Social Protection, one of the components of the project touches upon health literacy focusing efforts in HIV prevention among population groups exposed to high risk of HIV.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) give all stakeholders a mandate to collaborate for global collective action. The AIDS response is integral to this mandate. The epidemic cannot be ended without addressing the determinants of vulnerability and the holistic needs of people living and affected by and at higher risk of HIV. There is need to continue to take the AIDS response further out of isolation and unleash its potential as a pathfinder to deliver on other SDGs. HIV Prevention literacy refers, broadly, to the ability of individuals to “gain access to, understand and use information in ways which promote healthy life style and prevent HIV infection” for themselves, their families and their communities. Within the current project, Health literacy on HIV is a form of empowerment, especially in situations where power relations reduce the ability of certain groups to access information. There are several potential pathways through which improvements in sexual and reproductive health (Goal 3) literacy can contribute to SDG goals in gender equality (Goal 5), for example by: helping girls to stay in school, reducing gender gaps in education (Goal 4) and also reducing inequalities (Goal 10), leading young people to securing decent work and improving future economic opportunities (Goal 8). By advancing access to better jobs, sexual and reproductive health literacy can also help break chains of intergenerational poverty (Goals 1 and 10).
Local CSOs in Tajikistan, which are sub-recipients of UNDP/Global Fund grants, proved that through nongovernmental organizations, the information reaches more key populations and this unique approach is already developed to improve HIV prevention programmes for key populations at higher risk of HIV. Using their own experience and working closely with communities, the CSOs can create effective learning environments, to reach hundreds of thousands of people in all the regions of the country with lifesaving information in relation to HIV prevention.
Duties and Responsibilities
Goals and objectives:
The main purpose of the consultancy is to promote healthy life style and prevent the further spread of HIV, as well as reducing gender-based violence of target groups in Tajikistan by utilizing experience and know-how in this sector in the Czech Republic with a strong focus on innovative approaches of working with key populations at higher risk of HIV especially People Who Inject Drugs (PWID). Two one day long workshops will take place in Dushanbe and participants will be invited to Dushanbe from Regions of the country.
To help achieve this goal, the consultant will organize/lead two one day long workshops for the representatives of CSOs from 4 Regions of Tajikistan on innovative integrated approaches that connect the SDG dots to reach key populations at higher risk of HIV.
This initiative will involve the development of information on specific activities, tools and strategies to be provided to CSOs to guide awareness raising on prevention and treatment support methods in the communities so that the CSOs are better equipped for their work. Additionally, selected CSO’s staff will undergo training on conducting HIV Rapid diagnostic testing with Oral Quick tests to further improve their skills.
As the main outcome of the workshops will be the introduction of ideas on innovative prevention programmes with a strong focus on key populations at higher risk of HIV especially People Who Use Drugs (PWID) which play an important role in improving current HIV and AIDS education programmes. Based on the knowledge gained, representatives from CSOs should further work on the skills gained during workshop and include the innovative prevention component in their current and future projects and programs directed towards the prevention of HIV and AIDS in the country.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Through the support of UN JAP organize preliminary meetings with representatives of CSOs to map out the realization of the workshops for CSOs from Dushanbe city, Regions of Republican Subordination and Sugd and Khatlon Region (By phone or Skype);
- Develop the Agenda of the workshops based on the topics identified during preliminary meetings with CSOs;
- Conduct 2 one day long workshops in Russian or English languages for participants from Dushanbe city, Regions of Republican Subordination and Sugd and Khatlon Region on innovative integrated approaches to reach key populations at higher risk of HIV, promote healthy life style and prevent the further spread of HIV, reducing gender-based violence of target groups;
- Using the experience and know-how in this sector in the Czech Republic with strong focus to innovative approaches of working with PWID.
For detailed information, please refer to annex 1- Terms of Reference of the below link.
Competencies
Functional Competencies:
- Extensive knowledge of computer applications.
- Excellent communication skills;
- Excellent analytical skills;
- Strong oral and writing skills;
- Ability to operate under strict time limits.
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 favoritism;
- Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment;
- Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team;
- Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
- Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- A high education degree (Masters degree) in public health, psychology or other relevant social sciences .
Experience:
- At least 5 years of experience from the Czech Republic or similar in the field of infections and diseases, especially HIV and AIDS, including HIV prevention among key populations at higher risk of HIV (especially PWID);
- Experience with developing and implementing HIV-related policy in the context of key populations at higher risk of HIV (especially PWID);
- Experienced facilitator/trainer in conducting workshops on HIV/AIDS prevention issues;
- Good understanding of the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Tajikistan/Central Asia sub-region is an asset.
Language:
- A high education degree in public health, psychology or other relevant social sciences.
Application Procedure:
Please follow the link to the Individual Consultant Procurement Notice:
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