Background

The Joint United Nations HIV/AIDS plan of action for 2018 is a first step of a biannual plan that aims at changing the trajectory of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Gujarat State by impacting on key areas to fast tract the Gujarat state’s HV/AIDS response. Major strategic interventions included here will support Gujarat state in reducing new HIV infections especially eliminating new HIV infections among children and targeting key populations by increasing their access to information, knowledge and integrated HIV and reproductive health services. UNODC is one of the seven United Nations agencies involved in the implementation of these activities in support of the Gujarat State AIDS Control Society (GSACS) and under the coordination of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.UNODC will bring on the table its special expertise on strengthening IDU Targeted interventions and prison interventions and will contribute to the joint implementation process with other UN agencies. This is being done under the rubric of Joint United Budget Analysis Framework (UBRAF).

HIV risk and vulnerability in prisons: Generally isolated from public health services prisons and other closed settings are non priority institutions to address HIV, TB prevention, treatment and care and other public health interventions. It has been estimated that the prevalence of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, i]hepatitis B and C and tuberculosis in prison populations is 2 to 10 times as high, and HIV rates are particularly high among women in detention. A national study reveals that 1.7 percent of inmates were HIV positive and WHO analytical report for India states that HIV rates are between 0% and 14% among women prisoners, and between 1% and 7% among male prisoners1.

A study conducted in Tihar Jail in Delhi has shown that 8% of prisoners2 were known to be drug users. Another study of 466 inmates in Delhi, Mumbai and Punjab prisons showed that 63% reported to using illicit drugs3. Although a number of previous studies suggest that rates of HIV in Indian prisons are higher than in the surrounding community, there is very little data/ information on current HIV prevalence in Indian prisons. The emergence of HIV pandemic has seriously threatened tuberculosis (TB) Control efforts globally. HIV weakens the immune system and dramatically increases the risk of developing active TB. Despite the gap in information, what is known suggest that HIV in prisons may in fact be fuelling the HIV epidemic in the community.

 While the National AIDS Control Organisation has recently accelerated efforts to provide testing and treatment services for prisoners across the country, there is limited evidence available on the estimated prevalence of HIV and TB in Gujarat prisons.

It is against this background that UNODC in partnership with GSACS and the Gujarat Prison department aims to carry out an HIV and TB prevalence survey in 2 central prisons (Ahmedabad and Gujarat). The assessment will enable evidence based interventions and programming for HIV comprehensive package of services including management of IDUs in prison settings.

1. National consultation on HIV Interventions in Prison and other Correctional Institutions, Dec 2017, New Delhi.
2. Sethi HS. (2002) Drug abuse among prison population: A case study of Tihar Jail. New Delhi: MSJE, Govt. of India and UNODC.
3. Prevention of spread of HIV amongst vulnerable groups in South Asia: Our work in South Asian prisons. New Delhi: UNODC; 2008 49 s on 31st December.
4. Punjab Opioid Dependence Survey(PODS):  Estimation of the Size of Opioid Dependant Population in Punjab conducted by Society for Protection of Youth & Masses in Collaboration with National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre, AIIMS, New Delhi , 2015.
5. HIV prevention, Treatment, and care in Prison and other close settings: A Comprehensive package of interventions, UNODC, 2013.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work: The services of a Senior Principal Investigator as consultant is required to provide leadership and guidance to support a situational assessment of HIV, TB and risk behaviours (including injecting drug users) among prisoners and prison staff in two central prisons in Ahmadabad and Vadodara.

Objectives of the assessment:

The assessment seeks to fulfil the following objectives:

1. Estimate the prevalence of HIV and TB, define risk behaviours associated with HIV transmission in prison settings;
2. Determine availability and accessibility of services for TB, HIV and AIDS Prevention, care and treatment in the prison settings and document service delivery gaps for comprehensive TB, HIV and AIDS prevention, care and treatment;
3.  Make recommendations for a comprehensive action plan on TB, HIV and AIDS;
4. Provide baseline information to inform policy, advocacy, and refinement to national strategies as well as program planning for prisoners and prison staff.

Specific tasks of consultancy:

1. Review the literature on risk behaviours associated with HIV (and TB) transmission in prison settings globally, regionally and in India
2. Development of a protocol (TB and HIV) and seeing it through ethical approval. The study will involve both serological and knowledge, attitude and behavioural assessments, with quantitative and qualitative methods being applied. A sampling framework will be developed. Care should be taken to ensure geographical, age and gender distribution.
3. To ensure timely execution of the study on HIV and TB prevalence and related risk behaviours such as Injecting drug use in the prison settings based on the approved protocol.

Specific Outputs

 An assessment report and research paper that provides accurate baseline data/ information, on the prevalence of HIV and TB in prisons in Gujarat,that also describes behaviors associated with HIV transmission in prisons settings.

Specific Deliverable and timelines

Estimated Travel:  It is anticipated that the consultant will be travelling to Gujarat at last once a month. The consultant will be travelling to Ahmadabad and Vadodara only

Competencies

Knowledge and Skills:

• Excellent qualitative and quantitative research skills 
•  advanced knowledge and experience of statistical packages(SPSS,etc)
•  Leadership, representation and advocacy skills
• Ability to be tactful and diplomatic in dealing with senior government counterparts
• Demonstrated ability to lead a team of researchers
• Good interpersonal skills
• Proficiency in MS word, MS excel

Languages:

Good communication skills and the ability to write high quality clear analytical reports that can be published.

Required Skills and Experience

Educational Qualification:

•  An advanced degree in Medicine, public health and/ or social sciences with proven track record in HIV and AIDS programming and behavioral research. A medical doctor with experience in behavioral research will be preferred.

Experience:

• At least 15 years of leading research studies/ situational assessments in  HIV  and drug use related risk and vulnerabilities in community and or closed settings;
• At least 5 years of working/ advising and supporting National AIDS Control Organization/ State AIDS Control Societies on HIV prevention, care, treatment interventions for high risk groups;
• Proven record of research publications in international scientific journals;
• Prior experience working in prison settings will be an added advantage;

Payments:

The consultant will be responsible for organizing of travel to Gujarat and within Gujarat. UNODC will not provide any logistic support.

The payment for expenditure incurred for travel to Gujarat and local travel within Gujarat will be based on actuals upon submission of the bills.

.How to apply:

 Interested consultant individuals/ organizations are required to submit a concise CV and a brief proposal with outlined study methodology and a costed workplan for the execution of the study. Individual consultants affiliated with teaching and research institutions can apply.

Documents to be submitted: 

• Updated CV / P-11 form with contact details of 3 references;
• Technical proposal outlining the proposed approach ( not exceeding 2 pages) to design and execute the situational assessment,
• Financial proposal including inclusive of professional fee and should include the cost of accommodation, local travel, and subsistence allowance(meals).

Evaluation Criteria:

Technical Criteria weight - 70 marks

• Educational Qualification - 10 points;
• Experience in the leading research studies/ situational assessments as Principle Investigator - 35 points;
• Experience in advising National AIDS Control Orrganisation/ State AIDS Control Societies on key policy and programme issues -25 points;

Financial Criteria weight - 30 marks

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

Note:

• Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone etc. would not be reimbursed;
• Please note technical proposals without financial proposal will not be considered;
• Individuals working with institutions may also apply, contract would be issued in the name of the individual for the specific services;
• The consultant should include an estimated cost for travel (inclusive of air fare, daily subsistence expenses, local transportation cost and accommodation) to Ahmedabad and Surat in the financial proposal. UNODC will not be responsible for making travel arrangements.
• All the requested documents should be clubbed in one file for uploading as the system has provision for uploading one file only.

Cumulative analysis:

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

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

Contact information for queries related to Request for Proposals

For any clarification, please contact: 

jyotiee.mehraa@un.org

Note: Please ensure that all the documents to be uploaded should be combined in a single PDF file before uploading as the
system has provision of uploading only one document.