Background

Introduction:

HIV related stigma and discrimination in Zimbabwe still remains a challenge.  The burden that stigma and discrimination places on communities particularly those with a significantly higher prevalence of HIV is a heavy one. HIV stigma and discrimination together have long been recognized as one of the main obstacles to the prevention, care and treatment of HIV. In the context of HIV, specific population groups including commercial sex workers (CSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), and transgender people have continued to face harsh legal and policy situations that predispose them to increased vulnerability to adverse effects of HIV/AIDS.  The net effect of HIV related stigma and discrimination has been to prevent people who may or may not be aware of their HIV status from accessing much needed health services. At a personal level stigma can make individuals reluctant to access HIV testing, treatment, care, support services and other related health services. HIV infected key populations face double stigma – their status, and sexual and gender preference or orientation. Stigma towards key populations is reinforced by criminal laws and other structural barriers, which in turn fuel violence, exploitation and a climate of fear that hinders efforts to provide quality healthcare and other support services.

In this regard, the Key Populations Stigma Index aims to collect information regarding the experiences of key population groups related to stigma and discrimination, knowledge of their human rights and violations.

The Purpose and Scope;

The purpose of the Key Populations Stigma Index Survey is to generate data on the forms, nature and levels of stigma and discrimination against key population groups. This is meant to inform decision making by stakeholders at national, provincial and district levels.

Objectives;

The objective of this consultancy is:

  1. To develop the key populations stigma index research protocol that will define the target group, data types, sources, sample size, frame and data management and analysis framework.
  2. To collect data on the level, type and extent of stigma and discrimination with regards to key population groups.
  3. To prepare a comprehensive report that provides the findings and recommendations for decision making among Key Populations stakeholders at national, provincial and district levels

Duties and Responsibilities

Proposed Methodology 

The Stigma index is expected to cover both qualitative, quantitative aspects of stigma at the same time a community empowering study. As such the Consultant is expected to propose a method that then meets all the above mentioned aspects clearly.   

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Consultant will:

  • Produce a work plan including outputs and timelines;
  • Produce a Key Populations Stigma Index Research Protocol;
  • Seek ethical approval for the research from the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe;
  • Facilitate the recruitment of qualified research assistants for data collection;
  • Develop a training manual to be used during the training of data collectors;
  • Train the recruited research assistants on the use of the stigma index research questionnaires;
  • Collect analyze and manage  KP Stigma Index data;
  • Quantify the research using district specific ‘’life experiences of stigma”;
  • Produce an inception report on the national Key Populations Stigma Index Survey;
  • Make presentations on the KP Stigma Index’s progress to the Key Populations Stigma Index Advisory Committee when required by the committee;
  • Produce a robust National KP Stigma Index Draft Report that outlines the findings of the survey and tangible KP sub populations  recommendations;
  • Make a presentation on the findings of the survey at a national KP stakeholder’s feedback and validation meeting organized by the KP Stigma Index Advisory Committee.
  • Produce a final report on completion of the work.

Expected Outputs/Deliverables;

  • Inception report on the national KP Stigma Index Survey.
  • A specific KP Stigma Index Research Protocol with all the relevant research tools and designs.
  • Approval from the Medical Research Council of Zimbabwe.
  • Research assistants.
  • Training protocol.
  • Training report
  • Presentation of the KP Stigma Index Survey findings and recommendations at a national  KP stakeholders feedback and validation meeting organized by the KP Stigma Index Advisory Committee.
  • National KP Stigma Index Survey Report with findings and recommendations
  • Comprehensive national KP Stigma Index Survey report of the consultancy including recommendations, technical guidelines and tools for conducting further research to measure stigma in the country.

Reporting:

The consultants will work under the overall supervision of the KP Stigma Index Advisory Committee.

Competencies

Corporate:

  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the Advisory Committee.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, age and Key Populations in their diversity.

Functional:

  • Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products,
  • Professional and/or academic experience in one or more of the areas of international development, public health or related field.

Project and Resource Management:

  • Ability to produce high quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs.
  • Strong organisational skills.
  • Ability to work independently, produce high quality outputs.

Communications and Advocacy:

  • Strong ability to write clearly and convincingly, adapting style and content to different audiences and speak clearly and convincingly.
  • Strong analytical, research and writing skills with demonstrated ability to think strategically.
  • Strong inter-personal, negotiation and liaison skills.

Partnership building and team work:

  • Excellent negotiating and networking skills.
  • Demonstrated flexibility to excel in a key Populations sensitive environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • The prospective consultant should have a high qualification (Masters and above) in Public Health or Social Science/ Equivalent and with significant experience in research design and execution.

Experience

  • The consultant should have proven minimum 5 years’ experience conducting surveys of a similar set-up, size and scope that is traceable.
  • Consultant/research team should have proven experience and expertise on Key Populations programme implementation.
  • Knowledge and experience of participatory assessment/development approaches for Key Populations in their diversity will be required.

 Language:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English, Shona and Ndebele is required for this consultancy.

Evaluation

Candidates will be evaluated using a combined scoring method with the qualifications and methodology weighted at 70% and the price offer weighted at 30%.  Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49% (out of 70%) points on the technical qualifications part will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Criteria for evaluation of qualifications and methodology (70 points maximum):

  • Relevance of education to the consultancy (10 points);
  • 10 years’ experience in designing and developing a national surveys, (20 points)
  • Experience in developing and managing national surveys. (15 points)
  • Experience in production of report for the Key Populations implementing partners (15 points);
  • The Candidate must provide evidence of having developed a national survey that they have been actively involved in the development and management of together with a description of their role. (10 points);

Criteria for financial evaluation (30 points maximum):

  • p = y (µ/z), where
  • p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal
µ = price of the lowest priced proposal
z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Payment Method:

  •  Payment: All-inclusive Daily Fee
  • The consultant will be paid as a daily rate (based on the number of days worked).
  • Payments will be based on the Certificate of Payments that will be submitted on a monthly basis;
  • Time Sheet will be attached and verified by the direct supervisor; and
  • Final tranche upon performance evaluation from the direct supervisor.

Security: Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain parts of the country, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under https://trip.dss.un.org

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. In general, UNDP does not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel.

Application Submission Process:

Step 1: Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the applications in UNDP job shop (Please note that only 1 (one) file can be uploaded therefore please include all docs in one file):

  • Personal History Form (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 (the template can be downloaded from this link: http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc

Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal

The Candidate must provide a link to a website that they have been actively involved in the development and management of together with a description of their role.

The term ‘all-inclusive” implies that all costs (monthly professional fees, travel related expenses if applicable, communications, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the financial proposal

 ANNEX 1 - INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS is provided here: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf