Wednesday, March 27, 2019

CONSULTANCY – SURVEY ANALYSIS


CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
CONSULTANCY – SURVEY ANALYSIS

UNAIDS Philippines, in behalf of the Department of Health – Epidemiology Bureau (DOH-EB), will recruit a consultant to do the Analysis of the 2018 Philippine Integrated HIV Behavioral and Serologic Surveillance (IHBSS) Datasets

Background
The HIV epidemic in the Philippines is largely driven by high-risk behaviors among key populations, including males having sex with males (MSM), injecting drug users (IDU), and female sex workers (FSW). Since the Philippines has an evolving concentrated HIV epidemic, the national surveillance system plays a key role in monitoring the HIV situation and proving information to improve the country’s response to the epidemic.

In 1993, the Epidemiology Bureau (DOH-EB) of the Department of Health initiated an active surveillance system to monitor the HIV situation in few localities. In 2005, the serologic and behavioral surveillances were integrated to become the Philippine Integrated HIV Behavioral and Serologic Surveillance (IHBSS) which aimed to provide in-depth information of the HIV situation in the country. It has been implemented every two years since then.

In 2018, the DOH-EB spearheaded the seventh round of the IHBSS in coordination with regional partners and local Social Hygiene Clinics (SHC). The surveillance populations are those most vulnerable to HIV transmission, namely males who have sex with males, female sex workers and people in closed settings. The groups, sampling methods and the number of sites included for this surveillance round are listed below:

Key Affected Population
Sampling Method
Number


of Sites
Males and Transgender Women who have Sex with Males (MSM and TGW)
Time Location Sampling
13



Female Sex Workers (FSW)
Systematic Sampling
10



People in Closed Settings
Systematic Sampling
2




Data from the 25 surveillance activities were categorized into three different datasets according to surveillance population. Data gathered from this round will help monitor the country’s epidemic and evaluate current interventions. In addition, these data will be translated and utilized by both national and local implementers for program improvement. Thus, technical assistance in data analysis and capacity-building of the DOH-EB staff in carrying out such analyses will contribute in establishing a more robust HIV surveillance system that produces quality data for country policies and programs.

Purpose of the Consultancy
To provide technical assistance to the DOH-EB in the analysis and technical write-up of the 2018 IHBSS

Expected Outcomes

1.      Protocols and analytical framework for the 2018 IHBSS datasets developed
a.     Weighted and unweighted analysis of MSM datasets
b.     Analysis of FSW datasets
c.     Analysis of People in Closed Settings datasets


2.      Data analyses conducted using the protocols
3.      Data analysis workshop with DOH-EB staff and key local surveillance personnel conducted

4.      2018 IHBSS Technical Report for FSW and MSM written and finalized


Deliverables
1.     Inception Report with Gantt Chart (work plan) and Dummy Tables
2.     Protocols and analytical framework for the 2018 IHBSS datasets
3.     2018 IHBSS Technical Report for FSW and MSM

Duration of the Contract
The consultant will work 20 days level of effort (LOE) between the 22 April 2019 and 15 June 2019.


Qualifications/Experience
1.     Expertise in HIV epidemiology, especially among Males who have Sex with Males (MSM), Female Sex Workers (FSW) and People in Closed Settings
2.     Expertise in analyzing datasets that used Time Location Sampling
3.     Expertise in technical writing
4.     Completion of master’s degree in public health or public health-related field
5.     Good working track record with government, NGOs, and agencies
6.     Good research and communication skills
7.     Demonstrated experience in the field of HIV and AIDS and strong background and experience on MSM, TG and HIV related issues, an advantage
8.     Capacity to work in a team


Application
Send 1) Curriculum vitae and 2) Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, on or before 12 April 2019 to:
Ms Lourdes Ramos, UNAIDS Philippines, ramosl@unaids.org


Thursday, March 15, 2018

Call for Applicants: Individual Consultant for UNODC (Manila)




Project Title:
Addressing the Burden of HIV prevalence in the Philippines through Tailored Research

Post Title 
Individual Consultant: Addressing the Burden of HIV Prevalence in the Philippines

Agency:
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific

Country of Assignment
Office assignment with travel nationally

Duration

A maximum of one hundred and fifty-five (155) work days from March to December 2018.


B.     Project Description 

The national HIV prevalence rate in the Philippines is estimated at less than 1% percent of the general population. While this remains low, an alarming increase in prevalence was observed among males who have sex with males and people who inject drugs. Of the Key Affected Populations (KAP) at risk of contracting HIV, prevalence rates amongst people who inject drugs (PWID). Data from 2013 reflects that to date, the HIV prevalence rate in the Philippines remains the highest in the Asia-Pacific region, with a 44.9% prevalence rate among people who inject drugs (PWID).

Due to the high rates of HIV prevalence among PWID the Philippines has been positioned as a high priority country for the UNODC. UNAIDS has listed the Philippines among twelve countries in Asia Pacific with highest HIV burden and new HIV infection trends.

The UNODC has been working in area of broadening the evidence base around PWID and their vulnerability to contracting HIV. The high risk of contracting HIV among PWID is underscored by other health and social consequences of drug use in the Philippines

 According to a 2015 Dangerous Drug Board survey, the prevalence of drug use in the Philippines stands at 2.3%, or approximately to 1.8 million people within the age range of 10-69 years. If these figures are accurate, the number of people using drugs has increased by approximately 500,000 over the past three years.

While drug use has grown, the number of reported cases of treatment and rehabilitation remains comparatively low, increasing from 1,777 in 2010 to 5,226 in 2015, with the number of women officially enrolled in such programmes reported at 348 in 2015.


Objectives of the assignment
Under the supervision of the Senior Policy Adviser, based in UNODC programme office in Manila, Philippines, the incumbent will be responsible for providing strategic research, advice and support to activities related to drug use and HIV as well as prison reform.

C.     Scope of Work

The incumbent will carry out the following assignments:

Sensitization Workshop: Enhancing Partnerships Between Law Enforcement Agencies (LAE) and CSO in the context of Drug Use and HIV.
a.      Identify participants for the workshops that will use the material
b.      Produce and Conduct pre and post workshop evaluation
c.      Conduct workshop
d.      Produce post-workshop report inclusive of a summary participant evaluation
e.      Host subsequent meetings/workshops with key stakeholders to promote the material

Improved HIV Services in Prisons and other closed settings in line with UN rules and guidelines
1)     Rapid situation assessment of HIV testing and treatment services in jails and prison
a.      Produce research methodology for the rapid situation assessment
b.      Ensuring the feasibility of the research through engaging with key stakeholders such inter alia the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
c.      Conducting the research and producing the assessment report
d.      Engaging with key stakeholders to gain approval of the final assessment report document
2)     Consultation Meetings and Workshop for the Development of HIV/AIDS National Plan for Jails and Prisons
a.      Identify and engage with relevant key stakeholders
b.      Host meetings and workshop/s as relevant
c.      Working with the JTA and other key stakeholders produce the HIV/AIDS National Plan for Jails and Prisons
3)     Dissemination of the HIV/AIDS National Plan for Jails and Prisons
a.      Conduct and attend meetings to advocate for the endorsement of the HIV/AIDS National Plan for Jails and Prisons
b.      Organise a launch of the plan and identify and invite key stakeholders


4)     Support the national work on HIV advocacy by the UN Joint Task Team (JTA) on HIV/AIDS
a.      Conduct consultation meetings with the Department of Health (DOH) & Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB)
b.      Attend and contribute to JTA meetings as needed

D.      Expected Outputs and Deliverables



Activity


Deliverables/ Outputs

Estimated Duration to Complete


Target Due Dates

Review and Approvals Required
Sensitisation Workshop: Enhancing Partnerships Between Law Enforcement Agencies (LAE) and CSO in the context of Drug Use and HIV
Conduct sensitization workshop on: Enhancing Partnerships Between Law Enforcement Agencies (LAE) and CSO in the context of Drug Use and HIV
Identify participants for the workshops that will use the material
1 week
1 week from signing of contract
Olivier Lermet, Senior Policy Advisor
Conduct pre and post workshop evaluation
1 week
2 weeks from beginning of contract
Olivier Lermet, Senior Policy Advisor
Conduct sensitization workshop
1 week
3 weeks from beginning of contract
Olivier Lermet, Senior Policy Advisor
Produce post-workshop report inclusive of a summary participant evaluation
1 week
4 weeks from beginning of contract
Olivier Lermet, Senior Policy Advisor
Host subsequent meetings/workshops with key stakeholders to promote the material
1 week
5 weeks from beginning of contract
Olivier Lermet, Senior Policy Advisor

Improved HIV Services in Prisons and other closed settings in line with UN rules and guidelines

Rapid situation assessment of HIV testing and treatment services in jails and prison
Produce research methodology for the rapid situation assessment
2 weeks
7 weeks from beginning of contract
Olivier Lermet, Senior Policy Advisor
Ensuring the feasibility of the research through engaging with key stakeholders such inter alia the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
1 week
8 weeks from beginning of contract
Olivier Lermet, Senior Policy Advisor
Conducting the research and producing the assessment report
5 weeks
13 weeks from beginning of contract
Olivier Lermet, Senior Policy Advisor
Engaging with key stakeholders to gain approval of the final assessment report document
2 weeks
15 weeks from beginning of contract
Olivier Lermet, Senior Policy Advisor


Activity


Deliverables/ Outputs

Estimated Duration to Complete


Target Due Dates

Review and Approvals Required
Consultation Meetings and Workshop for the Development of HIV/AIDS National Plan for Jails and Prisons
Identify and engage with relevant key stakeholders
1 week
16 weeks from beginning of contract
Olivier Lermet, Senior Policy Advisor

Host meetings and workshop/s as relevant
4 weeks
20 weeks from beginning of contract
Olivier Lermet, Senior Policy Advisor

Working with the JTA and other key stakeholders produce the HIV/AIDS National Plan for Jails and Prisons
4 weeks
24 weeks from beginning of contract
Olivier Lermet, Senior Policy Advisor
Dissemination of the HIV/AIDS National Plan for Jails and Prisons
Conduct and attend meetings to advocate for the endorsement of the HIV/AIDS National Plan for Jails and Prisons
3 weeks
27 weeks from beginning of contract
Olivier Lermet, Senior Policy Advisor

Organise a launch of the plan and identify and invite key stakeholders
4 weeks
31 weeks from beginning of contract
Olivier Lermet, Senior Policy Advisor
Support the national work on HIV advocacy by the UN Joint Task Team (JTA) on HIV/AIDS
Conduct consultation meetings with the Department of Health (DOH) & Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB)
Ad hoc
ongoing
Olivier Lermet, Senior Policy Advisor

Attend and contribute to JTA meetings as needed
Ad hoc
ongoing
Olivier Lermet, Senior Policy Advisor


E.      Institutional Arrangement
          The contractor will report directly to the UNODC Senior Policy Advisor, based in the Philippines. They will report on a monthly basis and be expected to submit a daily time sheet each month.

F.      Duration of the Work[1]
[see table above in section D)

G.     Duty Station

a)      The duty station for this consultancy is the UNODC office in Manila, Philippines. The consultant will be expected to be present in the office for the days that they work unless otherwise approved by their direct supervisor.  

H.     Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor

1.      An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social sciences, public health or in another relevant discipline is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional years of qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
2.      At least 7 years of experience in designing, developing and implementing HIV prevention, treatment and care and interventions.
3.      Experience and understanding of drug policy in the context of HIV, including regional and national mechanisms.
4.      Languages:  Excellent command of English with proven drafting and communication skills.

I.       Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Incumbents are requested to submit a proposal reflecting the daily fee that they require. This should be based on the expected number of days outlined above to complete the assignment:

i)       The Daily fee must be “all-inclusive[2]”; and
ii)      an IC Time Sheet must be submitted by the Contractor, duly approved by the Individual Contractor’s supervisor, which shall serve as the basis for the payment of fees. 



J.      Recommended Presentation of Offer

The following documents will be required for the application process:

a)      Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
b)     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;
c)      Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.
d)     Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.  If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and they expects their employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing them to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP. 

K.     Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

a)   Lowest price method – where the award will be made to the most qualified individual with the most relevant experience who offered the lowest price.


L.      Send proposal documents to: olivier.lermet@un.org


[1] The IC modality is expected to be used only for short-term consultancy engagements.  If the duration of the IC for the same TOR exceeds twelve (12) months, the duration must be justified and be subjected to the approval of the Director of the Regional Bureau, or a different contract modality must be considered.  This policy applies regardless of the delegated procurement authority of the Head of the Business Unit. 


[2] The term “All inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances, communications, consummables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the proposal