The National Action Plan (NAP) 2017 – 2021 has reached its end at a critical period with the COVID-19 pandemic posing a threat to sustaining health progress. There is a need to maintain the HIV programme as a priority for the country as it still remains a public health concern.

The country has strived to implement the activities under the NAP 2017 – 2021 with its objectives of reaching the UNAIDS 90-90-90 Fast Track Targets, reducing Stigma and improving the lives of people living with HIV through provision of quality care. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on the AIDs response in particular the HIV prevention programmes in the community.

The NAP for the next five years, 2022 – 2026, will be developed taking into consideration that Mauritius is in the transition period where the Global Fund allocation is concerned. By end 2023 the country needs to take full ownership both the HIV and harm reduction programmes. The new NAP 2022-2026 will be aligned with the recommendations of the national HIV transition plan and the review of the current NAP 2017-2021 conducted in 2020.

Organization context

The WHO Country Office supports the Ministry of Health and Wellness (Mauritius) to shape health policy in line with WHO’s principles and values and advocates for an integrated approach to health development.

Description of duties

To provide policy advice and programmatic support to the Government and the Ministry of Health and Wellness to develop a five-year NAP with strategies to enable the country deliver on its vision of ending AIDS by 2030 through provision of high-quality HIV prevention, treatment and care services to all people living with HIV. A gender-sensitive approach will be adopted for the development of the NAP which will be the guiding document for the annual operational plans. It will provide:

· an overview of the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the Republic of Mauritius and its impact;

· an analysis of the national response to the epidemic;

· the plan of action and strategic framework over the coming five years;

· the cost estimate of the strategic interventions and

· the governance and institutional framework for the National AIDS Response.

Summary of Assigned duties

The consultant will lead the development of the National Action Plan (NAP) 2022 – 2026 for HIV and AIDS.

Under the guidance of the WR and the National HIV/AIDS Coordinator the consultant will have the following responsibilities:

Review and consolidate the products from the Technical Working Groups and other stakeholders to develop the NAP 2022 – 2026 for HIV
Review evidence-based data, reports from the surveys conducted in the country and other relevant documents
Identify the set of national HIV response priorities pertaining to high impact interventions and develop the outcomes, outputs and activities while ensuring linkages with the relevant national and sectoral strategies
Assess the existing framework (institutional, legal, programmatic and therapeutic) supporting implementation of the harm reduction strategies – Needle Exchange Programme and Opioid Substitution Therapy.
Identify strengths and weaknesses of the harm reduction strategies being implemented
Ensure that gender and human rights are mainstreamed throughout the document as well as having specific gender and human rights interventions
Submit a detailed costed budget based the annual activities of the National Action plan.

Final deliverable :

A final draft of the budgeted HIV NAP 2022-2026, which is evidence-based, focused, prioritized, clear, consistent and coherent, aligned to national priorities and international commitments, and guiding decision-makers as well as implementers in the HIV response on strategies to be adopted to improve the National HIV Response

Required qualification

Essential: A master’s degree in Medicine and/or Public Health from an accredited/recognized institute.

Desirable: Additional training/s in the areas of in the field(s) of HIV TB/Malaria/Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) (medical laboratories/procurement and stock management, organizational capacity building, etc...)

Experience:

Essential: At least five years of combined national and international experience in health policy, planning and management and development of national strategies and plan related to HIV and AIDS.

Desirable: Experience working with WHO or UN agencies

Functional Knowledge and skills

Good knowledge of the current context and international recommendations regarding the fight against HIV/AIDS
Demonstrate experience in designing, implementing and evaluating health programs, strategies and policies for epidemic control and gender mainstreaming
Proven experience in supporting the development of Strategic/ action plans
Demonstrate collaboration, innovative, analytical and problem-solving skills
Proven skills in supporting national health policy planning in health system strengthening, implementation, and monitoring
Strong analytical skills and experience with technical reporting.
Ability to support policy level dialogue, advocacy, communication with partners
Proven track-record in organizing capacity building and policy dialogue events in the health sector

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Knowledge of French would be an asset.

Remuneration:

Remuneration will be aligned with the classified requirements of the Terms of Reference, related academic and professional experience applied for the grade in accordance with WHO consultant pay band ranges.

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Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: who.int