International consultant - People Living with HIV Stigma Index Survey in Somalia, Mogadishu, Somalia, 50 days

Consultant Medical & Health Programme & Policy

Contract

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www.unicef.org/somalia

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PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

The main objective of Index survey is to document stigma and discrimination related to HIV and AIDS and provide evidence that can be used as an advocacy tool for effecting changes in the national HIV and AIDS response.

The findings of the PI-HIV Stigma Index survey will be used to:

1. Provide key stakeholders with a better and deeper understanding of the current stigma levels, forms and trends that is needed to design interventions that will address the stigma and discrimination, promote, and protect the rights of PLHIV.
2. Serve as an evidence-base tool for critical advocacy intervention to promote the rights of PLHIV and reducing stigma and discrimination.
3. Enhance multi sectoral response to HIV and AIDS based on the results of PLHIV Stigma Index to feed into the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets: that by 2030, 95% of people living with HIV know their HIV status, 95% of people who know their status are receiving treatment and 95% of people on HIV treatment have a suppressed viral load so their immune system remains strong, and the likelihood of their infection being passed on is greatly reduced.
4. Support the Global Fund HIV Grant Concept Note 2021-2023 submission.
5. Achieving zero discrimination.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

1. To build the capacity of the Networks of PLHIV and of PLHIV involved in the study.
2. To document the various stigma and discrimination related experiences of people living with HIV in Somalia and Somaliland.
3. To establish measurement of changes overtime on HIV stigma and discrimination from preceding Stigma Index Survey undertaken in 2017.
4. To assess barriers for people living with HIV to have access to HIV services delivery.
5. To provide recommendations for advocacy, policy change, legal frameworks that protects rights of PLHIV and programmatic interventions, highlighting neglected areas requiring future action to address HIV-related stigma and discrimination to improve the lives of persons living with HIV. These should focus on how to work with health workers, with leaders and community to reduce stigma and discrimination.
6. To feed into the extended National Strategic Plan 2023-2026

Description of the Assignment:

The study will be carried out in Somalia.

• Ethical clearance will be sought from the government authorities prior to the survey.
• The study will adopt a blend of approaches that include documentary review, a standard cross-sectional survey and documentation of a few case studies.

Methods:

The consultant will be supervised by the UNICEF Global fund manager and the health specialist (HIV) in close collaboration with the UNICEF health section and UNICEF area offices. The study will be implemented though the PLHIV Networks and shall be overseen by a Technical Working Group (TWG — NACs, MOH, CS, UN) led by the AIDS Commissions to have an overall oversight of the process, coordinate the activities and provide operational guidance for the consultants. The TWG will ensure that study methodologies conform to standards and ethical practice.

The international consultant will work with 3 National Consultants who will be engaged and will help with providing local context and understanding to the planning and message development to ensure responsiveness to different parts of Somalia.

Survey Design

This will be a cross sectional survey that used mainly quantitative methods. The standard methodology by Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) will be adopted for this Survey. Specific methodological steps will be derived from the PLHIV Stigma Index User Guide. The questionnaire will be translated into Somali language. The broader conceptual issues will cover background characteristics, experiences of stigma and discrimination and experiences of HIV testing, disclosure, treatment and having children. Methodology can be found at the link:

http://www.stiamaindex.orq l.

Scope of the survey

Geographically, the survey will be conducted among PLHIV. In terms of time scope, retrospective experiences will be limited to the last one year before the survey. The past one year is indicative of current situation, stigma experiences related to current stigma continuum. The conceptual scope will cover the lived experiences of PLHIV on aspects of stigma and discrimination in broader domains of access to care and treatment services, employment, reproductive rights, and effecting change.

Target population:

All respondents will be 16 years and above, male and female, and either members of a network of PI-HIV or non-members.

Sampling:

A sample size will be determined to be statistically adequate to represent the PLHIV in Somalia. The calculation adopted will be based on the estimated current number of PLHIV. For purposes of operations, all areas (Federal States and Somaliland) will be represented. Data collection will be conducted by experienced and trained PLHIV or persons from risk communities or NGOs working with risk populations.

Interviews:

Interviews will be held either at the PLHIV Network Offices or at ART Centres

Ethical considerations:

Survey approval.

The PLHIV Stigma Index Survey in Somalia and Somaliland will have to obtain ethical approval from the relevant ethical bodies.

Participants' consent.

Before commencement of any interview, interviewers will be required to read the information sheet to the respondents. This will be followed by reading the consent form and seeking voluntary consent. Interviewees will be informed of their freedom of only using initials if they so wished on the consent signatory section. A copy of the information sheet will be given to the respondent.

Confidentiality:

During and after data collection, participants' information will remain confidential. Secondly, interviewers will not have chance to look at the data after it is sent through.

During training and pretesting, interviewers will be cautioned on the need to have maximum respect for interviewees and to uphold values of confidentiality given the sensitivity of the information. For all who have access to data, binding confidentiality forms will be signed before data collection.

Follow up Post-Interview:

Interviewers will be asked to note issues that need referral and on-going support for more empowerment and linkages to services and other PLHIV networks.

General conditions:

In addition to the specific tasks noted above:

• The Consultant responsible for conducting the study will make sure that it conforms to the country's ethical and data protection requirements.
• The Consultant will work closely and ensure participation and collaborative approach with the AIDS Commissions (SCAC, PAC and SOLNAC) and with the Networks of people living with HIV in Somalia (SCSPN, ISDP and NGO Somaliland) ensuring the Greater involvement of PLHIV (GIPA) in Somalia.
• The consultant will ensure through the NAC's the inclusion of AIDS Commission, partner ministries in information meetings and research dissemination activities.
• Consistent communication and reporting should be maintained by the Consultant through the Peer Education Technical Advisor with the International Coordinator of the PLHIV Stigma Index to ensure consistency with other country initiatives.
• The consultant can be based at home with extended field missions into Somalia. An agreed work plan to be developed at the beginning of the consultancy.
• Prior to the assignment the consultant, if not based in Somalia, will have to have completed, or if not, complete as part of this assignment, the United Nations Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS) Safe and Secure Approaches in Field Environments (SSAFE) Training Course either in Nairobi or Mogadishu.
• The assignment will not exceed Ten Weeks. The consultant will be expected to commit him/herself to undertake the assignment on agreed dates. This is a task-based assignment, and the consultant shall be expected to confirm availability within the agreed time frame.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant. For international consultants outside the duty station, signed contracts must be sent by fax or e-mail.
• Signed contract copy or written agreement must be received by the office before Travel Authorization is issued. No consultant may travel without a signed travel authorization prior to the commencement of the journey to the duty station. UNICEF will buy the tickets of the consultant.
• The consultant should provide their own working tools (e.g., laptop) to complete this assignment.

Work Assignment Overview

Tasks/Milestone:

Deliverables/Outputs:

Timeline (days)

% payment

Gather baseline/background information and develop workplan and Draft inception report to be shared with UNCEF and the Federal Ministry of Health

Draft of Inception report and detailed workplan with timeframes developed tools as well that will be used, data collection process, it is analysis and validation shared with UNICEF, Ministry of Health and Aids commissions for review and comments.

10

20%

Address the comments on the inception report.

Final inception report submitted

Fieldwork to carry out the capacity building training for zonal Networks of people living with HIV and for the people living with HIV involved in the study.

Capacity building training report.

10

20%

Fieldwork to conduct the survey. Draft study report submitted following completion of the survey.

Completion of the survey

(documentation).

20

30%

Facilitation of workshops to present and validate the results of the study and receive inputs

Produce and share a comprehensive draft report

Submission of Final Study Report "the Somali People Living with HIV Stigma Index 2022" against people living with HIV in Somalia highlighting the lessons learned and recommendations for future studies Submission of abstract to submit to peer reviewed journals and a formal presentation (ppt) on the findings

Power point presentation on findings from the completion of the survey.

Final Study Report of the Stigma Index Survey. Abstract and presentation.

10

30%

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Public Health, Development studies, Social work A minimum of 10 years related experience in HIV or survey administration.
• Essential: Previous experience in conducting People Living with HIV (PI-HIV) Stigma Index Surveys or experience in health/HlV related survey research; working in complex environments and high-quality reporting. Advance degree or bachelor’s with 10 years related experience in HIV or survey administration
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Kindly provide an all-inclusive financial proposal with your application. Applications missing the financial proposal will not be considered.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (where applicable) and health insurance (including proof of medical evacuation where travel is involved) required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.

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Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org