International Consultant Support to UN Women innovation initiative in HIV and EVAW areas

Consultant Medical & Health Innovation

Contract

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Background

UN Women was established by GA resolution 64/289 of 2 July 2010 on system-wide coherence, with a mandate to assist the Member States and the UN system to progress more effectively and efficiently towards the goal of achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women. Since 2001 UN Women (previously as UNIFEM) in Kyrgyzstan has implemented catalytic initiatives on promoting women’s economic, political and social rights. In 2012 a full Country Office was established.

This consultancy is in support of UN Women Kyrgyzstan Country Office’s envelope funds in alignment with the UN Women 2018-2021 Strategic Plan, Output 5, HIV indicator in the Strategic Plan, in particular support the state’s effort in de-stigmatizing of HIV positive women (and men)

Strategic Plan Result

Outcome 2: Women lead, participate in and benefit equally from governance systems

Output 5: More national and local plans and budgets are gender-responsive

Indicator

Indicator 5.3 Number of national AIDS coordinating bodies and/or relevant sectoral ministries that have strengthened capacity to integrate gender-responsive actions into national HIV strategies, with UN-Women’s support

Women and girls with HIV infection are culturally, socially, biologically and economically more vulnerable than men. The lack of reliable statistics, misconceptions about HIV transmission routes, stigma and discrimination on the part of society lead to the fact that HIV-positive women face many problems. HIV infection affects a whole range of problems – psychological, social and spiritual. Women, living in the conditions of “traditional culture”, are in a more difficult situation; gender inequality, which exists in the initial ethno-cultural environment, strengthens their social and economic problems. Women in particular, whose HIV status creates obstacles for the realization of basic needs, are particularly vulnerable in this regard, and therefore it has a negative impact on their quality of life. At present, services for HIV positive people (HPP) in the Kyrgyz Republic are universal, not taking into account the gender, which often limits access to legal, social, psychological and medical support for women living with HIV. Despite the urgency of the problem, there was no systematic study conducted to reveal the needs of women and girls living with HIV, identifying factors that affect the quality of their lives and the barriers to obtaining services, fewer advocacy campaign to combat the stigma and discrimination in relation to women HIV positive has been conducted in Kyrgyzstan using the innovative approaches.

The year 2022 has an important focus on pilot testing / practical application / and documenting experiences on Positive Deviance in promoting changes in social norms/attitude and behaviors; and application of Oxford scenario planning approach for ensuring more effective and inclusive strategic development planning processes that are responsive and adaptive to rapidly changing contexts. These innovative approaches will be applied throughout all outcomes and outputs, aiming to showcase the effectiveness and urgency for ‘doing development interventions differently’, allowing to make the processes to be more inclusive, providing spaces for new actors’ and left behind groups’ genuine participation in development processes.

The Consultant will promote a client-oriented approach consistent with UN Women rules and regulations and commits to high standards of quality, productivity and timeliness in the delivery of tasks. The Consultant will be fully dedicated to the mandate and the values of UN Women, particularly to promoting Gender Equality as a strategy to reduce conflict, improve livelihoods and ensure fairness and justice; to Women Empowerment underpinning Gender Equality promotion efforts; to inter-ethnic tolerance and concord; and to respect for diversity.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main objective of this assignment is to expand support to People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) through upscaling testing of Positive Deviance Approach in reducing self-stigmatization and discrimination of PLWHIV and combating harmful social norms around HIV/AIDS. The consultant is expected to facilitate and lead expanded support to women and men living with HIV including community lead outreach initiatives. Additionally, the consultant is expected to support the communication and knowledge management efforts through documentation of ‘what works’ and technical advice to UN Women CO. Under the direct supervision and overall guidance of UN Women National Program Officer in consultation with HIV Focal Point of the CO, the consultant will be responsible for the following major tasks, in consultation with the UN Women team:

Scope of work

1. To support Positive Deviants among women and men living with HIV and provide capacity building support to women and girls living with HIV through promoting Positive Deviance model. This will include the following activities:

• To conduct two days trainings two times on PD approach – providing tools for girls and women living with HIV to define PDs among their communities (including NGOs, community of PLWHA activists app. 25 participants)
• To conduct two trainings for the Positive Champions with each training lasting two days on overcoming stigma, self-stigma and discrimination, leadership quality, mobilization and advocacy, aiming at capacity building of girls and women living with the HIV across the country.
• To facilitate two co-creation workshops with during of one day each to define strategies for dissemination of the information on PD practices among the peers through peer-to peer approach and coach on how to introduce the PD, gender champions, social norm holders approach among peers ( app 20-25 participants)

2. To support community led outreach initiatives that aim at promoting economic empowerment of women and girls living with HIV:

• Co-conceptualize and lead consultations and meetings upscaling PD (online and, if possible, in person) with local NGOs and community members of PLWHA, targeting both women and men from various age groups as well as territories. For this UN Women/NGO partners will provide logistics support to ensure travel or on-line participation.
• To provide coaching to PDs in the organization of outreach and public events to ensure the visibility of PLWHA, as well as the fight against stigma and discrimination in the society
• To facilitate dialogues between PLWHA and service providers by application of innovative approaches, aiming at increasing understanding and empathy of service providers on the rights of PLWHA; and empowering PLWHA groups to voice their needs

3. To upscale and support communication and knowledge management

• Document and create Knowledge and Communication products by use of examples of PD practices promoting positive changes in perceptions attitude and behaviors towards PLWHA rights jointly with PDs
• Document the good practices of being a positive champion from among the community of PLWHA.
• Outreach and organizing of small discussion events(online) with key partners in Central Asia with involvement of PD champions to move forward the role of women and girls in response to HIV preventions and de-stigmatization efforts.

4. Provide practical advice and capacity building for the UN Women staff and partners on PD in HIV/AIDS.

• Identify potential donors for the expansion of the positive deviance model in HIV/AIDS and other areas in Kyrgyzstan and in Central Asia and draft four proposals in HIV area for resource mobilization.
• Identify potential partners in neighboring countries for PD upscaling and enhance cooperation on Innovate in HIV/AIDS area for accelerating the change
• To provide advice to the UN Women Country Office in Kyrgyzstan on how to expand/build on the existing practice from innovation in HIV through PD, and on how to strengthen collaboration between NGOs working in the HIV and EVAW fields.

DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME:

The selected consultant will provide final reports to include activities undertaken, results achieved, challenges and way forward. It is expected that the consultant will provide the following deliverables:

No of activity

Deliverable

Estimated total number of days

1

-Develop and submit a work plan

To support Positive Deviants among women and men living with HIV and provide capacity building support to women and girls living with HIV via promoting Positive Deviance Model. This will include the following actions:

1. Training package, List of PD champions underwent the training on overcoming self – stigma, stigma and discrimination;
2. Workshop package on PD, including agenda, guideline, presentations, handouts, list of participants, in Russian;
3. Training package on PD for state partners AIDs coordinating agencies on human rights, stigma reduction, non-discrimination, gender including agenda, guideline, presentations, handouts, list of participants, in Russian;
4. Report on provided coaching and mentorship to Positive deviants;

• 6 days

• May-August 2022

  2

To promote economic empowerment of women and girls living with HIV via support of community led initiatives. This will include the report containing the following:

1. Report with action plans and small outreach initiatives
2. Report on coaching and mentorship assistance provided to PC on applying PD among peers;

• 6 days

• August-November 2022

  3

To coordinate informational and awareness raising campaigns

1. At least three knowledge and communication products on promotion of PD practices in HIV area
2. Package of visibility materials on PD in HIV area

• 10 days September- December 2022

  4

Provide advice to the UN Women Country Office in Kyrgyzstan on how to expand/build on the existing practice from innovation in HIV through PD, and on how to strengthen collaboration between NGOs working in the HIV and EVAW fields. This will include the report containing the following:

1. Identified potential partners and donors for expansion of PD model in HIV/AIDS and EVAW areas;
2. Four concept notes are developed
3. A set of practical advices and capacity building interventions on PD in HIV/AIDs provided to UN Women staff and NGO partners;
4. Final UN Women Project Report

• 8 days

• April-December 2022

  TOTAL

  30

The total number of days 30 fee days.

DURATION

The expected duration of the consultancy is expected to be 9 months starting from April 11 th 2022 and continuing through 30 December 2022 with up to 30 fee days and 30 fee days in 2023

Note: The mentioned number of working days has been estimated as being sufficient/ feasible for the envisaged volume of work to be completed successfully and is proposed as a guideline for the duration of assignment. It cannot and shall not be used as criteria for completion of work/assignment. The provision of envisaged deliverables approved by the UN Women NPO under consultation with Focal point on HIV issue in CO shall be the only criteria for Consultant’s work being completed and eligible for payment/s.

Tasks and Payment

Payment will be made according to the annual deliverables in USD in two installments after all the deliverables and the annual report are submitted, accepted, and approved. Provisional payment dates: the first installment by December 30, 2022, and the second installment by December 30, 2023. Duty Station:

The consultant will work homebased in the light of COVID19 outbreak and a later stage expected an arrival to Kyrgyzstan depending on the developments related to COVID and epidemiological situation in the country.

MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS

The Consultant will work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of UN Women NPO in consultation with focal point on HIV in CO and in close collaboration with UN Women partner NGO working in the area of HIV prevention and eliminating violence against women and girls.

The Consultancy envisages extensive work with NGO partners in Bishkek and Fergana Valley and in the field and does not require full time presence in the office. However, UN Women will provide space for occasional work in the office, including for meetings, and learning sessions with access to Internet and printer. The selected Consultant shall sign a contract with UN Women for stipulated assignment, as stated above.

TRAVEL

The consultant will be responsible for all travel arrangements and expenses and daily substance allowances associated with undertaking this assignment. All travels shall be coordinated with UN Women Kyrgyzstan Country office and shall be included in the total contract amount of the contractor’s fee. The maximum expected number of travels is 5 days during the consultancy. There may be different number of days required for accommodation. Please note that the travel and related cost should be at most direct and economy fare rate.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

Consultant’s performance will be evaluated against such criteria as: timeliness, responsibility, initiative, communication, accuracy, and quality of the products delivered. All reports must be provided in English, electronically.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

The duration of the consultancy will be through December 30, 2023, with the following deliverables:

Payment will be made in USD in one instalment after accepting and approving a narrative report on implemented activities, deliverables as per the ToR, and a timesheet in 2022 and in 2023yy.

Competencies

Core Values:

• Respect for Diversity
• Integrity
• Professionalism

Core Competencies:

• Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues
• Accountability
• Creative Problem Solving
• Effective Communication
• Inclusive Collaboration
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Leading by Example

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in public health, gender equality, human rights, sociology or any other related science;
• Additional trainings on innovation is an asset;

Experience:

• At least 5 years of progressive working experience in the design, management and implementation of HIV related development assistance projects;
• At least 5 years of proven work experience in the field of public health related to HIV, service delivery, of which at least 3 years related to work on improving service delivery through building national capacities of HIV community NGOs;
• At least 3 years records of working/collaborating with local government and NGOs in assisting/supporting drafting policy recommendations, communications and knowledge management products and coordinating activities for the improvement of life of women and men living with HIV;
• At least two years of practical experience in applying co-creation, design thinking and other innovation tools as and techniques in the development area is required;
• At least 2 years proven experience in working with international organizations (successful experience in working with UN agencies is an asset).

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and oral English and Russian are required. Knowledge of regional language (Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Tajik) is an asset

Other Skills

• Knowledge and skills of relevant computer applications of MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Power Point), knowledge of Internet communications and command is required;

• EVALUATION

Application procedure

Applications should include:

• Offeror's letter to UN Women confirming interest and availability for the assignment.
• Financial proposal, indicating a total lump sum to include all costs relating to the delivery of activities as per above description.
• P-11 form including experience in similar assignments. This form can be downloaded at http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment.
• Written samples of training materials.

Financial proposal format:

#

Item

Unit cost in USD

Number of units

Total cost in USD

1

Daily fee rate

60days

2

Travel: Flight Ticket and Transfer Cost

3

Daily Substance Allowance (accomodation and meals)

TOTAL FEE (deliverables and travel)

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant during the contract period. The financial proposal should be provided in USD. If the proposal is provided in any other currency, it would be converted as per UN exchange rate on the date of post closure.

Evaluation of applicants

The evaluation starts with shortlisting of potential candidates and received applications against the mandatory requirements. Only full applications will be considered. Shortlisted candidates will be then evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants' technical qualifications and experience, and financial proposal. The contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Technically responsive/compliant/acceptable to the requirements of the ToR; and
• Having received the highest cumulative (technical & financial) score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

The selection of candidates will be done in 3 stages:

1st stage: Prior to detailed evaluation, all applications will be thoroughly screened against eligibility criteria (minimum qualification requirements) as set in the present ToR in order to determine whether they are compliant/ non-compliant.

Eligibility Criteria

1

Master’s degree or equivalent in social sciences, public health, human rights, gender/ women’s studies, or a related field is required

2

Minimum five years of progressive working experience in the design, management and implementation of HIV related development assistance projects with a strong technical focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment, of which at least 3 years related to work on improving service delivery through building national capacities of HIV community NGOs;

3

Practical experience in applying Positive Deviance, co-creation, design thinking and other innovation tools and techniques in the field of HIV and other development areas is required;

4

Experience of working in Central Asia or knowledge of the region is an asset;

2nd stage: Technical Evaluation/ Interview.

Short-listed candidates will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

Criteria

Weight

Max. Point

Technical

70%

70

Experience, including:

60%

Maximum 60 points, including:

Minimum five years of progressive working experience in the design, management and implementation of HIV related development assistance projects with a strong technical focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

(2 points each additional year of experience but no more than 6 points)

30%

24

6

Additional requirements:

At least 3 years records of working/collaborating with local government and NGOs in assisting/supporting drafting policy recommendations/ policy reports and coordinating activities for the improvement of life of women and men living with HIV;

Practical experience in applying co-creation, design thinking and other innovation tools and techniques in the field of HIV and other development areas and previous work experience with UN agencies and/or international organizations is an advantage.

Experience of working in Central Asia or knowledge of the region is an asset;

30%

15

15

Knowledge, skills and competencies, including:

10%

Maximum 10 points, including:

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English

5%

5

Excellent written and oral communication skills in Russian

5%

5

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points out of 70 points at the Technical Evaluation/ Interview will be considered for the Financial Evaluation

Financial

30%

30

3rd stage: Financial evaluation will be conducted according to the method described below:

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion.

A suggested formula is as follows: p=30 (µ/z)

Where:

p - points for the financial proposal being evaluated;

µ - price of the lowest priced proposal;

z - price of the proposal being evaluated

The candidate achieving the highest cumulative score for both Technical and Financial evaluations will be recommended by the Evaluation Committee for contracting.

Attention:

All online applications must include (as an attachment) the completed Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/en/about-us/employment.

Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.

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Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org