National consultancy: Strengthening Adolescent Girls and Young Women and HIV/sexual and reproductive health response, Yaounde, Cameroun, 54 days (ONLY OPEN FOR NATIONALS OF CAMEROON)

Contract

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UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, a chance in life!

Cameroon has a generalized HIV epidemic with a National HIV prevalence of 2.7% among people aged 15-49 years, 0.8% for adolescents 15-19 years and 2% for youths 20-24 years. Data from the 2018 Demographic health Survey revealed that regarding adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), only 33.4% aged 15-19 years and 39.1% aged 20-24 years have a complete knowledge of means of HIV prevention. For adolescent boys and young men, only 30.6% aged 15-19 years and 33% aged 20-24 years have a complete knowledge of means of HIV prevention. 4.6% of AGYW have more than two sexual partners in the last 12 months. More than 50% of AGYW who had an occasional sexual relationship did not use condom. Additionally, 45% of AGYW did not know their HIV status. In December 2021, 38.8% of 30,524 of expected adolescents aged 10-14 years and 39.4% of 17,946 adolescents 15-19 years living with HIV were identified and put on antiretroviral treatment. These indicators revealed the high vulnerability of youths and adolescents and the low access to prevention, treatment and care in West and Central Africa in general and in Cameroun in particular. To enhance quality and efficiency of AGYW programming, the Global Fund has operationalized an Adolescent Girls and Young Women Strategic Initiative (AGYW-SI). However, this strategic initiative has not yet been fully implemented at scale in West and Central Africa. A number of interventions are in pilot phase and do not cover a full council or district. Scaling up the initiative needs long-term technical support to accelerate the current implementation and provide an optimal approach.

As a trusted leader on adolescent and HIV policy, data and programming, UNICEF is working with the Global Fund to provide a short-term technical assistance (TA) and strengthen Global Fund AGYW grant implementation in priority countries.

It is against this background that UNICEF is looking for a technical consultant to provide TA to the Principal recipient, and line ministries to support the strengthening the Global Fund AGYW grant, in Cameroon

How can you make a difference?

The goal of this assignment is to support Principal and Sub recipients of the Global Fund AGYW program in strengthening adolescent SRHR/HIV response through technical assistance in developing a package of support for adolescents living with HIV.

Scope of work :

The objective of this technical assistance support is to strengthen the delivery of the following areas of implementation:

• Assess and document the current realities and implementation of Adolescents Living with HIV (ALHIV) services and interventions • Recommend improvements in package and implementation for optimal delivery • Support the PRs and SRs in piloting an agreed package for ALHIV • Support country and regional learnings from the TA support

Activities and Tasks:

1. Attend kick off call with UNICEF for Global Fund partnership orientation and planning of inception meeting and work in collaboration with the Long-term consultant to accelerate the AGYW implementation agenda 2. Attend an inception meeting with UNICEF, Global Fund PRs/SRs and key national partners 3. Develop Inception report outlining the proposed methodology, workplan and tools of the TA consultancy 4. Undertake a desk review of the latest policy, literature and evidence on ALHIV programming, including, models of care, ART adherence and retention in care 5. Undertake an assessment of in-country ALHIV programming and implementation, specifically in the areas of • Current package provided in Cameroon, including policies and strategies • Key outcome data available on ALHIV nationally and effectiveness of current models being implemented 6. Consult with key stakeholders who are currently implementing ALHIV programmes including PEPFAR, UN agencies and other development partners. 7. Engage with ALHIV, to understand their experiences, needs, barriers, acceptability and effectiveness of current programmes or interventions targeting (directly or indirectly) ALHIV. 8. Develop a draft report + PowerPoint presentation (PPT) summary with analysis of findings and recommendations to strengthen and update the current package for ALHIV 9. Facilitate and present a meeting with key partners on the findings and recommendations to strengthen the ALHIV package and it’s implementation 10. Develop a final report + updated PPT summary of findings and recommendations with partner feedback included 11. Develop a pilot concept note on the agreed package, including implementation approach and monitoring plan for PRs to take forward 12. Develop a learning report of process, outcomes and lessons of the technical assistance for country and regional dissemination

The deliverables are:

1. Summary minutes of Inception Meeting 2. Inception Report + tools 15/09/2022 3. Draft report + PPT summary of findings and recommendations 30/09/2022 4. Final report + updated PPT summary with partner feedback incorporated 15/10/2022 5. Pilot concepts note with implementation approach + monitoring plan 20/10/2022 6. Learning Report 30/10/2022.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in public health, pediatric/adolescent health, social sciences, epidemiology, or related field
• At least 5 years of professional experience in adolescent SRH and HIV-related programming at national or decentralized levels.
• Demonstrated experience in working with M&E systems, including working with routine health/HIV/Gender data as well from the WCA country context.
• A set of strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills and a good understanding of translating research into programmatic implementation will be an added advantage.
• Prior experience working in Cameroon and across different ministerial sectors is highly desirable
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships, including with national-level stakeholders
• Must exhibit the UNICEF Core Values of:
  1. Care
  2. Respect
  3. Integrity
  4. Trust
  5. Accountability
• Language: Excellent English and French oral and written communication skills.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents:

• Cover letter/application[MSN1]

• CV or P11

  • Financial quote at a daily rate in XAF. Financial proposal that will include: your daily/monthly rate (in XAF) to undertake the terms of reference
  • Indicate your availability.

  Please submit the Technical and Financial Proposal SEPARATELY.

Applications submitted without a fee/ rate will not be considered.

General Terms and Conditions of the Contract:

• Under the consultancy agreements, payment is deliverable-based as defined in the Terms of Reference.
• All remuneration must be within the contract agreement.
• No contract may commence unless the contract is signed by both UNICEF and the consultant/contractor.
• Consultants will not have supervisory responsibilities or authority on the UNICEF budget.
• Consultants will be required to sign the Health statement for consultants/Individual contractors prior to taking up the assignment, and to document that they have appropriate health insurance, including Medical Evacuation.
• Mention is it as per the General Terms and Conditions of the Contract.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 a reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterward 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:

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 (applicable) and health insurance 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, program 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.