Hiring Office: SRH/HIV Section
Purpose Of Consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy is to assess the impact of HIV on achievement of the UNFPA three transformative results in the East and Southern Africa Region and propose an integrated framework for an effective response to the quadruple challenges in East and Southern Africa (ESA)
UNFPA globally, embraces the vision and aspirations of the SDGs and seeks to achieve three universal and people-centred transformative results (3TRs) on (a) ending preventable maternal deaths; (b) ending the unmet need for family planning; and (c) ending gender- based violence and all harmful practices. These will be achieved through three consecutive strategic plan cycles [1] , enabled by evidence and population expertise by focusing on demographic intelligence, empowerment of women and young people, especially adolescent girls, and delivered in development and humanitarian settings [2] .
Cognizant that the ESA region is the global epicentre of the HIV epidemic, the UNFPA regional office has in addition to the three TRs, added ending sexual transmission of HIV as a regional priority result. This acknowledges the pervasive impacts of HIV particularly as they constrain achievement of the 3TRs if not given due attention. To this end, UNFPA ESA developed a framework ( A decade for business unusual: UNFPA Framework to prevent sexual transmission of HIV in East and Southern Africa 2021-2030) elaborating the path to ending new infections and UNFPA contribution. There is however, lack of universal understanding in the region on the interconnectedness of HIV and the 3TRs. It is therefore critical to generate empirical evidence on the impact of HIV on the achievement of the 3TRs in the different country settings to help strengthen integrated programming to optimize universal health coverage for sexual and reproductive health (SRH)
Increasingly, global guidance has encouraged expanded integration of SRH, HIV and GBV programming acknowledging the interrelatedness in terms of affected population groups, causes of vulnerability, and the potential to harness synergies and optimize resources from integrated programme and service delivery. Integration is documented to harness resource and systems efficiencies to amplify healthy SRH outcomes to beneficiaries. Over the past four decades, there has been significant global investment into prevention of HIV and mitigation of impacts including expanding access to the ever-improving lifelong HIV antiretroviral treatment options. The combined HIV prevention and treatment effort in the ESA region led to significant reductions in new HIV infections from 2010 to 2022 estimated at 57% as well as a 58% reduction in HIV-related deaths. The extent to which the relatively high volume of HIV funding has been leveraged to strengthen systems and expand integrated programming for expanded results in maternal health, family planning, and GBV prevention and response and vice versa is not fully articulated, more especially from sustainability approaches as the world anticipates ending AIDS by 2030.
There is therefore need for evidence on the impact of HIV on the achievement of the 3TRs in the different country settings to inform targeted programming for the 3TRs and ESA HIV priority result for better outcomes at beneficiary level.
Scope of Work and Methodology
The work will focus on two major outputs.
First, undertake an evidence-based analysis between HIV and the three transformative results. Demonstrate how HIV may undermine efforts to achieve the three transformative results in high burden countries and similarly, how the three priority areas can also undermine ending HIV in the region. A systematic analysis is required to demonstrate the bi-directional relationship including relating to systems strengthening for sustained impacts, harnessing resources invested in HIV and building community competence for healthy choices. This will require review of peer reviewed work on the contribution of HIV to maternal health and gender-based violence. Or how HIV undermines the choices of women to decide when to have children and how many children to have.
This paper should not exceed 30 pages and must include an executive summary, methodology, analysis of HIV and implications to achieving the three transformative results as well as policy and programmatic recommendations.
The Second output will be a 10-pager evidence advocacy paper on strengthening linkages and integration of the quadruple challenges in ESA to achieve universal SRH including practical concepts around harnessing resources and efficiencies.
Duration And Working Schedule
The Consultancy will be expected to take 65 days spread over a period of 3months from October 1 to December 29, 2023.
Place Where Services Are To Be Delivered
The drafts will be submitted electronically to ESARO office through the SRH/HIV Specialist.
Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):
All deliverables will be presented in an electronic copy
Deliverable Person Days Deadline
Inception Report including methodology for carrying out the assessments 7 days October 13, 2023
Draft report on the interconnectedness of HIV and the 3TRs 23 days November 3, 2023
Second draft of report and draft advocacy paper 20 days December 8, 2023
Final draft reports of all deliverables 15 days December 29, 2023
Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:
The consultant will be required to provide regular update through emails, participate in teleconferences as required to monitor adherence to the tight schedule.
Supervisory Arrangements
The Consultant will be supervised by the HIV advisor through the SRH/HIV specialist.
An integrated multi-disciplinary UNFPA team will provide technical oversight for the assignment to ensure coherent, valid, and reliable methodology and use of tools and support quality assurance function for validation of deliverables.
Expected Travel
The consultant will not be expected to travel but work virtually.
Required Expertise, Qualifications And Competencies, Including Language Requirements
The consultant must meet the following minimum criteria:
- Advanced university degree in Public Health, Health Planning, Health Systems Management, Information management, Demography and related fields
- At least 10 years of progressive research experience including modelling and conducting cost benefit analyses, as well as analytical skills in sector-based and/or development programmes, including HIV and sexual reproductive health and rights programmes;
- Demonstrable successful experience in developing evidence-based publications, reports;
- Experience of working in ESA will be an asset
Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:
The UNFPA will provide documents that will provide the necessary background including UNFPA SRH, GBV, HIV prevention Frameworks, National SRH and Prevention Roadmaps, relevant programme assessment and other documents that maybe required by the consultant.
UNFPA will also support convening sessions for key informant discussions as necessary.
Other Relevant Information Or Special Conditions, If Any
UNFPA does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, processing, training) or other fee, or request information on applicants bank accounts.
UNFPA will only respond to those applicants in whom the Regional Office has further interest.
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[1] Strategic Plan 2018-2021 set the vision and starts action; Strategic Plan 2022-2025 will consolidate gains, and Strategic Plan 2026-2030 will accelerate achievements towards 2030.
[2] DP/FPA/2017/9 Costing of Three Transformative Results.
