Consultancy – International consultancy for supporting technical assistance to improve quality of PrEP implementation for adolescent girls and young women in Eastern and Southern Africa Region

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                                                                       TERMS OF REFERENCE

Title of Assignment	International consultancy for supporting technical assistance to improve quality of PrEP implementation for adolescent girls and young women in Eastern and Southern Africa Region
Section	ESARO HIV /AIDS
Location	Home-based / Virtual
Duration	27 days
Start date	From: 26th October 2020	To: 26th February 2021

Background and Justification
Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) ages 15-24 account for 68 per cent of young people in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) who are living with HIV and are 2.5 times more likely than their male peers to acquire HIV infection. In 2019, adolescent girls and young women accounted for 26% of new infections in the region.

World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that people at substantial risk of HIV infection should be offered Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as an additional prevention choice and as part of combination HIV prevention interventions. Currently, there is great momentum in bringing PrEP to populations at substantial risk of HIV, including sub-populations of AGYW. Given the limited experience with providing PrEP outside research and demonstration projects in the region, there is often uncertainty around the strategies to be applied for the effective implementation of the provision of PrEP targeting AGYW. As countries are moving forward with PrEP implementation for AGYW, more understanding and guidance is needed to identify ways to successfully implement PreP programmes for AGYW.

A virtual think tank followed by a regional webinar involving researchers and implementers is planned to share and consolidate learnings from PrEP research and demonstration projects and articulate implementation lessons for countries in moving forward with quality implementation of PrEP for AGYW at scale. Further dissemination to countries will take place through the PrEP AGYW implementation considerations briefing note. It is against this background that UNICEF is looking for a technical consultant to support the management of the Virtual PrEP Think Tank.

Scope of Work
The overall goal of this consultancy is to provide technical management support to a Virtual PrEP Think Tank, including preparation, strategic coordination, convening of virtual sessions and finalisation of products. More specifically, this consultant will:
a. Design and establish an effective approach to ensure objectives of the think tank are met including outlining methodology for virtual sessions

b. Coordinate partners, researchers and implementers on AGYW PrEP implementation through arranging and convening virtual discussion platforms including steering committee meetings

c. Assist partners, researchers and implementers to prepare technical documents including presentations for discussion during think tank meetings

d. Document, collate and report on routine proceedings and outcomes of Think Tank meetings

e. Coordinate review and incorporate feedback on products by key partners

f. Finalise the briefing note and support the organisation of a regional webinar for the dissemination of outcomes.

Working Relationship
The consultant will report to the Adolescents and HIV Specialist in close collaboration with the Regional HIV Advisor. The consultant will also regularly interact with the steering committee, members of the Virtual Think Tank and Country Office focal points as relevant to PrEP for AGYW.

Activities and Expected Deliverables
Under the overall guidance of the UNICEF’s ESA HIV Specialist on Adolescents, the consultant will deliver on the following:
1. Summary minutes of inception meeting with UNICEF ESARO and Steering Committee of the Think Tank
2. Inception Report outlining the proposed methodology for meeting deliverables of the consultancy, including work plan and relevant reporting tools
3. Finalised agenda and accompanying documentation including the list of participants and invitations approved by the steering committee
4. An updated repository of technical presentations, documents and recordings prepared by researchers and implementers for the Think Tank
5. Documentation report of considerations and recommendations from expert discussions of PrEP implementation at scale for AGYW
6. Finalised implementation brief bringing together previous evidence review and think tank outcomes and partner feedback
7. A regional webinar to launch the implementation brief and disseminate the think tank outcomes

Timeline and Payment Schedule
The performance will be evaluated on timeliness, alignment with TORs, and quality of work. Payment will be made upon satisfactory completion of all deliverables as per schedule above.

#	Deliverable	Associated activities	Duration (estimated # of working days)	Location	Expected timeline	Payment Schedule
1.	Summary Minutes of inception meeting		1	Home	29th Oct 20
2.	Inception Report	Design and establish an effective approach	3	Home	6th Nov 20	10%
3.	Finalized Agenda and accompanying documentation	Consultation with the steering committee Identification of key participants	5	Home	23rd Nov 20	30%
4.	Repository of technical documents, PPPs and recordings	Coordinate and assist participants to prepare technical documents	3	Home	14th Dec 20
5.	Documentation report of considerations and recommendations from think thank	Rapporteur think tank sessions	7	Home	11th Jan 20	30%
6.	Finalized implementation brief	Coordinate and incorporate feedback from partners and bring together previous evidence review and think tank outcomes	5	Home	25th Jan 20
7.	Regional webinar and dissemination of briefing note	Arrange webinar and develop promotional materials	3	Home	26th Feb 2021	30%
Total			27 days

 

Desired competencies, technical background and experience
1. Education: Advanced university degree in public health, pediatric/adolescent health, social sciences, epidemiology or related field
2. Work experience: 5 years of professional experience at national and international levels, including field experience and expertise in HIV programming. Field technical experience with HIV PrEP implementation and research will be an added advantage
3. Experience in coordinating processes with multiple stakeholders in particular virtual ones is highly desired
4. A set of strong analytical skills and a good understanding of translating research into policy and programmatic implementation will be an added advantage
5. Demonstrated ability to working in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective relationships
6. Language: Excellent English oral and written communication skills.

Administrative issues
The HIV Unit, UNICEF ESARO will provide direct oversight and supervision of the consultant’s work
The consultant will use their own equipment including computer to produce deliverables. All communications shall be done through available and UNICEF recommended virtual platforms.

Conditions
• As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, “subject to a maximum of 30% of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary”
• The candidate selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for the individual contract.