Sustainability of HIV Services for Key Populations in Asia (SKPA) Program

ROLE OF THE TECHNICAL CONSULTANT
The Sustainability of HIV Services for Key Populations in Asia (SKPA) Program is a Global Fund HIV multi-country grant which aims to promote sustainable services for key populations at scale to stop HIV transmissions and AIDS-related deaths by 2030. The program consists of five thematic areas which are based on SKPA’s objectives: 1) mitigating service delivery gaps and scaling up coverage of KP services; 2) strengthening strategic information to inform program design; 3) strengthening KP community responses and systems; 4) contributing to the enabling environment; and 5) increasing financial sustainability. SKPA encompasses a range of activities in each country related to these thematic areas including: implementation or support for demonstration projects for one or more of HIV self-testing (HIVST), community-based testing (CBT) in order to demonstrate the viability and efficacy of these innovative interventions; innovative approaches to creating demand for these services, including use of digital campaigns and online platforms; review of service packages for KPs; population size estimates; strengthening community-based monitoring; and capacity building for community organization and networks. 

The rapid spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has urged countries to introduce preventive measures, including physical distancing, bans on public gatherings, workplace and school closures and lockdowns designed to reduce contact and control transmission of SARS-Cov2 virus. Comprising key population in the response to HIV, people who inject drugs (PWID), sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender people, and people in prisons and closed settings are vulnerable amid COVID-19 pandemic. In many settings, key populations also face stigma and discrimination, criminalization, homelessness and food insecurity, which may also exacerbate vulnerability to COVID-19 complications.

Therefore, the daily operations of CSOs working with KP might be severely affected by the limitation in provision of HIV prevention awareness, distribution of condoms and lubricants and escorting for testing by case finders and peer educators, that could result a possible increase of HIV and STI incidence among key populations and Youth for Health Center seeking technical consultant to develop an emergency/disaster preparedness plan and guidelines for KP CSOs for community resilience activities.
CONSULTANCY PURPOSE AND TASKS
Under the coordination of the Youth for Health center, the national consultant in will implement following activities:

• To gather information on the impact of COVID-19 in the implementation of prevention program for key populations and PLHIV community.
• To develop an emergency/disaster preparedness plan and guidelines for KP CSOs including methodology on distribution of essential commodities to affected network members.
• To conduct a training on the guidelines for community members, CBO staff and healthcare workers. 

The plan will be discussed and agreed with Youth for Health and AFAO, but products are expected to focus on:

• Empowering communities with knowledge about the SARS-CoV-2 virus and how to mitigate risk.
• Continuation of HIV and STI prevention activities for key populations using a combination of online and offline methods while adhering to COVID19 pandemic control rules and regulations.
• Contingency plans to respond to emergency situations such as the COVID-19 outbreak. 
• Extensive consultation and collaboration of stakeholders to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the national HIV response and targets, and to identify immediate and long-term responses.
• Strategic advocacy with the government on continued and increased budget allocations for national HIV response in the context of Global Fund transitioning. Allocation of resources should be explored to build the capacity of organizations to respond to emergency situations. ​​​​​​​

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONSEssential

• An advanced degree in public health, health care administration, or a closely allied field.
• Minimum five years of experience in public health programs, social services, health disaster risk reduction, or health emergency preparedness.
• Experience of technical writing, design and development of policy documents and guidelines.
• Excellent knowledge of English is required.

Desirable

• Good understanding of HIV prevention, treatment and care programmes and activities and of issues affecting KPs
• Completion of a training in qualitative and quantitative methods for impact evaluation would be an asset.
• Experience of engagement with government, civil society and international organizations.
• Strong facilitation, coordination and organizational skills.

DEADLINE:  1 September 2021, 18:00PM
Please send your CV and Cover letter in English only to skpa.mongolia@gmail.com before 1 September 2021, 18:00PM.
If you have any inquiries regarding the consultancy please contact: (+976) 7722-2021
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview.