Consultancy - Development of Advocacy Framework to Strengthen HIV Programming Among Clients of Female Sex Workers

Duration: 50 days over 2 months

Location: Remote (for UNFPA Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, Johannesburg, SA)

Position:

The purpose of this consultancy is to review evidence and opportunities for prioritizing clients of sex workers in the HIV prevention framework and develop an evidence based regional advocacy framework to strengthen HIV programming among clients of female sex workers in East and Southern Africa. 

The East and Southern Africa region, which continues to be the global epicentre of HIV and AIDS will need to adjust its strategies to ensure that the revised global targets are met.  This includes revisiting and reprioritizing targets to include all populations that are at risk of infection to ensure that no one is left behind. 

Scope of Work:

The individual consultant will be expected to develop an evidence based advocacy framework to strengthen HIV response among clients of female sex workers. The work will draw mainly from systematic review of published reports and data to analyse the vulnerability of clients of sex workers to HIV, their contribution to new HIV infections, the impact of the epidemic on the group compared to other groups, and programs in place to address them. Based on this analysis, the consultant should provide recommendations on ways to strengthen HIV programming among clients of sex workers and also to develop an advocacy framework to address the gaps identified. The framework will be directed to critical players in HIV prevention. These include national governments, development partners, major funders, civil society organizations and men’s organizations.

The consultant will be expected to prepare three related reports/products. These are the inception report, the situational and response analysis (systematic review) report and finally the Advocacy framework. For each product, the consultant will develop a Powerpoint presentation to facilitate discussions with members of the reference group and regional stakeholders.

INCEPTION RESPONSE:

The consultant will be expected to demonstrate a clear understanding of the TOR and the subject matter. The latter will be exhibited through sharing of preliminary literature review in the area. Furthermore, the consultant should reflect on a plan of action and timelines. This will be a report not exceeding 15 pages.

SITUATIONAL & RESPONSE ANALYSIS (SYSTEMATIC REVIEW):

The consultant will be expected to contextualize the vulnerability to HIV of men who buy sex. The consultant will first, gather evidence to demonstrate the risk of men who buy sex to HIV compared with other men. Second, S/he will demonstrate evidence of the contribution of men who buy sex to the overall epidemic. Third, the consultant will be expected to highlight programmatic responses/interventions to men who buy sex in the region. The response analysis will include an analysis of programme funding to the clients of sex workers  compared to other vulnerable  groups such as AGYW and KP. An analysis of funding from at least one of the three major players (Government, Global Fund and PEPFAR) will be sufficient. The consultant should indicate the major gaps in programming and similarly, promising practices. Finally, on the basis of the analysis, specific recommendations should be proposed. This will be a 30-page report, excluding annexes.

ADVOCACY FRAMEWORK:

The consultant will be expected to prepare an advocacy framework that is based on the recommendations of the Situational and Response Analysis of Men and HIV in the ESA region. The Framework will not exceed 20 pages.

The consultant will be required to provide regular update through emails, participate in teleconferences as required to monitor adherence to the tight schedule. All deliverables will be submitted electronically. 

Requirements: 

Education

A postgraduate degree in public health, epidemiology, demography, sociology or related fields. Additional qualification will be an added advantage.

Experience

• Strong epidemiological analysis skills, including conducting systematic reviews;
• At least 10 years’ experience in undertaking development work;
• Track record in HIV and SRH work, especially in Africa;
• Experience in conducting research, with demonstrated ability to write clear and comprehensive reports for UN or other development partners;
• Traceable work experience on Sex work-related programming/research;
• Experience in developing advocacy Frameworks or Strategies; and
• Experience in program finance analysis will be an added advantage.

How to Apply:

Please send your CV and a short letter of motivation to jobs.esaro@unfpa.org with email subject clearly stated ''International Consultancy - Development of Advocacy Framework" by application closing date. 

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