EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR CONDUCTING A BASELINE ASSESSSMENT FOR COMMUNITY-LED MONITORING IN RWANDA     

Area of expertise:

Consultant to conduct a baseline assessment for Community-led Monitoring in Rwanda

Purpose of consultancy:

The purpose of the consultancy is to conduct a baseline assessment for the CLM program to inform the project planning exercises, implementation and monitoring results during the future midline and end line project evaluation exercises. 

Background:

The United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Rwanda together with other partners are supporting communities of People living with HIV (PLHIV) and Key and priority Populations including men who have sex with other men (MSM), Female sex workers (FSW) and Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) and Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) to implement Community-Led Monitoring (CLM) for the HIV program in Rwanda.

According to UNAIDS, HIV Community-led Monitoring (CLM) is an accountability mechanism for national HIV responses, led and implemented by local community-led organizations (CLOs) of people living with HIV (PLHIV), networks of Key Populations (KPs), other affected groups, or other community entities.

One of the initial key requirements for the project is to conduct a baseline assessment for the CLM programme to inform the project planning exercises, implementation and monitoring results during the future midline and end line project evaluation exercises. 

UNAIDS in collaboration with other partners seek to hiring a consultant that will provide technical support in conducting a baseline survey for CLM that will inform the program about the existing initiatives and efforts, indicate gaps, potential synergies and complementary advantages of key partners/players in the planning and implementation of CLM in Rwanda

Deliverables:

The consultant will provide support for the following:

Deliverable 1: Highlight the programmatic landscape of CLM through identifying ongoing CLM initiatives, progress, key priority areas for improvement, existing plans and recommendations for the way forward.

Expected by: August 15, 2024

Deliverable 2: Highlight the funding landscape of CLM, funded program interventions, gaps and other potential sources of funds.

Expected by: August 15, 2024

Deliverable 3: Co-organize a workshop on the baseline survey for CLM, including drafting of workshop facilitation tools and rapporteur.

Expected by: August 30, 2024

Deliverable 4: Co-facilitate the workshop and the self-assessment of the country’s progress using the UNAIDS CLM progress matrix.

Expected by: September 15, 2024

Deliverable 5: Production and presentation of the final report for the assessment.

Expected by: October 11, 2024

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree in public health, Medicine, Development Studies, social sciences, or a related field.

Desirable: A Master’s degree in Public Health or MSc in Epidemiology

Experience

Essential:

• The candidate should possess a minimum of 5 years of working experience in providing programmatic and technical support to communities of PLHIV and KPs at policy, strategic and programmatic level
• Previous experience in defining community priorities and costing for HIV programmes for donors including either PEPFAR or the Global Fund and other partners
• Previous experience in facilitating workshops involving Government, CSOs/CLOs and development partners.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in conducting project baseline, midline and end line assessments
• Having worked for CSOs/CLOs supporting PLHIV and or KPs in programmatic capacity including policy and programme planning, human rights, monitoring and evaluation and advocacy.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Knowledge of health policies, systems, and management practices in Rwanda.
• Strong background in quantitative and qualitative data analysis
• In-depth understanding of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and related public health issues.
• Strong knowledge of ethical guidelines and practices in conducting research, especially in vulnerable populations
• Expertise in designing data collection tools, managing data, and conducting both qualitative and quantitative analyses
• Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality reports and communicate findings effectively to various stakeholders

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert)

A high level of proficiency in English is required; Knowledge of French is a plus for this assignment.

Location

On site: The consultant will need to be physically present at various locations including Offices of UNAIDS Rwanda, Rwanda Biomedical Center and the umbrella/Networks representing PLHIV and Key and Priority populations.

Off site: The consultant will also be expected to work remotely from their own office or home throughout the consultancy period

Travel

No Travels outside the duty location involved

 Expected duration of contract

 The consultancy agreement will be valid for 2 months (60 working days).

 How to apply:

The expression of interest should include the following:

• Motivation Letter detailing the candidate’s suitability for the work
• Detailed Curriculum Vitae(CV) indicating educational and working experience with three professional referees
• Certificates of similar work completion

The complete application documents (with the title for the application), must be submitted to UNAIDS Country Office, EBENEZER BUILDING, KG 7th, Kigali, Rwanda, not later than 1^st July, 2024. To abide by greening our environment measures, the documents may be submitted online through the E-mail addresses below:

To: uwinezaj@unaids.org 

Cc: gasozia@unaids.org  and uwamahoror@unaids.org.

General information

UNAIDS recognizes the importance of a diverse workforce. We define diversity as acknowledging, seeking to understand, accepting, and valuing differences among people with respect to age, class, ethnicity, sex, physical and mental ability, and sexual orientation. 

Applications from people living with HIV are particularly welcome. No potential candidates shall be discriminated against on the basis of real or perceived HIV status. HIV infection, in itself, does not constitute lack of fitness to work. There is no obligation to disclose HIV-related personal information.

Applications from women are particularly encouraged.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

UNAIDS is committed to providing a work environment that respects the inherent dignity of all persons. UNAIDS has a responsibility to take all appropriate steps to prevent and respond to discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment, including sexual harassment in the workplace or in connection with work. UNAIDS has zero tolerance towards abusive conduct. 

UNAIDS has a smoke-free environment