TOR For National AIDS Programm Consultancy
TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToRs)
FOR
Conducting a Rapid Assessment of the Responsiveness of National AIDS Programme’s (NAPs) in the Caribbean to the needs of Vulnerable Groups
and Developing a Project Guidance Document
BACKGROUND
The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) has been approved as the Principal Recipient of the PANCAP R9 Round Global Fund Grant in the amount of $35 million US dollars. Both the Centre for Integrated Training and Research (COIN) and the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) have been instrumental in elaborating the Most at Risk Populations component of the PANCAP Global Fund proposal. COIN has been nominated as the Sub-Recipient for this component of the grant representing approximately a third of the total funds (excluding those used by the PR).
Vulnerable groups require specific attention as decision makers and program planners develop interventions. Effective strategies for reaching Vulnerable Groups to encourage HIV testing, regular condom use, and other harm reduction behaviours can differ and need to consider the many nuances, social constraints, and prejudices (both external and internal) that define the realities of these groups.
The Vulnerable groups component of the PANCAP Global Fund includes funding for model, tailor-made programmes that are designed to capture the nuance and complexity of the epidemic in the region and build them into the programming. It sets out to develop model outreach programs to reach key vulnerable groups, targeting MSM, local and migrant SW, prison inmates, drug users, and marginalized youth through four population-based projects.
It involves an approach to scaling- up efforts to curtail HIV infection in Vulnerable Groups that supports and empowers community-driven HIV/AIDS programming.
New strategies are combined with a scaling up of traditionally effective interventions that are tailored for local epidemiology and context to maximize public health impact despite resource constraints.
The scaling-up is envisaged as a sequenced approach where best practices are determined and supported, local partners are engaged to pilot and refine, and finally transference of “know how” occurs to National AIDS Programmes for sustainability and amplification.
A similar pattern is repeated across each of the target groups - mobilizing of community leaders, organizing the community for action, examining the particular HIV/AIDS issues of each sub-population, focusing and setting priorities for action, joint planning and community implementation.
With all this in place the approach creates sustainable and wider-ranging impacts by mobilizing communities, and giving them the tools to become agents of their own development.
Given the sensitive nature of HIV programming with vulnerable groups in much of the Caribbean and the lack of an enabling environment for outreach and programmatic work, it is necessary to develop public relations, communications and advocacy strategies in order to produce a better impact of the program and facilitate the necessary NAP buy-in for scale-up and sustainability.
Special attention in the strategies need to be paid to different approaches for different audiences (e.g. politicians and policy/makers, general public, health professionals, private sector and funders, different community groups...). Tools to be covered include, among others, TV or radio presentations/talks/interviews, press releases, expert presentations, fact sheets etc.
1. Purpose of the Consultancy
COIN/CVC is looking for an external consultant to conduct a raid assessment of current NAP programming with regards to vulnerable groups, and develop a guiding framework for the project for achieving more effective engagement of NAP’s on Vulnerable Groups issues.
The main objectives and scope of the task are to:
· Provide a rapid, critical overview of the existing situation regarding NAPs programming in relation to Vulnerable Groups that will serve as a baseline for the project.
· Provide a guiding framework for the COIN/CVC “Vulnerbilised” Groups component of the PANCAP R9 Global Fund Grant including an advocacy, communications and Public Relations strategy for maximisimg NAP support and buy-in.
2. Tasks and Responsibilities of the Consultancy
i. Document the current state of NAP programming on Vulnerable Groups with particular reference to the pilot countries covered by the COIN/CVC “Vulneribilised” Groups component of the PANCAP R9.
ii. Identify key barriers to rolling out and scaling-up programming to key populations.
iii. Make recommendations for the strengthening of communications and advocacy efforts of the COIN/CVC “Vulneribilised” Groups component of the PANCAP R9.
iv. Develop effective public relations, communications and advocacy strategies for the project with the NAPs regarding programming for key populations, to more effectively disseminate and present data, reports and other HIV program related findings to different types of audiences involved in national AIDS responses in the Caribbean.
v. Provide project staff with comparative experience regarding the organizational aspect of communication/advocacy in domain of HIV response and regional HIV related public relations practices and prepare them to work on strengthening the coordination of communication activities at the level of the national HIV response.
3. Key Consultancy Outputs
· Rapid Assessment Report with annexed data collection instruments.
· Guiding Framework including an Advocacy, PR and Communications Strategy.
4. Expected Profile of the Consultant
· University degree in health or social sciences, Advanced University degree would be an asset;
· Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in the area of public relations and advocacy, campaigning and PR work, preferably with experience of work in the Caribbean region with NAPS;
· Experience conducting rapid assessments and developing information collection instruments (key informant interview guides, surveys, focus groups etc.
· Exceptional analytical skills for interpreting complex HIV related public relations issues and devising viable strategies to inform, motivate and engage NAPs in more effective responses with regard to key populations.
· Familiarity with the context of the Caribbean region is essential.
5. Timeframe and Consultancy management
The Consultancy will be managed by the technical team of the vulnerabilised groups project comprising the project manager, MSM and Sex Worker project coordinators and the M&E officer. The consultancy is expected to begin by September 2011 and be finalized on or before December 2011.
6. Expression of interest and Expected Results
Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications by e-mail
The application should contain:
- Personal Curriculum Vitae
- Cover/Motivation Letter
Deadline for application: 15th September, 2011:
Please send your application by email to: coin.cvc.human.resources@gmail.com
COIN/CVC will evaluate candidates and award the contract based on the technical and financial feasibility. COIN/CVC reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without offering an explanation.
TRINIDAD: Situational Analysis on MSM programming and local Response to HIV
COIN/CVC “Vulnerabilised” Groups Project
PANCAP R9 Global Fund Grant
Terms of Reference
Conducting a Participatory Situational Analysis on MSM programming and the local Response to HIV Prevention, Treatment, Services and Care in Trinidad
Background
The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) have been approved as the Principal Recipient of the PANCAP R9 Round Global Fund Grant in the amount of $35 million US dollars. Both the Centre for Integrated Training and Research (COIN) and the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) have been instrumental in elaborating the Most at Risk Populations component of the PANCAP Global Fund proposal. COIN has been nominated as the Sub-Recipient for this component of the grant representing approximately a third of the total funds (excluding those used by the PR).
The vulnerable groups component of the GF grant sets out to develop model outreach programs to reach key vulnerable groups, targeting MSM, local and migrant SW, prison inmates, drug users, and marginalized youth through five population-based projects.
To contribute to baseline information, ensure that program development is evidence-informed and to design interventions that are tailored and sub-population specific, the project will conduct a Situational Analysis with MSM in three pilot countries - the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Trinidad.
Objectives of the Situation Analysis:
- To collect and analyze data on MSM programming, responses and community mobilization around HIV Prevention, Treatment, Services and Care in Trinidad as part of project baseline.
- To identify unmet needs and gaps in programming through consultation with MSM from a variety of sub-populations, such as gay identifying and non-identifying gay men, effeminate gay men, ‘down-low’, among others, to inform development of tailored and sub-population specific model programming and interventions.
- To collect information which supports the development of CVC/COIN’s Advocacy Agenda.
Methodology
1. Participatory Consultation
-Conduct Focal Groups of 6-7 participants with 3 sub-populations of MSM.
-Conduct 5-6 in-depth interviews with MSM from a cross-section of sub-populations.
2. Online Data Collection
-Apply online questionnaire on Service Provision with NGO Staff/Directors.
3. Community Mapping
-Conduct a community mapping to determine locations where sub-populations of MSM hang-out and socialize and assess availability of safe spaces (both formal and informal) for MSM.
4. Organisational Rapid Assessment
-Using a standardized tool, apply an Organisational Assessment of community organisations working with MSM, and MSM organizations, collectives, and groups in Trinidad.
Deliverables
- Assist in review and finalization of tools for completing the Situational Analysis.
- A draft of the Situational Analysis Report should be delivered by 10th October 2011. The report should analyse all of the information collected through the above methods and make key recommendations for programming based on evidence collected.
- Feedback will be provided on the report by 12th October and the final report is due no later than the 14th October 2011.
Reporting lines
The consultant will work closely with the CVC/COIN coordinator based in Trinidad and reports directly to the Project Coordinator for MSM.
CVC/COIN will provide the following to the consultant:
- Questions for focus group discussion and in-depth interviews
- Online data collection tool
- Tools for community mapping
- Standardized tool to conduct organizational assessments
Budget
There is a budget of US $2,000 in consultancy fees with US $1,000 available for coordinating field-work.
http://coin-cvc-human-resources.blogspot.com/2011/09/dominican-republic-situational-analysis.html
http://coin-cvc-human-resources.blogspot.com/2011/09/web-design-consultancy-services.html
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: Situational Analysis on MSM programming and the local Response to HIV Prevention
COIN/CVC “Vulnerabilised” Groups Project
PANCAP R9 Global Fund Grant
Terms of Reference
Conducting a Participatory Situational Analysis on MSM programming and the local Response to HIV Prevention, Treatment, Services and Care in the Dominican Republic
Background
The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) has been approved as the Principal Recipient of the PANCAP R9 Round Global Fund Grant in the amount of $35 million US dollars. Both the Centre for Integrated Training and Research (COIN) and the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) have been instrumental in elaborating the Most at Risk Populations component of the PANCAP Global Fund proposal. COIN has been nominated as the Sub-Recipient for this component of the grant representing approximately a third of the total funds (excluding those used by the PR).
The vulnerable groups component of the GF grant sets out to develop model outreach programs to reach key vulnerable groups, targeting MSM, local and migrant SW, prison inmates, drug users, and marginalized youth through five population-based projects.
To contribute to baseline information, ensure that program development is evidence-informed and to design interventions that are tailored and sub-population specific, the project will conduct a Situational Analysis with MSM in three pilot countries - the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Trinidad.
Objectives of the Situation Analysis:
- To collect and analyze data on MSM programming, responses and community mobilization around HIV Prevention, Treatment, Services and Care in the Dominican Republic as part of project baseline.
- To identify unmet needs and gaps in programming through consultation with MSM from a variety of sub-populations, such as gay identifying and non-identifying gay men, effeminate gay men, ‘down-low’, among others, to inform development of tailored and sub-population specific model programming and interventions.
- To collect information which supports the development of CVC/COIN’s Advocacy Agenda.
Methodology
1. Participatory Consultation
- Conduct Focal Groups of 6-7 participants with 3 sub-populations of MSM.
- Conduct 5-6 in-depth interviews with MSM from a cross-section of sub-populations.
2. Online Data Collection
- Apply online questionnaire on Service Provision with NGO Staff/Directors.
3. Community Mapping
- Conduct a community mapping to determine locations where sub-populations of MSM hang-out and socialize and assess availability of safe spaces (both formal and informal) for MSM.
4. Organizational Rapid Assessment
- Using a standardized tool, apply an Organizational Assessment of community organizations working with MSM, and MSM organizations, collectives, and groups in Trinidad.
Deliverables
- Assist in review and finalization of tools for completing the Situational Analysis.
- A draft of the Situational Analysis Report should be delivered by 10th October 2011. The report should analyze all of the information collected through the above methods and make key recommendations for programming based on evidence collected.
- Feedback will be provided on the report by 12th October and the final report is due no later than the 14th October 2011.
Reporting lines
The consultant will work closely with the CVC/COIN Technical Coordinator and reports directly to the Project Coordinator for MSM.
CVC/COIN will provide the following to the consultant:
- Questions for focus group discussion and in-depth interviews
- Online data collection tool
- Tools for community mapping
- Standardized tool to conduct organizational assessments
Budget
There is a budget of US $2,000 in consultancy fees with US $1,000 available for coordinating field-work.
Web Design Consultancy Services
TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToRs)
FOR
Web Design Consultancy Services
BACKGROUND
The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) has been approved as the Principal Recipient of the PANCAP R9 Round Global Fund Grant in the amount of $35 million US dollars. Both the Centre for Integrated Training and Research (COIN) and the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC) have been instrumental in elaborating the Most at Risk Populations component of the PANCAP Global Fund proposal. COIN has been nominated as the Sub-Recipient for this component of the grant representing approximately a third of the total funds (excluding those used by the PR).
The vulnerable groups component of the GF grant sets out to develop model outreach programs to reach key vulnerable groups, targeting MSM, local and migrant SW, prison inmates, drug users, and marginalized youth through four population-based projects.
It includes funding for model, tailor-made programmes. It sets out to develop model outreach programs to reach key vulnerable groups, targeting MSM, local and migrant SW, prison inmates, drug users, and marginalized youth through four population-based projects.
It involves an approach to scaling- up efforts to curtail HIV infection in Vulnerable Groups that supports and empowers community-driven HIV/AIDS programming.
New strategies are combined with a scaling up of traditionally effective interventions that are tailored for local epidemiology and context to maximize public health impact despite resource constraints.
The scaling-up is envisaged as a sequenced approach where best practices are determined and supported, local partners are engaged to pilot and refine, and finally transference of “know how” occurs to National AIDS Programmes for sustainability and amplification.
A similar pattern is repeated across each of the target groups - mobilizing of community leaders, organizing the community for action, examining the particular HIV/AIDS issues of each sub-population, focusing and setting priorities for action, joint planning and community implementation.
With all this in place the approach creates sustainable and wider-ranging impacts by mobilizing communities, and giving them the tools to become agents of their own development.
Each of these projects has networking and sharing of experiences as key regional deliverables. The use of internet in this process is paramount, and each project has a web platform and/or blogs to facilitate communication.
1. Purpose of the Consultancy
The web designer's main tasks will be to design three individual websites for the “Vulnerablised” Group Component of the PANCAP R9 GF Project that have a degree of uniformity in design of all of the websites while ensuring each has its unique look. 1. Purpose of the Consultancy
The designer will also be responsible for creating English and a Spanish version of each website based on content delivered by the projects technical staff, communities served, civil society partners, partner NGOs, think-tanks, grassroots activists, independent bloggers and other member of the social justice movement.
2. Tasks and Responsibilities of the Consultancy
The content and features of the website are likely to include the following items:
· Introduction and background information
· A programme of events (daily and for each two week event.
· A newsfeed page (to be updated frequently).
· Links to partners’ websites.
· Multimedia items such as photos, videos or audio recordings, embedded on the page.
· Resource page including publications in PDF as well as the source files, presentations (power point etc).
· Password protected space for work session to post information and upload documents and presentations.
· Blog space
Please note that the website will be updated frequently by different users and, as such, the design should facilitate easy updating by non-technical staff members.
The web designer will be encouraged to make use of his/her expertise and creativity to propose and implement relevant website enhancements.
3. Key Consultancy Outputs
The deliverables consist of the following products and services:
· Three web sites - one general project website, one web site for the vulnerable groups project and one web site for the Sex Worker Project in two languages (English and Spanish).
· All related source files and documentation.
· Training for staff on how to manage and update the web pages
4. Expected Profile of the Consultant
Qualifications
Education
University degree in communication or equivalent, preferably with a specialization in web page design.
Work Experience
Minimum 3 years of recent experience in designing user-friendly, visually-attractive and modern websites (including their graphical components) following web design standards and making appropriate use of Web 2.0 technologies.
Technical Skills and Expertise
· Expert knowledge of modern website design techniques, including graphical design. Knowledge of modern graphic design software tools such as Adobe Creative Suite. Knowledge of vector-based imagery, such as maps and logos is essential
· Expert knowledge of modern web standards and usability guidelines. Expert knowledge of XHTML, CSS & Javascript.
· Expert knowledge of Web 2.0 services.
· Basic knowledge of Internet protocols, databases & programming.
· Basic Knowledge of XML standards and technologies, including AJAX is an asset.
Core Competencies
· Professionalism – Strong knowledge of the field of expertise with good analytical skills and ability to solve problems.
· Planning & Organizing - Ability to plan work and manage conflicting priorities.
· User Orientation – Ability to understand, analyze and respond to user needs.
· Commitment to Continuous Learning – Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field of expertise.
· Communication – Good spoken and written communication skills, including the ability to liaise with technical staff and present information in a clear and concise style.
· Teamwork - Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Languages
Fluency in English and Spanish is required
5. Timeframe and Consultancy management
A total timeframe of three months is envisaged for the delivery of products and services specified above from the end of September 2011 until the end of December 2011.
6. Expression of interest and Expected Results
All interested consultants/firms are requested to write an expression of interest by providing a brief technical proposal. They must include in their application the following:
- Their competences to meet the requirements of the assignment including the relevant experience related to the assignment;
- An outline work plan for completing the assignment
- Indicate when the consultant(s) would be ready to undertake the assignment;
- Providing evidence of similar work undertaken in the recent past (not more than 3 years) and contacts of at least 3 organizations previously worked for.
Deadline for application: 15th September, 2011:
Please send your application by email to: coin.cvc.human.resources@gmail.com
COIN/CVC will evaluate candidates and award the contract based on the technical and financial feasibility. COIN/CVC reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without offering an explanation.