Consultant: Strengthening the National M&E System, National AIDS Council Secretariat (NACS)

HIV has remained a major development challenge to Papua New Guinea the first case was reported (1987). In 2009, the number of adults (aged 15-49) living with HIV was estimated to be 35,800 which was equivalent to a national prevalence rate of 0.9%. To the end of 2009, a cumulative total of 11,520 people were estimated to have died because of HIV-related illnesses and 5,610 children had became orphans, losing one or both of their parents, as a result of the epidemic. [i] Based on the 2010 Estimates and Projections exercise, the period of most rapid increase in new HIV infections was between 1998 and 2005, (see Figure 5). Since 2006, there has continued to be an upward trend in national prevalence, but at a less rapid rate. It is estimated that national HIV prevalence will reach 1.0% in 2015. While available data indicates that the epidemic extends to every province in the country, in many areas there is insufficient information to determine current prevalence and predict the potential for further epidemic growth. There is, however, sufficient evidence to conclude that the epidemic has extended beyond urban and peri-urban areas to rural areas, where 80-85% of the PNG population lives, and is clustered around concentrations of population, transport routes and rural enclave enterprises where there are active markets for the exchange and sale of sex. [ii] National AIDS Council Secretariat is mandated to coordinate, monitor and evaluate programmes for the HIV national response. As an initiative to improve this process, NACS with support from key development partners including UN and AusAID, established the M&E unit with and international M&E consultant, 5 National staff and the and the Provincial Monitoring, Evaluation and Surveillance Teams (ProMEST) and M&E Officers in all the 20 provinces. With support provided by GFATM, provinces received training in data collection and analysis and computer packages to establish the Coordinated Response Information System (CRIS) currently utilized by the PROMEST Teams to feed information into the central data system based at NACS. To further enhance t NACS initiatives on scaling up the data collection, to meet the ongoing challenges yet confronting the national response monitoring such as the: Poor linkages between stakeholder HIV/AlDS M&E systems with national HIV/AIDS coordination bodies' (NACS) M&E systems. Existence of good M&E systems but poor analysis of such data to inform the stakeholders and decision makers of the situation of HIV and AIDS and required policy and programme decisions. Limited capacity for the ProMEST team to collect, analyze and disseminate HIV related data at the provincial level. Limited capacities among stakeholder to appreciate the importance of M&E for HIV/AIDS interventions. National AIDS Council Secretariat is seeking for the expertise of M&E consultant who will support the M&E component for the secretariat in close collaboration with the Surveillance Unit of the Department of Health, Research Institutions, ProMEST and partner agencies. The M&E Consultant will be based at the National AIDS Council Secretariat and will work under the overall leadership and supervision of the Deputy Director- Prevention, NACS. He /she will report to the Deputy Director-Prevention in NACS and the HIV specialist at UNDP [i] National AIDS Council and National Department of Health, Consensus Workshop on HIV Estimation in PNG, 8-10 June, 2010. [ii] NDoH and NACS. 2007. The 2007 Estimation Report on the HIV Epidemic in Papua New Guinea. Port Moresby: NDoH.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide technical support to the National AIDS Council Secretariat (NACS) in operationalizing national HIV monitoring and evaluation system Coordinate and support Provincial AIDS Committees (PACS), and Provincial Monitoring, Evaluation and Surveillance team (ProMEST) in monitoring and evaluation of HIV interventions delivered to various most-at-risk groups and the general population. Coordinate with various multilateral, bilateral partners and UN agencies in implementing the one national HIV monitoring and evaluation system. Develop and update as necessary monitoring and evaluation plans for HIV, consistent with the national M&E framework, in consultation with the National Department of Health (NDOH), NACS, PACs and all other partners. Coordinate with third-party monitoring and evaluations agencies and HIV/AIDS Surveillance Unit at NDOH in implementing the national M&E framework. Provide technical advice and assistance to government officials and other partners in the planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of HIV programmes. Provide technical guidance for the implementation of the M&E plan, through trainings and other on-site supportive visits throughout the 20 provinces. Assist NACS and PACS in assessing M&E capacity gaps, and support in developing a plan of action to address those challenges and capacity needs. Provide technical assistance to M&E officers, and ProMEST in routine data collection, quality check, and reporting to various levels In collaboration with stakeholder, support NACS, strategic government departments, Provincial Administration, and Private Sector in data use in programming and decision making processes. Provide technical support to the M&E unit in the use of the mobile phone data collection and management Any other task assigned by the Director/Deputy of NACS, to support the overall management, supervision, and monitoring and evaluation of the HIV national response. Methodology: The M&E consultant will work closely with National AIDS Council Secretariat as well as other counterparts in Papua New Guinea such as UN, AusAID, and other partners to support the effective functioning M&E system. He/she will be based at National AIDS Secretariat with frequent travel to provinces. Deliverables: New data collection tools for the National HIV Strategy (NHS) M&E framework and programme areas National M&E Report Finalized M&E plan for HIV for NACS Develop work plan for M&E activities M&E reports from provinces Establish Data quality assurance mechanism at NACS Conduct training for provincial M&E officers and ProMEST on data dissemination and use Hold monthly coordination meetings for M&E National Oversight Committee (NOC) and M&E Technical Working Group.

Competencies

Conceptual Innovation in the provision of technical expertise Leveraging the resources of national and sub-national governments & partners/Building strategic alliances and partnerships Job knowledge/Technical expertise Adaptation and application of knowledge/innovations in different contexts Integration in a multidisciplinary environment

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Masters degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, Statistics, or any related field. Experience: Minimum 3-5 years experience in monitoring and evaluation preferably of HIV/AIDS Experience in epidemiology, social science research including questionnaires development, data collection and analysis Experience in coordinating, training and facilitation of multi-stakeholders meetings Proficiency in word processing, databases and spreadsheets, including advanced skills in at least two of the following programs: SPSS, Excel, Epi Info, etc Demonstrated experience with Management Information Systems preferably in Health Experience in setting up data bases and presenting basic statistical reports Excellent planning and organizational skills Language: Good knowledge of spoken and written English as well as ability to draft reports.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.