Consultancy for senior technical support to WHO project on VMMC & ASRH Linkage-Integration in Tanzania & Zimbabwe

1. INTRODUCTION

Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) for HIV prevention programmes have been designed for the ‘catch-up phase’, targeting male age 18 years and older. Given practical experience since the 2007 WHO recommendations were issued and as services are beginning to shift for the sustainable phase which will in clude predominantly adolescents, programmers now recognize the importance of making VMMC services more age appropriate. As younger adolescents form a large proportion of clients; the opportunity exists to ensure relevant services are provided to adolescents.

Adolescents boys in particular have minimal contact with health services for a variety of reasons: services are not ‘friendly’, and are of poor quality; adolescent services are not targeted at boys; knowledge on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services availability is limited. Yet VMMC may be an entry point to increase access and provide broader services to adolescent boys. VMMC also could provide an opportunity to engage with boys on issues of gender.

To help guide national programmes to link and/or broaden VMMC with SRH services for adolescents and to enhance age-specific relevance, WHO in 2011 developed a draft manual – Programme Options and Support Materials (POSM)- that outlined a menu of expanded ASRH packages and service delivery options to support these packages. Within in Zimbabwe and Tanzania, the national ministries of health are moving forward to develop enhanced VMMC-ASRH services . Preparation and plans are well underway to field-test these options in each country with the approval of the ministries of health. This information will also inform WHO HQ on revising the POSM, and on considerations for a new action framework on VMMC.

To carry out this project successfully, the Ministry of Health in both countries will undertake a mapping assessment of available VMMC and ASRH service delivery points in select districts; a review of available information materials and messages for VMMC and ASRH; development of service delivery options and adaptation of service delivery protocols; and the development and implementation of a field-test . This work will also be informed by experiences gained from similar projects which target adolescent boys and young men. It will incorporate, and adapt, where appropriate, programme and training packages that have been developed for those projects. Senior advisory and technical support is required to undertake the next phases of the project, to synthesize lessons and outcomes.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

I. Purpose of this assignment

To provide technical support to WHO Headquarters KPP team, Tanzania and Zimbabwe WHO country office, Ministry of Health, and local consultants on a Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) and Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) linkage - integration project

II. Scope of Work

The assignment is from 7 September 2015 to 30th August 2016, for a maximum of 60 days.

The contract will be awarded in two components due to WHO internal budgeting and administrative arrangements. The first contract will cover through the end of 2015, and the second the period occurring in 2016.

III. Outputs

1)Pilot field testing of ASRH MC linkages support materials. Series of technical briefs to guide the development and implementation of the pilots in Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Briefs will build on the already completed phases of country preparatory stakeholder meetings, message and service mapping and desk reviews, the draft service delivery protocols and the draft proposal for the pilot assessments and district plans. The briefs will focus on the key players / groups (eg, programme managers, service providers, adolescents) who will implement or be the recipients of the pilot services.

=> Write detailed technical briefs on content and processes to guide implementing the pilot(s), such as:

• Provider orientation content by specific target group (as relevant)
• Outline of the service package to be extracted from the preparatory reports, adapted for the pilot districts and converted into user friendly materials by a communications specialist (the basic VMMC/ASRH information and services to be offered; service delivery protocols)
• Information, education and communication resources and channels, including resources on gender and masculinity, for audiences identified in preparatory phase
• Linkage and referral considerations including at provider and client levels.

This set of briefs may also be used to inform the pilot projects undertaken by other countries.

=> Write field test protocol with WHO colleagues and inputs of country programmes and consultants

2)At least three reports, presentations and/or documentation of virtual technical support activities throughout the planning and implementation of the projectand/or comments/edits of project documents

=> Provide virtual regular technical support including on

• Orientation and lessons learnt webinars to WHO and country teams during planning, implementation and assessment: development of the methodology, analysis and reporting of the pilot projects assessments to the WHO HQ, CO, MOH staff, country teams and consultants.
• Review and comment on key in-country documents, including TOR of consultants and methodologies of the assessment
• PowerPoint presentations on pilots undertaken and overarching lessons to inform strategies and guidance.
• Provide inputs to WHO HQ and country teams on a satellite session at ICASA 2015 (depending on progress in countries) and a presentation the International AIDS conference in Durban 2016.

3)Trip reports describing technical support provided, including annexes of presentations, agenda, outcomes and other relevant documentation, from any in country missions.

=> Provide in-person technical support to country teams during planning, implementation and assessment through:

• Workshops with consultants and country teams (e.g. district plans, orientation)
• Planning meetings for implementation and assessment
• Facilitating key stakeholder meetings

NB: It is envisaged that there would be about two visits per country during the planning, implementation and assessment phases

IV. Timeframe & Deliverables

a)Deliverable 1: Series of operational and technical briefs, and field test protocol due by 30 October 2015

b) Deliverables 2: Reports, presentations and/or documentation on virtual technical support activities including comments/edits on project documents. Timing dependent on country progress but likely Report 1 due by 1st December 2015,report 2 by 1st April 2016,report 3 by 30th August 2016.Two PowerPoint presentations of process and results of pilots undertaken, due by 30th June 2016.Report on completion of the assessment of the pilot projects, due by 30th June 2016

c)Deliverable 3s: Trip reports outlining in person technical support provided including annexes of presentations and other relevant documentation, due two weeks post each country visit.

V. Performance monitoring

The contractor’s work will be supervised by the Technical Officer, Responsible for Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (first-level supervisor), and by the Team Lead, Key Population and Prevention team (second-level supervisor), both in the HIV/AIDS Department.

The detailed timeframe above includes deliverables and milestones, against which performance will be monitored on a monthly basis.

In the event of a delay in delivery of material to the contractual partner or any substantial change after the contractor has started e.g. provision of additional material, revision of existing material, receipt of additional reviewer’s comments that need to be addressed an addendum to this contract may need to be negotiated.

VI. Location and Travel

The contractor is expected to work remotely, with regular communication with the WHO technical focal points for this work.

Physical presence in Geneva may be required 2-3 times during the assignment for meetings. Any duty travel related to this assignment will be organized separately, following the WHO Rules and Regulations on duty travel (not to be included in the proposal budget). The Contractor shall verify that all Contractor Personnel is legally entitled to travel to the country or countries where the work is to be carried out, including Switzerland.

3. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ASSIGNMENT

I. Education

Essential: Master in Social Science, Public Health or International health; clinical training (eg nursing, social work, medicine).

II. Experience

Essential: At least 10 years’ experience in adolescent health of which at least 1 year experience in the field of HIV prevention and / or adolescent service delivery and familiarity with VMMC for HIV prevention. Clinical service experience and experience with African health and health care settings.

Desirable: Experience in adolescent health systems strengthening with demonstrated ability to reach out to key stakeholders, international partner collaboration, excellent communication and writing skills in English, familiarity and experience with the International Organizations.

Previous work experience with WHO or other international institutions in the field of HIV or Adolescent Health would be an asset.

HOW TO APPLY:

No later than 21 August 2015, 13:00 CETthe bidder shall submit by email:

i. A letter of motivation outlining relevant experience as mentioned under section 3. This letter also need to indicate the daily consultancy rate. Any cost related to the assignment need to be reflected into the daily rate except for travel as indicated under section 2.

ii. An updated CV.

Email for submissions of proposal: pdifin@who.int (use subject: Bid Ref 2015/HTM/HIV/009)

Mailing address for submission of proposal:

World Health Organization --- HQ/HIV-KPP, D45031 --- Bid Ref:2015/HTM/HIV/009 --- 20, Avenue Appia --- CH-1211 Geneva 27 --- Switzerland