The dominant mode of HIV transmission to children is mother-to-child. Without preventive interventions, between 25-50% of the women living with HIV will pass the infection to their children; 5-10% during pregnancy, 10-20% during delivery and 10-20% during breastfeeding. Ensuring that no baby is born with HIV is an essential step towards achieving an AIDS-free generation. An intervention known as “prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV,” or PMTCT, provides drugs, counselling and psychological support to help mothers safeguard their infants against the virus. Ensuring PMTCT is provided to all women that need it is our most effective way to eliminating new HIV infections among children and keeping their mothers alive by 2015. Although the HIV prevalence among the 15-49 years in Somalia in 2012 was estimated to be low at 0.54% (0.94% in Somaliland, 0.42% in South-Central and 0.55% in Puntland), new infections are not reducing and were approximately 3,351 in 2012. The coverage of PMTCT (3%) is extremely low and not yet fully integrated in the routine MCH activities despite the programme started in 2010. Additionally, due to several gender and cultural factors, women are considered vulnerable to HIV and thus could potentially lead to more children born to HIV. These indicators show that scale up of HIV programmes in Somalia is a very high priority in order to prevent further increase in the numbers of people living with HIV and the subsequent increased need for HIV services which is difficult to sustain. For this reason, Somalia has a unique opportunity to engage in aggressive and effective early prevention activities focusing on “hot spots” and high risk behaviors. PMTCT is a priority objective articulated in the “Strategic Framework for the Somali AIDS Response (2009‐2013): Intensifying Integrated Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support for HIV towards Universal Access in Somali Populations” and one of the activities under “essential Package of Health Services (EPHS)”. Moreover, PMTCT is one of the Service Delivery Areas (SDA) under Objective 1 of the Global Fund Round 8 HIV Grant, namely “To scale up and adapt HIV prevention efforts towards Universal Access targets, with a focus on most-at-risk populations, as well as other key affected populations (UNAIDS/GFATM definition)”, which started in January 2010. Based on its core mandate on children and being Principal Recipient (PR) for GFATM Somalia HIV grant, UNICEF is best positioned to lead the development of PMTCT interventions in Somalia. This will be done in collaboration with local authorities and implementing partners, and as part of the national strategy to fight HIV and AIDS in Somalia and in the Horn of Africa’s region. Moreover, the new PMTCT package will be one of the building blocks for the development of the new HIV National Strategic Framework (2014-2018). Technical assistance is requested to review and finalize the national PMTCT guideline, to prepare a costed scale up plan and result framework and adapt the training material promoting equity and gender equality in order to provide additional support for the systematic scale up of the PMTCT program into Somalia (Somaliland, Puntland and Somalia-FG). Purpose and Objectives The purpose of the consultancy is to review and finalize the PMTCT guideline, to prepare the costed scale up plan and result framework and adapt training materials according to the context of the three zones and to the new WHO 2013 ART guidelines promoting equity and gender equality in order to support the systematic implementation and scale up of PMTCT Service Delivery Area (SDA) of GFATM HIV grant Round 8 for Somalia. The objectives of this consultancy are to: 1. Revise and finalize the PMTCT guidelines according to the new WHO 2013 ART guidelines 2. Formulate a time bound and costed scale up plan and result framework to systematically scale up PMTCT 3. Adapt the training material to Somali context 4. Obtain consensus among partners on the full PMTCT package promoting equity and gender equality Methodology and Technical Approach The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the HIV programme manager of Fund Management Unit, and in close collaboration with UNICEF health and nutrition sections and UNICEF zonal offices. In addition, the consultant will coordinate with national counterpart and other key stakeholders in HIV and AIDS response and in maternal and child health services. The consultant will review all relevant existing documents to update and finalize the PMTCT guideline and to produce a costed scale up plan and result framework according to the context of the three zones and to the new WHO 2013 ART guidelines promoting equity and gender equality for scaling up and integrating of PMTCT services in maternal and child services in Somalia. Moreover, the technical assistance will involve travel within Somalia for frequent consultations with relevant government institutions, representative from stakeholders, NGO partners, UN, MOH, AIDS commissions and health workers in working groups in each of the three zones in Somalia and in Nairobi. In addition, the consultant will visit selected health facilities where PMTCT services is provided. It will also be required that the consultant undertake consultations with some community structures and groups and local NGOs in order to obtain some insight on how to incorporate community engagement programs into PMTCT. Feedback sessions will be set-up with various stakeholders, with debriefs in each of the zones but also to HSC, UNICEF, and other interested parties in Nairobi. Specific Activities and Tasks The activities are prioritized as follows: • Submit a concept note which should include highlights of relevant experience as well as a proposed methodology for the review work. • Review all available documents relevant to PMTCT: policy, guideline, data collection, strategy development and training curricula for the three zones of Somalia. • In consultation with field working groups that includes key stakeholders, finalize the PMTCT guideline, according to new WHO 2013 ART guidelines for the three zones of promoting equity and gender equality. • Clarify the actions (steps) required and prepare a costed scale up plan and result framework to support health partners to scale up and integrate the “PMTCT Core Intervention” in the maternal and child services.
Expected outputs/deliverables • Consultancy methodology and work plan; • Finalized PMTCT guideline; • Costed scale up plan and result framework required for scaling up and integrate the “PMTCT Core Intervention” in the maternal and child services; • Validation reports with all stakeholders • Final report of the consultancy highlighting the lessons learned recommendations and next steps for the continuation of implementation and scaling up of PMTCT in Somalia. Timeframe The assignment is for 45 days to be undertaken within a spread period of 12 weeks. The consultant will be expected to commit himself/herself to undertake the assignment on agreed dates. This is a task-based assignment and the consultant shall be expected to confirm availability within the agreed time frame. Conditions of work The consultant will be based in UNICEF Somalia Support Centre in Nairobi but travel to Somalia is required according to agreed work plan to be developed at the beginning of the consultancy. Coordination and assistance for the consultancy will be provided by UNICEF. In Somaliland and in Puntland the consultant will stay in UN guesthouse or hotels and transport will be provided. In South-Central Somalia, arrangements will be done according to security. A working space will be available in Nairobi. Stationery and printing services will be provided. He/she is expected to have his/her own computer. Payment Consultancy’s fees will be negotiated and will be paid on satisfactory completion of all deliverables. UNICEF Somalia will be responsible to cover travel to/from and within Somalia. Profile of the consultant and minimum qualification • At least a Master’s Degree in Health Research, Public Health or related discipline. • Over eight years working experience in the field of public health in developing countries, preferably with HIV/PMTCT programmes in conflict and post-conflict countries. • Considerable experience in development of PMTCT, HIV and/or MCH guidelines from other countries. • Very good command of English language as well as excellent English writing skills and facilitation skills. Somali language will be added advantage. • The consultant should be knowledgeable about Global Fund and its activities. • Knowledge and understanding of the UN system and capacity to promote consensus and establish positive working relationship. Integrity, tact, discretion and demonstrated sensitivity to cultural differences • Familiarity with health system strengthening and health economics is desirable. • First-hand knowledge of the socio-cultural, economic and political situation in Somalia will be an added advantage. • Experienced in liaising with public officials and capable of responding rapidly to ad hoc requests for meetings under tight deadlines. • Ability to work with people from a broad range of cultures. • Willing to work in difficult circumstances and travel to Somalia
How to apply:
Interested and qualified candidates should send their applications with updated UN Personal History Form P11, updated CV attaching copies of academic certificates to the email below. UN staff are requested to provide the last two Performance Evaluation Reports (PERs). Applications submitted without a duly completed and signed Personal History Form (P11) which can be downloaded at http://www.unon.org/docs/P11.doc) will not be considered. Please indicate your expected fee for the assignment. Applicants must quote the vacancy number and post title in the subject line of the application.
Email to: somaliahrvacancies@unicef.org
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.
More vacancy announcements are posted on UNICEF Somalia websitehttp://www.unicef.org/somalia/index.html