Country: Somalia
Closing date: 31 May 2018
OVERVIEW OF CTG GLOBAL
CTG support and manage humanitarian projects in fragile and conflict-affected countries around the world. With past performance in 15 countries – from the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia and Central and South America – we offer a holistic fabric of project management, implementation and support. Skilled in emergency response to crises such as the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, we have the ability to act quickly (crisis response teams can be on the ground in 24 hours) and to establish structured operations in high-risk environments. CTG recruit and manage qualified, skilled teams with extensive experience operating in challenging conditions.
OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION
OUR CLIENT is the Principal Recipient for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria’s HIV/Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) grants in Somalia. The current HIV/RSSH New Funding Request (NFR) grant is from 1st January 2018 through 31st December 2020. Under this grant OUR CLIENT is expected to ensure implementation of all approved activities, including procurement of technical assistance/professional services to implement activities on OUR CLIENT’s behalf.
OUR CLIENT’s key partners under this grant include Networks of People Living with HIV (TALOWADAG, PUNCHAD, DARYEEL and South Central PLHIV Network [SCSPN]); clinical partners providing antiretroviral therapy and HIV testing (CISP, Human Development Concern [HDC], Mercy USA, New Ways Organisation [NWO], Physicians Across Continents, COOPI and Somalia Red Crescent Society Puntland [SRCSPL]); AIDS Commissions (South Central AIDS Commission [SCAC], Somaliland AIDS Commission [SOLNAC], and Puntland AIDS Commission [PAC]). The key partner of OUR CLIENT under this grant is the Ministry of Health in the Federal Government of Somalia (and affiliated States), Puntland and Somaliland. Through these partners, OUR CLIENT provides HIV prevention, treatment and care activities as well as activities to support the strengthening of the health system.
GENERAL FUNCTIONS
Role objective:
The main objective of this consultancy/Institutional Contract is to procure professional and technical labour services across the Central and Southern Region of Somalia, Puntland and Somaliland to complete by November 30th 2018, the following activities:
- Conduct a review of the Somalia Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV Programme.
The purpose of this activity is to review the current PMTCT programme through desk review and consultative process and develop simple SoPs consolidating what works and addressing obstacles in implementation.
- Develop guidance on HIV testing, diagnostics, treatment and care in Somalia
The purpose of the activity is to review and update the HIV Testing and Counselling (HTC) Policy with guidance on self-testing and lay counselling, provide implementation guidance on Viral Load (VL) and Early Infant Diagnosis (EID), and to review and finalise the Integrated Management of Adolescent and Adult Illness (IMAI) modules for Somalia.
- Develop a HIV self-testing (HIVST) operational frame
The purpose of this activity is to develop a self-testing operational research frame (who, how) for the 1500 HIVST kits to be procured from 2019.
- Referral pathways and tool development to strengthen referral systems for vulnerable populations & PLHIVs to treatment
The purpose of this activity is to develop a referral system to improve the testing treatment cascade.
- Develop a PLHIV support system for HIV positive women
The purpose of this activity is to develop a support system for HIV positive women including reproductive and sexual health, PMTCT, positive parenting, and accessing social networks.
- Develop a serial audio drama
The purpose of this activity is to develop a serial audio drama to play on the radio and distribute, especially among transport workers.
Expected output:
DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT
The technical profiles needed to complete the activities included in the assignment are not the same and the institution/firm should ensure available relevant human resources to complete the assignment.
- Develop guidance on HIV testing, diagnostics, treatment and care in Somalia
Currently there is a draft HIV testing policy (2017), that was never signed off by Government. Given the introduction of self-testing in the New Funding Request grant (2018-2020) there is a need to update and finalise the guidance with self-testing and lay-counsellor testing minimum standards. Self-testing will roll out 2019 after developing an operational research frame. In order to move ahead we need agreed guidance by Government, including who can provide rapid tests, both oral and finger-prick.
There is no specific SoPs regarding when and where Viral Load (VL) testing is being done. Currently it is based on clinical observation and accessibility of VL machines. Given the limited number of VL machines and the infancy of both using VL for regular monitoring and the EID programme including use of Dried Blood Spots (DBS), it is important to lay out some basic guidance on the use of both of these diagnostic technologies.
The Integrated Management of Adolescent and Adult Illness (IMAI) modules is used in Somalia to train antiretroviral service providers. The modules cover chronic HIV care including ARV therapy, acute care (including the management of opportunistic infections and when to suspect HIV, linking to testing and counselling), palliative care (symptom management at home), and general principles of good chronic care (to support the health system transition from acute to chronic care). There is a need to update the guidelines and have them printed along with simple job aids such as paediatric dosing charts.
Specific tasks include:
• Review of IMAI modules/guidelines; VCT Guidelines; supportive policy documentation on self-testing and lay counsellor testing; supportive documentation on VL and EID implementation;
• Update HIV Testing and Counselling Policy and integrate self-testing and lay counsellor testing and counselling;
• Finalise IMAI modules/guidance;
• Develop implementation guidance for Viral Load Implementation and EID.
Activity deliverables include:
• Preparatory desk review of IMAI modules/guidelines; VCT Guidelines; supportive policy documentation on self-testing and lay counsellor testing; supportive documentation on VL and EID implementation (matrix of resources reviewed and highlights related to work);
• Recommended changes to IMAI (matrix/brief);
• Recommended changes to draft VCT Guidance including adding guidance on self-testing and lay counsellor testing (matrix/brief);
• Recommendations for VL and EID implementation (matrix/brief);
• Draft VCT policy including inclusion of self-testing and lay counsellors counselling and testing;
• Final IMAI modules/guidance;
• Final VCT guidance;
• Final VL and EID implementation guidance.
This activity is expected to be 30 days and must be be completed by 30th June 2018.
METHODOLOGY
Activity 2. Develop guidance on HIV testing, diagnostics, treatment and care in Somalia
Project reporting:
Please see table under further information
Team management:
The firm/organization will be supervised by OUR CLIENT HIV Programme Manager and guided by OUR CLIENT HIV Field Officers. The assignment will involve MoH, AIDS Commission and PLHIV Network partners.
The firm/organization should be willing to travel to all accessible areas of Somalia. The firm will be responsible for the insurance and security for its personnel while in Somalia.
ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE
Education:
§ Master's degree in Public Health.
Work experience:
§ Minimum of 8 years of demonstrable relevant Healthcare experience.
Geographical experience:
§ Minimum of 8 years of experience in Africa (desirable).
Languages:
§ Fluency in English is essential.
Key competencies:
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS
The least number of experts needed for the first five assignments is expected to be five (5). Even if meetings are combined, the activities may require different expertise. Some activities, e.g. Activity 2, may need more than one expert (e.g. one in HTC and another broadly clinical). Activity 6 will require more than one expert.
Activity 2. Develop guidance on HIV testing, diagnostics, treatment and care in Somalia
• Medical doctor or Masters in Public Health with at least 8 years experience in HIV programming.
• At least 5 years working on HIV treatment programmes.
• At least 5 years working on HIV testing.
• Demonstrated experience developing guidance on HIV related clinical programming.
• Demonstrated cross-cultural work experience.
• Preferred experience working on HIV in concentrated or low prevalence epidemics.
ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES
Bidder should be requested to provide an all-inclusive cost in the financial proposal. Bidder should be reminded to factor in all cost implications for the required service / assignment.
Travel (see location above) cost shall be calculated based on economy class travel, regardless of the length of travel and ii) costs for accommodation, meals and incidentals shall not exceed applicable daily subsistence allowance (DSA) rates, as promulgated by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC).
Regional MoH’s with the support of OUR CLIENT Field offices will support facility organisation and invitation of workshop/s participants
How to apply:
https://recruitmentctg.force.com/xcdrecruit__Site_ExternalPositionDetails?id=a111o000005jaXl