[Request For Proposal 2022/03]

Providing supplemental technical assistance to APCOM’s country-based community partners in Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines and Thailand on HIV Prevention Combination tools

(See detailed RFP at APCOM website / "Work with Us")

About APCOM

APCOM is a not-for-profit regional organisation based in Bangkok, Thailand, representing and working with a network of individuals and community-based organisations across 38 countries in Asia and the Pacific.

APCOM works to improve the health and rights of gay men, other men who have sex with men and SOGIESC people across Asia and the Pacific.

APCOM has a primary focus on HIV because it is a key health issue for gay men and other men who have sex with men in the region. APCOM also address other related health issues for our communities such as sexual health, mental health and drug use.

APCOM also focuses on improving relevant human and legal rights across the region as discrimination, stigma, criminalization and exclusion impact on the health outcomes of the communities we serve.

The organisation’s Strategic Framework 2018-2020 has the following main themes and strategic objectives:

HIV is not over: Strengthening the HIV response
Our Rights: Protecting our communities
Our Strength: Stronger interlinked communities and broader partner networks

About the Project

Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) is a global project funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) which is dedicated to achieving and maintaining HIV epidemic control. EpiC builds upon the successful investments in key population (KP) programming from the USAID-funded, FHI 360-led Linkages Across the Continuum of HIV Services for Key Populations Affected by HIV (LINKAGES) project (2014 – 2020). EpiC is designed to break through remaining, persistent barriers to achieving the 95-95-95 goals among both key and priority populations (PP) and promotes self-reliant management of national HIV programs.

A range of KP advocacy activities are ongoing across Asian countries, however efforts are splintered and would benefit from the mobilization of nascent and mature KP organizations to engage in collective policy dialogues to generate and elevate national KP advocacy agendas that prioritize KP HIV and health services, human rights, and ending stigma and discrimination, especially with MSM and transgender women to ensure they have access to a cascade of HIV services to reach viral suppression.

APCOM implements a project supported by EpiC titled Strengthening community systems to reach Epidemic Control in Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand. The project’s main objective is to strengthen and improve participation of community-based organisations to improve HIV cascade among key and priority populations and reach epidemic control in the Asia region. The scope of APCOM’s work includes ensuring key population communities’ participation in Country Operational Plans (COP) processes at the country level.

Scope of Work

AREA 1. Capacity strengthening and knowledge management of APCOM’s community and/or key population-led partners in Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines and Thailand.

Objectives:

1.a. Assess the level of organizational and/or individual knowledge, understanding and capacity in relation to the promotion and demand creation of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV Self-testing (HIVST), and Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) in the perspective of U=U;

1.b. Identify the needed capacity strengthening and knowledge management tools in addition to or to supplement the technical assistance provided by APCOM from the previous year.

AREA 2. Engagements and involvement of the community-led and key population groups in the design and implementation of activities promoting and creating demand for the HIV Prevention Combination Tools.

Objectives:

2.a. Assess APCOM partners’ level of engagements and/or involvement in the design and implementation of programs to promote and increase demand for PrEP, HIVST, and/or ART (U=U);

2.b. Develop program recommendations or strategies for APCOM and partners for effective facilitation of direct community and key population involvement

Knowledge and Skill Requirement

Education : Bachelor in Social Science or any relevant field. A Master’s Decgree in Public Health is not required by preferrable;

Professional Experience:

Minimum 5 years of professional working experience and providing consultancy services specially for Key Affected Population in epidemiology , statistics and HIV service delivery;
Preferrable but not required: professional working experience in monitoring and evaluation HIV projects or programs;

Functional/ Technical Knowledge:

Demonstrate expertise and understanding of epidemiological data,programmatic interpretations, human rights violations relating to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Issues preferrably with the knowledge of Asia-Pacific Region context;
Technical knowledge and experience on approaches to strengthen capacity of community and/or key population-led organizaitons capacity strengthening;
Technical knowledge and experience on approaches to improve knowledge management systems of the organization;
Ability to analyse and consolidate information from multiple sources.
Excellent written communication skills in English,especially in drafting a concise, easy to understand how to publication.