ThaiNGO

Term of Reference (TOR) for the

Consultancy on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)

Accreditation in Thailand

Under the program title

Stop TB and AIDS through RTTR

(STAR)

Finance by

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

(The Global Fund)

For the NFM grant

Contents in the TOR

1. Purpose
2. Background
3. Objectives of the TOR
4. Expectation
5. Scope of Work
6. Duration and Duty Station
7. Deliverables and Payment
8. Consultant Fees
9. Rights and Properties
10. Qualifications and Required Documents
11. Key Contact
12. Appendix

I.PURPOSE

The purpose of this Term of Reference (“TOR”) is to identify a professional consultant (“Consultant”) to develop Civil Society Organization (“CSO”) accreditation guidelines based on the national and international models and work on an institutional set up for CSOs working in the field of HIV/AIDS and TB prevention and care.

Raks Thai Foundation (“Raks Thai”) is responsible for the TOR, which is funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (“The Global Fund”).

II.BACKGROUND

The HIV epidemic in Thailand has been rapidly declining since 1992 with an almost 50% reduction in new cases since 2005. AIDS related deaths have been steadily decreasing since 2001, with a sharp decline from 2006 following the scale up of Anti-Retroviral Treatment (“ART”). Similarly, in the last five years there has been a further decline in TB estimated mortality, prevalence and incidence. Thailand has also made significant progress in managing HIV-TB program activities, specifically on HIV counselling and testing (“HCT”) among TB patients.

Stop TB and AIDS through RTTTR (“STAR”) is a program supported by the Global Fund, operating innovative and focused approaches to facilitate the transition to domestically funded disease responses. Raks Thai Foundation is the principal civil society recipient (“PR”) under STAR Program. Under the following grant, PR Raks Thai focuses on programs provided by civil society and direct implementation with Key Populations (“KPs”) under the HIV component and on Intensified Case Finding (“ICF”) for migrants.

The program focuses on the 38 highest HIV and TB diseased provinces in Thailand, aiming at reducing transmission, morbidity and mortality while supporting a mix of prevention and treatment interventions targeted at the key affected and underserved populations. The program is based on the national RRTTR (Reach-Recruit-Test-Treat-Retain) approach, aiming at optimizing network approaches and delivery models for increasing the uptake of the service.

Target Group/Beneficiaries under STAR are:

- Migrants Workers (HIV and TB)

- People Who Inject Drugs (HIV and TB)

- Sex Partners (HIV)

- Male and Female Sex Workers (HIV)

- Men who have Sex with Men (HIV)

- Prisoners (HIV and TB)

- Elderly (TB)

About Accreditation

Like public sector institutions, CSOs require sound leadership and management and well-functioning organizational structures and systems to deliver services effectively and efficiently. In the same way, accreditation is needed for CSOs to provide high-quality outreach, support and clinical service. It is in this framework, that accreditation for Civil Society Organizations in Thailand has become a priority issue.

In general, accreditation can be defined as a certification of competence in a specified subject or areas of expertise, and of the integrity of the organization in question awarded by a duly recognized and respected accrediting organization/entity. In the specific context, accreditation granted to civil society organizations includes two aspects:

a) Organizational Accreditation: a set of operational and management standards in line with international standards required from private sector, public institutions and international bodies. Financial, operational, and ethical codes of conduct are standards that make CSOs more effective in management and programmatic performance. By providing quality services CSOs can win trust from private and public donors thus becoming financial independent. Organizational Accreditation foresees a model of good governance with continuous monitoring of areas such as:

• Governance
• Accounting and Finances
• Management Practice and Human Resources
• Program management, Implementation, and Community service delivery but not specific to technical side of accreditation
• Quality assurance and M&E
• Communication
• Community, Rights and Gender
• Public Policy

B) Accreditation for health-related service delivery (conducted by Thai Red Cross): the more technical side of accreditation that certifies community providers to conduct clinical research and provide high quality clinical services. The so called community-led services operate very close to beneficiaries. Thus, they are more effective in reaching out key populations. Accreditation will enable CSOs to act as primary service providers in the community and collaborate with hospitals in expanding services through a combination of task shifting and task-sharing.

This consultancy will focus on the first type of accreditation (a). The consultant is expected to interact with Thai Red Cross which is responsible for part b.  

III.OBJECTIVES OF THE TOR

The main objective is to developing CSOs accreditation system based on models already present in Thailand and other countries, complete with insightful results and recommendations of what would be the key characteristics of a Thai accreditation system for CSOs working in the field of HIV and TB.

IV.EXPECTATION

The expectation of the TOR is:

• Guidelines on CSOs accreditation providing models/systems and standard to implement for CSO working in HIV and TB in Thailand based on study.
• A training and its guidelines for a group of person conducting CSO assessment for accreditation.
• Conduct CSO assessment and come with the results and recommendations on what should be improved for effective implementation.

SCOPE OF WORK

The work

The consultant will conduct a study and develop written guidelines on CSOs accreditation in Thailand. The study should carefully consider both Thai context and systems/models already present in other specified countries agreed upon with Raks Thai. The study will be conducted independently. However, consultation with Raks Thai senior staff responsible for accreditation is foreseen.

Although both approach and methodology will be discussed with Raks Thai staff, the consultant is expected to follow some key steps:

1) Research: study of civil society accreditation systems/good practices already in place in Thailand and abroad. The consultant is expected to study relevant laws, policies and practices to assess the country situation analysis in relation to accreditation;

2) The consultant shall conduct interviews and/or consultation with key stakeholders who are among Thai CSOs, international NGOs, government agencies and potential private sector donors;

3) Meeting with Raks Thai executive director and responsible staff members in view of presenting an outline of the study results. The consultant might ask for further consultation with stakeholders, if needed;

4) After the study is conducted, accreditation guidelines are developed to be later used for training and assessing CSOs;

5) The consultant will inform CSOs on the guidelines developed. A team will be set up and the consultant will train the team to conduct a first assessment on CSOs;

6) The result of the assessment will be analyzed by the consultant and the team. The consultant shall summarize and provide recommendations and propose a future action plan to Raks Thai Foundation and the team.

VI.DURATION AND DUTY STATION

To complete this task, the consultant is expected to work closely with Raks Thai Foundation staff in Bangkok. The consultant is also required to travel to the CSOs’ office for conducting assessment and when necessary.

Duration

The period expected to complete this consultancy is a maximum 5 months, starting from beginning 10 July 2017 to (no later) than 9 December 2017.

Duty station

The consultant is expected to use their own facilities and make use of their own equipment. Working space and meeting room with internet access will be arranged at the Raks Thai Foundation premises and at CSOs offices by advance informing. If needed, Raks Thai Foundation will facilitate interviews and meetings with staff members and stakeholders.

VII.DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT

Expected deliverables

Expected deliverables from this assignment are as follows:

Payment  

The consultant is expected to provide Raks Thai Foundation with a tentative work plan which includes activities, timeframe and fee charged. This amount should include all costs and expenses related to working activities, out-of- pocket expenses, and service Taxes/VATs.

The payment will occur in three instalments:

The 1^st payment, which corresponds to 20% of total amount, will be paid after contract signed and submission of the first deliverable (updated work-plan and study guidelines);

The 2^nd payment, which corresponds to 30% of total amount, will be paid after submission of the second, third, fourth and fifth deliverables;

The 3^rd payment, which corresponds to 30% of total amount, will be paid after conducting CSOs assessment;  

The 4^th payment, the remaining 20% of total amount will be paid after completion of the consultancy. Deliverables have to be checked and approved by Raks Thai Foundation prior to the payment.

VIII.CONSULTANT FEES

The consultant is expected to provide Raks Thai Foundation with a tentative work plan which includes activities, timeframe and fee charged. This amount should include all costs and expenses related to working activities, out-of pocket expenses, and service Taxes/VATs. Meeting costs and travel costs will be covered by Raks Thai Foundation based on actual receipts, and standard costs using in STAR program.

IX.RIGHTS AND PROPERTIES

Raks Thai Foundation holds the property rights for the user friendly mobile application and all contents developed under this Term of Reference. It is not allowed to make public or disseminate the final product or any other contents and documents produced from this assignment without formal permission from Raks Thai Foundation and acknowledgement of the STAR program.

X.QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

We welcome both Thai and international candidates. International candidates shall be supported by a second Thai consultant. National candidates must be proficient in English and be able to produce high quality reports in English.

Qualifications

• Education and knowledge: Master’s in a relevant field such as Public Health, Private/Public Governance, Development, Organizational Management or related fields;
• Excellent Knowledge of civil society organizations (preferably operating in the health field of HIV, TB, Malaria), their roles, responsibilities and structures;
• Excellent knowledge of the public sector, its structures and functioning;

Professional experience:

• Experience with civil society organizations (preferably in the health sector);
• Knowledge of/experience in CSO accreditation models/standards;
• Excellent understanding of public policies, governmental bodies and institutions;
• Excellent skills in gaining trust and building relationships with involved parties and actors

Language requirement:

• Advanced level of English and Thai (international consultants should include in the proposal a Thai translator/partner);
• Excellent technical knowledge in the areas of law, policy and governance;

Required documents:

1. The name and official address, and legal registration document (if any) of the consultant, with an application letter,

(The position title and number, based on requisition no., should be clearly marked on the application letter and envelope if sent by mail.)

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) of the consultant (or team),

1. Example of previous works and/or experiences that reflect the deliverables and scope that are listed in scope of work,
2. A proposal which includes a detailed budget and work-plan for the consultancy.

XI.KEY CONTACT PERSON

Place for document submission

All applications including required documents must be email to RTF contact persons no later than Wednesday 28 June 2017 by noon EST.

Submission of documents is by e-mail to:

Ms Daniela Scalise, Program Officer of  Raks Thai Foundation: daniela@raksthai.org, and

Ms Saowaluk Moonsarn, Program Officer of Raks Thai Foundation: newsoul.hp@gmail.com

For inquiries on the TOR, please contact:

Ms Daniela: +66 (0) 94-335-8572, or

Ms Saowaluk: +66 (0) 92-269-0674

XII. APPENDIX

Appendix A: STAR Program Information

Appendix B: Background information on accreditation