ThaiNGO

Call for Expression of Interest – SKPA Program Australian Federation of AIDS Service Organizations (AFAO)

Technical Assistance to Support Sustainability Planning for Regional Key Population Networks

Duration: 30 Days Period August to November 2020

Location*: Bangkok, Thailand (*consultants are required to already be residing in Thailand for this assignment)

Background: AFAO is the national federation for the community response to HIV in Australia. It provides leadership, coordination and support to the country’s policy, advocacy and health promotion on HIV. AFAO’s International Program is based in Bangkok and contributes to the development of effective policy and programmatic responses, particularly in the Asia and Pacific region. It has supported community-based responses to HIV across the region for over two decades. AFAO is the Principle Recipient of the Sustainability of HIV Services for Key Populations in Asia (SKPA) Program.

SKPA Program Context: The Sustainability of HIV Services for Key Populations in Asia (SKPA) Program is a Global Fund Multi Country Grant program being implemented in eight countries: Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Mongolia, Philippines, Timor-Leste, Malaysia, Lao PDR and Papua New Guinea and further supported by 5 regional Key Population Networks namely APN+, APCOM, APTN, ANPUD and Youth LEAD. The main aim of the SKPA Program is to promote sustainable services for key populations at scale to stop HIV transmissions and AIDS related deaths by 2030.

Civil society, and in particular community networks, have played an important role in the HIV response in Asia and the Pacific. Community activism has induced national leaders and donors to be more accountable for their commitment to HIV. UNAIDS has recognized the importance of the role of communities at national, regional and global levels. In this context, the leadership role of regional community networks in advocacy, community capacity building, partnerships, and communications remains pivotal. Despite the consistent and visible presence of regional networks in the region there has not been sufficient concerted effort in developing the regional networks themselves to be sustainable to ensure continuation of their work and impact in an environment of decreasing donor funding. Different grants in the past have supported regional networks for advocacy, trainings, learning visits and development of plans and policies. However, the development of sustainability plans for networks themselves has consistently been deprioritized in favor of donor priorities.

The sustainability approach will be developed by considering different dimensions such as organizational environment, financial capacity, technical competency, and social and political environment, so that their activities and response for the key population in the region will be more visible and influential, strong, and ultimately sustainable. This process also aims to ensure that the ‘added value’ and unique role and function of the regional networks can be further defined, articulated and enhanced.

Activities/Deliverables:

1. Conduct a landscape analysis in the region;
2. Facilitate a dialogue with each and across the regional KP networks;
3. Facilitate development of a 2-page sustainability statement and long-term strategy for each regional KP network
4. Develop concrete recommendations for each network, across the networks and advise on next steps.

Qualifications required:

Extensive experience in HIV programing and strategy development

Demonstrated experience in HIV responses in Asia and the Pacific, including through advocacy and capacity development and institutional strengthening for community organizations.

Experience in qualitative as well as quantitative methods and theory development • Demonstrated experience in: working with key populations and civil society • monitoring and evaluating development programs

writing succinct and clear evaluation report

sustainability planning and engaging with key population/community-based organizations

Demonstrated experience in working collaboratively to resolve complex issues, including with stakeholders who may hold differing views and conflicting interests. Strong ability to critically analyze information and proactively identify requirements and offer recommendations and solutions.

Desirable: Technical experience in public health program management

Tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience in international development, policy, management, public health, social sciences, communications or a similar field.

Time Scheduling: The consultant(s) will be contracted for a maximum of 30 days from 1August to 20 November; 2020

Application: Interested consultants are invited to submit an EOI including their CV, cover letter including a brief description of proposed methodologies and timelines (1-2 pages), as well as a financial proposal (daily fee, related local travel/meeting costs, etc.) for this consultancy. 

Closing date for submission: 31 July, 2020

How to apply and further details: Please email your application to Greg Gray: greg.gray@afao.org.au ,  Paul Sombrero : paul.sombrero@afao.org.au and Sanjeev Neupane : Snjeev.neupane@afao.org.au

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted