INTERNATIONAL INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT

TERMS OF REFERENCE  : INTERNATIONAL INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT

Hiring Office:

UNFPA Timor-Leste

Purpose of consultancy:

Data entry, analysing and assisting with final report writing and production of a report on stigma and discrimination among people living with HIV in Timor-Leste.    

Background:

Estrela+ is a membership association of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV) in Timor-Leste which aims to improve the quality of the lives of all PLHIV in Timor-Leste through advocating for the recognition, respect and promotion of their rights at the local, national and international levels.  Estrela+ was established in 2009 by four HIV positive individuals on the basis of the belief that positive people must have a collective voice in addressing vital issues that affect their lives, and that PLHIV themselves must be responsible for decision-making within a PLHIV organization. The ‘Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV and AIDS’ (the GIPA Principle) is at the core of Estrela+' work. Estrela+ is run by HIV positive people for HIV positive people. All members of Estrela+ belong to the PLHIV community and it is governed by a HIV positive Board. Currently, Estrela+ has more than 100 members in its network throughout the country. Estrela+ is a registered NGO with FONGTIL (NGO Forum) and the Ministry of Justice Timor-Leste. By ensuring that the rights of PLHIV are upheld in Timor Leste, the work of Estrela+ contributes to Timor Leste’ national programme to reduce the risk and impact of HIV/AIDS by ensuring that PLHIV in Timor Leste are equipped with skills and knowledge about HIV and HIV related rights, treatment options and are able to access health care and other support services when required.  Estrela+’s vision is to see a community of PLHIV in Timor-Leste living healthy productive lives with respect and dignity, and free from discrimination. They aim to achieve this by providing HIV and AIDS education, capacity building and advocating for the rights of PLHIV in Timor-Leste.

Scope of work:

(Description of services, activities, or outputs)

Objective: Using the Global Stigma and Discrimination Index this research will assist the community of PLHIV to understand better the extent of stigma and discrimination in their community in order to advocate and strategize how to reduce this for the future. 

Methodology: The People Living with HIV Stigma Index provides a tool that measures and detects changing trends in relation to stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV. In the initiative, the process is just as important as the product and to that end PLHIV will be conduct the research, be involved in the analysis and report writing and final report production and dissemination.  Given the sensitivity of the research and the need to gather nuanced data, the person who facilitates the analysis and final report writing is somebody that is known to the group of PLHIV and can be trusted to use the data responsibly and with the intent that those living with HIV want.   

Partnerships: The exercise is led by Estrela+ through a collaboration of existing partners including Marie Stopes Timor-Leste and technical assistance from UNFPA for the data entry, analysis and final report and dessimmination.  Estrlela + has been granted approval to conduct this research through the National Institute of Health, Ministry of Health.    

Duration and working schedule:

This project is expected to start as soon as possible and to be completed by 31 December 2017

Place where services are to be delivered:

The work will be conducted in Dili with some report writing remotely supervised by UNFPA and Estrela+  

Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):

·         Key Indicator Results available for World Human Rights Day – 1^st December 2017 – to be presented by UN Human Rights Unit, UNFPA and UN Women.

·         Draft Stigma and Discrimination Report available in English by 10^th December 2017 (electronic version).    

·         Final Stigma and Discrimination Report available in English and Tetun by 29^th December 2017 (Hard Copies)

Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:

Joint monitoring will be conducted by Estrela+, UNFPA and the collective of partners such as Marie Stopes.    

Supervisory arrangements:

The work will be supervised by Estrela+ and UNFPA in close collaboration with the HIV Department at the Ministry of Health

Expected travel:

Dili with travel Municipalities as discussed with UNFPA

Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:

·         University degree in social science, journalism or health

·         Quantative and qualitative research methodology and data analysis

·         Fluency in Tetum and English required

·         Good knowledge of HIV in youth contexts and associated with development challenges

·         Excellent written and oral English skills required

·         Knowledge of Timor-Leste’s development context required

·         Excellent ability to work within a team, in a challenging and changing environment, around sensitive issues; flexible and positive collaborative attitude

·         Good communication, presentation and analytical skills, ability to work efficiently with governmental and non-governmental institutions  

·         Desirable: 

Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:

UNFPA will facilitate with presentations for UN Human Rights and World Aids Days. 

Candidates are expected to send their CV, P11 and application letter to jossoares@unfpa.org and submit your application on this link: http://www.unfpa.org/unfpa-consultant-roster, Closing date: 25 October 2017.

Signature of Requesting Officer in Hiring Office: approved

Date: 20 October 2017