Consultancy to provide technical support on HIV testing and HIV self-testing to prepare for the 2019 update to the WHO guidelines on HIV testing

1. INTRODUCTION

The WHO programme on HIV is located in the HIV, TB and Malaria Communicable Diseases Cluster (CDS). The HIV programme is guided by the Global Health Strategy for HIV 2011-15. Its goals are consistent with getting to zero:

UNAIDS Strategy 2011-15 and other international commitments as for example the Millennium Development Goals. The objective of the Department of HIV is to lead an effective, organisation wide HIV effort to support member states in the implementation of the strategy.

The HIV Department (HIV/HQ) provides technical and strategic leadership in key technical areas, and leverages the capacity of other HQ departments to contribute to the broader HIV programme.

The Key Populations and Innovative Prevention (KPP) Team works on a range of topics including biomedical prevention such as HIV testing services, voluntary medical male circumcision, pre exposure prophylaxis, as well as all relevant prevention and treatment for key populations.

WHO defines key populations in the context of HIV and viral hepatitis as people who inject drugs, people in prisons and other closed settings, men who have sex with men, sex workers and transgender people.

People from key populations are more vulnerable to HIV infection and their engagement is critical to a successful HIV response. In most settings, men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who

inject drugs, sex workers and people in detention/prison are at higher risk of exposure to HIV than other groups. Therefore, for an effective HIV response, it is acknowledged that there should be a greater

programmatic and policy focus on these populations.

Currently in most countries with generalized epidemics the focus of the HIV response has been almost exclusively on addressing the general population and in particular the needs of women. There has been

an inadequate response in addressing the requirements of key population in almost all countries with generalized epidemics and without doing this the potential for a sustainable decrease in HIV incidence will

be not be achieved. Although a significant effort has been made to reach people in key populations, the response remains inadequate with low coverage and access to essential services.

WHO has made important advances in documenting evidence and developing guidance for public health interventions with men who have sex with men, sex workers, and people who inject drugs. This work has

involved commissioning a number of systematic reviews and subsequent consultations for guidelines development based on GRC methodology.

The KPP team seeks technical support to work on these varied areas. The consultant will provide support to the development of guidance, tools and reports in particular with regard to HIV Testing Services.

2. Objectives of the assignment:

The consultant will assist WHO/HIV/KPP with Technical expert support to WHO’s work on HIV testing and HIV self-testing, including gathering and synthesizing evidence and conducting scoping reviews, to prepare for the 2019 update to the WHO guidelines on HIV testing.

3. Main Tasks:

The HIV Department now finds itself in need of support HIV testing and HIV self-testing with gathering and synthesizing evidence and conducting scoping reviews, to prepare for the 2019 update to the WHO guidelines on HIV testing, as well as additional country support and communications on HIV testing services. The successful vendor will be expected to provide general guidance on HIV testing services

In a more general fashion, the successful vendor will be expected to provide support to the Coordinator,

This will include: 

1. Support data management of HIV testing programme and evidence reviews
2. Communications on HIV testing services
3. Supporting Unitaid / WHO landscape reports on HIV rapid tests for self-testing
4. Conduct scoping reviews to support development and update of WHO guidelines on HIV testing

4. Key requirements for this consultancy:

EDUCATION

        Essential:

• Master University Degree in Medicine, Public health or relevant social science

        Desirable:

• Advanced studies in epidemiology and research methodology

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

• More than 5 years of public health work experience of which at least three years focus on HIV testing services and prevention.

Desirable:

• Work experience in HIV testing and HIV self-testing would be an asset

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Good communication and presentation skills
• Demonstrated capacity to write and communicate in English
• Ability to work as part of a team, and high level of interpersonal skills to work with Ministry of Health officials and partners

5. Additional information

This consultancy will be initiated for 12 months. Upon successful completion, it may be prolonged up to a maximum of 24 months as agreed upon by both parties following the conditions in the first part of the contract (but can adjusted based on annual inflation)  and pending on the availability of resources and performance.

The place of performance of the work under the Contract shall be onsite, on WHO HQ premises (Geneva, Switzerland). Accessibility to WHO HQ when needed or requested will be arranged.

The implementation of the assignment may require international travel; costs for such travel will be borne by WHO according to its rules and regulations. The contractor has to be legally entitled to work in the country or countries where the work is to be carried out, and is expected to be in the possession of an unrestricted passport.

Submission of proposals:

No later than 29 January 2018 (17:00 CET), the bidder shall complete and return by either email or hard copy to WHO (only when this step is completed the bidder is regarded as a prospective bidder):                                                                           

a)      Covering letter signed by the respective authority.

b)      Proposal (including, but not restricted to, technical and financial documents).

c)      RFP Confidentiality Undertaking  form completed/signed.

d)      RFP Acknowledgement form completed/signed as confirmation of the bidder's intention to submit a bona fide proposal and designate its representative to whom communications may be directed, including any addenda.

e)      RFP Acceptance form completed/signed.                

f)       RFP Completeness form completed/signed.

A prospective bidder requiring any clarification on technical, contractual or commercial matters may notify WHO via email at the following address no later than 12 January 2018 (17:00 CET).

• Email for submissions of forms and/or proposal:        pdifin@who.int

  (use subject: Bid Ref 2018/CDS/HIV/001)

• Mailing address for submission of proposal:

  World Health Organization

  ­­­­Mr. Jerome Peron

  HQ/HIV, PDI/FIN, D45034

  Bid Ref: 2018/CDS/HIV/001

  20, Avenue Appia

  CH-1211 Geneva 27

   

  Refer to attached documents for additional information.