Consultancy to Assess Progress on MDGs: Hearing the Voices of Women and Girls living with HIV TERMS OF REFERENCE

Background:

Human rights violations and inequitable gender relations continue to fuel the spread of the HIV epidemic. Protecting the rights of people living with HIV and promoting gender equality are essential for reducing vulnerability to HIV and scaling-up national responses. UNDP supports countries to create an enabling human rights environment, promote gender equality, and address the HIV-related vulnerabilities and needs of women and girls. UNDP also works to respond to HIV among men who have sex with men and transgender populations, and supports legal frameworks including enabling trade and intellectual property legislation for improved access to affordable essential medicines and commodities. The HIV/AIDS Practice in the Bureau for Development Policy has a strategic outcome area on Human Rights, Gender and Sexual Diversity. The work done by this group includes UNDP’s role as lead UNAIDS cosponsoring agency for these areas of work and further to the Global Task Team’s division of responsibilities.

Description of Responsibilities:

1.  Conduct a situation analysis of current situation including a brief literature review to identify critical issues related to women’s vulnerability in relation to HIV in the country/region which presents a “country picture” of what Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 3 - Promote Gender Equality & Empower Women-  and 6 - Combat HIV&AIDS, Malaria and other Diseases- progress and challenges are in Lesotho. The analysis should be accessible enough and can be discussed and debated by the national-level networks or organizations of women living with HIV. Some statistical information should be presented, but other information (e.g. newspaper articles) can be used.

2.  Develop a list of the critical HIV-related indicators for achieving MDG3 and MDG6 and analysis of critical pathways between these indicators, HIV vulnerability, and attainment of the two Goals. Based on this list, formulate key questions around how these indicators have contributed to progress in the two MDG areas, and what country-specific examples of success and obstacles have been.

3.  Develop a list of key stakeholders including: actors who would have information/critical perspectives regarding current achievements regarding women’s HIV vulnerability (as measured through progress against indicators) and remaining gaps. These could include government representatives, healthcare workers, teachers, religious leaders, academics, etc.

4.  Bring together the above key stakeholders with the national-level networks or organizations of women living with HIV for a participatory workshop in which the “country picture” is presented and discussed by participants and the key questions are raised and discussed.

5.  Write up report (15-20 pages max., in English) documenting the main discussions and findings from the above workshop, with attention to 3 areas:  

•     A critical look at MDGs 3 and 6: To what extent has the national AIDS response integrated Women’s Empowerment and HIV?  Where and how have these issues been addressed? Has promoting the needs and rights of HIV positive women been part of the national AIDS response? If so, how? Have resources been directed toward these issues?

•    What do national-level networks or organizations of women living with HIV feel have been important successes and obstacles?

•   What do they see as key recommendations and priority areas for action for the next five years leaving up to 2015?

•    Provide some critical recommendations and suggestions on the way forward to achieve the breakthrough in MDG progress.

Skills and Competencies:

• Familiarity with human rights, gender equality and HIV issues;

• Knowledge / familiarity with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) would also be necessary for this task;

• Strong research and writing skills;

• Good communication and interpersonal skills;

• Experience in coordinating meetings and workshops;

• Work experience from a developing country context is preferred. 

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in international relations or other related field;

• At least 3 to 5 years of experience in HIV or gender;

• Fluency in English; knowledge of another UN language is an asset. 

Deadline for receipt of applications: 2^nd July, 2010

All applications should include a comprehensive CV with names and contact details of three referees.

Please clearly mark your application “Women Living with HIV and MDGs”

and send it to registry.ls@undp.org. OR hand deliver to:

UN House, 3^rd Floor

United Nations Road

Maseru, Lesotho

v  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.