| PROJECT LOCATION | Jamaica |
| TITLE | Consultant for the Revision of the National AIDS Committee |
| PROJECT NAME | National AIDS Committee Revision Consultation |
| JOB TYPE | Individual Consultancy |
| FUNDING SOURCE | Government of Jamaica/Ministry of Health and Wellness |
| PROJECT DURATION | Six (6) Month Contract |
| PROPOSED START DATE | April 2023 |
INTRODUCTION
The latest estimates regarding the Global prevalence of HIV among adults (the percent of people ages 15-49 who are infected) have leveled since 2001 and was 0.7% in 2021. There were 38.4 million people living with HIV in 2021, up from 30.8 million in 2010, the result of continuing new infections and people living longer with HIV. HIV/AIDS became an issue in Jamaica in 1982 when its first case was reported. Currently, approximately 1.7 % of Jamaica’s adult population live with HIV/AIDS.
The Ministry of Health and Wellness is mandated by the Government of Jamaica to coordinate and lead the implementation of the national HIV response. From the outset, the Government has taken a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to controlling the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Jamaica. A National HIV/STI Control program was established in the Ministry of Health and a National AIDS Committee (NAC) was formed to ensure the active participation of all sectors and stakeholders. Representation on the NAC included Government ministries and agencies, NGOs, professional associations, trade unions, faith-based organizations, PLHIV, and the private sector.
The NAC has been dormant for the past ten (10) years and as such, the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM) has assumed a coordinating role, not just for the grantees under the Global Fund but are currently executing some of the functions of the NAC. While HIV response internationally has evolved in keeping with the United Nations three (3) Ones principle which states that the national HIV Programme and all its partners and stakeholders work within: One National HIV Plan, One Authority and One Monitoring and Evaluation Framework. The Ministry of Health and Wellness is currently acting as the governing body and therefore, there exists the need to reactivate, reorganize, rename or reimagine (and establish) a National AIDS coordinating body.
NATURE AND DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT
The Ministry of Health and Wellness hereby seeks to employ a consultant to conduct a review of the dormant NAC, make recommendations and assist with the implementation of a new National AIDS coordinating body if necessary. The duration of the assignment is for a period of six (6) months commencing in April 2023.
OBJECTIVES
The engagement provides for the re-implementation of the dormant NAC or the implementation of a new body.
- Specific Objectives of the consultancy:
- to conduct a review of the dormant NAC and make recommendations for its re-establishment
- To facilitate the establishment of a National AIDS coordinating body that will be responsible for national multi-sectoral response to HIV and AIDS
- To facilitate the composition and establishment of the members of the coordinating body in keeping with the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the proposed coordinating body.
- The establishment of a Standard Operating Procedure for the proposed coordinating body to solicit and manage donations and provide the relevant financial reports
SCOPE OF WORK
The incumbent will be responsible for the overall revision of the dormant committee with a view to reimplement or implement a new body utilizing strategic engagements through detailed recommendation and the establishment of such body.
- Establish and maintain strong working relationships with officials involved in the activities.
- Communicate with government partners to deepen on-going partnerships towards facilitating effective and efficient implementation of NEW NAC.
- Engage in stakeholder and partner meetings as necessary to gain information and/or discuss needs and problems associated with the specified implementation.
- Research, review and generate documents to support the development of recommendations as required.
- Work within established framework/structures, processes and procedures to enable review of dormant NAC.
- Provide quality assurance and support on the delivery of the work plan and its outputs through consultants, contractors, and partners.
- Interpret and represent key public sector policies and communicate with internal and external stakeholders.
- Collaborate and liaise with the Heads of Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Public Bodies, and other multi-lateral agencies for development initiatives.
- Identity, monitor progress, assess and escalate risks, where appropriate.
- Provide technical support
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS:
| (i) Internal Contacts | |
| Contact | Purpose of Communication |
| Permanent Secretary | To receive strategic direction and provide information |
| CTD, RHAs | To receive directives, strategic direction and provide information |
| HIV Coordinator(s) MOHW | To exchange information, coordinate actions, collaborate on engagement components and progress reporting |
| National Family Planning Board | To provide leadership and strategic direction and receive information and provide vital information. |
| HIV Program Coordinators – RHAs | To exchange information and collaborate on strategic review and institutional development initiatives |
(ii) External Contacts (required for the achievement of the position’s objectives)
| Contact | Purpose of Communication |
| Heads of MDAs | To provide advice and information as necessary and exchange information and collaborate on institutional development initiatives |
| To exchange information and collaborate on strategic actions to support institutional development activities | |
| Engagement partners and independent consultants | To facilitate and coordinate engagement design, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation activities |
DESCRIPTION OF DELIVERABLES
| No. | DELIVERABLE | DESCRIPTION | SCHEDULED FOR DELIVERY | TOTAL CONTRACT VALUE |
| 1 | Inception Report and Work plan | The Inception Report and Work Plan will:
· outline the methodology and schedule for key activities under the contract. · consist of Gantt Chart which sequences the deliverables and tracks the interdependencies of the tasks that are to be undertaken to achieve the objectives of this assignment. · detail stakeholders roles and responsibilities in achieving the main outputs · provide indicative procurement actions that will be required to deliver the outcomes of the assignment · outline a risk framework for the project |
Three weeks after contract signing | 10% |
| 2 | Monthly Reports | Monthly reports will track and report on the progress of the activities. The reports must include:
ü Updated or new terms of reference for the NAC ü Standard Operating procedure for the NAC ü Risk Management ü Implementation challenges and mechanisms to keep the projects on track ü Next steps |
2 months after acceptance of Deliverable 1 | 30%
(2 equal monthly payments of 15%) |
| 3 | Progress Implementation reports | Monthly progress report to the Permanent Secretary outlining the status of key responsibilities in the Terms of Reference(TOR) | 2 monthly progress reports, after the acceptance of Deliverable 2 | 30%
(2 equal monthly payments of 15%) |
| 4 | Final Report | The final report will outline the activities during the contract period, lessons learned, the conclusion as well as an implementation plan with timelines) | Month 6 of the contract | 30% |
VARIATIONS
All proposed changes to the work plan and deliverables must be discussed with and approved by Programme Coordinator. If changes are not consistent with the original scope of the Project, they will have to be approved by the Permanent Secretary.
CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT
| SELECTION METHOD | This consultancy will be selected using a Quality and Cost Based Selection process as outlined in the Guidelines for Government Procurement Procedures. |
| PERIOD OF CONTRACT | Deliverable Based Contract |
| PAYMENT METHOD | Funding will be provided by the Government of Jamaica. |
| REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS | The consultant will report to the Chief Technical Director Policy, Planning and Development Division of the Ministry of Health & Wellness |
| SUPPORT | The consultant entity will be required to provide all tools of trade facilitation in undertaking the assignment |
| INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY | All information obtained during the delivery of this Consultancy is the property of the Ministry of Health and Wellness and requests to use same must be made in writing to the Permanent Secretary |
| TRAVEL | Travel as required under this assignment is authorized and should be included in the bid price. |
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Health Administration / Public Administration, Public Policy or related fields;
Work Experience/Requirements
- Three (3) years of relevant work experience where work of similar nature was undertaken; candidate must provide at least three (3) references from these organizations.
Required Skills and Competencies
Core Skills
- Excellent strategic partnership and relationship skills
- High innovative thinking and ability to market new approaches
- Adept at advocacy and advancing a policy-oriented agenda
- Effective team-building/team management skills
- High proficiency in utilizing the Microsoft Office Suite platform (Microsoft word, Powerpoint, and excel at a minimum)
- Adept in Report, Policy papers, Policy briefs writing and preparation
Technical Skills
- Excellent knowledge of governance, government machinery, operations and procedures
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of HIV Policy Framework
- Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of engagement management discipline and tools
- Good knowledge of results-based programme development and management
- Good knowledge of organizational development principles and practices
- Demonstrable ability in project design, diagnosis, assessment and implementation for the public sector required
- Experience in Project Management
Desired Competencies
- Good understanding of the local context in which the National HIV Response operates
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work effectively on own initiative
- Excellent negotiation and conflict management skills
- Advanced critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision making skills
- Excellent Time Management and Organizational skills
- High adaptability and knowledge-sharing/learning capacity
EVALUATION METHODOLOGY
| Qualifications | Must satisfy all requirements | Yes |
| Work Experience | Must satisfy all requirements | Yes |
| Required Skills and Competencies | ||
| Core Skills | Excellent strategic partnership and relationship skills | 5 |
| High innovative thinking and ability to market new approaches | 5 | |
| Adept at advocacy and advancing a policy-oriented agenda | 5 | |
| Effective team-building/team management skills | 5 | |
| High proficiency in utilizing the Microsoft Office Suite platform (Microsoft word, Powerpoint, and excel at a minimum) | 5 | |
| Adept in Report, Policy papers, Policy briefs writing and preparation | 5 | |
| Sub-Total | 30 | |
| Technical Skills | Excellent knowledge of governance, government machinery, operations and procedures | 5 |
| Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of HIV Policy Framework | 5 | |
| Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of engagement management discipline and tools | 5 | |
| Good knowledge of results-based programme development and management | 5 | |
| Good knowledge of organizational development principles and practices | 5 | |
| Demonstrable ability in project design, diagnosis, assessment and implementation for the public sector required. | 5 | |
| Experience in Project Management | 5 | |
| Sub-Total | 35 | |
| Desired Competencies | Good understanding of the local context in which the National HIV Response operates | 5 |
| Excellent communication and interpersonal skills | 5 | |
| Ability to provide sound advice | 5 | |
| Excellent negotiation and conflict management skills | 5 | |
| Advanced critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision making skills | 5 | |
| Excellent Time Management and Organizational skills | 5 | |
| High adaptability and knowledge-sharing/learning capacity | 5 | |
| Sub-Total | 35 | |
| Candidate must score above 70% to be eligible | Overall Total | 100% |