ISEAN-Hivos – HIV/AIDS (MARPS) Round 10
EoI No.: ISEAN IHP I-04
Issuance Date: 03rd March 2014
ISEAN-Hivos-GF-R10-HIV/AIDS – Consultant to conduct desk review on existing social science and cultural data on perceptions or stigma of anal sex and transsexual or male to male sex in ISEAN Region under the “Strengthening Community Systems to Reduce Vulnerability To and Impact of HIV Infection on MSM and TG in Insular Southeast Asia”
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Background:
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Timor Leste show an increasing trend of HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) and Transgender people (TG). In all four countries, national HIV strategies and plans identify MSM and TG as priority groups and outline strategies to provide targeted HIV services. However, there is still a lack of engagement of MSM and TG in policy development and programming at national and local levels. Moreover, governments in all four countries recognize the vulnerability of MSM and TG to HIV infection and prioritize them as target groups for HIV interventions, yet all government and non-government agencies face challenges in developing effective strategies to engage these groups and address their needs. Widespread stigma and discrimination due to cultural and religious norms imply that MSMs and TGs are marginalized and are difficult to reach through existing HIV–related government services. This has also resulted
to MSMs and TGs having limited opportunities to be organized or have a “voice” in local, national and regional policy making and service delivery. Data and research about risks and vulnerabilities to guide interventions for MSMs and TGs are also very limited. In addition, healthcare providers often lack capacity to effectively address the needs of these Most At Risk Populations (MARPs). While national HIV strategies recognize these challenges, more initiatives and resources are needed to complement national efforts to improve service delivery, increase health-seeking behaviors, support engagement in policy making and service delivery, and address legal and socio-cultural barriers to access of MSMs and TGs.
ISEAN, partnering with Hivos, as the Principal Recipient of the grant, is looking for a capable Consultant or Consultant Group to conduct a desk review on existing social science and cultural data on perceptions or stigma of anal sex and transsexual or male to male sex in ISEAN region. Specifically, the following will be provided by the Consultant or Consultant Group to address the Grant’s requirements:
1. Conduct a literature review on relevant publications;
2. Develop a proposal and work plan;
3. Develop social analysis on taboos and stigma related to anal sex and transsexual or male to male sex based on existing research;
4. Develop recommendations on addressing taboos and stigma related to anal sex and transsexual or male to male sex;
5. Identify potential thought-leaders and allies;
6. Develop a series of draft reports and a final report;
7. Conduct a discussion session with ISEAN Board and Secretariat prior to finalizing report; and
8. Coordinate with the ISEAN Board, ISEAN Secretariat and ISEAN-Hivos Program in the dissemination and/or publication of results.
Key Qualifications
1. Established expertise in research, baseline surveys;
2. Expertise and knowledge about social science and cultural data on perceptions or stigma of anal sex and transsexual or male to male sex;
3. Preferably with experience working with Global Fund programs;
4. Familiarity with the concerns of MSMs and TGs in the Southeast Asia context;
5. Preferably resident of Southeast Asia and with experience in working in one of the ISEAN-Hivos program countries; and
6. Fluency in written and spoken English; and with the language of one of the 4 countries.
The selected Consultant will be engaged for a minimum of 12 days distributed within a one month period and to start in March, 2014.
An Expression of Interest (EoI) letter, together with the applicant’s CV must be sent by 07th March, 2014 to the email below at 17:00 hrs. Jakarta Western Indonesia Time:
admin@isean.asia
Please fill the “subject” column of the e-mails in this format: <EoI code><your name>
Examples: < ISEAN IHP I-04>-<Name>
Based on the initial set of EoIs, applicants will be formally invited to complete their application through the submission of a concept note and indicative work plan.
EoI No.: ISEAN IHP I-04
Issuance Date: 03rd March 2014
ISEAN-Hivos-GF-R10-HIV/AIDS – Consultant to conduct desk review on existing social science and cultural data on perceptions or stigma of anal sex and transsexual or male to male sex in ISEAN Region under the “Strengthening Community Systems to Reduce Vulnerability To and Impact of HIV Infection on MSM and TG in Insular Southeast Asia”
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Background:
Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Timor Leste show an increasing trend of HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) and Transgender people (TG). In all four countries, national HIV strategies and plans identify MSM and TG as priority groups and outline strategies to provide targeted HIV services. However, there is still a lack of engagement of MSM and TG in policy development and programming at national and local levels. Moreover, governments in all four countries recognize the vulnerability of MSM and TG to HIV infection and prioritize them as target groups for HIV interventions, yet all government and non-government agencies face challenges in developing effective strategies to engage these groups and address their needs. Widespread stigma and discrimination due to cultural and religious norms imply that MSMs and TGs are marginalized and are difficult to reach through existing HIV–related government services. This has also resulted
to MSMs and TGs having limited opportunities to be organized or have a “voice” in local, national and regional policy making and service delivery. Data and research about risks and vulnerabilities to guide interventions for MSMs and TGs are also very limited. In addition, healthcare providers often lack capacity to effectively address the needs of these Most At Risk Populations (MARPs). While national HIV strategies recognize these challenges, more initiatives and resources are needed to complement national efforts to improve service delivery, increase health-seeking behaviors, support engagement in policy making and service delivery, and address legal and socio-cultural barriers to access of MSMs and TGs.
ISEAN, partnering with Hivos, as the Principal Recipient of the grant, is looking for a capable Consultant or Consultant Group to conduct a desk review on existing social science and cultural data on perceptions or stigma of anal sex and transsexual or male to male sex in ISEAN region. Specifically, the following will be provided by the Consultant or Consultant Group to address the Grant’s requirements:
1. Conduct a literature review on relevant publications;
2. Develop a proposal and work plan;
3. Develop social analysis on taboos and stigma related to anal sex and transsexual or male to male sex based on existing research;
4. Develop recommendations on addressing taboos and stigma related to anal sex and transsexual or male to male sex;
5. Identify potential thought-leaders and allies;
6. Develop a series of draft reports and a final report;
7. Conduct a discussion session with ISEAN Board and Secretariat prior to finalizing report; and
8. Coordinate with the ISEAN Board, ISEAN Secretariat and ISEAN-Hivos Program in the dissemination and/or publication of results.
Key Qualifications
1. Established expertise in research, baseline surveys;
2. Expertise and knowledge about social science and cultural data on perceptions or stigma of anal sex and transsexual or male to male sex;
3. Preferably with experience working with Global Fund programs;
4. Familiarity with the concerns of MSMs and TGs in the Southeast Asia context;
5. Preferably resident of Southeast Asia and with experience in working in one of the ISEAN-Hivos program countries; and
6. Fluency in written and spoken English; and with the language of one of the 4 countries.
The selected Consultant will be engaged for a minimum of 12 days distributed within a one month period and to start in March, 2014.
An Expression of Interest (EoI) letter, together with the applicant’s CV must be sent by 07th March, 2014 to the email below at 17:00 hrs. Jakarta Western Indonesia Time:
admin@isean.asia
Please fill the “subject” column of the e-mails in this format: <EoI code><your name>
Examples: < ISEAN IHP I-04>-<Name>
Based on the initial set of EoIs, applicants will be formally invited to complete their application through the submission of a concept note and indicative work plan.
