TERM OF REFERENCE
Improving Understanding of Existing Community Based / Led HIV Testing (CB/LT) services and identifies best approaches to CB/LT for Transgender and People Who Inject Drug

BACKGROUND

APN+ is a network of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Asia and the Pacific. It was established in 1994 as a response to the need for a collective voice for PLHIV in the region, to better link regional PLHIV with other networks throughout the world, to support regional responses to widespread stigma and discrimination and to advocate for better access to treatment, care and support.

The WHO 2013 guidelines recommended introducing community-based HIV testing and counseling with linkages to prevention, care and treatment services in addition to provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling in three (3) contexts: Generalized epidemics, to reach key population in any epidemic setting, and to reach underserved adolescent (especially those in general epidemic). It also recommends building strong linkages and guarantee of prevention, care and treatment after testing.

In late 2017, a regional concept notes titled “Key Population Research and Advocacy – KPRA submitted to the Global Fund was recommended for funding from 2018 – 2020. The concept notes covers program activities that will be implemented by Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (APN+), Asia Network of People Who Used Drugs (ANPUD), Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW) and Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN) in partnership with their country networks. All 4 regional networks are sub grantees (SR) and Save the Children International (SCI) is the Primary Recipient (PR) of the grant. The Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV (APN+) focuses on the community based HIV testing (CBT) component of the project. The aim is to improve understanding of existing HIV services and testing approaches for key population in KPRA countries which includes Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam.

SCOPE OF WORK

APN+ is looking for an international consultant to conduct a desk review and consultations with technical partners which will consist of:
• An overview of the current progress and scale of HIV Community Based / Led Testing (CB/LT) (including HIV index testing and oral fluid testing) implementation in all 7 KPRA project implementation countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam).
• Review of national law, policies and guidelines which could affect the implementation or expansion of HIV CB/LT (including HIV index testing and oral fluid testing) among KP groups (sex workers, transgender people (TG) and people with injecting drug (PWID) in these countries.
• Review and analyses of study reports on HIV CB/LT (including HIV index testing and oral fluid testing) implementation effectiveness in these countries.
• Recommendations to fill in the gaps of (i) development of guidelines and policies for CB/LT, (ii) CB/LT implementation (iii) and evaluation of CB/LT models.

The exercise will identify, collect and review all existing laws, policies and regulations pertaining to HIV CB/LT, and program or evaluation reports, and published and non-published manuscripts on HIV CB/LT for TG and PWID in KPRA countries during 2015 – 2019.

Key questions to answer:
• What is the overall situation of HIV CB/LT for key populations in the region?
• What are key existing legislation, policies, guidelines pertaining to HIV CB/LT implementation in the region?
• What are the gaps in legislation, strategies, policies and guidelines, and recommendation to address those gaps?
• What are these gaps of CB/LT service provision for key populations and recommendation to fill these gaps?
• What are the best practice or recommended CB/LT models for countries in the region?

DELIVERABLES TIMELINES PAYMENT SCHEDULE
1. A detailed protocol with methods, tools, and timeline for the desk review of legislation, policies, guidelines, programs and services pertaining HIV CB/LT for key populations. June 1, 2019 —– 0%
2. The first draft report of the regional desk review June 10, 2019 ——– 0%
3. The final peer-reviewed regional desk review report is developed and submitted June 20, 2019 ——100%

DURATION

The consultant will be contracted for maximum of 16 consultancy days during May and June 2019.

REPORTING PRACTICE

Any amendments to the current assignment and deliverables in regard to the TOR should be discussed and agreed by APN+.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Minimum of 10 year- experience in working with community including health and HIV
• A master degree in public health and or related field is desired
• A proven track record in community research, report writing, development guidelines and tools
• Evidence of publications, journals or research reports on community related work will be an advantage. The publications should be attached in the application while applying for this task.
• Good English writing skill is a must.
• Able to meet deadlines, work under pressures and with people from different backgrounds including key affected populations.

To apply, please send your CV, application letter and related documents to:
recruitment.apnplus@gmail.com
Application Deadline: 5 PM, May 20, 2019 (Bangkok Time).