TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PLAN- VCT/ VCR

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN HIV/ AIDS

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PLAN- VCT/ VCR

CONCEPT PAPER 9

Back Ground

Pakistan still has a window of opportunity to act decisively to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS. Although the estimated HIV/AIDS burden is still low—around 0.1 percent of the adult population, without vigorous and sustained action, Pakistan runs the risk of experiencing the rapid increase in HIV/AIDS among vulnerable groups seen elsewhere. In 2004, a concentrated outbreak of HIV was found among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs) in Karachi, where over 20 percent of those tested were found to be infected.

HIV and AIDS are often associated with a range of psychological problems and issues that must be addressed throughout all stages of HIV infection. Psychological support is critical for helping individuals, couples and families affected by HIV to cope with their fears and emotions. HIV voluntary counseling and testing VCT provides the bulk of initial psychological support. It also links individuals, couples and families to follow up psychological support and other support services, such as legal, welfare and spiritual within communities, peer support groups, appropriate medical care of services for opportunistic infections. In addition VCT has proven to be an important factors in promoting safer sexual behaviors, thus preventing HIV transmission and enabling PLWHA to disclose to and involve significant others. Wherever VCT has become a regular service integrated into health and community systems, it has helped to normalize HIV and AIDS and decrease stigma and discrimination.

Purpose of the Consultancy:

The Consultancy is to develop human resources to manage programmes related with VCT/ VCR.

Deliverables

The specific anticipated deliverables of the consultancy are:

Need assessment Report of TAMEER SGP projects in the context to review the existing services of VCT/ VCR for HIV/AIDS prevention.
Need assessment Report to identify areas to enhance capacity of staff involved in the projects.
Identification of gaps through need assessment, in the standard services packages.
Design program for capacity building based on:

- Need Assessment (Projects & participants)

- Developing Strategies for

1. Community organization

2. Care & Support

3. Sustainability

· Training Manual

· Complete list of participants with their contact information and attendance sheets

· Need assessment / identification of gaps in the services and staff capacity in context of local services delivery.

· Two soft copies and two sets of hard copies of technical assistance material, modules, handouts, and presentations etc.

· A consultancy report within two weeks of the completion of the assignment

Follow up / mentoring to assess the application / implementation of technical assistance provided.

Qualifications/experience of the Consultant/Consultancy Team:

· 07 – 10 years experience on qualitative research among the vulnerable groups.

· Experience conducing at least 5 high quality trainings / consultancy on services packages for HIV/AIDS prevention.

· Good knowledge of HIV/AIDS interventions targeting VCT/ VCR

· Relevant educational degree; Masters degree in Social Sciences or Public Health preferred

Duration of Consultancy:

This assignment will involve ten days of input from the consultant as per the following breakdown;

Assignment component	Level of effort (No of Days)
Need assessment	02
Workshop Design and Development of manual	02
Workshop Facilitation	03
Follow up / Mentoring	02
Report/ Manual	01
*Total*	10

Time Frame:

March- June 2007 (Tentative)

Expected outputs:

1. Need assessment / gaps identification in standard services related with VCT/ VCR & staff capacity, in context of best practices.

2. Training material / curriculum

3. 03-days training of staff working with the vulnerable group.

4. Training manual

5. Follow up / mentoring

6. Report

Reporting:

Lead Consultant will report to the Programmes Team, Pakistan National AIDS Consortium Islamabad.

Remuneration:

Negotiable

Concept Notes:

Concept notes must be forwarded to the PNAC, House No. 441 St. 57, I-8/3, Islamabad, Tel. & Fax: 051 4100935 - 4437019, Email: pnacnet@pacf.org.pk, not later than 4:00 pm on 31st Jan 2007.

Concept proposal should include:

1. Curriculum vitae of the Lead Consultant (and any other team members) that would be involved in the need assessment / training / follow up.

2. Brief description/contents of training, training methodology, training materials and manuals to be used or developed.

3. Time needed and dates available for consultancy in case of any clash with the proposed schedule.

4. Proposed consultancy fee including all expenses, and cost breakdown (including all labour, materials, travel costs of consultants and other expenses). Note: By Pakistani law, 5% withholding tax will be deducted from consultant fees and deposited with the income tax authority.

5. All costs related to participants travel, boarding, lodging, meals etc, training venue, will be borne by PNAC and are not to be included in your proposed budget.

6. Any other supporting documentation.

In case of any quarry, please contact Mr. Aftab Awan, Tel. 051 4100935 – 4437019,

e-mail: aftab@pacf.org.pk

Please acknowledge receipt of these TORs, at our e-mail: pnacnet@pacf.org.pk