1.0 Introduction
1.1 EAC/AMREF Lake Victoria Partnership Programme (EALP)
The EALP is a programme of the East African Community, coordinated by the Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) and managed by AMREF.
The LVBC is an organ of the EAC charged with the socio-economic development of the Lake Victoria Basin region of East Africa. It is a three-year (2007-2010) programme, with funding from Swedish/Norwegian Governments through Sida.
The EALP aims at establishing a framework for improving the effectiveness of the HIV&AIDS responses for mobile populations within the Lake Victoria Basin region. This will be achieved through policy and practice harmonisation, strengthening the coordination capacity of key regional institutions, and strengthening the capacity of select networks and organizations of mobile populations within the Basin.
A major aspect of the program is strengthening the capacity of the East African Community (EAC) to effectively coordinate regional HIV&AIDS responses generally, but specifically those responses targeting mobile populations within the Lake Victoria Basin (LVB).
A harmonised and coordinated framework offers the most effective and efficient way of responding to the multiple and complex contextual HIV&AIDS vulnerabilities that result from intensive population movements within the LVB. Such a framework will provide a firm foundation for ongoing and future HIV&AIDS responses within the LVB, and this will enable diverse actors to structure their responses within the framework, under EAC’s coordination.
1.2 Overall Project Objective
The overall project objective is to establish a framework for improving the effectiveness of HIV&AIDS responses within the Lake Victoria Basin with a view to reducing the risk and vulnerability that results from intensive population movements.
1.3 Specific Project Objectives
- To strengthen the capacity of the EAC, its key institutions and select regional networks to coordinate HIV&AIDS responses in the LVB region
- To promote the harmonisation of HIV&AIDS policy frameworks and practice for mobile populations across the East African region.
- To strengthen the capacity of select networks and organisations of mobile populations to address HIV &AIDS related risks and vulnerabilities.
1.4 Strategic Partners
The programme is a broad-based partnership bringing together AMREF, LVBC, Lake Victoria Fisheries Organisation (LVFO), Interuniversity Council of East Africa (IUCEA) and Regional Network on HIV/AIDS, Rural Livelihoods and Food Security (RENEWAL). The programs’ target groups include the fishing communities, migrant workers in agricultural plantations and cross border university students. Activities in the fisheries, agricultural plantations and higher education sectors are spearheaded by LVFO, RENEWAL and IUCEA respectively.
2.0 Baseline Studies Consultancy
EALP is planning to conduct baseline studies in agricultural plantations, fishing communities and higher institutions of learning in the Lake Victoria basin. In order to ensure that the findings of the planned baseline studies are reliable, valid and widely acceptable within the East African Community (EAC) member states, the EALP is seeking technical assistance of a lead consultant. The lead consultant will develop the research protocols including those for the HIV sero-prevalence component of the study; offer technical supervision of the studies as well as preparing sector specific national study reports, which will then be collated into two regional sector reports (for agriculture and fisheries sectors).
Objectives of the Consultancy
The purpose of the baseline studies is to establish the HIV prevalence, the associated drivers of risk and vulnerability and the effectiveness of HIV and AIDS responses for agricultural plantation workers and fisher folk in the Lake Victoria Basin.
Specific objectives of the studies include:
- To understand the HIV risks and vulnerabilities associated with the internal and cross-border movement of agricultural plantation workers and fisher folk in the Lake Victoria Basin
- To assess the breadth and effectiveness of HIV and AIDS responses by and for agricultural plantation workers and fisher folk in the Lake Victoria Basin
- To ascertain the availability and utilisation of HIV and AIDS-related services for agricultural plantation workers and fisher folk in the Lake Victoria Basin.
2.1 Tasks and Responsibilities of the Consultancy
- Work with national technical steering groups/teams (TSG) in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to develop harmonised sector-wide research protocols for the HIV sero-prevalence component of the study and sector specific research protocols for the behavioural and health systems component of the study
- Present the research protocols to the national ethical clearance teams
- Obtain ethical clearance certificate for the studies
- Supervise data collection, analysis and interpretation
- In consultation with the AMREF, LVBC, LVFO and RENEWAL prepare sector specific consolidated reports from the national study reports
- Present the research findings at strategic national and regional forums
2.2 Approach
The consultant is expected to work closely with AMREF, LVBC, IUCEA, LVFO, RENEWAL, national research teams as well as national Technical Steering Groups (TSG) to develop research protocols, obtain ethical clearance, supervise the studies and prepare consolidated sector specific reports.
2.3 Key Consultancy Outputs
- Inception report detailing the strategy to be employed to ensure research findings are reliable and valid
- Harmonised sector-wide research protocols for the HIV sero-prevalence component of the study
- Harmonised sector specific research protocols for the behavioural component of the study
- Ethical clearance certificate (one each for the EAC member states as necessary)
- Six (6) national reports, three (3) for each sector
- Two (2)sector specific consolidated study reports of publishable standard
- Six (6) publishable papers, three (3) for each sector. The details and formats of the reports will be agreed upon with the TSG
3.0 Expected Profile of Consultant(s)
- The consultant must have demonstrated experience in leading multi-disciplinary research teams across different countries
- Proven and demonstrated relevant experience of not less than six (6) years. Previous experience designing and conducting HIV sero-prevalence studies mandatory
- The Consultant is expected to have a minimum qualification of a PhD in health sciences, sociology/demography and/or economics
- A track record of publications in reputable peer reviewed journals
4.0 Timeframe and consultancy management
The consultancy shall be managed by the Programme Management Team (PMT) at AMREF/LVBC.
The maximum number of days allowable for this consultancy shall not exceed forty (40) consultancy days, and (in any case) the consultancy must be finalised on or before August 15, 2008. The consultant must be ready to start work immediately upon appointment.
The research protocols must be submitted to the technical steering groups in early June 2008 and presented to the ethical clearance committee before end of June 2008. AMREF/LVBC and the study teams/groups will provide feedback within a week of receiving the draft reports/protocols to enable the consultant to timely revise and finalize them.
5.0 Response call for Proposal
Interested consultants must include in their application the following:
5.1 Technical Proposal not exceeding 6 pages on:
- An understanding and interpretation of the TOR
- Methodology to be used in undertaking the assignment
- Time and activity schedule
5.2 Financial proposal not exceeding 1 page
Consultant’s daily rate in US$ or equivalent in Kenya/Tanzania/Uganda Shillings
5.3 Organisational and Personnel Capacity Statement
- Relevant experience related to the assignment
- Contacts of at least 3 organisations previously worked for.
- Curriculum vitae of the Consultant including the list of publications in peer reviewed journals
6.0 Submission of Proposal
Interested and qualified consultants should submit their application to: recruitment@amrefke.org and lvbc@lvbcsec.org
6.1 Deadline for Submission
June 6, 2008
7.0 Evaluation and Award of Consultancy
AMREF/LVBC will evaluate the proposals and award the contract based on technical and financial feasibility.
AMREF/LVBC reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without offering an explanation and is not bound to accept the lowest or the highest bidder.
