HIV Policy Review Consulting Firm

1.Background

The USAID/HPI project has been implementing activities since 2008 assisting and collaborating with efforts by the Government of Vietnam, USG civil society organizations (CSOs), and other stakeholders to develop and implement evidence-based and best practice-driven laws, policies, plans, and programs for HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment, and impact mitigation in Vietnam. The project aims to achieve three key results:

1)Facilitate the adoption and implementation of national and local HIV/AIDS policies, plans, and programs based on international best practices;
2)Strengthen and support effective public sector and civil society advocates and networks to assume leadership in the policy process; and
3)Develop and deploy timely and accurate data for evidence-based decision making.

In recent years, Vietnam has developed and put into practice many legal and policy documents related to HIV/AIDS prevention and control including policy documents on drugs and sex work. The HIV/AIDS law and Decree 108 provides a strong foundation for human rights - and evidence-based HIV/AIDS policies and programs in Vietnam. However, despite continued efforts the legal and policy frameworks on HIV/AIDS related to drug use and sex work are still incomplete and continue to suffer from gaps and inconsistencies in content and implementation. Harmonizing legal documents remains critical to an effective and sustainable HIV/AIDS response in Vietnam.

USAID/HPI Vietnam is seeking a qualified Vietnamese organization to carry out the review of HIV/AIDS related policies including the implementation of HIV/AIDS law. Work must be finalized by 30 June 2013.

The policy review will focus on the following aspects:

- Relevance, effectiveness, and implementation status of key legal and policy documents, including  the HIV/AIDS law;
- Conflicts between current legal documents and consequences to implementation and barriers to harmonization of current legal documents on HIV/AIDS and related issues;
- New and/or revised HIV/AIDS-related legal and policy documents needed to achieve a comprehensive, effective, and sustainable HIV/AIDS response;
- New and enhanced existing partnerships with government, party, civil society and other stakeholders to advocate for and achieve needed legal and policy improvements;
- Recommendations to improve the HIV/AIDS law and related policy documents;

2.Methodology

The review will employ desk review, key informant interviews and focus group discussion. The selected institution will collaborate with the USAID/HPI project to conduct the review. Potential key informants will be selected from central, provincial to community levels.

3.Expected deliverables (in English)

*Final report with a focus on

- Relevance
- Key issues for implementation
- Clearly defined roadmap towards harmonization of HIV/AIDS legal documents.
- Recommendations on development/revision of HIV related policies and legal framework including HIV/AIDS law

*Policy implementation barriers and proposal to working to remove those barriers

*Draft policy brief on the plan for harmonization of legal and policy documents and agenda for revised/new legal documents.

*Five-year agenda and schedule for developing and/or revising key HIV/AIDS related legal documents and policies.

4.Required Qualifications

The selected contractor must have:

- Strong qualitative research experience in HIV related policy development and review.
- Knowledge of the policy making process in Vietnam.
- Demonstrated experience in conducting similar studies
- Experience working with high level Vietnamese officials, line ministries, community-based organizations and MARPs.
- Track record of meeting deadlines.

The selected contractor will be responsible for all data collection, data analysis, and report writing.

5.How to Apply

Interested candidates please submit the proposal (no more than 10 A4 pages) consisting of :

1)Technical proposal (including description of relevant experience and proposed key personnel with curriculum vitae) and
2)Indicative budget to [email protected] or hand delivery to USAID/HPI, 72 Xuan Dieu, Hanoi (Attention: Nguyen Thanh Hien) before 17:00 PM, January 22, 2013. Only short-listed candidates/organizations will be contacted.