Community Led Monitoring C19RM Focal Point At International Treatment Preparedness Coalition

Background

Community-led monitoring in global health is “models or mechanisms by which service users and/or local communities gather, analyze and use information on an ongoing basis to improve access to, quality and impact of services, and to hold service providers and decision makers to account.” In the context of COVID-19, community-led monitoring plays a critical role in flagging disruptions to health services and medicines, documenting human rights violations and providing real time data to policymakers.

ITPC is a technical partner to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria’s efforts to improve uptake of CLM and the use of CLM data for service improvements. In the context of COVID-19, the role of CLM is critical for monitoring disruptions to HIV, TB and Malaria service delivery, lab systems, human rights violations, health and community systems and using the data for advocacy to ensure continued quality and accessible essential services.

Through the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) Centrally Managed Limited Investments, an investment case for CLM in the context of COVID-19 was approved to provide dedicated support in the design, adaptation and implementation of CLM for COVID-19 in relation to HIV, TB and malaria programs. This support will be prioritized in countries facing severe and high disruptions to HIV, TB and Malaria services. This dedicated support will be provided through a roster of community consortiums, including ITPC. The consortium works with community groups to identify their support needs, and appoint expert independent consultants (or deploys staff) to work intensively with these groups to ensure they have the systems and capacity to implement robust CLM interventions, particularly in the context of COVID-19 in relation to HIV, TB and malaria.

ITPC is seeking a consultant to serve as a Community Led Monitoring C19RM Focal Point for an initial period of six months from September 2021 to February 2022 with a possibility of extension. The approximate number of days for this consultancy is 15-20 days per month. The first phase of the CLM C19RM TA will be implemented from September thru January/February 2022; a second phase will be implemented from February/March 2022 thru December 2023.

Key Responsibilities
Under the direction of Nadia Rafif, ITPC community data and advocacy lead, [and the day-to-day technical and support supervision of Nadia, the main responsibilities of the Community Led Monitoring (CLM) C19RM Focal Point is to actively manage and coordinate multiple TA assignments and serve as a key liaison for the Global Fund Secretariat and partners.

This is a hands-on, dynamic position that involves working closely with communities affected by HIV, TB and malaria, as well as with the Global Fund and its partnership. The position offers the unique opportunity to help channel resources to under-served communities directly adversely affected by multiple pandemics and diseases. It is perfect for an independent but collaborative person with a ‘can do’ attitude and experiences working at the grassroots and/or national level on health programs.

Specific Responsibilities

A. Management and Coordination of TA

• Support partners to develop TA requests to the Global Fund, including drafting of TORs and budgets
• Support identification of country/regional partners to carry out TA; support TA launch and implementation
• Develop TOR, contract, payment of the consultant/partners involved and provide oversight
• Maintain relationships and be in frequent (weekly) communication with community partners in a portfolio of countries to monitor progress on TA implementation, understand issues around disruption, barriers to accessing services, advocacy efforts, COVID-19 control and containment, etc.
• Support engagement on advocacy with national/sub-national C19 response teams, CCMs, PRs, SRs with community partners to use the data for advocacy and service improvements
• Liaise with country stakeholders as needed to facilitate smooth delivery of quality and effective TA
• Serve as a liaison between the country partners implementing TA, the provider delivering the TA (CD4 Consortia) and the Global Fund Secretariat and partners where relevant and to identify support/interventions.
• Coordinate the preparation of regular reporting for TA assignments per Global Fund reporting requirements
• Manage the Consortia internal communication, discussion and decision-making process on TA provision

B. Documentation, Learning and Evidence of Impact of CLM

• Prepare high quality summary report for each TA delivered in a learning document on the impact of CLM for more effective C19RM grants and HTM programs.
• Gather examples and documentation of best practices for using CLM to address COVID-related disruptions and issues in the context of HIV, TB and malaria
• Produce country progress reports and lessons learned documents, support dissemination in-country
• Support communication and information sharing within the consortia, and with external partners, civil society and community groups
• Perform other relevant duties as required.

Qualifications

Essential

• University degree in public health, business, economics, international/public affairs, or any related discipline.

Desirable

• An advanced university degree in public health, economics, business, international / public affairs, or any relevant discipline; or an equivalent combination of academic/professional qualifications and experience.

Experience

Essential

• At least seven years of relevant work experience
• International experience, including in an international organization, non-profit or private sector involved in global health
• Experience working in community-led monitoring, organizing, advocacy and/or service delivery in different contexts
• Experience and proven ability to work as part of a team to meet targets or deadlines and deliver results within given timeframe
• Experience synthesizing information and communicating effectively and in a timely manner with important stakeholders
• Experience drafting and finalizing high-quality summaries, written reports and presentations for diverse audiences
• Degree of knowledge and familiarity with Global Fund processes
• Proven project coordination experience across different geographic regions/time zones

Desirable

• Experience implementing or creating policy around community-led monitoring and/or community systems strengthening
• Experience working on human rights and/or gender aspects of HIV, TB and/or malaria; or experience working on broader human rights and/or gender issues
• Hands-on experience in countries implementing Global Fund grants
• Monitoring and evaluation experience
• Data management experience

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Skills**

Essential

• Strong writing skills, including for TORs, project summaries, progress updates, case studies, advocacy reports and messages, etc.
• Solid speaking and oral communication skills
• Able to work and communicate with colleagues in a variety of cultures and contexts, with respect for all
• Able to engage with policymakers and officials in challenging environments
• Able to adapt quickly to changing contexts, prioritize on an ongoing basis, and deliver on deadline

Desirable

• Proficiency with creating compelling presentations, including through using visuals, charts, graphs, etc.

Languages

• An excellent knowledge of English and preferably a good working knowledge of Spanish or French is required. A second working language, such as Arabic or Russian would be an asset.