Consultancy for Manuscript Writer At Tiko

Background and context

Established in 2014, Tiko is a non-profit organization that leverages technology and behavioral insights to design, implement, and scale access to sexual reproductive health (SRH) services among adolescents and young people (AYP) aged 15-24 years. Using its digital platform, Tiko connects low-income adolescents and young people with non-judgmental, quality-assured SRH services that meet their specific needs. We envision a world where all AYP have the power to choose where, when, and how they meet their SRH needs. Further, Tiko connects partners and actors across demand and supply to give young people access to quality SRH products and services, thereby enabling young people to: postpone or prevent unplanned pregnancies, know their HIV status, use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce their risk of HIV acquisition, adhere to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), screen for and obtain support to address mental health challenges.

Through these interventions, we aim to improve the agency of young people aged 15-24 years to take up and sustain the use of contraceptives, mental health services and HIV prevention and treatment services

Scope of Work

From 2021 to 2024, Tiko implemented a project in Mombasa and Kilifi counties in Kenya, focused on adolescents and young people (AYP). Tiko is implementing a similar programme in Kampala (from 2023 to date). The initiatives brought together stakeholders from both the demand and supply sides to ensure AYP have unrestricted access to high-quality sexual and reproductive health (SRH), HIV, and mental health (MH) products and services. This access empowers them to prevent unplanned pregnancies, determine their HIV status, use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), adhere to antiretroviral therapy (ART), and seek screening and support for mental health challenges. A baseline survey was conducted at the project’s start, and the endline survey has now been completed.

At Tiko we believe research has the greatest impact when its findings reach the right audience. One way to share insights is by publishing in open-access journals, ensuring free access for academics, researchers, funders, students, implementers, and service users. To this end Tiko is seeking a consultant to transform our evaluation data focused on HIV (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, PrEP)into a high-quality, peer-reviewed manuscript for submission to an international journal.

Objective

The objective of this consultancy is to conduct a literature review, analyze existing evaluation data and develop a high-quality, peer-reviewed manuscript for submission to an international journal. This will ensure the broad dissemination of research findings, enhancing accessibility for academics, researchers, funders, students, implementers, and service users. Additionally, the publication will provide a platform to highlight the impact of Tiko’s programs and contribute to global knowledge in the field.

Deliverables

The consultant will review relevant documents, including the project evaluation protocol and report, as well as published literature on the subject. They will analyze the available evaluation data and develop a comprehensive manuscript, ensuring all necessary sections—such as tables, graphs, appendices, and acknowledgments—are prepared and annexed.

A draft manuscript will be shared with Tiko’s research team and the project’s Principal Investigator (PI) for feedback before finalization. Once finalized, the manuscript will be submitted to a journal for publication. The consultant will also address any comments from editors and reviewers and resubmit the revised manuscript as needed.

Expected Deliverables:

1. Literature review
2. Analysis of existing evaluation data
3. Determine suitable journal to target
4. Draft manuscript
5. Finalized manuscript submitted to the journal for publication
6. Revised manuscript incorporating Tiko and reviewer feedback and resubmitted

Targeted journal

The selection of a suitable journal will be determined once the data analysis is complete. However, the aim is to publish in a journal with an impact factor of at least 3.0 and a fast peer-review process. Based on these criteria, we would like the consultant to suggest a suitable journal.

Timeline

The consultant is expected to l take up to 6 weeks to write and submit the manuscript. The review process is expected to last until the 20th week of project inception, about 3-4 months of peer-review and resubmitting feedback. It is noted that the consultant has no control of the peer review process as it can be shorter or longer depending on the journal’s capacity to source editors and reviewers during the year end/festive season.

We are looking for a bidder with the following skills and qualifications:

• PhD in Public Health or a related field.
• Proven experience in HIV, GBV, and/or SRHR research, particularly focusing on adolescents and young people in sub-Saharan Africa
• A strong track record of publishing peer-reviewed journal articles in relevant fields
• Expertise in data analysis, manuscript writing, and academic publishing
• Experience with international journal submission processes and responding to peer reviewer feedback
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines