Request for proposals-HIV Literacy Consultant

BACKGROUND

ITPC was birthed in 2003 in Cape Town, South Africa, by a committed group of 125 HIV activists from 65 countries who refused to accept a world in which people living with HIV were denied access to life-saving medicine. As ITPC grew into a Global Activist Network (GAN) advocating for the needs of communities affected by HIV and TB, it also laid the groundwork for community-driven work extending beyond singular diseases and addressing the systemic issues affecting people’s health and quality of life— exposing and resisting entrenched global power dynamics that consistently prioritize privilege and profit over the right to health and dignity. Today, we celebrate 20 years, highlighting progress in the fight for equitable access and affordability to treatment, amplifying community power, and building resilience within communities.

HIV literacy has been a cornerstone in the global fight against HIV, playing a crucial role in advancing prevention, treatment, and care. By raising awareness, creating demand for services, and promoting adherence to life-saving interventions, HIV literacy is essential for achieving both individual health outcomes and the broader global commitment to end AIDS. The ability of communities to advocate effectively for appropriate HIV treatment depends heavily on the availability and dissemination of accurate, up-to-date information that fosters demand for these services and improves access to care.

Despite advancements in HIV treatment education and the growing use of social media for information sharing, significant gaps remain in existing HIV literacy materials. Many resources are outdated, lack multilingual availability, and fail to adequately address the needs of key and vulnerable populations or account for specific geographical and cultural contexts. These challenges are further exacerbated by systemic issues such as stockouts, poor clinic management practices, gaps in provider competency, and side effects from specific medications, all of which can disrupt care and lead to disengagement from treatment.

In response to these challenges, ITPC proposes the development of a comprehensive, language-sensitive, and easily accessible Global Reference on Essentials of HIV Literacy Products. This document will serve as a key resource, equipping communities and the organizations that support them with the necessary knowledge and tools to adapt and create context-relevant HIV literacy products. The ultimate goal is to empower communities to make informed decisions, respond effectively to the HIV epidemic, and reduce vulnerability and stigma associated with HIV. The guide will address the gaps identified in a recent scoping assessment led by ITPC and UNAIDS, incorporate the recommendations from that assessment, and integrate other current best practices. Furthermore, the document will be adaptable to various cultural and geographical contexts, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness across different regions and populations.

Service Provider Scope of Work

ITPC wishes to engage a consultant to assist with the development of a Global Reference on Essentials of HIV Literacy Products:

Key Outputs and Deliverables:

1. Assist with the establishment of the Global Technical Advisory Board (TAB) and engage with the TAB to provide strategic guidance, set priorities, and ensure that the resource guide content aligns with both global and regional HIV literacy needs identified in the assessment phase.
2. Develop the HIV Resource Guide ensuring coverage of key areas such as HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support.
3. Develop 8-10 Technical Briefs on priority topics identified by the TAB, such as Long-Acting HIV Prevention and Treatment, self - testing, PrEP and PEP Use, Advanced HIV Disease Management, and more. Conduct webinars which will offer diverse learning opportunities.
4. Conduct Field Testing and validation of the resource guide in selected regions, prioritizing topics such as Innovative Treatment and Self-Testing across regions to ensure broad applicability

Duration of Service Provision:

— Start date: 20 November 2024

— End date: 31 March 2025

Qualification/Eligibility Requirements to Provider:

1. Minimum 10 years of experience in global public health
2. Strong Knowledge about HIV literacy guidelines
3. Strong orientation to the unique needs of key populations and PLHIV
4. Experience working with diverse stakeholders
5. Superior verbal and written communication skills in English
6. Evidence of experience in writing for donor-funded environments specifically a public health context
7. Ability to consolidate findings and draw from multiple sources
8. Experience and/or academic training in public health, health policy, or related field is a plus
9. A postgraduate degree in a relevant field is an advantage