Expert Moderator for the Africa Regional Dialogue of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law

Background

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

UNDP is a founding cosponsor of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), a partner of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and a co-sponsor of several other international health partnerships. UNDP’s work on HIV, health and development leverages UNDP’s core strengths and mandates in human development, governance and capacity development to complement the efforts of specialist health-focused UN agencies. UNDP delivers three types of support to countries in HIV, health and development.

The Global Commission on HIV and the Law was launched in June 2010 by UNDP on behalf of the UNAIDS family. It comprises eminent persons from public life who will provide global leadership on HIV-related legal and human rights issues by:

Analysing what is known about the interaction between the legal environment, human rights and HIV;
Fostering evidence-informed public dialogue on the need for rights-based law and policy in the context of HIV; and
Identifying clear and actionable recommendations with a concrete plan for follow-up.

The Commission is based on three mutually reinforcing axes:

A high level Commission that will analyse the evidence and add insight and weight to findings and recommendations;
A Technical Advisory Group to help generate and build consensus around the evidence base; and
Regional Dialogues to ensure participation and inclusion of affected communities and law- and policy-makers

During its 24-month process (June 2010 – June 2011), the Commission will reach out to civil society working on the HIV response and related issues, groups and networks of key populations and law and policy makers. The engagement of diverse stakeholders will ensure that the Commission’s deliberations are informed and enriched by the experiences of those most affected by the epidemic. The Regional Dialogues, a critical element of this outreach, will aim to generate region-specific policy dialogue on key legal and human rights issues in the context of HIV.

The objective is for Regional Dialogues is to inform the deliberations of the Commission through submissions and evidence-informed inputs and by engaging policy and law makers, law enforcement and community perspectives. It is important for the work of the Commission to benefit from the views expressed by civil society including the experiences of those most affected by both disempowering and empowering legal environments. This is also important for enhancing awareness, dialogue, engagement and ownership within regions on the actions that are required to effect real change in people’s lives and health.

The Africa Regional Dialogue is scheduled from the 3-4 August 2011 and will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa. It will be co-hosted by the African Union and it will be supported by the UNDP Regional Centre for East and Southern Africa (RSC-ESA), UNAIDS Regional Support Team for and the Commission Secretariat at UNDP HIV/AIDS Group, Bureau for Development Policy, New York, working in close collaboration with law and policy makers and key civil society and community actors from the region. As appropriate, the Regional Dialogues will build on the UNAIDS Country Consultations on Universal Access which are taking place in the lead up to the UNGASS+ 10 session.

Objective:

The Africa Regional Dialogue will include preparatory meetings, one with civil society and one with law and policy makers, on 3 August 2011. A moderated town-hall style dialogue involving 50 – 60 participants and law and policy makers from the region will take place the following day, on 4 August 2011. The town hall component will contribute to making this a more inclusive process and enhance the dialogue aspect of the process. Translation will be made available and the use of multiple media will also contribute to increasing engagement. Therefore, UNDP HIV Group is recruiting an expert moderator to facilitate the Africa Regional Dialogue, taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 3-4 August 2011.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the UNDP Cluster Leader on Health, HIV, Human Rights and Governance in New York and the UNDP Regional HIV Practice Leader at the UNDP Regional Centre for East and Southern Africa (RSC-ESA), the Expert Moderator will be responsible for the following:

Specific Deliverables:

Work with the UNDP Regional Service Centre HIV team (RSC-ESA) and the Commission Secretariat in preparing for the Regional Dialogue (including detailed preparation and script for Regional Dialogue)
Facilitate in planning and discussions during the preparatory meetings in Johannesburg on 3 August 2011
Act as expert moderator during the Town Hall meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 4 August 2011

All deliverables will be the property of UNDP, copyright vesting with UNDP.

Reporting:

The Consultant will directly report to the Cluster Leader on Health, HIV, Human Rights and Governance based in New York, BDP/HIV Group, and the UNDP Regional HIV Practice Leader at the UNDP Regional Centre for East and Southern Africa (RSC-ESA) .

Travel:

One trip to Johannesburg for 3 days in August 2011, in order to attend the Africa Regional Dialogue, taking place in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 3-4 August 2011. Please note that UNDP is not covering for business class air ticket, and will cover travel arrangements for the most direct economy class airfare.

Timeframe:

As per the objectives of the assignment and expected deliverables, it is proposed that the time scale for carrying out the consultancy, will be a maximum of 20 days from 4 July 2011 to 4 August 2011:

4 July 2011 – 2 August 2011	Work with the UNDP Regional Service Centre HIV team (RSC-ESA) and the Commission Secretariat in preparing for the Regional Dialogue (including detailed preparation and script for Regional Dialogue)
3 August 2011	Facilitate in planning and discussions during the preparatory meetings in Johannesburg on 3 August 2011
4 August 2011	Act as expert moderator during the Town Hall meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 4 August 2011

Evaluation

Applicants will be screened against qualifications and competencies specified below through a desk review process. Those selected for the next stage of the selection process will be reviewed based on a combination of the Technical and Financial Scores.

Payment

The Consultant will be paid based on a daily rate. Please submit a financial proposal for 20 working days based on a daily rate, including a trip to Johannesburg to attend the Africa Regional Dialogue, taking place on 3-4 August 2011.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional:

Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills

Communications and Advocacy:

Strong presentation skills in meetings with the ability to adapt for different audiences.
Strong capacity to communicate clearly and quickly.
Strong inter-personal, negotiation and liaison skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Degree in Journalism, Public Affairs, Political Sciences, Development, Anthropology, or any other related field.

Experience:

International media professional with over 5 years journalism experience.
Past experience working with a globally recognized media outfit (CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera etc.).
Demonstrated ability to lead discussions, as evidenced by previous experience moderating large meetings, dialogues, Q&A sessions, or other similar events.
Previous experience working with international agencies.
Strong understanding of development issues, including HIV.
Previous UN experience preferred.

Language:

Ability to work in English.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Expert Moderator for the Africa Regional Dialogue of the Global Commission on HIV and the Law