Terms of Reference
ASSESSMENT OF THE ACCESS TO HIV AND SOCIAL PROTECTION SERVICES FOR GAY MEN, OTHER MSM AND TRANS* PEOPLE IN GEORGIA
Background
ECOM – Eurasian Coalition on Health, Rights, Gender and Sexual Diversity is an association of organizations, groups and activists in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA), advocating for improved access of men who have sex with men (MSM) and trans people to evidence-based and human rights-oriented services in the field of sexual and reproductive health, including HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.
ECOM unites the efforts of all stakeholders at cross-country level in Eastern Europe and Central Asia to create favorable conditions for all gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and trans people to have access to evidence-based and human rights-oriented health services, including HIV prevention and treatment. You can find more information about ECOM at our website www.ecom.ngo
In 2021 with support on UNAIDS ECOM implements the project “Assessment of HIV and Social Protection of gay men, other MSM, and trans* people in Georgia”
While the broader long-term goal is to reduce the socio-economic disparities that gay men, other MSM and trans* people, including those living with HIV, face in Georgia, this project aims to improve their access to HIV sensitive social protection and to strengthen related multisectoral cooperation.
Main objectives of the project are:
1. To assess the access of gay men, other MSM and trans* people, including those living with HIV, to social protection in Georgia.
2. To support regular collaboration between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Affairs, key populations and other community organizations and networks on the provision of HIV sensitive social protection for gay men, other MSM and trans* people in Georgia.
To support project implementation ECOM seeks the consultant, who would be able to perform the following tasks.
Tasks for consultant:
- Adaptation of UNAIDS “HIV and Social Protection Assessment Tool” Methodology to Georgia realities and with emphasis on needs of gay men, other MSM and trans* people in Georgia (the tool is already developed, and requires the sensitization only);
- Participation in first workshop for the Georgian Working Group (including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Governmental Social Protection Officials, UN Resident Coordinator Office and community-led organizations and networks on the provision of HIV sensitive social protection for gay men, other MSM and trans* people in Georgia), to present the updated methodology of upcoming assessment of access to HIV and social protection services for gay men, other MSM and trans* people in Georgia;
- Assessment of the access to HIV and social protection services for gay men, other MSM and trans* people in Georgia, by using updated UNAIDS HIV and Social Protection Assessment Tool;
- Participation in the second workshop for the Working Group to present the results of assessment of access to HIV and social protection services for gay men, other MSM and trans* people in Georgia, and to develop recommendations to improve HIV-sensitive social protection system, that addresses the need of gay men, other MSM and trans* people, including those living with HIV, in Georgia.
- Participation in the follow-up regional EECA online-workshop for stakeholders to disseminate results and lessons learned.
Timeframe of work
The work should be started no later than October 5, 2021 and completed by December 21, 2021.
The first draft of the Assessment of the access to HIV and social protection services for gay men, other MSM and trans* people in Georgia in Russian or English should be prepared and sent to ECOM no later than November 15, 2021. Comments on the 1st draft will be provided within 5 working days by the representatives of ECOM secretariat.
The report on the work performed should be prepared and sent to ECOM no later than 5 working days after the end of the contract.
Deliverables
1. Assessment report of the access to HIV and social protection services for gay men, other MSM and trans* people in Georgia, by using updated UNAIDS HIV and Social Protection Assessment Tool in Russian or English is prepared;
2. Consultant report: 1 – 2 pages (А-4, Times New Roman, Font size 11) is prepared.
The main contact person for the contractor will be Yuri Yoursky, ECOM Human Rights and Legal Issues Coordinator (yuri@ecom.ngo). He will also conduct monitoring and make final assessment of work.
Reward and compensation
A service contract will be signed between the consultant and the EСOM, according to which ECOM will not be liable for the payment of any taxes by the consultant. The consultant does all the necessary taxes and other payments by the law of the country of his/her/their residence.
Period for performance should not exceed 15 days.
Consultancy fee should not exceed 6000 USD.
Requirements to the consultant:
Mandatory
● Previous qualitative or mix-method research experience;
● Previous research experience in the areas of LGBT rights, HIV-service and/or social protection;
● Degree in Sociology, Law, Political Sciences, Human Rights, International Relegations or relevant field;
● Availability of publications on relevant topics;
● Excellent command skills of English;
Desirable
● Good command skills in Georgian;
● Good command skills in Russian would be an asset;
How to apply
ECOM will consider proposals from individuals and organizations.
Interested candidates are requested to send applications to: contact@ecom.ngo with cope to yuri@ecom.ngo with the letterhead “ECOM Social Protection Assessment”.
Deadline for submission: October 10, 2021 at 23:59 EET.
Only candidates who will meet the requirements presented in this announcement will be notified on the results of success of their applications.
Applications should include:
· Information about company background or CV for individuals;
· Brief proposal with budget (USD);
· Previous publications on relevant topics (links or attached documents);