Strategic information on Adolescents and HIV in Latin America and the Caribbean Region

By the end of the assignment UNICEF LACRO will have a report that: - Identify, collect and analyze statistics on HIV and adolescents (10– 19 years old) in LAC countries – based on existing HIV indicators measuring prevalence, new infections, treatment access, including PEP, knowledge and behaviour. - Conduct an in-depth secondary analysis for those indicators and sources that allows it to highlight existing disparities among groups. It may be based on bivariate and multivariate analysis aimed at finding correlations among different components that may influence better HIV-outcomes. - - Produce country scorecards on adolescent health outcomes for each country where data is available including key health outcomes: mortality rate (HIV related, violence, road injuries, homicides), pregnancy rate, violence and sexual abuse, educational achievements, etc. When possible basic disaggregation should be highlighted. - Identify temporal and geographical trends in relation to key HIV and health related indicators - Provide recommendations on possible strategies for improving capacity at national and sub-national level for collecting HIV related data disaggregated by gender and age 10-14 15 – 19 and 20 -24 years

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For 70 years, UNICEF has been working on the ground in 190 countries and territories to promote children's survival, protection and development. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

Purpose of the Assignment

By the end of the assignment UNICEF LACRO will have a report that:

• Identify, collect and analyze statistics on HIV and adolescents (10– 19 years old) in LAC countries – based on existing HIV indicators measuring prevalence, new infections, treatment access, including PEP, knowledge and behaviour.
• Conduct an in-depth secondary analysis for those indicators and sources that allows it to highlight existing disparities among groups. It may be based on bivariate and multivariate analysis aimed at finding correlations among different components that may influence better HIV-outcomes.
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• Produce country scorecards on adolescent health outcomes for each country where data is available including key health outcomes: mortality rate (HIV related, violence, road injuries, homicides), pregnancy rate, violence and sexual abuse, educational achievements, etc. When possible basic disaggregation should be highlighted.
• Identify temporal and geographical trends in relation to key HIV and health related indicators
• Provide recommendations on possible strategies for improving capacity at national and sub-national level for collecting HIV related data disaggregated by gender and age 10-14 15 – 19 and 20 -24 years

Assignment Tasks

1. Review existing data sources including

• Existing data collection methods and instruments used at country level.
• National HIV related data sets and reporting formats – i.e. GARP, national information systems, etc.
  • Modelled Estimates (UNAIDS Spectrum)
  • Programme and Administrative Records including health facility programme data and financial and health system records and NGOs outreach data.
  • Population based surveys – including DHS/MICS, BSS, BBSS or IBBS for key populations, GSHS and health facility surveys
• Epidemiological studies
• Other relevant studies (published or peer reviewed)

1. Analyse existing data and assess trends over time, with a focus on age, geographical distribution, etc.
2. Draft an analytical report with the information collected, including methodology, description of data sources, trends, gaps and recommendations for using existing data to assess progress over time.
3. Finalize the report based on feedback from UNICEF staff and other peer reviewers

Expected Deliverables

The consultant or individual contractor is expected to:

• Propose a methodology and scope of review
• Draft a report of the study
• Present a final report after revisions by UNICEF's staff Specific outputs will include:

Specific outputs will include:

1. Analysis plan
2. Analytical report
3. Score cards/statistical tables
4. Final report - – including a short set of recommendations for improving the availability and use of reliable and disaggregated data on adolescents in the context of the 2030 agenda.

PROPOSED METHODOLOGY

The sources of information for this analysis will be the final reports and micro data sets for those recent surveys available in the region (conducted from 2010 onwards) containing standardized and comparable information on HIV and adolescents

The United Nations, for statistical purposes, defines 'adolescents', as those persons between the ages of 10 and 19, without prejudice to other definitions by Member States.  National household surveys such as DHS and MICS collect information on adolescents through:

• Data collected in the Household Questionnaire (wealth index, possession of items, family composition, access to water, child discipline, child labor...)
• Direct interviewing
  • Individual Women Questionnaire administered to women age 15 – 49, a subset of which is 15-19 years old. For some themes such as violence, marriage, early pregnancy sexual behavior, retrospective information is also collected that allows to get information for younger ages.
  • When applicable Individual Male Questionnaire administered to men age 15 – 49, a subset of which is 15-19The first task of the selected consultant will be to prepare and submit for approval to UNICEF a methodology plan for the analysis, specifying the indicators that will be studied and the level of disaggregation that will be considered.  
  • The second and final task will be the preparation of a full report describing and analyzing the data.
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PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR EVALUATION OF RESULTS

• Timeliness
• Comprehensiveness
• Accuracy

DELIVERABLES TIMELINE AND PAYMENT

QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Academic qualifications

Level of academic qualifications: Advanced University degree

Field of academic qualifications: Epidemiology, Public health, Monitoring and Evaluation or other related field

Work Experience

Five years of experience in epidemiology, statistics, in particular in LAC region

Experience in research methods and scientific analysis and writing

Language skills

Fluency required in: English and Spanish

CONSULTANTS WORK PLACE AND TRAVEL

Tasks can be performed remotely. In case some travel will be required, this will be discussed and agreed between the consultant and the supervisor. The costs of such displacement will be covered by UNICEF outside of the agreed fees of this consultancy.

DURATION

Only Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

CLOSING DATE:

22 March 2017

To view our competency framework, please click here. 

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable).  Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.