Myanmar: TEAM LEADER - INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT (Fourth National AIDS Spending Assessment (NASA) in Myanmar)

I. Background

The National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS 2016-2020 in Myanmar was developed in 2016. More commonly known as “NSP III”, it has three main objectives:

1. Reduce incidence among priority populations and their partners;

2. Facilitate and ensure viral suppression for all PLHIV;

3. Improve the enabling environment to support the response

To achieve these objectives, the NSP III identifies five strategic directions, namely:

Strategic direction I: Reducing new HIV infections

Strategic direction II: Improving health outcomes for all people living with HIV

Strategic direction III: Strengthening integration of community and health systems and promoting a human rights-based approach

Strategic direction IV: Strengthening strategic information and research to guide service delivery, management and policy

Strategic direction V: Promoting accountable leadership for the delivery of results and financing a sustainable response

The national multisectoral response to HIV and AIDS in Myanmar is implemented by the Government in collaboration with partners including national and international non-governmental organizations, bi- and multilateral agencies, private sector and civil society including community/faith-based organizations. Overall, there are approximately 40-45 organizations involved in the national HIV/AIDS response in Myanmar.

The most important sources of funding for the national response to HIV and AIDS in Myanmar are the GFATM, 3MDG, and PEPFAR. Myanmar has yet to adopt a decentralized fiscal system for financing development initiatives at the regional, provincial or community levels.

Myanmar, like other Member States, have committed to submit to the United Nations’ Secretary General, through the UNAIDS Secretariat, a progress report on the achievement of the Fast Track targets to be reached by 2020 and the SDG 2030 targets.

The Global AIDS Monitoring Report (GAM) includes four main elements of information:

Ø Indicator data to measure progress made with the national response;

Ø A narrative report describing progress, challenges and recommendations;

Ø The National Commitments and Policy Instrument (NCPI); and

Ø The National Funding Matrix summarizing AIDS spending by funding source.

Myanmar’s first NASA exercise was back in 2005, the second one in 2014 for the years 2012-2013, and the third one in 2016 for 2014-2015. This particular exercise is aimed for the years 2016 and 2017. The last two NASA exercises were very successful and provided much-needed detailed information regarding HIV expenditure as well as detailed data to properly complete the GAM funding matrix. Moreover, this year’s exercise assessing National Aids Expenditures 2016-2017 will be supportive for the mid-term evaluation of National Strategic Plan.

II. Objectives

The overall objective of the assessment is to capture health and non-health related financial flows and expenditures related to Myanmar’s national AIDS response.

Specific objectives include the following:

(a) to gather data to assess HIV and AIDS financing flows and expenditure in 2016 and 2017;

(b) to make data available that are needed to fill GAM funding matrix; and

(c) to develop national capacity to conduct NASA and strengthen the national resource tracking system to provide continuous key information on HIV/AIDS resource flow in Myanmar.

III.Methodology
A globally recommended methodological approach will be used using six variables (financing sources, financing agents, functions or AIDS Spending categories (ASC), production factors, providers of services and intended beneficiaries). This will allow building the foundations for a national expenditure tracking system that will ensure financial data is regularly collected and used to make decisions about investment of limited resources to address the epidemic.

IV. Scope of Work

Two consultants, one international and one national, will be hired for this assignment.
They will work hand in hand to apply NASA methodologies that have been developed by UNAIDS to assess the financing flows and expenditures in Myanmar for the past two years (2016-2017). The financing flows need to be accounted by reconstructing the financial transactions among the six economic entities described for the financing, production and consumption functions (as described in the “National AIDS Spending Assessment (NASA): Classifications and Definitions”.

To produce the results expected under these TOR, the consultants will conduct a survey involving all of the institutions involved in the response to HIV and AIDS at different levels in Myanmar.

In particular, the international consultant will be required to undertake the following tasks:

I. Desk review and preparatory work

1.1 Review information and data from various sources.

1.2 Meet with the NAP and partners in Nay Pyi Taw and the NASA Steering Committee to:

1.2.1 Be briefed on national epidemic and response

1.2.2 Explain NASA methods and lessons learned from other countries

1.2.3 Refine NASA work plan to produce the desired outputs and outcomes

1.2.4 Finalise the data collection instruments

II. Capacity development

2.1 Facilitate a meeting to introduce NASA aims and methods to stakeholders.

2.2 Train NASA team in specific data collection methods and tools, how to operate NASA tool and carry out the data entry, cleaning, analysis and interpretation.
2.3 Advise NAP and national NASA Team on technical issues (onsite and via email).

III. NASA Data Collection and Analysis

3.1 Collect data from various sources

3.1.1 Collect data from secondary sources of information (e.g., financial reports).

3.1.2 Conduct a self-administered survey.

3.1.3 Carry out interviews with key organizations to obtain/clarify financial data

3.2 Process and analyse the data collected from different sources

3.2.1 Clean, analyse and interpret the data

3.2.3 Organize the data in a systematic way for easy future reference

3.3 Stakeholder validation of NASA preliminary results

3.3.1 Prepare and facilitate a meeting to validate NASA findings

3.3.2 Incorporate comments and suggestions from stakeholders

IV. Completion of data analysis and report drafting

4.1 Complete the data analysis based on recommendations made by stakeholders

4.2 Prepare a draft report including the findings and recommendations for the future

4.3 Incorporate comments of the Steering Committee and key stakeholders to finalise report

4.4 Complete GAM National Funding matrices for 2016 and 2017.

The international consultant will be supported by a national consultant who will be responsible in particular for the preparation of the in-country mission, compilation of data from existing sources, mapping of the national response, organization and facilitation of meetings with representatives of various institutions and collection of additional information and data that may be needed after the international consultant has already left the country and the analysis and interpretation of the data including the preparation of tables and graphs.

V. Expected Deliverables

1. A workplan that has been agreed by NAP, UNAIDS and the Steering Committee
2. An outline of the methodological approach and instruments to collect data for the NASA (assessment tools and guidance)
3. Agendas, ppts and materials to be used to conduct workshops and meetings
4. NASA methodologies and agreed approach to partners ready for NASA launching meeting
5. Raw and processed data obtained from the survey contained in an organized data base (filed according to organization in different folders)
6. All of the hard copies and electronic data files containing relevant data
7. Copy of background and other documentation used to inform and train team members
8. Improved capacity of national staff measured through their level of interest in NASA and ability to conduct this kind of survey in the future on their own.
9. Present and discuss the draft NASA findings and results at NASA validation meeting, and incorporate the discussions and comments in the analysis and report as needed
10. A comprehensive report with findings following agreed structure, including graphs and tables and reflecting comments of SC and stakeholders.

VI. Expected level of effort and timeframe:

The international consultant will be engaged for a total of 30 days from 1 October to 30 November 2018 of which s/he will spend at least 25 days in the country. S/he is expected to work hand in hand with the national consultant and train and mentor this person on site and remotely. Data to complete GAM 2016 and 2017 should be available by January 31, 2019. The draft report should be submitted by 15 December 2018 and the final report will need to be completed by December 31, 2018.

VII. Collaboration and reporting:

The consultant hired under these TOR will work under the overall supervision of the UNAIDS Country Director and the day-to-day supervision of the Strategic Information Adviser. The consultant will work closely together with the national consultant and coordinate efforts effectively with the NAP, UNAIDS and other partners.

VIII. Qualifications required:

◦ University degree in health economics, M&E, accountancy, social sciences or a related field

◦ At least seven years of professional experience including relevant experience in resource tracking, national accounts and spending assessments

◦ Thorough knowledge and relevant practical experience with implementing NASA in development countries a requirement

◦ Good understanding of HIV epidemics and national responses; a knowledge of the Myanmar context is an asset

◦ Experience with conducting surveys in developing countries and with the management and analysis of large quantitative data sets

◦ Excellent analytical, management and coordination skills

◦ Outstanding interpersonal, communication and facilitation skills

◦ Proficiency in spread sheets and word processing applications

◦ Strong oral and written English writing skills and experience in report writing

Interested candidates are requested to send their application with updated CV and cover letter to the Country Director, UNAIDS Myanmar, No. 137/1, Thanlwin Road, Kamayut Township, Yangon (Tel: +95 1 534498, 504832, 503816, 538087, 538938) or to myinta@unaids.org.

Please note that the deadline for application submission is 21 August 2018.