1.BACKGROUND
With an adult HIV prevalence of 10.6%, Malawi registers approximately 35,000 new infections each year. Although HIV prevalence has declined over the past decade, additional strategies to prevent HIV acquisition are needed.
In 2005 and 2006, randomised clinical trials in three African countries ; Kenya, Uganda and South Africa, demonstrated that medical male circumcision reduces the risk of female-to-male sexual transmission of HIV by roughly 60 percent . More recently, population based data from ongoing research in Orange Farm, South Africa, have shown a reduction in HIV prevalence of 55% and a 76% reduction in HIV incidence among circumcised men. Thus, Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) is an exceptional HIV prevention method, in that it offers substantial partial protection against female-to-male sexual transmission of HIV.
In 2007, WHO issued recommendations to implement VMMC in settings with high HIV prevalence and low prevalence of male circumcision. WHO further recommended Early Infant Male Circumcision (EIMC) as it contributes to a more sustainable approach to increasing male circumcision in the country and thereby reducing new HIV infection. In 2007, Malawi conducted a Situation Analysis of Male Circumcision showing that religion and culture are the key determinants for uptake of male circumcision. Malawi has a low prevalence of MC with a national circumcision rate (any circumcision including for purposes of initiation rite) between 20.7% and 26.7% of men. Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision rates are even lower at 11 percent among Malawian men. Thereafter, Malawi included VMMC in the HIV Prevention Strategy and developed a National Policy on VMMC and VMMC Communication Strategy.
At present, VMMC is being offered in nine districts, supported by PEPFAR, with roll out to the remaining districts expected in 2015-2016, supported by the World Bank. The target age group is 10 to 34 years. The World Bank funding includes support to introducing EIMC in the public sector.
The establishment of an EIMC programme in Malawi follows the action plan that member countries of the East and Southern African Region agreed to during the March 2014 EIMC meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa after noting that EIMC is a sustainable and an effective HIV prevention strategy that could reduce the rate of HIV transmission in the long term.
The Ministry of Health (MoH) has developed an EIMC Roadmap to oversee implementation of EIMC in the country. Based on the Roadmap, the MoH, in collaboration with UNICEF and other partners, seeks a consultant(s) to conduct an acceptability and feasibility study on EIMC in Malawi.
UNICEF is therefore inviting qualified individuals to conduct a study to explore the acceptability and feasibility of providing EIMC in Malawi and to conduct a situation analysis of EIMC in Malawi.
2.SCOPE OF WORK
- Support the Government to design and implement a feasibility study to guide the implementation of the Reintegration Framework. The study should include a hypothesis and should conform to international standards on the definition of a Feasibility Study and a Model.
- Identify institutions and children to be involved in the feasibility study.
- Conduct regular briefing meetings on the progress of the study with the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare and the Better Care Network.
- Conduct national level stakeholder briefing meetings on the progress of the feasibility study.
- Conduct a study participatory assessment in November 2016.
- Support the government to advocate for the enactment of the Adoption Act and the processes leading to the ratification of the Inter Country Adoption.
3.METHODOLOGY
This is a qualitative study that will be conducted in purposively selected districts that represent differences among Malawians. Methods will include:
• A desk review on both adult and early infant male circumcision in Malawi
• Focus group discussions and key informant interviews with pregnant women; new mothers and fathers, healthcare workers, traditional leaders, men who have undergone VMMC
• Secondary data analysis of facility-based EIMC, including who is conducting EIMC, pre- and in-service training, availability of equipment, reported adverse effects
• Review of pre-service training curriculum on EIMC
4.EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE
- Master’s degree or higher in Health Sciences, Behaviour change, Public Health or any health related discipline.
- At least 5 years’ experience of working in the HIV/AIDS and public health sectors
- Demonstrated experience in designing and conducting qualitative research in public health interventions
- Knowledge of the design of the Malawi health care system
- Experience working in VMMC is an advantage
10.DURATION
90 days
HOW TO APPLY:
11.METHOD OF APPLICATION
Qualified candidates are requested to submit:-
Qualified candidates (national and or international, but legally residing in Malawi) are requested to submit a cover letter, performance evaluation report (if applicable), CV and Personal History Form (P-11 form) to be downloaded from the website http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html), a financial proposal (including all eligible fees, transportations and DSA for desktop research, data collection, and fieldwork, communication, presentation costs)on or before 7 July 2015 via e-mail address:hrmalawi@unicef.org
NOTE:
· UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff. Well qualified candidates, particularly females are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Only shortlisted applicants will be acknowledged.
- Applications sent through the post office or hand delivered is not accepted.
UNICEF IS A SMOKE FREE ENVIRONMENT
