Abt Associates Inc.
USAID Sustainable Financing for HIV
NATIONAL CONSULTANT
To estimate out-of-pocket expenditures for HIV services in public facilities
Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research and program implementation in the fields of health, social and environmental policy, and international development. Known for its rigorous approach to solving complex challenges, Abt Associates was ranked as one of the top 20 global research firms in 2012 and also named one of the top 40 international development innovators. The company has multiple offices in the U.S. and program offices in nearly 40 countries.
USAID Sustainable Financing for HIV is a two-year project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Vietnam. The project started on October 1, 2018 and will end on September 30, 2020. The project builds on USAID’s existing support to the Government of Vietnam (GVN) to provide a program of targeted, innovative, evidence-based, and results-driven technical assistance. Building on its predecessor the Health Finance and Governance (HFG) project, the purpose of USAID Sustainable Financing for HIV is to help Vietnam mobilize and organize host country financing for HIV programs. This includes strengthening the capacity of GVN to achieve financial protection for health, and minimizing the out-of-pocket burden for people living with HIV (PLHIV) as they use comprehensive HIV services.
In the context of gradually reducing funding from international donors for the HIV/AIDS program in Vietnam, USAID Sustainable Financing for HIV will estimate the amount of patients’ out of pocket expenditures (OOPE) on HIV/AIDS preventative and treatment services, including antiretroviral services, treatment of opportunistic infections, and methadone maintenance therapy, and buprenorphine maintenance therapy at selected public (government operated) facilities. The results of this are intended to inform ongoing efforts to track HIV/AIDS spending from all sources, both domestic (public and private) and external sources.
Objective
To successfully execute the activity, USAID Sustainable Financing for HIV seeks a local consultant with demonstrated experience and knowledge of public health research (including HIV/AIDS and health economics) to oversee and coordinate the study, manage data collection efforts, provide quality assurance, conduct data analyses, and provide overall logistical support.
The consultant will work closely with VAAC and USAID Sustainable Financing for HIV to complete the work.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop survey instruments in collaboration with VAAC and USAID Sustainable Financing for HIV. Ensure survey instruments are accurately translated into Vietnamese. Lead in piloting the questionnaire and revising the questionnaire.
- Obtain ethical approval for the study from an appropriate Vietnamese-based ethical or institutional review board (IRB),
- Organize, execute, and lead data collection in collaboration with VAAC and USAID Sustainable Financing for HIV, including:
- Recruit, train, and oversee data collectors and data collection supervisors
- Create, test, revise, and supply survey instruments
- Arrange logistics for all data collection in the field
- Ensure quality of data collection, informed consent, and compliance with data security plan.
- Perform survey interviews when needed.
- Provide feedback and report any difficulties to USAID Sustainable Financing for HIV in timely manner.
- Conduct data analysis and share preliminary estimates of HIV OOPE, in conjunction with VAAC and USAID Sustainable Financing for HIV.
- Prepare report, in conjunction with VAAC and USAID Sustainable Financing for HIV.
Skills/Knowledge Required:
- Graduate degree in Public Health or similar disciplines
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS care and treatment program in Vietnam and its current context, especially at decentralized level
- Strong understanding of SHI regulations in general and for HIV/AIDS in particular
- Experience designing and using survey instruments, seeking IRB approval, and conducting survey interviews
- Demonstrate ability to work effectively with government agencies including VAAC, PAC, Provincial Department of Health and health facilities providing HIV treatment. Experiences in providing consultancy services to USAID and PEPFAR partners
- Working knowledge of English.
Duration: The assignment is planned for the period from May to October 2019.
Note: This position is based in Hanoi, Vietnam.
To apply, please send your application documents to the following email: [email protected] [1]
Deadline: 15 June 2019
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.