Consultant - Syphilis Free Start at Evidence Action

Scope of Work / Responsibilities: 

• Stakeholder Engagement:
• Maintain relationships on behalf of Evidence Action with key stakeholders in Ministries of Health, local GFATM country coordinating mechanisms, development partners, and other implementing partners;
• Conduct stakeholder mapping, where needed, to identify key decision-makers and influencers regarding GFATM proposal decisions and/or domestic funding commitments in the area of health;
• Serve as an advocate for dual (HIV & Syphilis) or triple (HIV, Syphilis, and Hepatitis B) elimination prioritization in multi-stakeholder forums;
• GC8 Proposal Development Support:
• Participate in GC8 planning, budgeting, quantification, and proposal writing meetings with Ministry of Health stakeholders;
• Provide technical input on integrating HIV/syphilis dual tests and benzathine penicillin (BZP) into GC8 funding requests;
• Support development and revision of relevant national policies, guidelines, strategic plans, and operational plans related to dual/triple elimination, where needed;
• Support drafting of GC8 proposal sections related to PMTCT and congenital syphilis elimination;
• Review draft GC8 submissions and provide technical feedback;
• Assist in developing implementation roadmaps and M&E frameworks, where needed;
• Technical Analysis & Tools
• Conduct commodity quantification for dual HIV/syphilis tests and benzathine penicillin based on country needs;
• Utilize and adapt Evidence Action-provided tools and/or toolkits (e.g., quantification calculators, budget templates, policy alignment frameworks);
• Review costing and cost-benefit analyses developed to demonstrate the value proposition of dual testing;
• Support gap analysis to identify bottlenecks in the GC8 proposal process;
• Other
• Facilitate virtual meetings between Evidence Action staff and in-country stakeholders;
• Where needed, arrange logistics and schedule meetings for any potential in-country visits by Evidence Action program staff; and
• Support the operational and financial logistics required for Evidence Action to support up to two meetings / workshops related to the GC8 proposal development;
• Facilitate, if needed, Evidence Action’s attainment of an MOU or other legal agreement required to provide the intended technical assistance. 

Additional scope of work may be defined as activities proceed. Any expansion to the agreed scope of work will be negotiated in writing and agreed upon by both parties (Evidence Action and the Consultant).

Reporting & Deliverables

The consultant will report to Evidence Action's Associate Director of Syphilis-Free Start and will be expected to:

• Attend regular virtual meetings with Evidence Action global program staff;
• Submit monthly progress reports documenting activities, meetings attended, and key developments;
• Share technical documents produced as part of the GC8 proposal development support
• Submit a final country-specific summary report at engagement conclusion
• Contribute to cross-country learning and provide feedback on the usefulness of any Evidence Action-provided tools and/or toolkits;

Requirements

Essential Experience

• 10+ years of relevant professional experience in global health;
• Demonstrated experience supporting and/or participating in Global Fund proposal and budgeting processes, ideally across multiple funding cycles;
• Demonstrated experience providing technical assistance to Ministries of Health in the intended country;
• Deep knowledge of HIV prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) programming and service delivery;
• Strong understanding of maternal and child health systems in low- and middle-income countries; 

Technical Expertise

• Familiarity with Global Fund application requirements, templates, and review processes;
• Experience developing policy documents, strategic plans, and operational guidelines;
• Understanding of health systems strengthening and integration approaches;

Skills / Competencies

• Proactive and able to take initiative, identifying solutions and recommendations for improvements;
• Strong relationship-building skills with government officials and technical partners;
• Priority will be given to individuals who are based in or from selected focal countries;
• Oral and written fluency in English; with French and/or Portuguese fluency required in countries where this is the spoken language;