ThaiNGO

Project Description

The Local Capacity Initiative (LCI) provides funding to 14 local civil society organizations (CSOs) to support the strengthening of policy and advocacy work around access to HIV-related services as well as general organizational systems strengthening.  LCI funding supports organizations that aim of promoting the ability of citizens to recognize and demand quality services in their community and act as advocates for the HIV-related health care needs of a country to hold governments accountable for service delivery. The Raks Thai Foundation (RTF) has received funding from the Local Capacity Initiative (LCI) from the USAID RDMA mission to “build a civil society consortium that supports national response to HIV and AIDS” (RTF proposal).  RTF and the consortia intends to achieve this goal by:

1) Improved technical and organizational capacity of consortium partners to provide effective, cost efficient, and sustainable technical assistance to enhance, broaden, and expand local and regional civil society advocacy efforts;

2) Improved capacity of local and regional civil society organizations to successfully award and award small grants to advocate for improved programs and policies for key affected population, as well as increased accountability of national HIV and AIDS responses.

Through targeted technical assistance, provision of small grants, and development of a business plan to sustain a regional technical assistance platform, the RTF led consortia will address policy barriers impacting access to services for key populations across the region. 

FHI 360, under the Advancing Partners and Communities Program, is a technical assistance provider for the Raks Thai Foundation.

Detailed Task Description:

FHI 360 is a technical assistance provider for the LCI in Thailand and is seeking a consultant to work with Raks Thai Foundation to manage the delivery of technical assistance, respond to rapid requests and liaise between RTF management and LCI (FHI 360) technical assistance providers.  As a part of the LCI process, RTF completed a policy advocacy systems self-assessment which informed the development of an action plan.  This action plan guides FHI 360’s work with RTF and covers: Use, translation and communication of data for policy advocacy objectives; Training of Trainers & Effective Facilitation Techniques; Training on the Policy Advocacy Cycle and applications; Monitoring & Evaluation for Policy Advocacy Training and mentorship; Technical Assistance (coaching, materials transfer and one on one support) for development of policy advocacy focused technical assistances packages; and USG Regulations Award Management.

The selected consultant would be responsible for liaising with RTF staff to plan for technical assistance; keeping in contact with key staff at RTF to follow up on TA provided; communicating progress back to FHI 360 APRO and HQ based staff; and troubleshooting quick issues for RTF staff. The selected consultant would be expected to:

-Build and maintain a strong relationship with RTF and staff working on the LCI program including the Chief of Party, Capacity Building Advisor, and other staff identified as point people for technical assistance.  Have regular check-ins to ensure that deliverables related to technical assistance are completed in a timely fashion, questions are addressed and help in the planning for technical assistance.

-Support RTF by responding to questions and concerns about USG award management.  Connect to FHI 360 APRO staff as and when needed to respond to questions and provide award management resources.

-Manage the planning and logistics of technical assistance events such as trainings, workshops, and document review.  Work closely with FHI 360 APRO staff to ensure any procurement of goods and services is in line with FHI 360 regulations.

-Provide feedback and advice to consultants and FHI staff providing technical assistance on how to best work with RTF, organizational needs, and how to best target technical assistance.  Review TA materials as and when requested.

-Support the identification of local consultants for technical assistance for other requested areas and provide guidance to the FHI 360 HQ team on prospective consultants and resources.  Follow all FHI 360 procedures for the solicitation and contracting of local consultants to fulfill items listed on the action plan.

-Provide oversight of technical assistance to ensure goals and objectives are met on time and quality services are provided.

-Provide regular communication to FHI 360 through reports, phone calls and emails to keep team abreast of progress, challenges and next steps.  Troubleshoot problems with FHI 360 staff via phone, skype and email communications.  Provide regular written reporting to FHI 360 HQ for deliverables including bi weekly progress notes and semi-annual reports.

-Along with APRO staff, attend monthly USAID partners meetings and report on FHI 360 TA progress, respond to questions and concerns, and follow up with APRO and HQ staff on next steps.

-Serve as the in country point of contact for FHI 360 on LCI and keep senior APRO staff abreast of progress and challenges through bi-weekly check in meetings.  

Consultancy Location and Travel

The consultant will be based in Bangkok, with some work at the FHI 360 Asia Pacific Regional Office in Bangkok.

Period of Performance

From March 7, 2016 to March 31, 2017. Estimated number of days: Not-to-exceed 100 days

Deliverables/Milestones

The contract will be considered successfully complete when the following deliverables are met:

*All due dates are subject to change based on the project needs and will be confirmed with the consultant. Action plan will be available to final selected consultant.

Remuneration and Expenses

Consultant will be paid an agreed daily rate for her/his services.  Payment will be made approximately 30 days after the successful completion of the deliverables and receipt of a correct invoice accepted by FHI 360.

The consultant will be reimbursed for authorized Activity Costs & Non-Travel and Travel Expenses.

Receipts will be required for business related expenses and require prior approval of the technical monitor.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will:

-Have demonstrable knowledge and experience with HIV/AIDS programs in Southeast Asia, with experience in Thailand preferable

-Have considerable experience working with or developing, implementing HIV interventions for MSM, MSW and/or TG

-Have experience managing and reporting on US Government funding, preferably USAID funding

-Have strong program management experience including overseeing teams to reach deadlines, troubleshooting issues and executing against workplans in a timely manner.  -

-Have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working with HIV/AIDS programs in Thailand

-Have experience with HIV interventions for men who have sex with men (MSM), male sex workers (MSW), transgender (TG) and or people living with HIV and AIDS (PLHIV)

-Have experience working in a team setting

-Have experience developing technical and other materials related to care and support (e.g., job aids, training curricula, and other tools)

-Have completed a Master Degree level or possess equivalent experience in a relevant field (e.g. public health, clinical science, nursing, medicine, international development, etc)

-Have an understanding of Thai civil society, and the organizations in the region as well as an understanding of advocacy systems.

-Be a Thai national or have native fluency in Thai and be able to work legally in Thailand

-Have strong English communication skills (reading, writing and speaking)

Evaluation Criteria (70 pts total)

-Technical Capability – 40 pts

-Experience with HIV Program in Southeast Asia Region and Thailand – 20 pts

-Strong knowledge of Thai civil society – 20 pts

-Past Performance/relative experience – 20 pts

-Proposed Price - 10 pts

Solicitation Terms and Conditions

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. FHI 360 is committed to providing equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran with respect to policies, programs, or activities.

FHI 360 may cancel the solicitation and not award

FHI 360 may reject any or all responses received

Issuance of the solicitation does not constitute an award commitment by FHI 360

FHI 360 reserves the right to disqualify any offer based on failure of the offeror to follow solicitation instructions

FHI 360 will not compensate any offeror for responding to solicitation

FHI 360 reserves the right to issue award based on initial evaluation of offers without further discussion

FHI 360 may choose to award only part of the activities in the solicitation, or issue multiple awards based on the solicitation activities

FHI 360 reserves the right to waive minor proposal deficiencies that can be corrected prior to award determination to promote competition

FHI 360 will be contacting each offeror to confirm contact person, address and that bid was submitted for this solicitation

Submissions

Applicants should submit the following:

-Applicant’s CV

-Cover letter outlining experience

-Proposed daily rate

Application and Deadline

Application deadline Friday, March 11, 2016.

To apply, please submit a cover letter detailing relevant experience and proposed daily rate in THB, and a recent CV to hr.thailand@fhi360.org.  Only short listed candidates will be contacted.