Blog

NATIONAL AGENCY FOR THE CONTROL OF AIDS (NACA)

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

ENGAGEMENT OF CONSULTANTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN TO REDUCE GENDER AND HUMAN RIGHTS BARRIERS TO HIV AND TB SERVICES

12^th May, 2025

1. Preamble

Nigeria has the second largest burden of HIV in Africa with a prevalence of 1.4%. Women aged 15–49 years are more than twice as likely to be living with HIV as men (1.9% versus 0.9 %). Among children aged 0–14 years, the prevalence is 0.2% (NAIIS report 2018). The HIV prevalence of adolescents in Nigeria is estimated to be 3.5%, the highest among countries in West and Central Africa (UNICEF 2017 report). Similarly, Nigeria is ranked 6th among the 30 high burden TB countries in the world and 1st in Africa with an incidence rate of 219/100,000 population. The country is one of the eight that accounted for two-third of the global TB burden and is listed among the 14 countries with the highest burden of TB, TB/HIV and MDR-TB (WHO global TB report, 2020). A total of 120,266 TB cases were notified in 2019 translating into a TB treatment coverage of 27%, with males accounting for 61% (NTBLCP Annual Report, 2019).

HIV is known to increase the burden of TB, while TB is the leading cause of death among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and was responsible for one-third of the estimated 690,000 deaths from HIV in 2019. Nigeria had an estimated 46,000 incident HIV positive TB cases in 2019 and HIV positive TB mortality rate of 14/100,000 population (WHO global TB Report, 2020). Almost one quarter of the estimated HIV positive incident TB cases remained undiagnosed in 2019 (NTBLCP Annual Report, 2019). These highlight the critical need to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of TB/HIV co-infection in the country.

Human rights-related barriers continue to keep people in need from accessing vital HIV and TB services. These barriers include HIV and TB-related stigma and discrimination, harmful gender norms, laws, policies and practices, gender inequality and gender-based violence. These barriers can be overcome by implementing and scaling up recognized, well-defined and evidence-based programmes. These programmes are expected to reduce stigma and discrimination, improve legal literacy (’know your rights’’), increase access to justice and prevent discrimination and gender-based violence. Furthermore, these programmes will enable communities of people living with HIV, TB and other key populations to monitor and improve the provision of health care, to organize around health-related rights, and to advocate for policies and practices that will increase access to services for HIV and TB. To this effect, NACA with the support of Global Fund planned to develop the National Strategic Plan to reduce gender and human rights barriers to HIV and TB services. Thus, the service of one (1) consultant is required to lead the processes involved.

To achieve the foregoing, NACA is seeking to engage a consultant for National Strategic Plan to Reduce Gender and Human Rights Barriers to HIV and TB Services

1. Pre-qualification requirement

To qualify for consideration, interested consultants are required to submit CVs including the underlisted documents below:

• Cover Letter
• Recent copy of CV
• Copies of all qualifications certificate
• Relevant experiences and supporting documents
• Consultant profile

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR)

CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL STRATEGIC PLAN TO REDUCE GENDER AND HUMAN RIGHTS BARRIERS TO HIV AND TB SERVICES

Nigeria has the second largest burden of HIV in Africa with a prevalence of 1.4%. Women aged 15–49 years are more than twice as likely to be living with HIV as men (1.9% versus 0.9 %). Among children aged 0–14 years, the prevalence is 0.2% (NAIIS report 2018). The HIV prevalence of adolescents in Nigeria is estimated to be 3.5%, the highest among countries in West and Central Africa (UNICEF 2017 report). Similarly, Nigeria is ranked 6th among the 30 high burden TB countries in the world and 1st in Africa with an incidence rate of 219/100,000 population. The country is one of the eight that accounted for two-third of the global TB burden and is listed among the 14 countries with the highest burden of TB, TB/HIV and MDR-TB (WHO global TB report, 2020). A total of 120,266 TB cases were notified in 2019 translating into a TB treatment coverage of 27%, with males accounting for 61% (NTBLCP Annual Report, 2019).

HIV is known to increase the burden of TB, while TB is the leading cause of death among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and was responsible for one-third of the estimated 690,000 deaths from HIV in 2019. Nigeria had an estimated 46,000 incident HIV positive TB cases in 2019 and HIV positive TB mortality rate of 14/100,000 population (WHO global TB Report, 2020). Almost one quarter of the estimated HIV positive incident TB cases remained undiagnosed in 2019 (NTBLCP Annual Report, 2019). These highlight the critical need to improve the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of TB/HIV co-infection in the country.

Human rights-related barriers continue to keep people in need from accessing vital HIV and TB services. These barriers include HIV and TB-related stigma and discrimination, harmful gender norms, laws, policies and practices, gender inequality and gender-based violence. These barriers can be overcome by implementing and scaling up recognized, well-defined and evidence-based programmes. These programmes are expected to reduce stigma and discrimination, improve legal literacy (’know your rights’), increase access to justice and prevent discrimination and gender-based violence. Furthermore, these programmes will enable communities of people living with HIV, TB and other key populations to monitor and improve the provision of health care, to organize around health-related rights, and to advocate for policies and practices that will increase access to services for HIV and TB. To this effect, NACA with the support of Global Fund planned to develop the National Strategic Plan to reduce gender and human rights barriers to HIV and TB services. Thus, the service of one (1) consultant is required to lead the processes involved.

Objectives of the consultancy

• To provide consultancy services for the development of the National Strategic Plan to reduce gender and human rights barriers to HIV and TB services.

Tasks/Responsibilities of consultant

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Gender, Human Rights and Care Support Services (GHRCS) Division of Community Prevention and Care Services, NACA to accomplish the following

• Conduct a literature review of existing Strategic Plans for the reduction of gender and human rights barriers to HIV and TB services.
• Develop a draft National Strategic Plan in line with current realities on gender and human rights facing the national HIV and TB responses and guided by global trends.
• Facilitate the review of the draft document during technical meetings with relevant stakeholders called by NACA.
• Incorporate inputs and feedback from the technical meetings into the draft Plan.
• Facilitate validation and finalization of the National Strategic Plan (2025 – 2029).
• Produce report on the consultancy service.

Deliverable

• A ready to print National Strategic Plan to remove of gender and human rights barriers to HIV and TB services (2025 – 2029).

Qualifications/Experience 

The consultant is to possess:

• At least a master’s degree in public health or social sciences with relevant specialization including gender, human rights, law, psychology, diversity studies, or sexual and reproductive health.
• At least 8 years’ experience in HIV and TB programming, gender and human rights mainstreaming and must be familiar with health and non-health sector programming in relation to HIV & TB in sub-Saharan Africa and Nigeria in particular
• Should have experience in the development of guidelines or related documents with job completion letter or award letter as evidence.
• Should have undertaken at least one (1) similar assignment in the last two years job completion letter or award letter as evidence. Duration of consultancy

• The duration of the consultancy service will be 20 days.

Remuneration

• The consultant will be paid competitive fees for the duration of the consultancy at a rate based on the current rate for consultants depending on qualification and experience.

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) will make available the necessary documents and reports and other information concerning this assignment. You may obtain additional information at the following address: National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) Ground Floor No. 3 Zinguinchor Street, Beside AEDC Office, Wuse zone 4, Abuja Procurement office

A candidate will be selected based on Fixed Budget (Not exceeding ₦100,000.00 per day) and individual qualifications (Curriculum Vitae and Experience)

INSTRUCTIONS TO SUPPLIERS

Submission of Quotations

Award of Contract

Accepting this invitation shall serve as an acknowledgement and agreement to abide by the Global Fund Code of Conduct for Suppliers.

GUIDELINE FOR SUBMISSION AND OPENING OF CVS

The detailed CV must be in English Language and submitted in two (2) hard copies one original & one copy) of the requested CV. The two copies shall then be enclosed and sealed in one (1) single outer envelope and clearly marked at the topmost right corner “National Strategic Plan to reduce gender and human rights barriers to HIV and TB services” and the Name, Address, Email and Phone Number of the Consultant boldly written at the back of the envelope, with acknowledgement to NACA office at the address below.

 Deadline for Submission: The deadline for the submission of proposal should not be later than Monday, 26^th May, 2025 by 12 noon. The submission(s) received will be opened immediately after closing at NACA Conference Room in the presence of consultants that choose to attend.

ADDRESS FOR INFORMATION AND SUBMISSION OF CVs

Attention:

Head Procurement

National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) 

Ground Floor Room 1.0

No. 3 Zinguinchor Street, Beside AEDC Office, Wuse zone 4, Abuja

Scoring Citeria

NOTES/DISCLAIMER

1. Late submissions will not be accepted.
2. NACA shall verify any or all documents and claims made by applicants and will disqualify consultants with falsified documents and claims.
3. If it is determined that submitted documents and claims have been falsified, the consultant may face prosecution in a court of Law.
4. NACA shall not be held responsible for any disqualified proposal as a result of any omission or deletion relating to the submission guidelines.
5. This advertisement shall not be construe a contract to any Consultant, nor shall it entitle any Consultant submitting documents to claim any indemnity from NACA.
6. NACA is not bound to shortlist any Consultant and reserves the right to annul the bidding process at any time without incurring any liabilities or providing reason.

Signed

Management.