Subject: Technical Consultant needed on Capacity Strenthening of MSM CBOs in
Mongolia


TERMS OF REFERENCE

Title: Capacity strengthening of MSM Community-based organizations in Mongolia
Ref. No.:
Job Title: Technical Consultant
Duration: 2 up to 3 months beginning from June 2008
Location: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

1. Background:

Mongolia is a low prevalence country.  As of April 2009, Mongolia has 53
reported HIV/AIDS cases with 8 AIDS-related deaths.  More men are HIV-positive
(77 percent or 41 people) than women, and 85 percent or 35 men of all infected
men are MSM . Dominating route of HIV transmission is unprotected sex between
men and unprotected paid sex .

Men having sex with men (MSM) are currently the group most at risk of HIV
infection in Mongolia. To date, due to societal pressure and family
expectations, many MSM in Mongolia marry and live double lives – having sexual
relationships with their wives while secretly engaging in sex with multiple male
sexual partners. MSM thus constitute a potential means for HIV to spread into
the general population.

Stigma, discrimination and violence remain significant issues for the gay and
MSM community and most stakeholders reported that the MSM population is still
largely hidden and difficult to reach for that reason.

At present there are three organizations focusing on HIV prevention among MSM:
"Together", "Youth for Health" and the recently established training and
resource center. These NGOs undertake outreach, peer education, counselling, and
condom distribution, refer for or provide HIV and STI testing, and undertake
public education through the media. "Together" NGO was established in 2003,
initially as a CBO, with support from the National AIDS Foundation (NAF), and
became an NGO in 2005. The gay community had long been requesting support for a
confidential hotline service.

"Youth for Health" NGO established in 2003 with support from the National AIDS
Foundation, primarily targets MSM's sexual health. They currently have four full
time staff: an executive director, accountant, project worker, and an outreach
worker and a part-time psychologist, in addition to volunteers. They undertake
outreach and peer education to provide gay men with STI and HIV prevention
knowledge; make referrals to VCT and STI services; undertake IEC and media
activities (TV and print materials) in part to reduce stigma and discrimination,
and occasionally organize social events for the gay community. Outreach and peer
education are done both in person and through their website, which includes a
question and answer section and a chat.

Coordination among those working with MSM is limited to some joint undertakings.

Prevention work among MSM seems to be having a positive effect, but HIV
prevention interventions specifically for MSM have been small-scale, reaching a
limited population exclusively in Ulaanbaatar (except for the internet site).
The 2006 Rapid Assessment of Sexual Behaviour among Men who have Sex with Men
(MSM) estimated that there are 11,500-15,000 sexually active men with homosexual
and/or bisexual orientation in Mongolia, half of whom have sexual relationships
with both men and women. "Youth for Health" reports that 100-150 MSM regularly
participate in their activities; 100-120 MSM participate in their community
outreach and social activities (parties, sport, debates, recreational
activities) organized at least once every two months; 40 MSM are reached by
their outreach worker a month; and 15-20 MSM participate in their monthly day
long education programs. Their website has approximately 400 registered users
both in and outside of Ulaanbaatar.

"Together" reports are having reached about 300 MSM since their establishment
in 2005. Clearly, most MSM are not yet being reached.

Challenges for prevention among MSM as outlined in the Comprehensive review
report include:

Inadequate funding to implement programs and provide certain services
consistently, for example, psychological counselling;
Insufficient organisational and technical capacity of MSM NGOs;   Reaching
greater numbers of MSM within and beyond Ulaanbaatar;
•    Fostering greater unity, trust, and collaboration among MSM NGOs;
•    Evaluating the quality and effectiveness of activities addressing MSM.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy:
The main purpose is to assist the MSN NGOs in the development of costed
organizational strategic plans with a built in M&E plan through series of
participatory sessions.

3. Scope & Tasks:
Following activities are expected to be carried out:

Desk review of policy and programme documents, progress reports, project
proposals survey and research reports, evaluation reports, media reports and
other data sources;

Interviews and group discussions with MSM community organizations and members

Meetings with key stakeholders including UN organizations;

Visits to organizations and institutions implementing HIV/AIDS and STIs
prevention, treatment, care or support programmes or services for MSM community;

Organize learning sessions or focus groups on certain topics identified by the
community

Assist the office staff on how to use the internet effectively for networking

Lead the development and finalization of organizational strategic plans;

Provide recommendations for MSM organizations on how to improve organizational,
technical and financial capacities;

4. Logistics:

Moderate accommodation, round trip and a monthly allowance up to 2000 USD
depending on the person's qualifications will be covered.

Translation services are available during the training sessions, interviews.

5. Qualification and experience of a consultant:

The consultant shall possess a postgraduate degree in any of the following
disciplines: Public Health, Development Management and Development Policy or
related field.

The person should have at least 3-years of working experience in MSM
community-based organizations, preferably in developing countries.

In addition, he/she should have excellent communication skills with an ability
to supervise and support a team of MSM Community; have excellent writing skills
in English and computer skills.

6. Time and scheduling:

The consultant is expected to work for two and up to three months in the second
half of2009.

Task Manager
Dr. Altanchimeg Delegchoimbol
UNAIDS Focal Point
UN House-1, United Nations Street 12
P.O.Box 46/1009
Ulaanbaatar-210646, Mongolia
Phone:


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