HRI seeks an independent consultant to document community-based harm reduction programming models in Indonesia

Consultancy:

To document community-based harm reduction programming models in Indonesia

Background:

In 2012, UN agencies issued a joint statement calling for the closure of compulsory drug detention and rehabilitation centres and for the implementation of ‘voluntary, evidence-informed and rights-based health and social services in the community.’[1] Alongside human rights groups, HIV/AIDS and harm reduction organisations, they expressed serious concern at the very existence of these centres that detain people who use drugs and sex workers in the name of “treatment” or  “rehabilitation”. Detention in these centres has been reported to involve physical and sexual violence, forced labour, sub-standard conditions, increased vulnerability to HIV and tuberculosis (TB) infection, denial of health care, and other measures that violate human rights.

Within Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, India and China, civil society organisations provide a range of community-based services to people who use drugs that are accessed voluntarily and are evidence-informed and rights-based. Between 2014-2015, Harm Reduction International (HRI) will work with local civil society researchers and partners in these six countries to document community based harm reduction models employed by civil society. This work forms a component of Asia Action, a three-year European Commission-funded harm reduction policy and advocacy project coordinated by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance.

Consultancy details:

HRI is seeking an independent consultant to document community-based harm reduction programming efforts in Indonesia. Data collected will be used by HRI and local civil society partners to promote voluntary, community-based alternatives to the compulsory detention of people who use drugs in Indonesia and across Asia. The consultant should be familiar with harm reduction programming in Indonesia, have experience with primary data collection within health programmes (preferably HIV or harm reduction), and have an understanding of the information that needs to be gathered in order to inform advocacy on community-based harm reduction programmes.

The research should focus on answering the following core questions:

What models of treatment and harm reduction programming operate in Indonesia? What are the relevant policies, guidelines and frameworks that relate to these programmes?

What are the key features of the community based programmes being documented (i.e. Rumah Cemara and Rumah Singga Peka), with particular attention to:

(a)  The available interventions provided as part of the programme;

(b)  The extent to which this programme applies a comprehensive harm reduction approach, including any links or referral systems to other health and social care;

(c)  Key features that make it effective (e.g. results, documented impact);

(d)  Key features that make it community-based;

(e)  The extent to which people who use drugs are involved in programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

(f)    Estimated costs of programme implementation.

What are the barriers to implementing and scaling up these models? How can these be addressed?

In the local country context, what key information/evidence do we need on community based models in order to advocate for them more effectively?

The local consultant will be managed by HRI, in close collaboration with a local Policy Manager. Excellent language skills in English writing and communication are required for this consultancy. The position will involve travel to Jakarta, Bogor, and Bandung.

The findings from the 6 countries above will then be compiled by HRI in a policy report in English and local languages with the aim of providing an insight into the varying approaches taken and promoting them as community-based alternatives to compulsory treatment.

Deliverables:

The consultant will be required to provide the following:

(1)  Strategy and timeline for data collection, to include:

·       Initial mapping of what information is already available on the programs that will be documented, and methods/tools by which information will be gathered;

·       List of programmatic and other features that will be documented, in line with the core questions listed above (e.g. program effectiveness indicators such as client uptake and follow up, range of services provided, voluntary/compulsory status, etc.);

·       Key information sources and relevant in-country contacts;

·       Schedule of site visits, communication with local stakeholders, and data gathering.

Deadline for deliverable 1: one week after hiring date

(2)  Narrative overview of available treatment models within the Indonesian context and policy context under which they operate (approximately 1000 words).

Deadline for deliverable 2: 27 June, 2014

(3)  First draft of findings, including summary of each programme and ways in which it is effective, existing barriers to implementation, and recommendations for policy.

Deadline for deliverable 3: 19 July, 2014

(4)  Final draft of narrative overview and findings from data collection, following feedback from HRI and local Policy Managers.

Deadline for deliverable 4: 15 August 2014

Place of Work: Jakarta/Bandung/Bogor (Flexible)

Reports to:

Senior Research Analyst, Harm Reduction International, London, UK and                                 Public Health Analyst, Harm Reduction International, Jakarta, Indonesia

Duration of Consultancy:

The work comprises approximately 15-20 work days between June and August 2014, and should be completed by 15 August, 2014. For more information on the fee provided for the work, please contact claudia.stoicescu@ihra.net.

How to apply:

Please send a CV and a cover letter detailing what you would bring to this consultancy to claudia.stoicescu@ihra.net by Monday, 5th May, 2014.