Consultant TOR
Background
Founded in 1996, Harm Reduction International (HRI) is a leading NGO dedicated to reducing the negative health, social and legal impacts of drug use and drug policy. We promote the rights of people who use drugs and their communities through research and advocacy to help achieve a world where drug policies and laws contribute to healthier, safer societies.
We provide tools, strategic analysis, and evidence to support advocacy for the adequate funding of harm reduction. We track harm reduction funding trends globally - including support provided by international donors and domestic governments - and the impact these have on HIV and other health responses. We support advocacy for increased investment in harm reduction, including campaigning for the redirection of funding from ineffective drug law enforcement to harm reduction and work with national partners to gather evidence to inform budget advocacy.
Since Harm Reduction International (HRI) commenced monitoring funding for harm reduction over 15 years ago, the findings have been consistently dire. Available funding continues to be so far from meeting estimated need that the funding ‘gap’ is more accurately described as a failure to fund. Research undertaken by HRI revealed that in 2019, US$131 million was allocated for harm reduction in low- and middle-income countries – just 5% of the US$2.7 billion annual investment UNAIDS estimates is required for an effective response to HIV among people who use drugs by 2025.
The Global Fund provides at least 60% of all international donor funding for harm reduction. Many countries are over-reliant on the Global Fund to sustain and scale-up programmes reaching people who use drugs through country grants. The Global Fund is also a source of critical support for community-led and civil society advocacy for harm reduction and the legal and policy reform necessary to remove barriers to HIV prevention, treatment and care for people who use drugs. HRI provides strategic evidence and advocates for the Global Fund policies and processes that are supportive to increasing and optimising funding for harm reduction where it is needed most. HRI also provides support to country partners in evidence-based advocacy for the inclusion of harm reduction within Global Fund country funding request processes.
The 7th replenishment campaign aims to raise at least US$ 18 billion for 2023-2025 grant cycle. HRI has joined advocates around the world to call for a fully funded Global Fund. However, even with US$ 18 billion raised, there are additional efforts required to ensure harm reduction receives due prioritisation in grant applications and catalytic investments.
If replenishment falls short, the implications for harm reduction will be severe. An underfunded Global Fund stretched to capacity will dramatically and disproportionately affect harm reduction in LMI countries. Anything less than a full replenishment will lead to difficulties in sustaining harm reduction investments to save lives and rollback progress made in the reform of laws and policies that impede the HIV response and human rights of people who use drugs.[1]
The task
The consultant will take stock of the replenishment outcome and the implications for harm reduction funding within NFM4 country grants and catalytic investments. They will suggest actions to support the inclusion of harm reduction funding within NFM4 and strategise around the challenges that remain.
The consultant will be required to carry out the following tasks:
- Review the replenishment outcome documents, PAAR and UQD documents, TRP reports, Global Fund Strategy 2023-2028, Board documents, HRI publications on harm reduction financing and other relevant documents required for the assignment.
- Carry out semi-structured interviews with the Global Fund Board, Secretariat, GFAN, UNAIDS, Key Populations networks, harm reduction experts and other relevant stakeholders on the harm reduction to validate and augment the findings from the literature review
- Map out opportunities to influence NFM4 related Global Fund processes with a focus on harm reduction programming and advocacy, supportive legal and policy environments and community-led responses, with practical guidance and recommendations.
The consultant will be required to submit the following deliverable:
A report with analysis of the replenishment outcome on the harm reduction funding, PAAR and UQD over the past two grant cycles, that includes robust and practical strategies and recommendations to optimize the Global Fund harm reduction funding opportunities.
The report will be reviewed by HRI staff and external reviewers and the consultant is required to incorporate those inputs and feedbacks to the submitted report.
Timeline and
terms
The assignment is expected to take about 15 days during October/November 2022. The available fee is £4,125. Please send a CV and application letter to hiring@hri.global by October 9th 2022.
[1] https://www.hri.global/files/2022/02/28/GFAN_HRI_Global_Fund_Replenishment_Briefing.pdf