Consultant – Integrated Biobehavioral Surveillance (IBBS) Surveys and Population Size Estimation for Key Populations in Tunisia

Job Description

Contract Duration: 8 months

Context
Tunisia plans to conduct Integrated Biobehavioral Surveillance (IBBS) surveys and population size estimations to provide an updated epidemiological profile of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM), sex workers (SW), and people who inject drugs (PWID) in Tunisia in 2025. The implementation of the IBBS and population size estimations will be guided by protocols developed by an international consultant. These protocols include a quantitative survey on HIV prevalence and behavior using respondent-driven sampling (RDS) methods, population size estimation using unique object and service multipliers, successive sampling population size estimation, and capture-recapture techniques. Both international and national consultants will guide the methodological processes.

Data from IBBS surveys are essential for understanding the scale and determinants of the HIV epidemic in the country. Current trends indicate that prevention, care, and treatment programs should be strengthened, particularly interventions for key and vulnerable populations. Accurate knowledge of key populations—including size, HIV and STI prevalence, and access to testing and prevention services—is critical for planning high-impact interventions. The National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS 2021–2025 reflects Tunisia’s commitment to the global goal of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.

This Terms of Reference concerns the implementation of population size estimations and IBBS surveys targeting MSM, SW, and PWID in Tunisia, as part of the Global Fund action plan and in coordination with the National AIDS Control Program (PNLS). UNDP will provide the technical assistance required for the study.

Objectives
The specific objectives of the IBBS and population size estimations are to:

1. Determine HIV prevalence
2. Understand sexual and other risk behaviors
3. Assess knowledge and acceptability of HIV prevention (pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, self-testing), care, and treatment
4. Measure coverage of prevention interventions and services
5. Assess knowledge and stigma related to HIV
6. Measure stigma and violence affecting key populations
7. Understand social platforms and sexual networks
8. Measure population size

Tasks and Responsibilities

Stage I: Formative Research

• Conduct formative research to better understand target populations, community networks, motivations, meeting places, available health services, and recruitment/incentive methods.
• Identify and map usual gathering places of key populations, ensuring study sites are accessible and safe.
• Organize focus groups with at least six participants per group (MSM, SW, PWID, and transgender) with oral consent, maintaining confidentiality.
• Recommend adaptations to study protocols, recruitment strategies, and incentives while considering stigma, discretion, and mobility.

Stage II: Planning

• Collaborate on the development of study tools, manuals, guides, and questionnaires, and on the planning and monitoring of participant incentives.
• Supervise submission of protocols and related documents to relevant authorities.
• Assist in piloting and validating paper and tablet-based questionnaires.
• Oversee logistics for survey site preparation.
• Coordinate training of survey staff, including reviewing international consultant materials and delivering presentations.
• Ensure appropriate physical organization of survey sites in collaboration with PNLS.
• Coordinate procurement of equipment and materials with the international consultant and technical working group.
• Coordinate with NGOs working with key populations to ensure successful survey implementation.
• Identify seeds for RDS and assist in interviews.
• Supervise the opening and first day of recruitment at each site.
• Train on-site staff as needed.
• Take meeting notes and develop standard operating procedures.
• Assist in designing and distributing unique objects for population size estimation, including staff training and monitoring.
• Serve as the liaison between logistics coordinators and the international consultant/UNDP.

Stage III: Fieldwork

• Support and coordinate field staff, including supervisors, outreach workers, counselors, and surveyors.
• Respond to logistical needs and unforeseen tasks during the project.
• Coordinate communication among collaborating organizations and the international consultant.
• Supervise the first three to five days at each site to train and assess staff.
• Conduct daily site visits to monitor logistics, technical progress, and protocol adherence; report issues to the international consultant/UNDP.
• Report protocol violations to the international consultant/UNDP and submit to the ethics review committee within a week.
• Supervise field coordinators to ensure technical requirements, participant recruitment, and database management are met.
• Ensure proper data entry and supervise the data manager.
• Monitor adherence to ethical procedures regarding informed consent, data collection, storage, and specimen handling.
• Oversee data quality and secure backups.
• Ensure timely delivery of survey materials, kits, and tests.
• Ensure biological samples are sent for confirmation testing.
• Provide weekly RDS database updates to the international consultant.

Stage IV: Data Analysis

• Organize and participate in data analysis workshops.
• Assist with data cleaning, merging, corrections, and translations.
• Review analytical tables and draft reports.
• Obtain necessary data from organizations for service multipliers.

Stage V: Dissemination

• Participate in data interpretation, report writing, and results dissemination.
• Support the organization of dissemination and consensus meetings on population size estimates.

Deliverables

• Inception report with work plan
• Detailed formative research report including focus group results, community network maps, motivation analyses, meeting site assessments, and recommendations
• Pre-survey report outlining preparations, challenges, and stakeholder meetings
• RDS dashboard updated every three days with key identifiers
• Laboratory quality assurance plan and reports every three days
• Mid-term survey progress report including protocol violations
• End-of-survey report detailing survey closure, protocol violations, and stakeholder communications
• Final dissemination report with participant list and process documentation

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in social sciences, research methods, or related field; specialization in public health or health policy preferred
• Minimum 5 years of experience coordinating research projects and logistics, preferably in public health
• At least 3 years of experience in HIV-related studies, population programs, sexual and reproductive health, or demographic studies; prior experience with HIV IBBS and population size estimation is an asset
• Knowledge of civil society and NGO activities in HIV/AIDS, including work with key populations
• Experience working with key populations
• Strong facilitation, presentation, and training skills
• Proven ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders

Deadline: 20-Oct-25 @ 06:00 PM (New York time)