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..1. Area of expertise :
National Consultant for Review of the National HIV Strategic Plan 2021-2026
2. Purpose of consultancy
The overarching objective is to conduct an independent review of Nepal’s HIV response under the National HIV Strategic Plan (NHSP) 2021–2026 and generate evidence-based recommendations to inform the development of the next NHSP (2026–2031).
The specific objectives are to:
1. Evaluate the current HIV Epidemiology through analyzing the HIV trends of incidence, prevalence, and mortality.
2. Assess the program implementation and outcomes of current NHSP interventions.
3. Identify good practices and challenges that need to be addressed for effective program delivery.
4. Make recommendations to optimize program efficiency and impact, informing strategic adjustments.
3. Background
Since the first case of HIV was detected in 1988, Nepal has transitioned from low-level epidemic to concentrated epidemic. Key populations remain the focus of the National HIV Strategic Plan (NHSP) 2021-2026 and these populations include female sex workers, transgender (TG) sex workers, male sex workers, clients of sex workers, transgender people, gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs, prison population as well as migrants going to and returning from India.
The official estimated number of PLHIV is around 34, with an adult prevalence rate of 0.13%. New infections have declined over time from 2,600 in 2010 to 600 in 2024. Currently, 91% of people living with HIV know their status; of these, 84% are on treatment, and more than 97% of those tested are virally suppressed.
Nepal is committed to achieve the SDG goal 3, specifically target 3.3 pertains to “end the epidemic of AIDS and STI” and combating Hepatitis by 2030. The NHSP 2021–2026 was developed through wide stakeholder consultations and is currently under implementation. It provides strategic directions for an innovative, evidence-based HIV response that supports Fast-Tracking towards ending AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.
Innovative service delivery approaches for identifying and testing at-risk populations, initiating ART treatment, and ensuring retention and viral load suppression are strategic interventions outlined in the current national guidelines on HIV testing and treatment. Activities of national HIV program in Nepal are broadly categorized into two groups: (a) HIV prevention, care and support services; and (b) HIV testing and treatment services. HIV prevention services or programs mainly focuses on prevention of transmission of HIV. Different programs, such as distribution of condoms, lubricants, safe syringes, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and post exposure prophylaxis (PEP), are implemented in Nepal to prevent transmission of HIV from PLHIV to others. Similarly, HIV care and support services—such as psychosocial, physical, socioeconomic, nutritional, and legal support— are implemented through community home based care (CHBC) and community care centers (CCC) in Nepal to improve well-being and survival of PLHIV and their caregivers and orphans and other vulnerable children. The HIV testing and treatment approach have already introduced “test and treat” strategy, community led testing, self-testing and also adopted differentiated service delivery and multi-months dispensing model for ARVs in some scale.
In September 2025, the National Centre for AIDS and STD Control (NCASC)/ Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM), and external development partners (EDPs)/international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) agreed on an initial roadmap for developing the new HIV Strategic Plan (2026–2031). The National Center for AIDS and STD Control plans to develop a new five-year NSP for HIV. This plan will be based on the current review of the HIV program and will build on previous achievements, address ongoing challenges, and incorporate new technologies and innovative approaches to accelerate efforts toward ending the HIV epidemic.
The review of the current HIV program is essential to guide and provide practical recommendations for the new HIV NSP 2026-2031. The consultant is expected to conduct a comprehensive review of the National HIV Strategic Plan with the following objectives, method and scope of work.
4. Deliverables
Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to Nepal and the direct supervision of the Senior Public Health Specialist of Disease Prevention and Control, the consultant will work closely with NCASC and WHO Country Office Nepal to deliver the following:
Inception report
1. Submit an inception report, detailing the methodology, including activity planning and timeline.
Desk Review
2. A detailed desk review report summarizing findings and recommendations.
3. Conduct a situation analysis of the HIV epidemic, disaggregated by gender, key populations, and geography where possible, and assess progress towards NHSP targets.
4. Provide a set of documents, tools, and materials collected through the desk review.
Consultations and Joint Field visits
5. Tools and materials for program review (e.g., interview guides, data collection template, etc.).
6. A presentation for the debriefing of the joint field mission summarizing results and recommendations.
7. Conduct KII with stakeholders, partners and community members.
8. Facilitate the thematic, provincial (2 province) and national consultation of stakeholder for review of the HIV program, identify gaps and way forwards.
9. Recommend key programmatic and strategic adjustments, based on analysis and stakeholder discussions, to address identified bottlenecks and prioritize changes.
Final Review Report
10. Policy brief of the HIV program review including executive summary of the review findings and recommendations
11. Finalize the review report, incorporating feedback from the validation workshop, and provide an agreed set of recommendations and an action plan to guide the development of the NHSP 2026–2031.
5. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications:
Essential: Advanced University degree in medicine, public health, community medicine, health economics, health policy, or other relevant field.
Experience
Essential: 1. At least 10 years of professional experience in HIV/AIDS Program.
2. Experience in HIV programme planning and evaluating HIV strategies.
Desirable:
1. Experience working with CSOs, NGOs and key and vulnerable populations/people living or affected by the disease(s).
2. Experience working with donors, international health partners, and Government and civil society representatives.
Skills/Knowledge:
Essential:
· Knowledge of the healthcare systems, including RSSH and community health systems.
Strong technical and analytical skills, ability to assess, analyse, synthesize and provide recommendation on key system issues.
Strong facilitation, project management and analytical skills.
Good interpersonal skills, team-oriented, work adaptation in multi-cultural environments, proven ability to facilitate cooperation in a multidisciplinary team.
Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision, punctual, and dedicated to quality work.
· Ability to prepare concise, clear, and well-structured reports.
Languages and level required:
Essential:
Expert knowledge of written and spoken English
6. Location
NCASC and/or From Home as appropriate
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