International Consultant – Stigma Index Studies 2026 Full Time NEW

Assignment: Conduct PLHIV Stigma Index studies in 2026.

Duration: 60 days

Overview

HIV and AIDS remain a public health challenge in Sierra Leone. About 86000 people are estimated to be living with HIV in Sierra Leone. The HIV prevalence is 1.7; however, prevalence is relatively higher among females compared to men, urban compared to rural settings and risk communities compared to the general population.

The epidemic is heterogeneous, concentrated and generalized, while stigma, discrimination and other factors continue to influence infection in Sierra Leone. Stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV are attributable to their HIV status or to their belonging (or perceived belonging) to a particular group based on sexual orientation, gender identity, involvement in sex work, or drug use.

The stigma and discrimination associated with AIDS/HIV are still very much with us, representing a significant threat to fundamental human rights and constituting persistent obstacles to the fight against the HIV epidemic, limiting access to prevention, screening and treatment services for those most at risk of infection. The contexts in which stigma and discrimination occur extend beyond the health sector to include education, the workplace, the justice system, families and communities, as well as emergency and humanitarian contexts.

To understand the impact of stigma and discrimination on the lives of people living with HIV, there is a need to gain insight into their perspectives, experiences and opinions.

The PLHIV Stigma Index uses participatory and operational research methods to understand the impact of stigma and discrimination on the lives of people living with HIV. It provides a tool to measure and detect changing trends in relation to stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV. The evidence gathered provides a comprehensive picture of how stigma and discrimination evolve over time within the population studied.

The National HIV/AIDS Secretariat in Sierra Leone, under the leadership of the PR2 (World Vision International Sierra Leone), with support from the Global Fund and technical partners, invites applications from a qualified consultant (one international) with expertise in conducting Stigma Index studies in Sierra Leone and other countries in the past four years to lead stigma index study I Sierra Leone.

The selected consultants will support the development, validation, and launch of the 2026 Stigma Index study.

The consultant will work under the guidance of NETHIPS, with Technical oversight from GNP+ and UNAIDS and support from partners including Global Fund Technical Advisors (national and international), NAS, and PR2 (World Vision International Sierra Leone), led by the Chief of Party, to come up with a PLHIV Stigma Index Study result for Sierra Leone, which will guide the country for critical decision-making and positioning in responding to the new grant request (Global Fund Grant Cycle 8).

Objectives

To lead the conduct of the stigma index 2026 study in Sierra Leone, facilitating evidence generation to mitigate the impact of stigma on new infections and service uptake in communities.

Key Components and Scope of Work:

a. Protocol

Develop a protocol on the study to be submitted to Sierra Leone’s independent ethics committee, ensuring the protocol receives clearance for study conduct, including responding to and clearing all queries raised by the ethics committee

The developed protocol will also receive approval from the international partnership

b. Methodology

Lead a mixed study on stigma across Sierra Leone districts, reflective of populations impacted and generating stigma and discrimination

The study will follow the 2020 standardized methodology issued by the International Partnership, with any contextual adaptations clearly justified.

c. Stigma Index Survey:

Develop a culturally sensitive and contextually relevant survey tool in collaboration with key stakeholders, including PLHIV, community leaders, healthcare professionals, and advocacy groups.

The survey will cover various dimensions of stigma, including social, economic, workplace, and healthcare-related aspects.

d. Sample Selection:

Collaborate with local NGOs, community-based organizations, and healthcare facilities to facilitate participant recruitment. Ensuring a representative sample of PLHIV from diverse backgrounds, including different regions, genders, age groups, and key populations participate in the study.

The sample must be inclusive of all sub-populations of people living with HIV who are above the national ageof consent.

e. Training module

Develop a tailored training module that meets study needs, ensuring data collectors have the capacity to collect relevant data for the study

f. Data Collection:

Developed data collector recruitment criteria and supervise the national consultants to train a team of enumerators and supervisors, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality, ethical considerations, and cultural sensitivity.

Utilize a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods to capture both numerical and narrative data.

g. Data Analysis:

Supervise a team of national consultants to analyze collected data, including transcription of text data,

Identify patterns, trends, and key drivers of stigma to inform evidence-based interventions.

i. Community Engagement:

Provide guidance to national consultants on conducting community workshops and focus group discussions to validate survey findings and gather additional insights.

j. Stakeholder Workshops:

Support the national consultants in developing a roadmap for organizing workshops with healthcare providers, policymakers, and community leaders to share survey results and collaboratively develop strategies for stigma reduction.

Advocate for policy changes and improved healthcare practices based on the findings.

k. Reporting

In collaboration with the national consultants, lead the writing of a comprehensive report and the study’s findings in MSW, and summarize them in PowerPoint presentations, including developing other dissemination formats such as policy briefs for appropriate levels of dissemination.

l. Tool and Questionnaire Development

Review existing tools, including the stigma 2.0 documents, to adapt the questionnaire and ensure relevance to the planned study

Deliverables

The consultant will:

• Lead and deliver a mix study stigma index study
• Develop training modules tailored to the needs of data collectors
• Developed study questionnaires and tools to be transcribed/programmed into electronic formats
• Develop Summarized powerpoint of key findings, including 3 other formats of dissemination for appropriate levels
• Submit an ethically sound protocol to the ethics committee of Sierra Leone for clearance
• Develop a clear roadmap for completing the assigned task within the specified period taken into cognizance that the Sierra Leone ethics committee takes two weeks

Qualifications and Experience

Basic

• Candidate must be a graduate from a recognized institution in the field of pure and social sciences, including public health, epidemiology, sociology, anthropology, statistics, medicine, and related disciplines
• Must possess a master’s degree in any of the relevant disciplines
• Candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of experience working in the field of HIV and TB
• Candidate will demonstrate experience conducting relevant studies in the past
• Candidate will demonstrate experience working in West African territories/ doing similar work in Western African territories
• Will have the ability to conduct sound research, be knowledgeable in good clinical practice and develop ethically sound protocol
• Excellent knowledge of MSW, PP, Excel, SPSS, etc.
• Must be fluent in English and a creative writer

Desirable

• A PhD in any of the above-mentioned disciplines
• Published papers relevant to the area of the assigned task
• Have documented and is willing to share relevant works carried out in the past
• Demonstrating evidence of collaboration with other researchers

Tagged as: Sierra Leone, World Vision