TERM OF REFERENCE FOR THE RECRUITMENT OF 10 SUPERVISORS FOR THE INDEX 2.0 STUDY ON STIGMA OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV LIVING WITH HIV IN CAMEROON

1. BACKGROUND  
In Cameroon, stigma and discrimination have an impact on the identification and diagnosis of PLHIV within the population through the refusal to use HIV testing services and the denial of HIV status in the event of a positive result. . They also have an impact on the initiation of treatment and the suppression of the viral load through the refusal to accept the HIV-positive status, the low adherence to treatment or its interruption, the low retention in treatment and subsequently a low suppression of the viral load. Stigma remains one of the main barriers preventing PLHIV from accessing health care. According to the pilot survey “Stigma Index of PLHIV 2.0” from 2017, 14, 75% of PLHIV have chosen not to seek health care because of their HIV status. Stigma and discrimination are a barrier to voluntary counseling and testing and to effective HIV prevention and care services. This tendency to refuse to seek treatment, care and support fuels stigma and discrimination, and further reinforces this vicious cycle which disrupts the overall care of PLHIV.

This is because stereotypes and fears persist until people living with HIV are weakened and suffer from the symptoms of the final stages of AIDS, and denial and silence reinforce the stigma against of these already vulnerable individuals. Stigma and discrimination are a barrier to voluntary counseling and testing and to effective HIV prevention and care services. This tendency to refuse to seek treatment, care and support fuels stigma and discrimination, and further reinforces this vicious cycle which disrupts the overall care of PLHIV. This is because stereotypes and fears persist until people living with HIV are weakened and suffer from the symptoms of the final stages of AIDS, and denial and silence reinforce the stigma against of these already vulnerable individuals. Stigma and discrimination are a barrier to voluntary counseling and testing and to effective HIV prevention and care services. This tendency to refuse to seek treatment, care and support fuels stigma and discrimination, and further reinforces this vicious cycle which disrupts the overall care of PLHIV. This is because stereotypes and fears persist until people living with HIV are weakened and suffer from the symptoms of the final stages of AIDS, and denial and silence reinforce the stigma against of these already vulnerable individuals. care and support fuels stigma and discrimination, and further reinforces this vicious cycle which disrupts the overall care of PLHIV. This is because stereotypes and fears persist until people living with HIV are weakened and suffer from the symptoms of the final stages of AIDS, and denial and silence reinforce the stigma against of these already vulnerable individuals. care and support fuels stigma and discrimination, and further reinforces this vicious cycle which disrupts the overall care of PLHIV. This is because stereotypes and fears persist until people living with HIV are weakened and suffer from the symptoms of the final stages of AIDS, and denial and silence reinforce the stigma against of these already vulnerable individuals.

The purpose of the People Living with HIV Stigma Index is to collect information on the stigma and discrimination experienced by people living with HIV. The results of this study should be used to inform policies and programs to address HIV-related stigma and discrimination nationally and globally. The
main objective of this study is to assess the level of stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV from the general population and key and priority populations (TS, MSM, DU, Transgender, prisoners) in Cameroon.
As part of the implementation of the Index 2.0 study on stigmatization of people living with HIV, the Cameroonian Network of Associations of People Living with HIV (RéCAP+) is looking for 60 investigators for 10 cities in Cameroon: Yaoundé, Douala, Buea, Bafoussam, Bamenda, Garoua, Ebolowa, Ngaoundéré, Bertoua and Maroua.
Form of contract: Contract for the provision of services
Duration: 20 days
Line reporting: National study coordinator
Location of position: 10 regional capital cities

2. General responsibilities
Supervisors will monitor data collection following the instructions and quality requirements set by the Study Steering Committee. More precisely, the supervisor position will involve the following missions:
• Lead the field team in achieving objectives (direct, manage, motivate, unite)
• Participate in training for appropriation of collection tools and methodology organized as part of the study
• Coordinate weekly meetings with investigators and participate in all other meetings with authorities and regional partners
• Ensure administrative management to facilitate collection
• Ensure compliance with collection principles
• Ensure the security of the collection site
• Ensure respect for confidentiality and the logistical layout of the collection site
• Supervise the collection of data by investigators
• Ensure synchronization of electronic data with the server
• Ensure archiving and securing the region’s data
• Manage the flow of participants on the collection sites
• Verify and validate the investigators’ activity reports
• Ensure the quality and integrity of the data through quality controls and backchecking
• Write weekly reports on the progress of data collection activities (the actual achievements on a quantitative and qualitative level) and ensure their transmission to the national coordinator and the study investigators • Work on the cohesion of the team of
investigators
• Ensure that collection objectives are met on time and that collection is carried out in accordance with the study design.
• Communicate regularly with the coordinator and investigators

3. Qualifications and skills required
     Qualifications
 Hold at least a scientific, literary, etc. baccalaureate or any other equivalent diploma; Bachelor’s degree and above will be appreciated
 Having participated in a national and/or regional survey
 Being a member of the community of people living with HIV is an asset
 Having worked in the community or humanitarian environment is an asset
 Having computer skills (Microsoft Office : Word, Excel)
 Strong oral and written communication skills in French and/or English and/or local languages ​​(ie the language most spoken in the city where the candidate wishes to be supervisor)  Being bilingual is an
asset

      Competency
 Demonstrate great interpersonal and communication skills
 Have a sense of responsibility and respect the principle of confidentiality so dear to investigative work
 Good mastery of information collection techniques
 Be able to work in a team, independently and under pressure within short deadlines
 Be fully available for the entire duration of the collection (20 days)
 Agree to work in an unstable environment in terms of security and difficult to access.

4. Submission procedure and closing date for applications
Interested candidates are invited to send their application files in a closed envelope with the mention “APPLICATION FOR THE POSITION OF SUPERVISORS OF THE INDEX 2.0 STIGMA STUDY OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV IN CAMEROON” to the RéCAP+ office in Yaoundé, located in Yaoundé 200 meters from the green city district hospital or at the email address recapcam@yahoo.com with the subject ‘application for the position of supervisor of the Index 2.0 study of stigmatization of people living with HIV in Cameroon specifying the city of affection, no later than September 15, 2023 at 3 p.m.
Application files must include the following documents:
1. A cover letter addressed to the Executive Director of RéCAP+
2. Certified photocopies of diplomas and/or certificates
3. A curriculum vitae including the contacts of two references
4. A photocopy of the national identity card.
NB:
1. Female applications are strongly encouraged
2. Each candidate must specify the city of their choice of work
3. Any application transmitted by a channel other than those indicated above will not be taken into account
4. Only pre-selected candidates will be contacted personally.