BACKGROUND

The policy practices of illicit drug use are often grounded on inaccurate information about drug use and addiction as well as social norms that perceive drug use as immoral. High levels of stigma and discrimination towards people who use drugs (PWUD) have been traditionally perpetuated through criminalization of drug use, by both laws (i.e. incarceration) and the society (i.e. reduced opportunities of education and employment based on individual status). Additionally, key populations who use drugs including sex workers, transgender, people who inject drugs and men who have sex with men (MSM) experience multiple layers of stigma due to sex work and sexual identities/ orientation, in addition to drug use. In many settings, these behaviours are perceived as deviant, therefore producing greater social and health harms to these key populations.

Internal stigma among PWUD and people living with HIV (PLHIV) who accept negative views and self-devaluation has also been associated with poor health-seeking behaviour, social isolation and lack of empowerment to exercise their rights. There have been documented reports of workplace discrimination that resulted in job termination, offer retraction and anxiety-related issues.

There is a need to call for community-based, legal empowerment services that specifically target to reduce risks of stigma and discrimination associated with drug use. In Malaysia, although HIV service organizations have established strong rapport with key populations at-risk of getting HIV or living with HIV, legal assistance remains an unaddressed need, with lack of information about how to obtain legal aid, absence of linkages between HIV service organizations and legal service providers, as well as low levels of legal empowerment amongst PWUD arrested for drug offences.

The objective of this activity is to produce content for training modules and capacity building on legal aid provision for legal practitioners for legal support services catered to PWUD and PLHIV.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The purpose of this APW consultancy is to address stigma and discrimination against people who use drugs from the legal perspective by creating a stronger awareness and support mechanism for key affected populations.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Specific tasks of the contractor will be as the following:

• •  Refer to practical guideline on legal services for PWUD / PLHIV, and conduct consultation with relevant multi-stakeholder groups to get feedback and input for the capacity building module;
• •  Develop the capacity building module;
• •  Conduct capacity building training using the module on a test cohort of legal and peer paralegal practitioners on legal services, mechanisms and best practices for PWUD/PLHIV.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

The consultant will work in collaboration with government officials, UN Agencies, development partners, technical advisors and experts, civil society, and the private sector where necessary, to advance the understanding of the assignment. Activities will include:

• • Desktop review to identify key stakeholders.
• • Snowball sampling of key stakeholders.
• • Focus group discussion with stakeholder groups to get input and feedback.

Output/s

Output 1: To conduct consultation with relevant multi-stakeholder groups in order to produce training modules for legal and peer paralegal on legal services, mechanisms and best practices for PWUD / PLHIV

Deliverable 1.1: Produce a training modules for legal and peer paralegal on legal services, mechanisms and best practices for PWUD/ PLHIV

Output 2: To conduct four capacity building sessions using the modules on a test cohort of legal practitioners most likely to be referred to cases involving PWUD / PLHIV

Deliverable 2.1: Produce a workshop report with training materials for capacity building of legal practitioners

Deliverables

1. A training module for legal and peer paralegal on legal services, mechanisms and best practices for PWUD/ PLHIV
2. A workshop report with training materials for capacity building of legal practitioners

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Institutions with individuals possessing the following qualifications, experiences and skills:

Essential:  

• • The project team should consists of member(s) with at least a Bachelor’s degree or higher in public health, medical science, social science, humanities, legal studies or a related area (background in HIV/AIDS research and studies is an added advantage)
• • The project team should consist of member(s) with at least 3 years of experience (5 years or more will be an advantage) in HIV/AIDS research or work experience, demonstrating competency in HIV/AIDS development;
• • Evidence of writing on HIV/AIDS-related topics and content

Desirable:

• • Candidate with more than 7 years of specialised experience in public health and HIV/AIDS work
• • Organisations with more than 5 years of specialised experience in HIV/AIDS work
• • Knowledge of and/or experience in humanitarian work and community work
• • Experience in engagement with key populations
• • Excellent discursive writing and general written communication skills

LANGUAGES

Fluency in written and spoken English and Malay

COMPETENCIES

• Able to work across multiple teams or institutions remotely
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Fostering Integration and team work
• Communication in a credible and effective way

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Duration of contract: 2.5 months starting 15 October 2021

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and cover letter with proposed cost and timeline to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < [email protected] > by 30 September 2021

Please use Tender Notice No. 144989 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.