RESULTS UK is seeking a consultant to source and write case studies highlighting the personal impact of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria’s long term and emergency funding in Ukraine.

Background:

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria is a critical tool in the eradication of the three diseases. Since its creation in 2002, the Global Fund has helped save 44 million lives. Overall, the number of deaths from AIDS, TB and malaria each year have been reduced by 46% since 2002 in countries where the Global Fund invests.

The Global Fund works with local experts in long-term, sustained partnerships across more than 100 countries to ensure strengthened health systems and to accelerate an end to the three diseases. The Global Fund also has in place an Emergency Fund which aims to mobilise additional financing in contexts where access to primary and secondary health care is limited due to conflict or humanitarian emergency, including for HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria. This has been critical in the response to the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine, for which the Global Fund has so far approved US$15m to support the continuity of HIV and TB prevention, testing and treatment services in Ukraine. Before the conflict began, Ukraine already received $119.4m between 2020-2022 in order to support TB and HIV services. Ukraine has the second largest HIV epidemic in Eastern Europe and Central Asia and the highest rates of multidrug resistant TB in Europe.

Investment in long-term health systems strengthening and humanitarian response aligns well with the UK Government’s priorities, particularly within the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, where the Secretary of State has articulated that ending preventable deaths of women and girls and responding to the Ukraine crisis are high on the agenda. It is well-documented that conflict has a major impact on health outcomes; so ensuring the Global Fund is fully financed in order to support emergency responses as well as longer term recovery in the region and in other areas of conflict like Afghanistan and Syria is critical.

In September, the USA will host the Global Fund’s 7th Replenishment conference, where they are seeking $18bn in pledges from international donors – or a 30% increase on 2019 pledges – in order to meet the increased need in the world as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Until now, the UK has been the third largest sovereign donor to the Global Fund and has consistently supported the Global Fund in their efforts to eradicate the three diseases and strengthen health systems. However, given the merger of the Department for International Development with the Foreign and Commonwealth office in 2020 and the ongoing reduction of Overseas Development Assistance from 0.7% of Gross National Income to 0.5%, there is a real risk that this year the Government will not step up.

Aim:

This project aims to make the case for the UK to reinvest in the Global Fund by providing case studies to accompany a narrative report (not within the scope of this consultancy). The case studies should emphasise the human impact of the Global Fund’s work, including as a mechanism for strengthening health systems, making progress towards ending the TB, HIV and malaria epidemics and responding to emergency situations like the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, and clearly set out the experiences of people directly impacted by the three diseases (patients, families and healthcare workers).

Project output:

Minimum of four case studies of one A4 page each to represent a diverse range of people impacted by the Global Fund’s work in Ukraine or the immediate region where Global Fund programmes have supported the response to conflict. Case studies should cover a minimum of two of the three diseases, including a narrative piece setting out each individual’s:

• Background and experience of living with or working with the three diseases
• Link to Global Fund’s work and impact of Global Fund programmes on them

Each narrative should be accompanied by:

• A mixture of long and short form quotes for use in mixed media
• Photos of the interviewee fitting for use alongside a case study for a parliamentary and policy audience
• Informed consent from each participant with regard to their participation in the project and the likely uses for their photos and stories

Project logistics:

£3000 for project duration – to be completed by end of April

To apply: Please send an expression of interest including a CV and an example of a relevant piece of previous work to clare.symonds@results.org.uk by 13th April 2022