National Consultant PLHIV Stigma Index Studies 2026

Job Description

 Position: National Consultant  PLHIV Stigma Index Studies 2026

Assignment: Conduct PLHIV Stigma Index studies in 2026. 

Duration: 20 days

Re-advert date: 19 February 2026

Application Deadline:  06 March 2026 

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 (national consortium ) with expertise in supporting study conduct, including Stigma Index studies in Sierra Leone in the past four years to work with an international consultant to deliver a stigma index study in  Sierra Leone. 

The selected consultants will support the study process, including study participant recruitment, field training and monitoring, data collection, organizing and conducting FGDs and IDIs, data analysis, report writing, community engagement, and study material collation.  

The consultant (nationals) will work under the guidance of Global Fund Technical Advisors (national and international), NAS, and PR2 (World Vision International Sierra Leone), led by the Chief of Party, to support the delivery of 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 support the study process for the conduct of an ethically sound stigma index study in Sierra Leone

Key Components and Scope of Work:

• Team composition 

Consultants should comprise a multi-disciplinary team with the capacity to coordinate and monitor data collection, conduct data analysis and write a report 

• Data Collector Recruitment 

Work with the Network of HIV Positives (NETHIPS) in Sierra Leone to recruit community members, including the key population, with the capacity to collect primary and secondary data in a confidential and ethical manner.

• Methodology 

Deploy 5 field coordinators to monitor data collection across Sierra Leone 

• 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.

• Data collection instrument set up

 Work with the international consultants to transcribe developed questionnaires into tablets

• Training

 Train data collectors using developed modules and ensure data collectors have the capacity to collect data using electronic data collection tools 

• Data Collection:

 Guide data collectors to collect ethically sound data across all genders, populations, health facilities, districts, and regions. 

• Data Analysis:

Under the supervision of the international consultant, analyze primary and secondary data collected at the field level, including conducting transcription and analyze qualitative data 

• Community Engagement:

Organize and select venues for Focused Group Discussions FGD and in-depth interviews (IDI). 

• Stakeholder Workshops:

 Consult the developed roadmap to support the dissemination of study findings across levels, including health care workers

1. Reporting 

In collaboration with the international consultant, support the writing of a comprehensive report of the study’s findings. 

1. Tool and Questionnaire Development

 Work with the international consultant to review existing tools, including the stigma 2.0 documents, to adapt the questionnaire and ensure relevance to the planned study  

Deliverables 

The consultants/ consortium will:

• • Ensure the study process is ethically sound and follows research rigor 
  • Recruit data collectors to respond to the research protocol 
  • Train data collectors on research protocols and data collections 
  • Transcribe questionnaires into electronic data collection tools 

• Train healthcare workers/ disseminate research findings 

• Analyze findings of research  

Qualifications and Experience 

Basic 

The consortium/ consultants must have capacity for field coordination monitoring, an analyst with capacity to analyze data, SPSS expertise and health informatics with ODK, CommCare and Kobo collect knowledge

 Formation will comprise candidates with a background in social sciences, including public health, epidemiology, sociology, anthropology, statistics, medicine, and related disciplines  

Possesses capacity with relevant experiences in support of research conduct, including protocol interpretation 

Formation must be based in Sierra Leone and have supported similar studies in Sierra Leone with knowledge of HIV programming 

Excellent knowledge of MSW, PP, Excel, SPSS, etc. 

Must be fluent in English and a creative writer

Desirable

• Have published research in a relevant discipline. 
•  Have documented and is willing to share relevant works carried out in the past  
• Demonstrating evidence of collaboration with other researchers  

Application Requirements 

• The candidate will submit a comprehensive CV reflective of team members with past experience in completing related tasks  
• The candidate will create a two-page technical proposal outlining the steps necessary to complete the assigned task, including a detailed work plan.
• The candidate will submit a detailed financial proposal in a separate MSW and Excel document accompanying the technical proposal for the assigned task 
• The candidate will share reports and studies in the field of HIV/AIDS/ relevant field supported in the past, written in English

Application should be sent  not later than March 06th, 2026 on the following email with Subject National Consultant HIV Stigma index studies : wv_sl_supplychain@wvi.org and copy evarde_rugwizangoga@wvi.org ,