Consultancy: Researcher with Public Health experience

The Arab Foundation for Freedoms and Equality is a regional organization dedicated to encourage and support sexual health, sexuality, gender and bodily rights movements in the Middle East and North Africa through capacity building, knowledge production, protection and advocacy. Established in 2009, AFE has been a driver of LGBTIQ+ rights in the MENA region supporting national organizations and local, regional and global advocacy to improve the quality of life of marginalized communities in the MENA region.

The M-Coalition (MCO) is the only regional network devoted to promote and support LGBTIQ health in the Middle East and North Africa Region (MENA) and is the health department for AFE MENA. MCO was founded in 2014 and works through advocacy, information exchange, knowledge production, networking, and capacity building. The M-Coalition strives to involve members of the LGBTQ community and people living with HIV and other Key Populations at all levels of its strategy, policy development and implementation, and internal governing processes.

Project Description

ChemSex, the recreational use of drugs for sexual purposes, has been identified as an emerging trend that is lately gaining attention in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Although first observed among MSM (Men who have Sex with Men), there are signs of ChemSex engagement among other populations. However, this practice remains most popular among gay men, transwomen, and trans-MSM. In the MENA region, there is little information regarding ChemSex and even scarcer educational materials on awareness and service provision.

In light of increased attention that ChemSex is becoming a more popular and frequent practice in this region, MCoalition under the Robert Carr fund (RCF) is working on conducting a study to produce a report on the situation of chemsexers in 3 countries in the MENA. The chemsex study aims identify the needs of Chemsexer while looking into their risky behaviors, mental health, drug use patterns, social media use and other variables.  Following this study, a website will be developed to support ChemSexers and provide them with the needed harm-reduction information. 

Job Description

A consultant will be hired for a period of 6 months to develop the Chemsex study in MENA with the support of the M-coalition team. The consultant will be required to elaborate the concept note, conduct a desk review, write a protocol, develop the research methodology, identify the data collection questions and methods, communicate with partners, organizations and doctors, train data collectors online, follow up on the data collection and transcription, compile the data, write the report, review and edit it after the reception of feedback and recommendations from partners and MCoalition team. The study should cover different aspects including accessibility to information (harm reduction materials, safe sex practices, etc.), STIs testing and treatment, the needs of Chemsexer, risky behaviors, patterns of drug use, social media use etc.

Qualifications / special skills or knowledge required of the consultant

Competencies

• Planning, coordination and organization: Ability to identify priority activities and assignments, allocation of appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work.
• Communication: Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English, Arabic, and preferably French too.
• Creativity and critical thinking: Ability to think out of the box and provide solutions to existing or emerging problems. 
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment.
• Ability to work independently, under pressure to ensure work is achieved to a high standard and in a timely manner.

Qualifications

• Degree in public health/social work/psychology/medicine and/or at least 5 years of experience working in research (Harm reduction, Drug Use, HIV, and other STIs)
• Experience working with Key populations, MSM, Trans*, and awareness
• Previous experience in conducting research, evaluations, report writing, analysis of data, statistics, service delivery and sexual and reproductive health.

Duration of contract

6 months contract, Starting date: As soon as possible.