Background:

The mission of the Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP) is to conduct innovative and relevant health research in infectious diseases, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and reproductive health and to provide health related services in order to improve public health and inform policy. With funding from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/PEPFAR, RHSP is implementing comprehensive HIV/ AIDS services in the 12 districts in Masaka region namely; Rakai, Kyotera, Masaka, Kalungu, Bukomansimbi, Lyantonde, Lwengo, Sembabule, Butambala, Gomba, Mpigi, and Kalangala. The objective of this project is to achieve rapid HIV epidemic control in Masaka region through implementation of targeted, user-friendly, innovative, evidence-based, efficient, and sustainable differentiated service models for increased demand, linkage, retention and adherence to HIV services.

In support of the project objective, Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP) is launching an open call for proposals from Ugandan Organizations based in Masaka region including Community Based Organizations (CBOs), People Living with HIV/Aids Networks (PLHAs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to support the program in the areas of DREAMS programming, Orphans and vulnerable Children services (OVC) and community – facility referral and linkage to HIV Prevention, Treatment and care.

The Community – facility referral and linkage services aim at increasing the proportion of HIV positive children, adolescents and adults in care through facility and community-based activities that strengthen capacity of district health systems to promptly identify, link and retain clients into high quality care and prevention programs. These are being supported in all the twelve districts of Masaka region as listed above. We are looking for CBOs, PLHA networks or NGOs that have experience in supporting these services in any or all of these Districts. DREAMS programming aims at reducing HIV incidence among Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), aged 15-24 years by implementing interventions that reduce HIV risk in this category. The focus districts for DREAMS are Bukomansimbi, Gomba, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Rakai, Kyotera & Sembabule.

We are looking for CBOs that can offer the comprehensive DREAMS services package in any of these districts. Orphans and vulnerable Children (OVC) services aim at increasing the proportion of OVCs accessing and adhering to comprehensive HIV care services. There are 8 focus districts for OVC programming namely; Kalungu, Masaka, Mpigi, Sembabule, Lwengo, Lyantonde, Bukomansimbi and Kalangala. We are looking for CBOs that have experience offering the comprehensive OVC service package in any of the above mentioned districts.

All interested applicants must have/be;

• Locally registered with the relevant district and active with verifiable structures, including but not limited to a physical address.

• Previous experience working in the area of interest (DREAMS, OVC & Community facility referrals and linkages) is an added advantage.

• An organization is free to apply for one or two or all the focus areas of this call for proposal

This call for proposals will focus on innovative ways which are aligned to priorities in the area of interest as defined by the relevant Government of Ugandan Ministries & PEPFAR. Final value of the award will depend on quality of eligible proposals received.

Interested organizations should visit the Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP) offices (in Kampala or Kalisizo) to access the; “Guidance for Applicants” document which has essential details on eligibility, proposal requirements and assessment criteria for each of the three focus areas of this call.