II. Partnership Frameworks

A. PROCESS FOR DEVELOPMENT

The first stage in developing a full partnership framework and implementation plan is negotiating a signed Partnership Framework, which focuses on establishing a collaborative relationship with the host government and other relevant counterparts, defining goals for the arrangement, and setting the stage for a process to define the specific work of the partnership through the Partnership Framework Implementation Plan.

1. Establishing a design team and conducting consultations

Country teams should establish a Partnership Framework design team with responsibility for leading the development of the Partnership Framework. The design team should include representatives of all USG agencies in country, the host government, and other partners, as appropriate. Using this Framework Guidance, the design team should develop a plan and timeline for designing, jointly reviewing, and negotiating both the Partnership Framework and Implementation Plan, including consensus on whether to proceed simultaneously or sequentially with the two-stage process.

To reach an understanding with the host government (with input from civil society, other donors, international organizations and the private sector) on joint strategic goals, broad consultations will be necessary. The design team should consider convening one or more workshops or meetings involving critical stakeholders. Objectives could include: (1) mapping existing HIV services, programs, health systems, and policies and their impact, (2) identifying program and policy gaps that could be addressed by the Framework, and (3) identifying bottlenecks to achievement of program goals. These consultations will contribute to the development of baseline assessments, as described in section B.1. of this document.

As elements of the Partnership Framework are proposed and discussed, in addition to dialogue, written communication with stakeholders is recommended to assure accuracy and to document decisions. The design team will be responsible for achieving consensus on priorities for the Framework.

2. Goals, objectives, and commitments

This first-stage Framework document should define the fundamental structure and relationships of the collaboration to address HIV/AIDS within the context of the national HIV/AIDS strategy. The document should propose a limited number (for example, three to five) of high-level goals that encompass the breadth of activities included within the Framework. Examples might include: reduce HIV incidence by x%; increase PMTCT coverage to x%; or expand access to quality HIV treatment for x% of those in need. Objectives should include the programmatic interventions proposed to achieve each goal. Commitments will describe the overall support from each partner to realize each objective. Illustrative Tables 1 and 2 provide additional examples of the level of detail anticipated at the goal, objective and commitment levels.

B. REQUIRED CONTENT OF THE PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK [< 10 PAGES]

The Partnership Framework should succinctly set out the 5-year collaborative strategy between the USG PEPFAR team and the host government. It must contain the following sections and may contain additional ones if the parties so choose: 1) Purpose and principles; 2) Five-year strategic overview; 3) Partners and respective roles and commitments; 4) Plans for developing the Partnership Framework Implementation Plan; 5) Management and communications, and 6) Signatures.

1. Purpose and principles

Describe the value of the Partnership Framework as a 5-year collaborative strategic framework for the USG PEPFAR team, the host government, and other partners and how it lays the foundation for the Partnership Framework Implementation Plan. List and briefly describe key principles of the Partnership Framework (for example, how the Framework supports the National Plan for HIV/AIDS; is aligned with the Three Ones; reflects accountability and transparency; and promotes participation of partners, country ownership, a multi-sectoral approach, integrating HIV/AIDS with health systems; etc.).

2. Five-year strategic overview

Describe the overall scope of the activities to be carried out through this Partnership Framework to achieve the Partnership goals. This scope should include which program areas (e.g., PMTCT service provision, OVC support, lab strengthening, healthcare worker training, etc.) and policy reforms (e.g., task-shifting, opt-out testing, etc.) will be addressed through the Partnership. Describe how these activities help realize the National Strategic Plan on HIV/AIDS, the country’s other long-term health and development plans, and PEPFAR numerical program goals. Articulate the strategy to promote greater ownership of programs and activities by the host country over the next 5 years represented by the Partnership Framework.

3. Partners: roles and commitments

List partners and describe their respective roles and high-level commitments to achieve 5-year goals for scale up of service delivery, policy reform, and projected financial and activity commitments. Indicate what key steps will need to be taken to further develop this information for the Partnership Framework Implementation Plan.

Country teams may opt to present this information in a tabular form, which can then be expanded for the Partnership Framework Implementation Plan. Illustrative Table 1, below, provides an example of such a table.

4. Plans for developing the Partnership Framework Implementation Plan

Include a timeline and those responsible for development of the Partnership Framework Implementation Plan. This information should follow from the last column in Table 1.

5. Management and communications

Establishing a Partnership Framework represents a fundamentally new relationship among the USG, host country governments, and other relevant stakeholders involved in PEPFAR. Substantial attention should thus be paid to how this new relationship will be managed. Describe plans for managing the Partnership Framework, including decision-making structures, coordination bodies, and communications strategies as well as approaches to conflict resolution. In considering Framework governance and implementation, Partnerships may use existing structures where adequate, modified structures, or newly established structures, avoiding duplicating existing structures whenever possible. One potential method for involving government and nongovernmental stakeholders is to establish a Partnership Framework Steering Committee, an organized ongoing forum for input from diverse partners and stakeholders. A Committee could also assist with implementing and monitoring the Partnership Framework. Yet, the formation of a new coordination structure for the Framework is neither required nor preferred. In countries that have pre-existing coordinating bodies which fulfill many of these functions, for example, a successful existing CCM, existing IHP+ compact, or another such entity, it would be ideal if the same group could be used to fulfill the coordination needs for the Partnership Framework rather than creating an entirely new coordination structure.

6. Signatures

List the agency, title, and name of all signatories. Include a clause allowing for future modification of the Partnership Framework such as: “This Partnership Framework may be modified in writing by all signatories.” This will allow for flexibility as the environment changes (e.g., elections, new national strategic plans, etc).