The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative's capacity building activities in East Africa: Evaluating progress and impacts in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda

Abstract

is a not-for-profit research institute whose mission is to help improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors. Limited Print and Electronic Distribution RightsThis document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited. Permission is given to duplicate this document for personal use only, as long as it is unaltered and complete. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial use. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.html. Support RAND Make a tax-deductible charitable contribution at www.rand.org/giving/contribute www.rand.org www.randeurope.org iii The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) is one of a number of PDPs created to bridge the gap between scientific and technological potential and the health needs of populations in LMICs. The remit of IAVI is to ensure the development of a safe, effective, accessible, preventive AIDS vaccine for use throughout the world. This work involves a wide range of stakeholders in industrially developing and developed countries. IAVI's capacity building activities aim to strengthen the ability of its partners to conduct clinical trials and also to enhance a variety of other areas ranging from scientific and technological capacity through to organisational, advocacy and broader development capabilities. In essence, IAVI's capacity building activities aim to build and strengthen health research systems that are conducive to HIV vaccine discovery and to increase preparedness for a vaccine's eventual licensure. IAVI's geographic remit related to capacity building includes both Eastern and Southern Africa as well as India. This evaluation of IAVI's capacity building activities is focused on East Africa and uses a multi-method approach, combining both desk-based research and fieldwork. The project aims to improve understanding of the type and scope of capacity building that IAVI has conducted and its impact at national and regional levels. IAVI's capacity building work in East Africa was funded by a diverse array of donors -a full list can be found on IAVI's website (www.iavi.org).RAND Europe is an independent not-for-profit policy research organisation that aims to improve policy and decision-making in the public interest, through research and analysis. RAND Europe's clients include European governments, institutions, non-governmental organisations and firms with a need for rigorous, independent, multidisciplinary analysis. This report has been peer-reviewed in accordance with RAND's quality assurance standards.