The Technical Support Mechanism (TSM) was established in May 2018 to focus on implementing the global Fast-Track strategy and to support countries to fully leverage the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the investments made by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) for optimal impact. This consolidated and integrated approach aligns with UNAIDS policies and quality assurance mechanisms. PEPFAR funding represents the largest national commitment to the global HIV epidemic by any nation, with more than US$ 85 billion dedicated to the response to date, contributing to millions of lives saved in more than 50 countries. Resources for addressing three major health threats, including HIV, are also available to countries through the Global Fund, which invests around US$ 4 billion annually.

The TSM is a centrally managed, country-driven mechanism that provides high-quality technical support to countries. The TSM’s work is funded through an agreement with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with resources from the Government of the United States of America targeting technical support to address policy and programmatic challenges in priority countries.


The TSM combines two mutually reinforcing and inter-related approaches:

  • The Technical Assistance Fund.
  • Last Mile First Initiatives
Technical Assistance Fund

The Technical Assistance Fund is implemented through the TSM to deliver country and regional support with a primary focus on ensuring effective and efficient implementation of Global Fund grants in countries and progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals target of ending AIDS. Countries in Africa and Asia and the Pacific that benefit from Global Fund grants are eligible for support from the Technical Assistance Fund. Oxford Policy Management, selected through competitive bidding, manages the operations of the Technical Assistance Fund instrument. UNAIDS and Oxford Policy Management, in partnership with country stakeholders and with partners in countries meeting established eligibility criteria, facilitate the provision of high-quality catalytic technical support, adapt strategic approaches to emerging challenges and innovations and build capacities for sustained impact. 

Last Mile First Initiatives

The Last Mile First Initiatives place special emphasis on advancing technical assistance provision in four priority areas to fully leverage Global Fund investments towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals target of ending AIDS:

  • Improving community-led services and monitoring for people living with HIV and vulnerable populations.
  • Expanding community responses in western and central Africa.
  • Addressing stigma and discrimination and removing structural barriers to the realization of human rights.
  • Strengthening sustainable national ownership and domestic investment and optimizing the efficiency and effectiveness of the HIV response.

The Last Mile First Initiatives are implemented in close collaboration with international and regional implementing partners: the Civil Society Institute for Health in West and Central Africa, the Global Network of People Living with HIV, the International Community of Women Living with HIV in East Africa, the International Treatment Preparedness Coalition, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Pharos Global Health Advisors and Heidelberg University.

Since its inception, the TSM has provided support in more than 90 countries globally, with most technical support being delivered in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia and the Pacific. Focal countries overlap with PEPFAR priority countries.

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CONTACT

For technical assistance through the TSM: if you are a government or civil society organization partner and would like to request technical assistance through the TSM, please contact the UNAIDS country office.

For consultants: are you a qualified consultant with relevant expertise and experience, interested in providing technical assistance through the TSM? Please send your CV to tsm@unaids.org.

For general inquiries: please send us an email at tsm@unaids.org.

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