Job Title: Orphans and vulnerable children and community networks advisor, Pretoria
Closing Date: Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Global Health Fellows Program II
Technical Advisor II/III: Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Community Networks Advisor USAID/South Africa
Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Assignment: Two year fellowship
GHFP II-P1-037
The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with CDC Development Solutions and Management Systems International. GHFP-II is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
GHFP-II’s goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID health programs by developing and increasing the capacity of health professionals with tailored development opportunities. This is accomplished through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels, and performance management and professional development activities aimed to enhance the technical and leadership skills of fellows.
BACKGROUND:
The US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) initiative is the largest commitment ever by a nation toward an international health initiative for a single disease. For almost 10 years, South Africa and the United States have partnered to respond to HIV/AIDS and TB in order to improve the health of South Africans through PEPFAR. Through the PEPFAR program, South Africa has received extensive support including funding totaling almost R25 billion (US$3.2 billion) to support HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment.
The South African HIV and AIDS epidemic has created an unprecedented number of children without adult protection, nurturing and financial support. About 3.3 million South African children, 18% of all children aged 18 years or less, have lost one or both parents. Over 250,000 of these children have lost both parents and over 100,000 are estimated to be living in child-headed households (CHH). By 2015, nearly 5 million children under 18 years of age will have lost one biological parent, and 1 million will have lost both. About 10% of children starting school and 25% of all children will have lost their biological mother. The impact of such numbers of orphans and other vulnerable children (OVC) is substantial for the children, their families, and the communities in which they live.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are providing the kind of support needed to care for these children and their families. NGOs are also meeting the needs of adolescents. In collaboration with the South African Department of Social Development, USAID supports a variety of comprehensive, community-based programs to assist children infected and affected by HIV/AIDS including nutritional, psychosocial and emotional support, bereavement, and assistance in accessing government grants.
PEPFAR/South Africa has rapidly scaled up OVC activities in the last five years. Over 450,000 OVC are now receiving support under PEPFAR–funded programs. In the future, PEPFAR South Africa will be expected to focus on capacity building, mentoring, system strengthening and innovative sustainable programming for OVC activities. The $48 million portfolio is currently managed by a highly skilled, senior Foreign Service National with assistance from two other PEPFAR staff members. However, with numerous procurements underway and a budget totaling approximately $48 million, more assistance is required for this team. There is an immediate need for a highly skilled and experienced individual to assist with the development of a sustainable and innovative OVC portfolio, to assist new grantees with startup, to monitor ongoing programs, and provide skilled technical assistance to the Department of Social Development.
INTRODUCTION:
The PEPFAR Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Community Networks Advisor (Technical Advisor) will work under the leadership of the USAID Health Team Leader as a member of the US Government (USG) HIV/AIDS Team in South Africa. The Technical Advisor will receive day to day guidance from the USAID Supervisory Health and Development Officer and the Senior OVC Technical Advisor.
The Technical Advisor will provide technical, management, and operational expertise on OVC issues and community mobilization to the PEPFAR HIV/AIDS Team. S/he will provide technical and programmatic advice to the USG team and will provide guidance regarding technical work plans, child-focused activities, and will contribute to the development and monitoring of a child-focused research agenda.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The primary responsibilities of the Technical Advisor include:
* Contribute to the Country Operational Plan with specific emphasis on children and community issues * Participate in Technical Working Groups and Committees to provide technical expertise and knowledge to ensure that children’s issues are incorporated into the country level documents * Participate and offer a technical opinion at South African Government meetings and interact with the South African Government, specifically the Department of Social Development, multilateral agencies, the Global Fund, NGOs and other key stakeholders involved in HIV/AIDS programming for OVC * Provide technical guidance and make recommendations to support the OVC Unit in meeting the USG documentation requirements for new local partners under PEPFAR * Provide technical assistance and support to the Department of Social Development to strengthen the coordination of OVC programs at all levels and to build the monitoring and evaluation capacity of partners * Provide ideas, analyze options, and offer informed opinions based on technical expertise and knowledge to the OVC Unit for the purpose of creating new USG programs in support of children affected by the HIV epidemic * Provide guidance on community mobilization and networking initiatives for families caring for OVC * Provide support and technical expertise to local OVC programs to encourage and support linkages and referrals to programs that keep parents alive and prevent orphanhood * Conduct site visits to review program implementation and meet with beneficiaries. Prepare sites and OVC partners for high level visits from the USG. Prepare site sheets and site visits programs and assist partners in presenting their program to delegations. Organize and participate in partner progress and review meetings * Based on the information collected during field visits, communicate findings and recommendations to the Senior OVC Technical Advisor and the HIV/AIDS Team * Monitor, analyze and report on trends and developments in the HIV/AIDS and children’s field * Provide financial analysis for OVC programs as needed * Review semi-annual and annual reports from OVC partners and provide an analysis of the program direction and progress towards meeting targets to the Senior OVC Technical Advisor * Participate in USG-funded evaluation assessments and studies to document programs that create a supportive multi-sector environment to protect and nurture vulnerable children by building the knowledge base of which interventions work and are cost effective and promote multi sector integration * Participate in strategic planning and in technical review of work plans and proposals including participation on technical evaluation committee review panels as a non-voting member, if required Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on (a) organizational and programming need and/or (b) the Advisor’s own interests. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE: * Master’s degree in social work, sociology, public health, epidemiology, social or behavior science or related field required * Experience in working with USAID Missions, host country governments, implementing partners, community-based organizations, and/or other bilateral donors internationally * Understanding of USG processes and requirements as related to PEPFAR programming highly preferred * Comprehensive understanding of HIV/AIDS prevention and community-based social welfare initiatives, including program design, implementation and evaluation * Evidence of excellent interpersonal, facilitation and teambuilding skills/experience required * Demonstrated ability in maintaining close counterpart relationships, both governmental and in the partner community is highly preferred * Strong knowledge of USAID procedures and experience with USAID missions * Demonstrated leadership skills in negotiating and managing diplomatically sensitive issues * Demonstrated ability to apply policy directives to activity design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation * Excellent written and oral communication skills * US Citizenship or US Permanent Resident required In addition to the above, the position requires the following at each level: Technical Advisor II: * A minimum of five years’ experience working with children’s issues and programs, with strong preference for experience in programs to mitigate the effects of HIV on children and their families, with 2 at least years’ experience in an international or resource challenged setting Technical Advisor III: * Have a minimum of ten years’ experience working with children’s issues and programs, with strong preference for experience in programs to mitigate the effects of HIV on children and their families, with at least 3-5 years’ experience in an international or resource challenged setting. * Offer technical expertise to local OVC programs to encourage and support linkages and referrals to programs that keep parents alive and prevent orphanhood * Provide expert knowledge and advice to children’s issues so that they are incorporated into country level documents * Serve as technical expert in USG funded evaluation assessments and studies to document programs that create a supportive multi-sector environment SALARY AND BENEFITS: Salary based on commensurate experience and earnings history. The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs http://www.ghfp.net/docs/2012_Benefits_Booklet_GHFP.pdf
How to apply:
All applicants are required to apply for this position through GHFP-II’s online recruitment system at https://www.ghfp.net/recruitment/, which allows you to store your CV, profile and bio data form in our database. A separate cover letter describing your qualifications and experience, interest and familiarity with issues relating to this position, and how this position relates to your career goals is required for each application All applications must be submitted by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on May 23, 2012.
We are proud to be an EEO/AA Employer.
Deadline: 23rd May 2012
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