Job Description
Statement of Duties to be Performed
Technical Leadership (50%)
- The Specialist will provide strategic technical leadership and expertise to USAID on the implementation of evidence-based, high-quality HIV prevention in general but in particular for AGYW and OVC services within health facilities and communities, including community care, combined socio-economic empowerment, and care. The incumbent will support the efforts of the USG country team to address the multidimensional needs of AGYW, OVC affected and infected with HIV/AIDS. The incumbent will identify relevant organizations for AGYW and OVC empowerment including improving the capacity of the host government, organizations, and communities to respond and contribute to their empowerment.
- The incumbent will maintain state-of-the-art familiarity with current, relevant programmatic research and apply findings and knowledge to program and project design, strategy development, project management, and implementation in USG community care and support portfolio. In collaboration with other relevant offices, the incumbent will participate and contribute to Mission-wide strategies, operational plans, and new concept papers that promote sound public health practices and evidence-based methods while also exploring innovative approaches to accomplish greater results more efficiently for HIV prevention among AGYW and OVC care.
- The Specialist will work with the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Ministry of Education, Gender, Children, Youth and Social Welfare, and USG implementing partners to ensure that best practices for services and services integration are well documented, evaluated, and scaled up. The incumbent will support the development of innovative, effective, context-appropriate approaches, will stay abreast of new technical developments, and serve as a technical resource for the implementing partners, GOK, USAID, and other stakeholders.
- The incumbent will act as liaison for USAID on selected interagency working groups and/or GOK technical working groups (TWGs).
- The incumbent will continuously assess learning needs and implementation gaps and provide mentoring, including technical and leadership training to implementing partners, service providers, communities, and other team members.
- Together with the Deputy Team Lead, the incumbent will organize and participate in internal HPN team meetings, HPN implementing partners’ meetings, and other substantive meetings with partners and stakeholders as needed. The Specialist will note decisions or commitments made, and actions assigned. The incumbent will take those actions that are under his/her purview, will notify others of assignments and follow-up actions, and will provide reports in a timely manner.
- Prepares regular and ad hoc progress reports on USAID AGYW and OVC implementing partner activities. Readers of these reports include agency and post management, other agency PEPFAR officials, and U.S. headquarters offices and are ultimately used in reports to the U.S. Congress. Reporting responsibilities are monthly, quarterly, and annually. Prepares the AGYW and OVC component of the annual Country Operational Plan (COP).
Program/ Project/Activity Management (35%)
- The incumbent will be responsible for programmatic and financial management of HIV/AIDS OVC-related activities, including budget and pipeline analysis. Incumbent will be responsible for the monitoring of the USAID support for the OVC program through regular site visits, review of program reports, and frequent interaction with partners and stakeholders.
- In collaboration with the Team Leader, the Specialist plays a leadership role, coordinates, and directs, as appropriate, USAID’s programs. The incumbent provides technical guidance and direction to implementing partners and program collaborations on management and implementation of activities to be consistent with PEPFAR policies and guidance and host country policies and regulations.
- The incumbent will participate in the interagency country operation planning together with interagency colleagues. Monitoring and evaluation are key components of the PEPFAR Country Operational Plan (COP). The Specialist shall assist in developing a monitoring and evaluation plan in line with the PEPFAR COP targets, as well as ensure that PEPFAR DREAMS, OVC, and People living with HIV (PLHIV) implementing partners develop project monitoring plans and report in a timely manner on their activities. It is also expected that the Specialist shall provide expert advice and practical experience in helping the GOK and other partners to monitor inputs and outcomes, progress towards achievement of national goals.
- Coordinate with other USG-funded organizations to create programmatic linkages in prevention, treatment, training of community-based health care workers, and other areas that facilitate a true continuum of care.
- Assist the COE Director and the Prevention and Social Services Team leader to manage and oversee services and deliverables provided by contractors and grantees, in accordance with USAID program management regulations and procedures, and practices.
Representation and Coordination (15%)
- The Specialist will develop and maintain productive collaborative relationships with a wide range of partners and stakeholders including but not limited to - the GOK, UNICEF, other donors, NGOs, and FBOs dealing with issues focusing on support for AGYW, OVC, and Children living with HIV (CLHIV), in order to assure that all USG-supported AGYW, OVC, and CLHIV activities are complementary with other PEPFAR, and other USG investments being implemented in the country.
- As a technical expert on matters pertaining to OVC and AGYW support, the incumbent represents USAID/KEA at technical, policy, and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with private sector collaborators and donor agencies. Briefs senior Agency officials, PEPFAR country team, and interested officials of other USG agencies as appropriate on the results of such meetings and prepares written reports for submission to other interested parties.
- Represents USAID in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) interagency team (PIAT) in discussing and developing financial commitments and sets targets for AGYW and OVC community service programs at administrative and strategic planning meetings.
- Participates in internal and inter-agency PEPFAR working groups to ensure adherence to internationally accepted/directed standards for AGYW and OVC. Provides technical expertise and guidance to headquarters-based epidemic control teams (ECT) and other country teams.
- Participates in meetings hosted by the Social Services, Education, Youth, Gender and Social Protection and MOH on AGYW and OVC support, as well as participates in USG and GOK TWGs pertaining to HIV/AIDS support to these target populations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION
Any application that does not meet the minimum requirements stated below will not be evaluated.
- Education: A Master’s Degree in public health, health policy, nursing, behavioral or social science, or closely related field is required.
- Prior Work Experience: Minimum of five (5) years of experience in health/HIV/AIDS programs with specific experience working in youth; DREAMS and OVC programs is required. Experience in technical oversight, development, implementation, and evaluation of HIV/AIDS programs that involve coordination with an international agency and/or local implementing partners is required. Experience should demonstrate ability to manage high-level coordination and relationships with bilateral and multilateral donors and NGOs. Experience working with U.S. government operations, rules, regulations, procedures, policies, and programs is required. Demonstrated technical capacity to assess, plan, and evaluate programs for quality and impact is required.
- Language Proficiency: Level IV (fluent) English and Kiswahili speaking/writing/reading is required.
CLOSING DATE AND TIME FOR RECEIPT OF OFFERS: December 22, 2024 (4:30 PM East Africa Time).
