USAID Development Assistance Specialist (HIV Prevention and Gender) Full-Time

INTRODUCTION

The USAID Development Assistance Specialist (HIV Prevention and Gender) provides technical leadership, guidance, and analysis for the Mission to plan, implement, monitor, and coordinate USAID and USG HIV prevention activities with a focus on behavior change communication (BCC); gender issues, including improved male engagement; activities targeting adolescent girls and young women (AGYW); and, uptake of preventive health seeking behaviors. The Specialist assures USG HIV prevention activities are implemented in accordance with WHO, Government of the Republic of Mozambique (GoRM), and President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) guidelines.

In support of HIV prevention activities for all sub-populations in Mozambique, the Specialist participates in planning and leading a range of processes related to the design, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of a broad range of Agency-funded activities, with focus on the delivery of HIV prevention services addressing specific issues related to BCC and gender. The Specialist is involved in HIV testing and prevention service delivery quality improvement efforts, evaluation and research activities, technical policy development, HIV stigma reduction, and behavior change activities as they relate to HIV prevention services for specific sub-populations, such as hard to reach men and AGYW. The Specialist ensures best practices and evidence-based practices are implemented, measured, and disseminated nationally.

The Specialist interacts and liaises with host-country technical counterparts within the Ministry of Health, the National AIDS Council, implementing partners (IPs), Global Fund partners, and local and international nongovernmental organizations in the conceptualization, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of HIV prevention and gender specific programming.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education

A US-equivalent University Degree in medicine, public health, nursing, psychology, social or behavioral sciences, or a closely related field is required.

Prior Work Experience

Minimum of 5 years of relevant progressively responsible, professional-level experience in HIV programming (design, implementation and management), of which at least 3 years have been in a developing country context.

Language Proficiency

Level IV (fluent) English language proficiency, speaking and writing, as well as Level IV written and spoken Portuguese proficiency, is required.  (Language proficiency will be tested).

Job Knowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge of the Mozambican public health, social, cultural, economic, and political contexts, as well as in-depth knowledge of the health system in Mozambique is required.
• The Specialist must have an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the organization and respective roles of the different departments in the GoRM, in order to enhance effective communication and to develop consensus on program/project/activity strategy and implementation, and a good knowledge of GoRM systems for HIV prevention services delivery.
• The Specialist must have a good knowledge, or the potential to quickly acquire a good knowledge, of applicable laws, regulations, and policies is required to lead the planning and management of HIV prevention and gender-specific activities.  And, the Specialist must have well-developed expertise in clinical and community prevention service delivery to targeted population groups.

Skills and Abilities

The position requires knowledge and demonstrated expertise in the areas of HIV prevention and gender specific services, including:

• HIV prevention programming, including high-impact community and clinical-based HIV prevention approaches for specific sub-populations, quality of services, and approaches to promote health seeking behaviors and risk reduction for HIV in a variety of settings and service delivery outlets; providing guidance on HIV prevention and testing services in a variety of settings, including facility, rural health clinics, hospitals, and community based settings;
• Providing guidance on gender-specific services, considerations for working in a community and clinical context, training of health care workers, task shifting, and behavior change communications;
• And, an understanding of programmatic considerations for HIV among different population groups, with a focus on male engagement and adolescent girls and young women.
• Verbal communication skills, tact, and diplomacy are required to establish and develop sustainable working relations and a high level of trust with senior- and middle-level GoRM officials, and with public and private organizations, such as primary USAID technical contacts in the development area; and, to explain and interpret host-country attitudes, priorities, and concerns to USAID officials, and to negotiate plans and resolve issues with appropriate host-country organizations, technical advisors, IPs, counterparts, and peers.  Writing skills are required in order to prepare regular and ad hoc reports, project documentation, and briefing papers.
• Analytical ability is required to assist in the development of revised policies, as required.  The ability to work effectively in a team environment, and to achieve consensus on policy, project, and administrative matters is required.
• Good computer skills are required in order to manage activity goals and achievements, both technical and financial.