New GHFP-II Fellowship Available: Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Community Networks Advisor

in Fellowships
April 22nd, 2014

Global Health Fellows Program II

Technical Advisor II: Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Community Networks Advisor

USAID/South Africa

Location: Pretoria, South Africa

Assignment: Two year fellowship

GHFP-II-P3-110

 

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with Global Health Corps, GlobeMed, Management Systems International and PYXERA Global. 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 addressing the Agency’s immediate and emerging human capacity needs. The program seeks to accomplish this goal first through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels. These program participants include fellows, interns, corporate volunteers and Foreign Service National professionals. The program then provides substantial performance management and career development support to participants, including annual working planning assistance, and ensures that professional development opportunities are available.

 

Looking to the future, GHFP-II also seeks to establish a pool of highly-qualified global health professionals that will ensure the Agency’s ongoing technical leadership and effectiveness. This objective is supported by an extensive outreach program that brings global health opportunities and specialized career advice to a diverse range of interested individuals, with a particular focus on those underrepresented in the field of global health.

 

BACKGROUND: 

The 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, and 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 have lost both parents, and over 100,000 are estimated to be living in child-headed households. By 2015, nearly 5 million children under 18 years 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 is substantial for the children, their families, and the communities in which they live.  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.

 

INTRODUCTION:

PEPFAR South Africa has rapidly scaled up orphans and vulnerable children (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 rapidly focus on capacity building, mentoring, system strengthening and innovative sustainable programming for OVC activities. There is an immediate need for a highly skilled and experienced individual to assist with the development of a sustainable and innovative Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) portfolio; to assist new grantees with startups and to monitor the on-going programs to ensure that outcomes are achieved and provide skilled technical assistance to the Department of Social Development.  Finally, with the overall desire for new indigenous partners, there is need to examine the structure of the OVC program and determine innovative ways to increase the efficiency of its implementation. 

 

The OVC and Community Networks Advisor will provide technical, management, and operational expertise on OVC issues and community mobilization to the PEPFAR HIV/AIDS Team.  The Advisor will provide technical advice to US Government (USG) contractors and grantees for OVC related activities and will provide guidance regarding technical work plans, child-focused activities, and research agendas.  The Advisor will work under the leadership of the Health Director, and the day to day guidance of the Senior OVC and HIV/AIDS Prevention Team Lead.

 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:   

The primary responsibilities of the Advisor include:

  • Contributing to the Country Operational Plan with specific emphasis on children and community issues.
  • Participating in Government meetings and interacting with the South African Government specifically the Department of Social Development (DSD), multilateral agencies, the Global Fund, PEPFAR Implementing Partners and other key stakeholders involved in HIV/AIDS programming to improve the health and well-being outcomes for orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV and AIDS.
  • Providing guidance to the PEPFAR implementing partners and assisting them with meeting the USG documentation requirements for promoting evidence based interventions to protect against risk, interrupt cycles of vulnerability and build pathways to resilience leading to an AIDS Free Generation under PEPFAR.
  • Providing technical assistance in support of the DSD to strengthen the coordination of OVC programs at all levels and building the monitoring and evaluation capacity of partners. 
  • Preparing documentation such as portfolio reviews, data quality assessments and evaluations of interventions for the USG program in support of children in the HIV epidemic.
  • Providing guidance on community mobilization and networking initiatives for families caring for OVC to 20 implementing partners specifically focusing on linking community based and clinical services to promote comprehensive care for vulnerable children.
  • Providing support and technical advice to local OVC programs to encourage and support linkages and referrals to programs that keep parents alive and prevent Orphan hood.
  • Preparing and assisting OVC partners for high level site visits by developing site sheets and programs that are then presented to delegations.
  • Conducting site visits to review program implementation and meet with beneficiaries to track the outcomes. 
  • Organizing and participating in partner quarterly progress and annual OVC portfolio review meetings.
  • Based on the information collected during field visits, communicating findings and recommendations to the Senior OVC and HIV/AIDS Prevention Team Lead and the Health Team.
  • Reviewing semi-annual and annual reports from OVC partners and providing an analysis of the program direction and progress towards meeting targets to the Senior OVC Technical Advisor.
  • Participating in evaluation assessments and studies to increase the evidence base of programs that create a supportive multi-sector environment to protect and nurture vulnerable children by building the knowledge base of which interventions work, are cost effective, and strengthen communities and families.
  • Reviewing and providing technical assistance to OVC partners as needed.

Training and Professional Development:

  • Keeping abreast of the latest development and literature in OVC programming.
  • Deepening knowledge of OVC programming and community mobilization and networking.
  • Participating in interagency working groups and professional meetings in OVC related activities.
  • Participate in professional continuing education and skills training within the purview of GHFP-II.

Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on (a) organizational and programming need and/or (b) the Advisor’s own interests.

 

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE:

  • Master’s degree or higher in social work, sociology, public health, epidemiology, social or behavior science or related field.
  • Minimum five (5) 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 2 years’ experience in an international or resource challenged setting.
  • Experience in working with USAID Missions, host country governments, Implementing Partners, Private Voluntary Organizations and/or Faith Based Organizations, and other bilateral donors, internationally.
  • Knowledge of or experience working with the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief highly preferred.
  • Comprehensive understanding of HIV/AIDS prevention and community-based social welfare initiatives, including program design, implementation and evaluation.
  • Demonstrated ability to apply policy directives to activity design, implementation and monitoring 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.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills in negotiating and managing diplomatically sensitive issues.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • US citizenship or US permanent residents required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary will be based on commensurate experience and earnings history.  The Public Health Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package including professional development programs.

 

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 16, 2014.