Vacancy: HIV/AIDS Programme Co-ordinator

GOAL
Location: Malawi (Nsanje (with frequent travel to Blantyre))
Closing date: 29 Jun 2007
Job Description

GOAL JOB DESCRIPTION

Job title: HIV/AIDS PROGRAMME CO-ORDINATOR
Job location: Nsanje (with frequent travel to Blantyre)

OVERALL DESCRIPTION

GOAL has been operational in Malawi since April 2002, involved in the Joint Emergency Food Assistance Programme (JEFAP) and implementing programmes in the HIV/AIDS, Nutrition, Livelihoods, Agriculture and Water & Sanitation sectors. Currently GOAL Malawi is implemented an HIV/AIDS programme in Nsanje, Blantyre and Balaka Districts through National AIDS Commission (NAC) funding focused on building the continuum of Prevention, Care, Treatment and Support services.

The GOAL HIV/AIDS programme takes a holistic approach to HIV/AIDS response, addressing it both at an institutional level by building the capacity of MoH services, and at a community level, by improving community capacity to respond and cope with the effects of HIV/AIDS. The programme will endeavour to strengthen existing health systems providing Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT), youth-friendly services, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT), and referrals to support and treatment services. In addition, the programme will implement an effective behaviour change communication strategy among youth, adults and high-risk groups, and will assist community-based organisations (CBOs), including People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) support groups and Home Based Care (HBC) groups. GOAL will work with community groups supporting PLWHA, orphans and vulnerable children and the chronically-ill to build their capacities to become CBOs capable of raising funds and operating independently for the benefit of their communities.

While working within communities GOAL is ensuring HIV/AIDS is mainstreamed within the organization through a comprehensive workplace programme, as well as building cross-cutting linkages throughout all GOAL initiatives to mitigate the effects of HIV/AIDS in Malawi.

Responsibilities
The Programme Co-ordinator will be directly responsible for managing GOAL’s HIV/AIDS programme in three bases, with a particular focus on Nsanje. The Programme Co-ordinator is responsible for all aspects of these interventions, including technical management, strategic direction, proposal preparation, co-ordination of activities, monitoring and evaluation, organisational representation, donor reporting, budgetary management, administration and logistics.

Key Duties
Programming
- Manage and develop the HIV/AIDS programme.
- Focus on Nsanje District, ensuring that the HIV/AIDS programme is well established with proper training of staff and proper coordination of activities both internally and externally.
- Compile a detailed work-plan for all GOAL Malawi sites and programmes, monitor progress of activities according to the work-plan, and ensure meeting of targets.
- Provide HIV/AIDS strategic approach and monitoring in all GOAL Malawi Programme inputs in line with country strategic plan.
- Prepare donor proposals to institutional/smaller donors.
- Ensure that strong monitoring systems are in place at all sites and provide timely information to support GOAL’s monitoring and evaluation needs.
- Review impact findings to measure quality and illustrate lessons learned to troubleshoot needs for ongoing technical assistance.
- Adapt existing tools and trainings and develop ongoing resources for effective implementation of activities.
- Develop cross sectoral linkages with GOAL’s wider programme areas
- Ensure Workplace Policy is being implemented effectively and updated according to needs.

Management
- Ensure line manager (Assistant Country Director) is kept abreast of programme developments through regular communications and monthly reports.
- Maintain regular communication with NAC and other donors as required
- Maintain a close and harmonious working relationship with relevant governmental partners, particularly national and provincial health and HIV authorities.
- Recruit and manage appropriate programme staff in Malawi.
- Represent the HIV/AIDS programme to donors and other key stakeholders

Operational
- As relevant manage the preparation, monitoring and implementation of programme budgets. Maintain overall control over programme finances.
- Amalgamate comprehensive quarterly, annual & interim reports.
- Provide a monthly summary of HIV/AIDS activities to the GOAL Malawi Country Director
- Liaise regularly with other INGOs, NGOs and CBOs to ensure that programme activities complement and do not overlap with existing and planned initiatives.
- Ensure systems are in place and maintained for the management of programme logistics.

Other
- Ensure compliance of programme operations with GOAL guidelines, including the Country Director Operations Manual and GOAL’s security guidelines as well as HIV Strategy, HIV programme guidelines
- To provide a full written hand-over upon completion of contract.
- To carry out any other duties as necessary

Requirements

Essential
- Minimum three years experience in managing HIV/AIDS programmes.
- Excellent report writing skills and proposal preparations
- Demonstrable programme management skills
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Negotiation skills with donors and government officials
- Strong inter-personal skills, ability to manage a large team of people
- Strong team building experience and ability to motivate and inspire staff
- Appropriate academic qualification (Public Health / Development Management) and experience of working in the development health sector
- Excellent understanding of HIV/AIDS as a development issue and good understanding of current international best practices
- Comprehensive knowledge of a variety of programming interventions (such as nutrition and food security) and ability to integrate and coordinate with different sectors
- Experience of working in developing countries

Additional (advantageous)
- Medical knowledge of HIV, particularly opportunistic infections, anti-retroviral therapy and prevention of vertical transmission

Reporting to: GOAL Malawi Assistant Country Director
Start date required: ASAP
Contract length: One year (renewable based on performance and conditional on attainment of further funding for the following years)

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document.
Vacancies Contact
Interviews will be held in Dublin or London. Unfortunately GOAL cannot contribute to any financial costs incurred when attending interview. Interviews may be held in London, Dublin or Nairobi. applications@goal.ie
Reference Code: RW_73PLKE-97