POSITION DESCRIPTION:
I. LOCATION AND BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION
USAID/Zambia has an opening for a Senior Care and Support Advisor position to be based in Lusaka, Zambia. The Senior Care and Support Advisor will provide technical expertise to USAID/Zambia and other key stakeholders in HIV-related palliative care, home-based care, and nutrition for adults, adolescents, children, and infants infected and affected by HIV and AIDS as well as orphans and vulnerable children. S/he serves as the primary USAID technical advisor of USAID/Zambia’s Care and Support portfolio and will administer USAID/Zambia’s Care and Support program of the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The incumbent will provide high-level, programmatic assistance and support for the Care and Support portfolio totaling approximately $35 million annually, of which 75% is in the orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) portfolio. In addition to coordinating with other offices in the mission, the Senior Care and Support Advisor works closely with other USG agencies (e.g., Centers for Disease Control, State Department, Peace Corps, and Department of Defense), development partners, and relevant ministries. S/he will represent the agency on Care and Support issues at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with collaborators and donors. Furthermore, the Senior Care and Support Advisor will assist the Team Leader in managing the team, including supervising approximately three positions.
II. STATEMENT OF WORK:
A. BACKGROUND ON USAID/Zambia HIV/AIDS MULTISECTORAL PROGRAM
USAID/Zambia has integrated HIV/AIDS activities throughout the mission. Within this context, the HIV/AIDS Multisectoral Team serves as a connector of HIV/AIDS issues with other sectors, including health, education, agriculture, and economic growth. Specifically, the HIV/AIDS Multisectoral office is responsible for: 1) monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on HIV/AIDS activities for the mission; 2) providing technical assistance in HIV/AIDS for all offices within USAID/Zambia; 3) managing cross-cutting programs, such as gender-based violence and private sector partnerships. The HIV/AIDS Multisectoral office oversees USAID’s PEPFAR portfolio of approximately $170 million per year.
B. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Strategic Planning, Designing and Budgeting (10%)
Provide strategic technical advice on preparation of key planning and budgeting documents, such as the Country Development Cooperation Strategy, Project Appraisal Document, PEPFAR Country Operational Plan, Congressional Budget Justification, Congressional Notification, etc.
Serve as a lead coordinator and technical expert in the strategic planning and design of Care and Support activities.
Develop technically sound, cost-effective, practical, and innovative approaches for achieving Care and Support results within and beyond the health sector.
Lead the budgeting process of the Care and Support portfolio.
In the design of care and support programs, coordinate closely with senior and mid-level counterparts in the host country government ministries; other donors; international non-governmental organizations; civil society organizations; universities and research institutions; the private sector; and other USG agencies involved in providing Care and Support assistance in Zambia.
2. Staff Supervision and Mentoring (15%)
Manages select professional staff, including but not limited to the Nutrition Advisor, Orphans and Vulnerable Children Advisor, and Youth Advisor, to ensure their performance meets or exceeds established performance standards.
Conducts mid-term and annual performance reviews of supervisees in a timely manner.
Leads and participates in recruitment processes.
Provides mentoring to the team.
3. Technical Assistance and Activity Management (40%)
Oversee and manage the care and support portfolio of approximately $35 million per year.
Serve as the lead technical advisor in Care and Support to mission staff, PEPFAR program, and USAID implementing partners.
Build the capacity of the Zambian government (e.g., Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health; National AIDS Council; Ministry of Gender and Child Development, Food and Nutrition Commission) and coordinate the multitude of players in the care and support field to ensure a coordinated response.
Assist the government in the development of national care and support, including the OVC, policies and standards to ensure a minimum package of care is delivered.
Provide technical advice and direction to grantees and contractors on management and implementation of grants, contracts and/or cooperative agreements to ensure consistency with PEPFAR policies and host country policies and regulations.
Provide technical expertise on highly complex information of a comprehensive HIV prevention, care, support and treatment package, which includes: basic HIV facts, opportunistic infections, counseling and testing, treatment literacy, antiretroviral therapy and adherence, client identification, home-based care kits, pain management, orphans and vulnerable children, psychosocial support, referrals, education, nutrition, and economic strengthening.
Conduct regular site visits and maintain frequent communication with implementing partners to ensure that partners have sound technical and financial work plans in place and implementation is proceeding in accordance with those plans.
Together with the HIV/AIDS Multisectoral team, prepare the PEPFAR annual Country Operational Plan.
Provide regular status reports on progress for all projects under his/her responsibility and prepare the Semi-Annual and Annual Program Results, and other reports that report on Care and Support issues.
Analyze and provide feedback on Care and Support data and develop scopes of works for evaluations of Care and Support activities.
Organize and/or participate in periodic Care and Support partner meetings to share progress and best practices in the Care and Support arena.
Recommend and organize site visits for key high-level visitors as necessary.
Maintain documentation that meets USG audit inspection standards.
Maintain financial and expenditure spreadsheets and track all Care and Support expenditures to ensure compliance with PEPFAR guidelines.
4. Technical Representation (30%)
Serve as USAID representative on matters pertaining to Care and Support at technical, policy and strategic planning meetings, including meetings with the Zambian government, cooperating partners, USG PEPFAR team, and international groups.
Serve as a chair or member of the inter-agency PEPFAR Zambia Care and Support Technical Working Group (TWG) to ensure effective coordination of work plan development, implementation strategies, and evaluation plans for all USG agency Care and Support activities.
Participate with other PEPFAR professionals on committees dealing with Care and Support issues, communicating needs and issues and ensuring implementation of best practices for Care and Support programs.
5. Other Duties (5%)
Perform other duties as determined by the HIV/AIDS Multisectoral Team Leader.
Desired Skills and Experience
Education: The minimum educational requirement is a Masters in Public Health degree, development, or a healthcare-related discipline.
Experience:
At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in planning, implementing, managing and evaluating HIV/AIDS Care and Support programs. Experience must demonstrate increasing levels of job responsibilities.
At least three years of direct supervision experience.
Demonstrated experience managing a complex program and/or large team.
Demonstrated experience working with senior-level officials from host country governments on care and support issues.
Experience working in developing countries.
Skills and Abilities:
Communication skills: Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to work constructively in a team structure. Ideal candidate will have facilitation and conflict negotiation and resolution skills.
Language skills: Fluent English speaking, reading and writing are required. Level IV English is required for both oral and written English. Language proficiency may be tested.
Computer skills: Ability to use software programs, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other computer applications.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
The selected applicant must be able to obtain a U.S. Government Secret security clearance and medical clearance.
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