HIV/AIDS Specialist, NO-3, Yaounde, Cameroon #101578,Temporary Appointment (364 days), Cameronian nationals

The HIV Specialist under the supervision of the Chief HIV/AIDS, is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring and reporting of progress of national HIV/AIDS programmes/projects. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming process to facilitate achievement of outcomes as detailed in the projects. The HIV/AIDS Specialist will collaborate with other UNICEF sections, staff of other UN Agencies, and Government officials, international and local media, technical matter experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and implementing partners (particularly CHAI), to ensure successful project implementation.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, [insert tagline]

The HIV Specialist under the supervision of the Chief HIV/AIDS is responsible for managing, implementing, monitoring and reporting of progress of national HIV/AIDS programmes/projects. The Specialist provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming process to facilitate achievement of outcomes as detailed in the projects.

The HIV/AIDS Specialist will collaborate with other UNICEF sections, staff of other UN Agencies, and Government officials, international and local media, technical matter experts, multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors and implementing partners (particularly CHAI), to ensure successful project implementation. 

How can you make a difference?

A. Project management, work plan development, implementation, monitoring and reporting

1. Manage Projects by ensuring National operational plans are aligned with the global project activities and outputs wit measurable progress indicators

2. Closely engage with MOH and relevant technical working groups to support and develop updated POC enabling policies and guidelines to expedite registration.

3. Support evaluations and operational research (OR) for documenting performance of POC testing

4. Support the development and implementation of strategic scale up of EID and VL diagnostics

5. Support with conventional laboratories for strengthening national diagnostic network

6. Engage with National HIV Programmes and Technical Working Groups to support in-country planning exercises and implementation activities.

7. Coordinating with Supply Division and Zonal Offices to ensure POC operational demands are generated

8. Support relevant stakeholders in managing country specific challenges in implementing POC for early infant diagnosis (EID) and viral load monitoring (VL), and linkage to effective treatment and clinical decision making

9. Prepare timely and quality project report in line with grant commitments

B.  Technical Leadership and partnership building capacity development on POC diagnostics

Working closely with UNICEF Regional Office (WCARO) and Headquarters (HQ) to support global normative guidance to inform programmatic decision-making in country:

1. Convene/organize necessary trainings and provide technical inputs to support and develop guidance and knowledge sharing on HIV laboratory technologies
2. Support the diagnostic scoping assessments
3. Facilitate competency transfer of technical leadership on diagnostics, POC and linkage to treatment for in-country capacity building and provide inputs for reviews where appropriate.
4. Create and maintain national partnerships and networks with key technical stakeholders to support HIV programmes, policy, advocacy and diagnostic needs
5. Support HQ, RO and Supply Division to ensure POC operational demands are generated.
6. Provide guidance and feedback to HQ and RO in development of POC related funding proposal.
7. Work closely with WHO, CDC, CHAI, and other technical organizations to ensure quality assurance and harmonized and synergistic partners' contributions to POC.

C. Communications and Knowledge Management

1. Generate evidence from the analysis of POC programming in diagnostics and related health systems strengthening, through documentation, annual reporting and assessment of promising practices.
2. Support Coordination and the effective dissemination of global promising practices nationally. 
3. Introduce innovative approaches and good practice to build the capacity of partners and stakeholders and to support the POC implementation
4. Keep abreast, research, benchmark and implement best and cutting-edge practices in HIV diagnostics and POC.
5. Institutionalize and share best practices and knowledge learned. 

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• EDUCATION

Advanced university degree (Masters) in one of the following or related: Health laboratory, biomedical sciences, Public Health.

• WORK EXPERIENCE

At least 5 years of relevant experience working in the areas of global health, HIV and /or development, laboratory diagnostics, project management or related areas. Experience managing projects and reporting to donors and demonstrable track record in country level support is essential. Experience in HIV programmes and policy matters in another country is an asset.

• LANGUAGES

French (Fluent), English (working knowledge)

• COMPETENCIES

Team work. Good communication skills. Driving for Results.

• TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE  

Knowledge of HIV-related diagnostics and the HIV programming.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The competencies required for this post are….

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.