Consultants VMMC services and contribute to HIV prevention targets in Eastern and Southern Africa
Support scale-up of VMMC services and HIV prevention in ESA.
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Overview
Support scale-up of VMMC services and HIV prevention in ESA.
You have:
- Degree in Medicine required.
- Advanced degree in Public Health or health-related sciences desirable.
- At least 10 years of experience in health program management required.
- At least 5 years of experience in monitoring and evaluating national policies desirable.
- Fluency in spoken and written English is essential.
- Purpose of Consultancy
The objective of this consultancy is to support further scale up of Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) services and contribute to HIV prevention targets in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA). The focus of this support is to facilitate and support the countries in ESA to adapt the new VMMC guidelines released in August 2020. Implementation and scale up of this VMMC guidance is pivotal to maximize the HIV prevention impact of safe VMMC services in high HIV burden settings. This will further guide the sustained provision and integration of services with a focus on the health and well-being of adolescent boys and men.
- Background
The vision of this UHC/UCN (Universal health coverage) cluster is an African Region with affordable and equitable access to quality prevention, treatment and care services to free it of the burden of communicable diseases.
As of December 2019, an estimated 25.7 million people in the Region are living with HIV and 970,000 new HIV infections occurred in the region down from 1,000,000 infections in 2018. There were 440,000 AIDS-related deaths. The region continued to scale-up antiretroviral therapy throughout the region with 15 million adults and children receiving ART (70%) by 2019.
For the region to meet End AIDS target in 2030 by having less than <200,000 new HIV infections, more efforts including scaling up combination HIV prevention approaches are required. VMMC is one these interventions which has demonstrated significant contribution to the reduction of HIV new infections.
In August 2020, WHO published updated and new guidance, ‘Preventing HIV through safe voluntary medical male circumcision for adolescent boys and men in generalized HIV epidemics’.
To contribute to achieving the vision and mission of the cluster, WHO is seeking a qualified candidate to scale up further VMMC services and contribute to HIV prevention targets in ESA countries. The incumbent will be based in Zimbabwe, reporting to Medical Officer HIV/STI and will perform the following functions among other things:
- Facilitates and supports the countries to adapt the VMMC new guidelines released in August 2020
- Work with all 15 countries, partners and CSOs, to facilitate to scale up VMMC services to ensure countries meet their targets
- Work within UHC Life Course/Healthier Population divisions with AFRO and HQ and partners, ensures improved patients’ safety and reporting of adverse events related to VMMC
- Supports and ensures VMMC integration into other services - SRH, Adolescents, TB, STI and others building on outcomes of cases studies in Zimbabwe and Tanzania, and elsewhere.
- Works across clusters and partners to support VMMC sustainability and other HIV prevention services
- Ensures integration of VMMC into DHIS and supports regular and timely reporting of validated data into Global AIDS Monitoring (GAM) system
- Provide country updates to Clearinghouse on Male Circumcision. Review current status of information on the MC Clearinghouse to be aware of the types of and dates of materials currently available. Contact country FPs and based on past VMMC knowledge and experience request the most up-to-date and relevant information (strategies, plans, case examples, etc) for posting on the CH. Review and ensure materials are approved by relevant agency or MOH. Provide to focal point at Clearinghouse and explain any specific details needed so it may be posted in the relevant place.
- Works closely and contributes to achieving overall HIV/TB/Hepatitis program objectives
Performs any other duties assigned by the supervisor
Scope of work and methods
3.1 Facilitates and supports the countries to adapt the VMMC new guidelines released in August 2020
The consultant works closely with countries to disseminate the new VMMC guidelines, support in country policy discussions for the adaptation processes for these guidelines. The consultant will also provide technical support for countries to facilitate scale up of VMMC services to ensure countries meet their targets. The consultant will also work within the UHC Life Course/Healthier Population divisions with AFRO, HQ and work with other partners to ensure safe delivery of VMMC, supports integration into other services and supports sustainability of VMMC and other HIV prevention services.
3.2 Reporting of data
Provide technical support to ensure countries integrate VMMC data into DHIS-2 and other electronic health information management systems. The consultant will also support regular and timely reporting of validated data into GAM system
3.3 Provide country updates to Clearinghouse on Male Circumcision
Review current status of information on the MC Clearinghouse to be aware of the types of and dates of materials currently available. Contact country FPs and based on past VMMC knowledge and experience request the most up-to-date and relevant information (strategies, plans, case examples, etc) for posting on the CH. Review and ensure materials are approved by relevant agency or MOH. Provide to focal point at Clearinghouse and explain any specific details needed so it may be posted in the relevant place.
3.4 Serve as resource person during the meetings with countries, partners and stakeholders.
3.5 Production of regular reports and policy briefs
- Duration of consultancy
12 Months
- Deliverables and due dates
Deliverable
Date due
Countries adapt new guidelines
December 2021
Countries meet their VMMC targets
June 2022
Improved patients’ safety and reporting of adverse events related to VMMC
June 2022
VMMC services integrated to other services in countries
March 2022
Countries implement sustainable VMMC and other HIV prevention services
December 2022
Regular and timely reporting to GAM
May 2022
Updated information on Clearinghouse on Male Circumcision.
December 2021
Regular progress update reports
December 2021
Technical Supervision
The consultant will be under the technical supervision of the Medical Officer HIV/STI
- Functional Knowledge and Skills
- Demonstrated expertise in planning, monitoring and evaluation
- Excellent skills in qualitative and quantitative data analysis, communication, facilitation, dialogue, coordination, teamwork, writing and reporting
- Strong understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals, the New Fast-Track Strategy to End AIDS by 2030 and the Clearinghouse on Male Circumcision.
- Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, database
- Educational Qualifications
Required: Degree in Medicine
Desirable: Advanced degree in Public Health or other or health-related sciences or
Training in VMMC and HIV Prevention
- Experience
Required: At least 10 years of experience in health program management
Desirable: At least 5 years of experience in monitoring and evaluating National policies, strategies, national health development plans and health programmes
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of the regional and global responses to HIV/AIDS
- Proven competence in epidemiological surveillance, research and/or modern training skills.
- Experience working with the Ministry of Health, international agency or NGO and experience with the UN and knowledge of UN processes is an advantage
- Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English
- Place of Assignment: Harare, Zimbabwe
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a successful project you led related to health program management? | This assesses your project management experience and leadership skills. | Discuss a project, detailing your role, challenges faced, and outcomes achieved. |
| How do you ensure effective communication and coordination among various stakeholders? | The interviewer seeks to understand your collaboration and communication strategies. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a time when you had to adapt guidelines for a program. What was your approach? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What experience do you have with data analysis in health programs? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Added 4 years ago
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Updated 1 year ago
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Source:
who.int
