HIV Specialist

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The International UN Volunteer, HIV Specialist, will work primarily with the Centre for HIV and STIs (CHAS), who are under the Department of Communicable Disease Control (DCDC) within the Ministry of Health (MOH). The World Health Organization will be the host agency for the UN Volunteer and they will be expected to work closely with the National, Provincial and District level HIV programs under the direction of the integrated communicable diseases (ICD) WHO Team Leader based in the Lao country office. The core roles of the position is to support the HIV team that operates within the ICD unit in implementing key activities under the National HIV/STI Strategic Plan, including surveillance, prevention and treatment and capacity building in using data for operational decision making. The UN Volunteer will also need work with the WHO team to support targeted projects and facilitate appropriate collaboration with the other non-government organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs) and United Nations (UN) agencies that are HIV stakeholders in Lao.

Under the strategic direction of the WHO Representative in Lao PDR (2nd level supervisor) and overall guidance of the WHO ICD Team Leader (1st level supervisor), the UNV will assist the Centre for HIV/AIDS and STIs (CHAS), the Department of Health Care and Rehabilitation (DHR), the Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion (DHHP) of the Ministry of Health (MOH) to fulfil its objective with particular focus on supporting innovative, integrated and patient centred approaches to reaching the high risk, unreached populations to improve the quality and impact of HIV, STI and viral hepatitis care and treatment.

Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader of the ICD Unit (HIV, TB, malaria, NTDs), WHO Lao PDR, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Support CHAS to update and implement PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) guidelines, and ensure the guidelines are in line with WHO recommendations.
2. Work with CHAS, DHR, DHHP and other partners, especially CSOs, to improve access to quality HIV, STIs, and viral hepatitis services through: a. Decentralization of confirmatory testing and ART (antiretroviral therapy) to the district level in high burden HIV areas. b. Implementing KP (Key Populations) led service delivery (e.g HIV testing and linkage to care). c. Designing and implementing virtual interventions. d. Focusing on KPs, especially men who have sex with men and transgender (MSM/TG) and female service workers (FSW). e. Finalize and implement the national action plan for viral hepatitis.
3. Work with CHAS, DHR, DHHP and other partners to promote and build capacity in strategic, data-driven decision-making: a. Support CHAS with implementing the HIV sentinel surveillance (HSS+) system, based on the recent national HSS guidelines. b. Streamline, and standardize indicators and logbooks to improve data quality. c. Improve and resolve issues with reporting timeliness and reporting mechanism by working with CHAS and partner to develop a manual and related SOPs for M&E and data reporting, and train subnational levels on how to implement the manual. d. Improve the HIV surveillance system (DHIS2) so that it is cohesive, has standardised data analytics in line with improving impact, and has standardised data presentation through national and subnational dashboards. e. Promote routine and regular meetings by the program and partners to review data and make strategic and operational decisions based on evidence. f. Support design and implementation of recording and reporting of the WHO-recommended indicators of viral hepatitis at the facilities.
4. Support MOH to implement a pilot project for the triple elimination of mother to child transmission of (EMTCT) of HIV, Syphilis and HBV (Hepatitis B virus). Support MOH in data collection, data management, analysis of results and dissemination of the project findings. Based on the findings develop a plan for scale-up the project.

☒ Adaptability and Flexibility ☒ Building Trust ☒ Communication ☒ Empowering Others ☒ Ethics and Values ☒ Integrity ☒ Knowledge Sharing ☒ Professionalism ☒ Respect for Diversity ☒ Working in Teams

infectious disease epidemiology and surveillance particularly in HIV and other Sexually transmitted infections (STI) • Experience in public health programmes particularly in infectious disease prevention and control • Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English • Ability to make oral and written presentations on technical issues • Ability to write detailed, coherent, and concise briefing documents • Ability to evaluate, analyse, and interpret epidemiological data in the context of public health programmes • Ability to establish harmonious working relations with national and international staff with different cultural background and education levels • Working knowledge of statistical packages for epidemiological data analysis • Strategic and operational planning skills

The position will be based in Vientiane, the capital city of Lao PDR. Living conditions in Vientiane are acceptable, with relatively good road infrastructure and health facilities. Vientiane is a relatively safe place to live in, with violent crime incidents rare. However, single females should exert vigilance if moving alone during the dark and it is best advised to move in groups. The biggest hazards relate to traffic accidents, hence utmost care should be exerted when in traffic, especially when riding a motorbike.

The Vientiane entertainment scene is quiet and in order to avoid feeling lonely the person should be proactive in forming friendships, and hence should be ready to make the best of e.g. the UNV Buddy Programme.

The temperature is warm even during the rainy season which starts from June and lasts until September. Temperature is lowest from November to February. All basic commodities necessities are available locally in this city.

Lao PDR is a unique country and the malaria program WHO is supporting is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.