Specialist on HIV Prevention Acceleration for AGYW and condom access

Contract

This is a UNV National Expert contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Expert contracts.

This UNV assignment is under the framework of the Global HIV Prevention Coalition (GPC) to support HIV Prevention Acceleration at country level. The Global AIDS Strategy 2021-2026 calls for accelerated HIV prevention responses at country-level in view of the large gaps that remain to be addressed vis-à-vis 2025 targets in most countries. In the first phase of the GPC that was launched in 2017 to support global efforts to accelerate HIV prevention, gaps in program management capacity were identified as a barrier to implementing effective, nationally owned HIV prevention programmes at scale. At the same time, country partners have consistently expressed a need to complement short-term technical assistance with longer term capacity support in programme implementation and program management. In the second phase of the GPC, a Prevention Acceleration Team was established in four pilot countries to stimulate acceleration by providing focused HIV prevention response management and implementation oversight.

Purpose and outcome of the Prevention Acceleration Team The Prevention Acceleration Team will serve to bring together existing prevention expertise in Ghana and complement this with additional capacity to coordinate tailored prioritized combination HIV prevention interventions in accordance with the best available global strategic guidance. In particular, the prevention acceleration team will contribute to: • Reinforcing HIV prevention management capacity, • Strengthening programme implementation, and • Maximizing the effectiveness of available funding for HIV prevention in support of the national response from different sources, specifically from Global Fund grants.

Composition and positioning of funded staff

The Ghana Prevention Acceleration Working Group (PAWG) will be composed by unifying existing HIV prevention actors in each country based on comparative advantages (including as the case may be: National AIDS Control Program, Ghana AIDS Commission, Joint United Nations Team on HIV/AIDS agency focal points, community-led networks; implementing partners focal points, including selected non-governmental organizations, private sector implementers and/or PEPFAR and Global Fund principal and main sub-recipients). This group will be complemented through funding from UNAIDS with additional staff to stimulate transformational action to enable Ghana to unite stakeholders around addressing program gaps that inhibit acceleration of HIV prevention and leading the country to build a well-prioritized national program rather than short-term projects. The additional funded staff would comprise two UNV Experts with coordination functions. This Prevention Acceleration Team (PAT) will motivate and guide the overall PAWG. The funding support will run until June 2024 and contracts will be renewed annually based on performance. The team will work at UNAIDS office (20% of the time) and will visit on regular basis the premises of the key government partners: National AIDS Control Programme (40% of the time) and the Ghana AIDS Commission (40% of the time) to provide technical support to these entities.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the UNAIDS Country Director and the Program Advisor, Science Systems and Services for All or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Specialist on HIV Prevention Acceleration for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) and condom access will:

•Conduct in-depth quality reviews of prevention program strategies, tools, standard operating procedures, operational plans, and practices. •Conduct an evaluation of community-level prevention programs. •Adopt and operationalize an approach to expand trusted service access platforms for key and vulnerable populations. •Revise strategies, tools, SOPS, and practices using a people-centered approach. •Develop and implement a capacity development and technical assistance plan for HIV prevention. •Support implementation of the Global Fund grant through quality assurance, mentoring, ensuring linkages to technical assistance resources, coordinated performance monitoring, data use and program learning. •Contribute to updating the HIV Prevention 2025 Road Map. •Develop a report on lessons learned from the Prevention acceleration support to Ghana. •Strategic Information for Decision-Making and Learning •Conduct a baseline data assessment of the prevention program. •Update national and subnational HIV prevention scorecards. •Reconstitute and revitalize the Ghana Prevention Coalition to serve as the prevention acceleration working group mentioned above. •Develop an accountability framework with indicators based on the ToR for the Ghana •Prevention Coalition (which was established in 2018) and track progress. •Conduct quarterly HIV Prevention progress review meetings with the Ghana Prevention •Coalition and affiliate stakeholders. •Develop and implement a Private Sector engagement strategy. •Liaise with ministries of Education, Gender, Trade and Industry and Employment to establish/engage HIV focal points for Prevention. •Conduct a mapping of financial resources that support HIV prevention including a mapping of all bilateral and international, technical as well as financial partners. •Develop and implement a resource mobilization plan for prevention acceleration and track progress. •Support the coordination of the Ghana Prevention Acceleration Working Group (PAWG)

•Any other related tasks, as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

•Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNAIDS; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNAIDS procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, •Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNAIDS in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; •Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; •Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. •Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; •Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; •Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; •Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNAIDS’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values. •Ability to coordinate a team. •Strong leadership and mentorship skills.

public health or HIV response related matters at the national and/or international level ; •At least 8 years' experience working on HIV program implementation preferably in Ghana or in Sub-Saharan Africa; •At least 8 years’ experience working with ministries of health, civil society organizations, development partners and international donors. •At least 5 years of experience working on HIV prevention with adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and also on condom access related matters; •Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; •Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; •Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; •Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; •Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; •Sound security awareness; •Have affinity with or interest in HIV response with emphasis in AGYW volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System. ▪ Experience with technical writing, data analysis and report

The UN Volunteer will be based in Accra, Ghana which is currently classified as hardship category B and a family duty station. This confirms that transport, medical, education and other services are at a reasonable level compared to other countries in the region. At sea level, the climate of the country is tropical-hot and humid with average yearly temperatures of about 30C and little daily variation. At the interior's higher altitudes, the average yearly temperature is 24C, and nights are generally cool. The rainy season runs generally from October to May. The total population of Ghana is about 32.9 million. Ghana is a Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) country. There are a lot of options for accommodation, so houses and apartments can be easily rented for affordable prices. Also, Accra offers a variety of restaurants offering local food and international food. Food, household commodities and clothing can be found in shops and local markets at reasonable prices. An entry visa is required for all travellers and must be obtained prior to arrival from an embassy. The Cedi is the local currency and according to the UN exchange rate system, a USD 1 is equivalent to 10.85 GHS (14 April 2023). Commercial banks are operating in the country and credit cards are accepted in shops, restaurants, hotels, etc. Private and public health services are available in the city.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.