JOB ADVERTISING: Enabling Environment Technical Advisor

A- BACKGROUND

Cameroon has among the highest burden of HIV in West and Central Africa (2.7% among average risk reproductive age adults – DHS 2018). High HIV prevalence is associated with high-risk sexual behaviors such as inconsistent use of condoms and lubricants and a high rate of sexually transmitted infections (STI). Stigma and discrimination have further marginalized key populations limiting their access to life-saving services such as anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and reducing the country’s ability to control the HIV epidemic

The national response is led by the National AIDS Control Committee (NACC), which coordinates implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2021-2023. This policy aims to reduce HIV and STI-related morbidity and mortality and alleviate its socioeconomic impact on the development of Cameroon. Among strategic approaches, the plan stresses improved access to prevention, care and treatment for key populations.

The USAID-funded Community HIV/AIDS Investments for Longer and healthier Lives (CHILL) has the following objectives: (1) HIV testing for Key and Priority populations (KPs & PP); (2) ART uptake for KPs and PPs by ensuring that those who test positive are actively linked to treatment as soon as possible; and (3) improving retention in treatment through improved linkages between facility and community-based services, and reinforced community-based support for adherence and client follow-up.
Care and Health Program (CHP) will be the CHILL prime and will lead the program in partnership with fifteen local community-based organizations (CBO). The consortium is collaborating with the Ministry of Public Health (MOH), NACC and other stakeholders to build the capacity of the national, regional and community response.

These efforts will expand service coverage in five focus regions and generate data for evidence-based programming through the implementation of evidence-based prevention, care and treatment services to key and priority populations in Cameroon.
In the context of this project, CHP is recruiting an Enabling Environment Technical Advisor with the following criteria:

CONTRACT PERIOD: 5 years, beginning from January 2nd 2023

PLACE: Yaoundé (1);

CONTRACT TYPE: Indeterminate subject to performance and availability of funding

TRIAL PERIOD: 3 Months Renewable after evaluation.

B. RENTAL POSITION
The Enabling Environment Technical Advisor will be a member of the CHILL team based at the CHP office in sites Yaoundé-Bafoussam. The Incumbent will report to the Chef Of Party.

C. BASIC FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The major responsibilities, principal tasks, competencies and end results for which the position.
JOB RESPONSIBILITY 1 Lead policy, advocacy, violence prevention and response
The PAEES will serve as the technical lead in supporting consortium partners, the TLO, and local sub-partners to implement HIV and related policy and advocacy, violence prevention and response, and social enterprise initiatives.

Specific tasks will include the following:

-Support CBO partners to develop and implement violence prevention and response (VPR) action plans and provide timely data on violence to government and non-government stakeholders.
-Support CBO forums and ministry entities to foster discussion between KP/PP and government institutions beyond the health sector (police, military, and justice) to address issues and challenges encountered by KP/PP.
-Collaborate with NACC, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and relevant USG partners to review the Integrated Stigma Mitigation Intervention (ISMI) curriculum and training for service provision sites and make revisions to improve the accessibility of services.
-Support the effective functioning of the LGBT platform to provide a forum for activists to discuss challenges and solutions concerning the rights of LGBT individuals in Cameroon.

-Conduct advocacy with key national partners, NHRC, and DOD to promote the inclusion of uniformed services in the National Strategic Plan for HIV/AIDS and STIs as a partner in the national HIV response.
-Develop a standard operating protocol with NHRC and DOD that outlines the specific roles and responsibilities of uniformed services as partners towards an enhanced enabling environment for improved HIV service access for KP/PP.
-Develop and implement a national training program with NHRC and DOD that seeks to reach all uniformed service personnel who are working in environments where KP/PP need access to HIV services.

JOB RESPONSIBILITY 2: Lead the design and implementation of social enterprises for CBO partners

As part of an effort to support sustainable programming beyond the life of CHILL, the program will support CBO partners to develop social enterprises to provide friendly services for key populations and their family members and loved ones. The PAEES will:

-Collaborate with partners to develop and employ online-mediated approaches to assess willingness to pay among KP/PP for a variety of DIC-based services.
-Support partners to develop sliding scale payment schedules, and a social profile segmentation tool to help them determine which clients may be eligible for reduced or no-cost services, and which may be able to pay for services (based on a range of payment options ). Services on the pay schedule might include etiological STI management, community pharmacy, FP, diabetes, malaria, PrEP, or other services.
-Support CBO partners to certify as quality service sites, advertise their services through community-based promotion, mobilization, and web and phone-based platforms, and provide services and recover costs through social enterprise.
-Support CBO drop-in centers to carry out income-generating activities (beautician services, cafes, etc.) to diversify cost-recovery options and attract clients.

JOB RESPONSIBILITY 3 Support organizational capacity strengthening of sub-partner(s) to transition policy/advocacy oversight

The PAEES will support the TLO (and potentially other sub-partners) to transition the leadership of policy, advocacy, GBV, and social enterprise activities to local entities by the end of the grant.

Specific tasks will include the following:
-Collaborate with TLO and relevant CHAMP consortium staff to assess the capacity of the TLO and partners to deliver on policy, advocacy, GBV and social enterprise activities.
-Collaborate with the TLO and relevant CHAMP consortium staff to develop a PAEE capacity strengthening plan.
-Provide technical support to improve capacity of the TLO according to the plan

JOB RESPONSIBILITY 4 Support resource mobilization opportunities
The PAEES will have specific roles in supporting the TLO and other potential sub-partners to plan and work effectively with potential public and private donors and partners including the government to secure resources for sustained PAEE initiatives.

-Develop and maintain strong relationships with relevant Government, private sector, local leadership, Task Force, community partner, and USG team members working on PAEE issues.
-Collaborate with relevant players to ensure effective coordination of resource planning and mobilization efforts.
-Support the TLO (and relevant sub-partners) to develop business strategies for sustainable programming and longevity in PAEES

JOB RESPONSIBILITY 5: Support data use for decision making, reporting, and quality assurance and improvement measures

The PAEES will work closely with the M&E teams from CHAMP, the TLO, and local partners to ensure that data are analyzed to pivot and course correct in real time. Specific activities will include the following:

-Support the development, adaptation, and/or revision of quality assurance standards, tools, and monitoring systems, and the development of action plans and improvement measures.
-Support the review of Site Improvement through Monitoring Systems (SIMS) action plans, and support the TLO and sub-grantees to address underperformance and consistently meet quality standards.
-Support the M&E leads within CHAMP and among sub-partners to utilize program (and additional qualitative) data to gauge performance against benchmarks, identify potential gaps and causes, and develop solutions to address gaps.
-Support the COP, CARE USA STA, and M&E leads within CHAMP and among sub-partners to develop monthly, quarterly, and semi-annual reports for USAID (and additional reporting as required) .

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
the position and fulfill the organization’s expectations for job performance. Also include the education, experience, and skills desired for the position.

Education / Training
At least a bachelors’ level degree with relevance to community development, policy making, and/or the rights/advocacy work or equivalent combination of education and work experience, with training and experience in project management.

The organization desires candidate holding Masters level or higher in policy and advocacy, gender, or public health sexual/reproductive health and HIV and training in the delivery of differentiated HIV-related service packages for key populations

At least 3 years of experience providing technical support in the design and implementation of community development programs
• Demonstrated ability in concepts, principles, methods and techniques of delivering community development programs,
• Demonstrated skills in effectively negotiating with host governments, donors, UN agencies and/or other USG projects, local organizations and partners,
• Strong oral and written communication skills; excellent demonstrated interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Proven leadership skills. Demonstrated experience in managing a design and implementation process for community development.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with host governments, donors, other donor-funded projects and stakeholders, local organizations, and partners.
• Demonstrated strong commitment to gender equity and diversity.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and French,
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively as part of a team. S/he must have strong time-management skills in order to prioritize and manage numerous activities concurrently.
• Understanding of rules and regulations related to USAID project funding, sub-contracting and reporting requirements desired.

POSITION ELEMENTS

1. Supervision received: The Enabling Environment Technical Advisor- Ydé (1) works under the general supervision of the Care and Treatment specialist. The latter and the incumbent will review roles and responsibilities together, set goals, objectives, expectations, and results to be achieved. The incumbent will be expected to seek advice and assistance as required.
2. Exercise of judgment: good judgment is required to analyze, interpret, and adapt prior experience, particularly as guidelines are updated and new activities developed. Within a range determined by the incumbent and superiors, the incumbent exercises independent judgment in planning and follow-up of actions and assignments. The incumbent works with some level of independence.
3. Nature, level, and purpose of contacts: The incumbent will be expected to dialogue with a wide variety of CBO Finance and administrative representatives.

PREPARATION OF THE APPLICATION FILE

If you are interested in pursuing any of these opportunities, please submit a resume A CV, a cover letter including contacts of at least 03 references, a copy of the certificates/diplomas and ID card will be submitted by the 26 December 2022 in our offices located behind the “center regional office of taxation at Omnisport” or send by email to chp@carehealthprogram.org

Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR