HIV & AIDS Consultant (MUST be Somali), Nairobi (UNDP)

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HIV & AIDS Consultant (National Position)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Closing date: 21 Dec 2010
Location: Kenya

Background and Objectives of the assignment

The Somali HIV response is set in a unique and dynamic political, social, and economic environment, which impacts on different sub-groups of the population with varying levels of risks and vulnerability to HIV infection. The ongoing conflict and instability has severely affected household economic security, further exacerbated disparities in gender relations and increased the vulnerability of women and children. Against this background, UNAIDS and WHO estimate that there are approximately 22,810 people living with HIV in Somaliland, Puntland, and South Central Somalia between the ages of 15-49 years. By the end of 2007, an estimated 3% of those in need of ART were on treatment and 0.4% received interventions for the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV.

There are a number of challenges to support a multi-sectoral response in Somalia. These include high levels of stigma and discrimination all too often associated with the disease, which continues to prohibit open dialogue at various levels as well as low up take of services such as VCT and ART, as well as large mobile populations, refugees and Internally Displaced People (IDPs).

UNDP has been at the forefront globally and at country levels to contribute towards and support national responses to HIV & AIDS together with other development partners. In Somalia, UNDP has been actively involved in the HIV & AIDS response since 2004. UNDP’s main focus is to strengthen Governance of AIDS Responses which focus on 3 critical areas: i) Strengthening Governance Structures for the HIV responses, ii) Supporting Decentralisation of the HIV & AIDS response and iii) Strengthening Partnerships between government and civil society. To help create an enabling environment and reduce stigma and discrimination UNDP works to protect the rights of People Living with HIV & AIDS (PLHAs), women, and other vulnerable populations.

As per the scope of work below, this consultancy will support UNDP efforts to strengthen governance structures for the HIV response in Somalia and support partners that UNDP works with in Somaliland, Puntland and South Central. The position is based in Nairobi but will require some travel to the field.

To this end, UNDP Somalia is recruiting a national consultant for the HIV & AIDS Unit who speaks Somali as well as English to support the following work:

1. Finalise the HIV & AIDS Policy for Puntland and South Central
2. Support the role out of Community Conversations on HIV & AIDS in Somaliland and Puntland
3. Provide Technical Assistance and facilitate workshops to mainstream HIV & AIDS into all Ministries in Somaliland and Puntland
4. Provide Technical Assistance and facilitate workshops on HIV & AIDS Work Place Programmes in Somaliland and Puntland
5. Advise Government and Civil Society leadership to strengthen the response to HIV & AIDS in Somalia
6. Provide technical assistance to help build the capacity of the 3 AIDS Commissions in Somalia
7. Support two UNDP Somali Area Project Managers based in Somaliland and Puntalnd
8. Support and monitor Global Fund Partnership Agreements UNDP has with local partners and other UN agencies working in Somalia
9. Attend HIV & AIDS Working Group meetings and IPTCS (Integrated Prevention Treatment Care and Support) meetings in Nairobi
10. Support and carry out any other relevant duties requested by the HIV & AIDS Specialist.
III. Scope of work

The assignment is divided into 3 phases as follows:

1. Provide technical assistance to help build the capacity of HIV & AIDS Governance Structures in Somalia, for example by building the capacity of the 3 AIDS Commissions, as well as Local Government Responses to HIV & AIDS

• Finalise Draft HIV & AIDS Policy for Puntland and South Central and share all comments with the relevant AIDS Commission
• Facilitate workshop to mainstream HIV & AIDS into all Ministries in Somaliland and Puntland
• Facilitate workshops on HIV & AIDS Work Place Programmes in Somaliland and Puntland Support the role out of Community Conversations on HIV & AIDS in Somaliland and Puntland, to help strengthen HIV & AIDS District and Community Responses

2. Support the UNDP HIV & AIDS Area Project Managers to implement, monitor and report on all Global Fund Partnership Agreements as per areas of work assigned to UNDP under Round 8 Global Fund Grant.

• Support two UNDP Somali Area Project Managers
• Draft Reports in collaboration with UNDP HIV & AIDS Area Project Managers and HIV & AIDS Specialist for donors
• Prepare partnership agreements to sign with partners as necessary e.g. Micro Capital Grants (MCGs) and Letters of Agreement (LOA), and assist to process payments accordingly

3. Participate in HIV & AIDS Working Group meetings and IPTCS (Integrated Prevention Treatment Care and Support) meetings in Nairobi, plus any other meetings deemed necessary by the HIV & AIDS Specialist

IV. Monitoring and Progress controls

The National Consultant will work in collaboration with the HIV & AIDS Specialist and provide progress updates on a weekly basis.

V. Final product/deliverable

1. Workshops to mainstream HIV & AIDS in Somaliland and Puntland conducted
2. Final Draft of HIV & AIDS Policy for Puntland and South Central shared with relevant AIDS Commission with recommendations on how both these documents can be improved
3. 14 Community Conversations on HIV & AIDS take place in Somaliland (7) and Puntland (7)
4. HIV & AIDS Media Project supported
VI: Review/approval time

5 working days

VII: Qualifications

(a)   Competencies
• BA in social sciences or other relevant field
• Thorough knowledge of the HIV & AIDS epidemic in Somalia
• Good knowledge of the political, economic and social context of Somalia would be considered an advantage.
• Excellent written and oral communication, organizational and analytical skills.
• Advanced computer skills in common office programs (Word, Excel, Power-Point, etc) and web-based database applications.
• Knowledge of UNDP processes and procedures desirable
(b)   Required Skills and Experience
• MUST Speak Somali
• Minimum 5 years experience working on HIV & AIDS issues
• Demonstrated experience in implementation work with Most At Risk Populations in Somalia a particular advantage
• Experience working in Somalia with various stakeholders, including the public sector, donor community and the not-for-profit sector
• Facilitation and Training Experience required
• Previous UN experience an advantage
• Experience with working in a multi-cultural context will be much desired
• Strong inter-personal and coaching skills and experience.

The consultant will be located in Nairobi with occasional travel to Somalia
All travel related and DSA costs will be borne by UNDP Somalia country office and arranged under the UNDP standard procedures.
UNDP will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest.
How to apply
Submission of application

Please send your curriculum vitae, marked “National Aids Consultant) to: The Deputy Resident Representative (Operations), United Nations Development Programme - Somalia, P.O. Box 28832,00202 Nairobi, Kenya, fax: 254-20- 4183641, e-mail: registry.so@undp.org

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are required to fill the P11 Form and submit it together with the application.
Find the P11 Form for SSA Holders on this link
http://www.so.undp.org/index.php/Download-document/43-P11-form-for-service-contract-and-SSAs.html

UNDP will only be able to respond to those applications in which there is further interest.
This vacancy announcement is also available on http://jobs.undp.org/ and on the Relief Web site (http://www.reliefweb.int/)
Reference Code: RW_8C7LFP-26