University of Manitoba Technical and Field Officers

The University of Manitoba – Centre for Global Public Health (UoM-CGPH), with funding from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and the World Bank, has been contracted to provide technical assistance to the National STI & AIDS Control Programme (NASCOP) and the National AIDS Control Council (NACC) to strengthen HIV prevention programmes among most-at-risk populations (MARPs) in Kenya. 

The overall goal of the project is to contribute to a reduction in HIV incidence in Kenya by improving the scale, quality and impact of HIV prevention programmes among MARPs. 

A key strategy of the project is the establishment of a Technical Support Unit (TSU) within NASCOP to coordinate, support and develop technical strategies and guidelines, build capacity, and provide implementation and monitoring & evaluation support for the scaling up of HIV prevention programmes for MARPs in Kenya.

Applications are invited from qualified Kenyan nationals for the positions described below. All positions will be based at NASCOP and TSU offices in Nairobi, while Regional Field Officer Positions will be based in the regions.

Technical Officer – Capacity Building (Ref. TSU 01/12)

This position’s overall purpose is to coordinate, support and build capacities within NASCOP and its implementing partners on MARPS programming.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate and compile existing capacity building modules for MARPS.
• Standardize training modules.
• Support in developing capacity building implementation guidelines, and training manuals.
• Plan and conduct trainings for NASCOP and key implementing partners.
• Identify other capacity gaps for in MARPs programming and strategies to bridge the gaps.
• Support capacity building needs of the learning sites.

Required experience and qualifications

• University degree at Masters Level with specialisation in public health, social science, education or development studies or related social science field.
• Five years’ experience in capacity building in HIV prevention programmes or other relevant programmes is essential, two of which must include experience working with local NGOs.
• Proven skills in developing organisational and programmatic capacity building materials and experience of facilitation, training, coaching and mentoring for organisational capacity development.
• Familiarity with Kenya’s HIV epidemic and the status of HIV programmes among MARPs is desirable.

Technical Officer – Advocacy and Communications (Ref. TSU 02/12)

This position will support NASCOP and coordinate policy development, and the creation of a supportive environment for effective and efficient HIV prevention programmes for MARPs in Kenya.

Key responsibilities

• Develop strategies on MARPS Interventions with media.
• Document and maintain good MARPS program practices on the websites and library databases of NACC and NASCOP.
• Support the development of different communication media.
• Respond to partner requests on MARPs programming, and on policy and advocacy issues.

Required experience, abilities and qualifications

• University degree at Masters level with specialisation in the field of journalism, development communication, or related social science fields, or equivalent experience.
• Five years’ experience in HIV, health communications, or a related field.
• Proven skills in communication, networking and ability to relate these to advocacy and communications.
• Familiarity with Kenya’s HIV epidemic and the status of HIV programmes among MARPs is desirable.

Technical Officer – MARPS Outreach and Community Mobilisation (Ref. TSU 03/12)

This position will support NASCOP and its partners to strengthen MARPS-related outreach strategies for increased services uptake, and will mentor the MARPS Regional Field Officers. 

The position will also strengthen and build MARPS community groups, strengthen outreach strategies using community mobilization methodologies, and links to services delivery.

Key responsibilities

• Mentor the work of MARPS Field Officers.
• Assist NASCOP to support MARPS interventions based on mapping and ensure that the programmes are evidence-based.
• Undertake regular field visits to MARPS programmes and provide onsite technical support.
• Provide regular feedback on reports received from Field officers and MARPS programmes to NASCOP.
• Provide technical support to NASCOP for documenting best practices on MARPS programmes.
• Coordinate and develop concepts and implementation strategies related to community mobilisation for MARPS.

Required experience and qualifications

• University degree at Masters Level with specialisation in public health, community health, development studies or related social science fields, or equivalent experience.
• Five years’ experience in HIV prevention programmes, with 2 year experience of working with MARPS involving strategies for community outreach and mobilisation.
• Skills in design and implementation of effective outreach for MARPS.
• Familiarity with Kenya’s HIV epidemic and the status of HIV programmes among MARPs is essential.

Technical Officer – Documentation and Guidelines (Ref. TSU 04/12)

This position will provide support in the development of implementation resource guides and manuals for MARPs programme planners and implementers that complement and enhance existing NASCOP guidelines. 

This position will support document the processes of learning sites.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate, support and document guidelines and standard operating procedures for MARPS programmes.
• Document the key learnings from MARPS learning sites.
• Coordinate, develop, test and produce implementation resource guides and manuals for MARPS programming, by reviewing existing guidelines and consulting with key stakeholders to develop priorities and content areas for resource materials.
• Coordinate and maintain a newsletter on behalf of NASCOP to share learning related to MARPs programming, and assist in maintaining and updating the NASCOP website related to MARPS programming.

Required experience and qualifications

• University degree at Masters level with specialisation in public health, community health, development studies or a related social science field, or equivalent experience.
• Five years’ experience in HIV prevention programmes or other relevant programmes.
• Proven skills in development of implementation resource guides and manuals.
• Familiarity with Kenya’s HIV epidemic and the status of HIV programmes among MARPs is desirable.

Regional Field Officers (Four) – Central/ Eastern, Nyanza/Western, Rift Valley, Coast (Ref. TSU 05/12)

Regional Field Officers will be responsible for planning and coordinating the implementation of effective HIV prevention programmes among MARPs by local NGOs and CBOs within their regions.

Key responsibilities

• Establish and strengthen MARPS outreach.
• Facilitate capacity building activities.
• Support CBOs and NGOs in monitoring and evaluation of MARPs programmes.
• Establish and maintain good working relationships with local NGOs, FBOs and CSOs.
• Disseminate information, education and communication materials on advocacy for MARPs programming.

Required experience and qualifications

• Degree in social sciences, public health, community development or a related health field.
• Two years experience in HIV prevention activities in community settings.
• Skills in training and facilitation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Familiarity with Kenya’s HIV epidemic and the status of HIV programmes among MARPs is desirable.

Field Officer – Monitoring and Evaluation (Ref. TSU 06/12)

This position will support NASCOP to build, coordinate and strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems on MARPS programs for NASCOP.

Key Responsibilities

• Support NASCOP in developing MARPS reporting standards and other formats for easy and timely reporting.
• Assist NASCOP by strengthening the M&E systems of the MARPS partners.
• Support NASCOP and its MARPS partners on MARPS reporting, analysis and feedback.
• Analyse MARPS data on a regular basis and share with NASCOP for decision making.
• Strengthen the quality of data through supportive supervision and monitoring visit to the MARPS programmes.

Required experience and qualifications

• Degree in public health, statistics, demography or a related field.
• Two years experience in research, monitoring, evaluation, and related experience with NGOs/ CBOs
• Familiarity with databases and statistical analysis software such as Excel, Access, SPSS, STATA, Epi info, etc.
• Familiarity with Kenya’s HIV epidemic and the status of HIV programmes among MARPs is desirable.

How to apply:

All positions will report to Head: Technical Support Unit. 

All positions will require extensive field travel, strong interpersonal communication skills, computer literacy with good analytical and presentation skills.

All positions will be closely supervised by NASCOP.

Applications from qualified and interested candidates should be sent by e-mail to
ntsukenya@gmail.com.  

If email is not possible, a hard copy can be sent via post to the following address: Head: Technical Support Unit, PO Box 16885 – 00620, Nairobi, Kenya.

Applications should consist of an updated CV with current daytime telephone contact and a cover letter indicating the reference number of the position applied for in the subject header and stating the expected salary and for the Field Officers (Ref. TSU 05/12) the preferred place of posting. 

All applications must be received no later than January 4th, 2013. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.