Adolescents and HIV/AIDS Specialist, P-4, Gaborone, Botswana

Contract Type:  Temporary Assignment (364 days)

If you are a passionate and committed professional and want to make a lasting difference for children, the world's leading children's rights organization would like to hear from you.

Purpose:
Under the overall guidance of the Deputy Representative, gives advice and support to the Botswana Country Office to design effective programmes and practices to promote the prevention, care and support of children and adolescents vulnerable to, affected by, or infected with HIV/AIDS. He/she also acts as the focal point for Adolescents within the Country Office, coordinating adolescents' interventions across sectors and support coordination of HIV Joint Programme of Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland.

Key Expected Results
1. Promote and support the development of a comprehensive strategic framework of programme approaches, as the UNICEF response to reduce HIV/AIDS vulnerability and ensure rights protection, including:
- Reducing the vulnerability of adolescents to HIV/AIDS.
- Promoting adolescents' genuine participation in expanding national responses aimed at primary prevention of HIV/AIDs;
- Mobilizing  policy-makers, parents, media, religious organizations, traditional leaders  and all civil society to foster public opinion, policies, and social services aimed at reducing vulnerability and impact of HIV/AIDS;
- Expanding access to adolescent-friendly health services including prevention, treatment counseling, care and support services;
- Support improving the quality and coverage of school programs and out-of-school programs aimed at promoting behavioral changes towards sexuality, prevention of HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, violence, gender discrimination and related issues and improves linkages to services;

2. Development of appropriate strategies to protect and promote the rights of adolescents living with HIV, as well as their participation in the design, implementation and monitoring of programmes and approaches.
- Promote more active and innovative engagement of UNICEF CO with adolescents living with HIV, both for their care and support and as key actors in the identification of out-of-the box interventions in prevention, testing, treatment and care.
- Promote and/or support national and sub- regional networks of adolescents living with HIV.

3. Support Coordination of the work of BNLSS countries’ HIV Joint Programme among adolescents and elimination of mother to child transmission, acting as country focal point on adolescents, working closely with other sectors in CO and with the HIV team in Eastern and South Africa Regional Office, Nairobi.
- Coordination of results for adolescents within Country Office on Adolescents' priorities, in line with the Regional Guidance on Results for Adolescents.
- Act as a focal point for Adolescents within Botswana Country Office and UN JUTA, providing assistance to other thematic teams in the CO.
- Act as a focal point for Adolescents in relation to Regional Office, Nairobi and ADAP unit in NYHQ.
- Provide technical assistance to BNLSS COs in the area of Adolescents and HIV/AIDS as needed
- Support in data collection, analysis and knowledge management on Adolescents and HIV - related issues.
- Support in preparation of advocacy strategies and knowledge products

4. Reinforce and sustain current liaisons with relevant partners and regional networks that work on HIV/AIDS, particularly UNAIDS, WHO, UNFPA, Global Fund, PEPFAR, BONASO, BONELA, etc.
- Actively participate at UN country and regional groups for coordination in the area of HIV/AIDS and Adolescents, including adolescents’ networks.
- Network with other regional partners and organizations outside the UN, including adolescents’ networks.
- Explore engagement with the private sector.

5. Explore expanded program funding partnerships with UN agencies acting within the UNDAF, international financial organizations, bilateral agencies, public, private and non¬profit sectors.
- Explore new opportunities for funding for HIV/AIDS and Adolescents in the region, not only funds to be channeled through UNICEF but also through governments and civil society.
-  In coordination with the Regional Office participate in UBRAF (Unified Budget for the UN response on HIV/AIDS and main source of HIV funding for UNICEF) discussions and ensure appropriate, timely and quality reporting on the use of those funds.

Qualifications of Successful Candidate
- Advanced University Degree in Social Sciences, Anthropology, Public Health /Health Education or other relevant technical field.
- Training or experience in communication for development theory and practice, with knowledge of technology in the related fields.
- Eight years of progressive experience at national and international levels in planning, management, monitoring and evaluation of HIV prevention and development programmes.
- Experience in working with UN system organizations in technical programmes, and in rights-based programming.
- Fluency in English required; good written and oral communication.

Competencies of Successful Candidate
- Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking.
- Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
- Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.
- Has good leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear.
- Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.
- Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.
- Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments.
- Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates team- and department-wide activities.
- Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization.

How to Apply

Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that they forward their applications (a cover letter, CV, and signed P11 form which can be downloaded at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/P11.doc) to:

The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Botswana Country Office
Email address: gaborone@unicef.org. 

The deadline for applying is: 4th December 2015

Please note that acknowledgement of application will be extended only to short-listed candidates.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.