Country: Uganda
Closing date: 26 Aug 2015
Project/Assignment Title: Support to the HIV Point of Care Diagnostic Project
Level: NOC
Duty Station: Kampala with periodic travels to the field
Duration: 6 MonthsUNICEF is seeking the support of a consultant to assist the Ministry of Health (MOH) to plan, coordinate, implement, monitor and report on current CD4 POC machines as well as new platforms in the pipeline for EID and Viral Load testing.
Scope of work
The consultant will work for UNICEF with MoH, Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), WHO, and other stakeholders in the planning and implementation of the POC work plan and acceleration of the introduction of new devices for POC EID and Viral Load testing in the country.
The UNICEF POC project country officer will be accountable for coordinating, contributing to and reporting on UNICEF country office project activities.
Responsibilities
Coordinate UNICEF country office and Programme Division HQ inputs in the development the country operational plan with CHAI and MOH
Working with UNICEF country office to contribute UNICEF inputs in the development of national policies and coordinate with and coordinate with CHAI country office and MOH, for POC scale up plans
Facilitate CHAI-led operational evaluations that are conducted in UNICEF supported sites, and coordinate inputs of other UNICEF country office staff, in order to attain regulatory approvals
As specified within the country workplan, lead/coordinate/support technical assistance for scaling up systems and processes for scaling up the utilization of HIV POC, including training of trainers, development of M&E systems, ad development of quality assurance systems
As specified within the country workplan, support the collection of monitoring and evaluation data to assess project impact
Work with Communications Section to support development of a POC Communication strategy that guides efficient implementation and roll out of new devices
Represent UNICEF in national task-forces, workshops and conferences, and advocate for the adoption of POC in these fora
Report on UNICEF country project activities to UNICEF HQ
Coordinate UNICEF country inputs in the development of the country transition plan
Contribute to any other tasks necessary for the successful delivery of the project in the country
Task 1:Develop an inception report/work plan. Deliverable 1: Inception report
Task 2: Develop a country operational plan (COP) with CHAI and MOH. Deliverable 2: POC country operational plan available.
Task 3: Develop framework of diagnostic landscape for EID and VL to enable strategic placement of POC with support from HQ, country office and MOH . Deliverable 3: Scoping framework for disaggregated analysis of current diagnostic landscape in-country.
Task 4: Support MoH in development of a POC Communication strategy. Deliverable 4: Messages on POC devices and services
Task 5:Work with CHAI and MOH to facilitate product evaluation and development of regulatory protocols based on the country operational plan. Deliverable 5: Reports of POC product pipeline made available on regular basis; Regulatory protocol for product approval available
Task 6:Support and facilitate EID and VL diagnostic scoping based on the framework. Deliverable 6: Reports on diagnostic landscape, disaggregated by service delivery points
Task 7: Facilitate institutional and individual H/W capacity building on HIV POC in selected at national and district levels including on the job training for health workers. Deliverable 7: Required capacity available in UNICEF focus and other designated districts
Task 8: Participate in POC related national task-forces, workshops and conferences. Deliverable 8: Effective UNICEF representation
Desired background qualification and experience and competencies
Education:
Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, management or related discipline
Work Experience:
At least 5 years’ experience in laboratory systems management, with high level of responsibility and demonstrated leadership skills
Prior programme experience working with government and health sector preferred
Experience in management of health services at central and regional level
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Willingness to travel for work
High degree of motivation and ability to work as part of a team
Other Skills required:
Ability to work well as a team member with UNICEF staff and other partners.
Strong planning/organising, negotiating, entrepreneurial and networking/relating skills.
Strong communication skills, with strong preference for knowledge and experience writing for,
Strong analytical, research and documentation skills
How to apply:
· Applicants interested in the above position should send their Applications accompanied by a resume and P11 Form Via email to: ugderecruit@unicef.org, clearly indicating the position applied for and using the specified order to name attachments (Firstname_Lastname followed by document e.g. First name_Last Name P11 or First name_Last Name CV or First name_Last Name Application.
· ONLY Ugandan Nationals will be considered for this Assignment
· UNICEF is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff; qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
· UNICEF is a smoke free environment.
· Only short listed candidates will be contacted. Closing date for applications is 26 August 2015.