Technical Advisor, HIV Prevention at Population Services International (PSI)

PSI seeks entrepreneurial, dynamic candidates for the position of HIV Prevention Technical Advisor to the Strengthening HIV Prevention Services for Most at risk Populations (MARPS) SHiPs project led by Society for Family Health (SFH), PSI’s partner agency in Nigeria and funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) This management team-level position is based in Abuja and will report to the Regional Director, West and Central Africa with a dotted line to the SHiPS Chief of Party based in Abuja, Nigeria

SFH is the largest social marketing organization and local non-profit organization in Nigeria, with sixteen regional offices across the country and over 250 staff members.  SFH implements diverse public health interventions in HIV and AIDS, reproductive health, and maternal and child health. SFH activities range from product sales and distribution to behavior change communication, advocacy, research, and community mobilization. 

Strengthening HIV Prevention Services for Most-at-Risk Populations (SHiPS forMARPs) is a prevention flagship program of the United States Government. This five year cooperative agreement for $45.8 million is lead by SFH, as the managing partner.  Programming for MARPs includes using best practices and lessons learned from global experience modified and applied to the Nigerian context. The project will help to strengthen the HIV prevention services available toMARPs and improve the capacity of stakeholders at national, state and local levelsto deliver these services.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The HIV Prevention Advisor will provide overall technical advisory leadership for the SHiPS HIV prevention portfolio.  Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provide technical support to the SFH managed team and partners to help the project apply best practices for HIV prevention among key populations;
• Provide technical oversight on field implementation of developed HIV prevention strategies, processes and tools for MARPs by consortium partners ensuring uniformity of approaches
• Provide overall technical leadership and oversight to the design and implementation of an evidence informed referrals and linkages strategy for key populations to be adopted across SHiPS.
• Regularly liaise with research staff (both in country, regional and PSI headquarters) to develop high quality research and MIS systems to inform, monitor and evaluate the SHiPs program;
• Assist the project management team to identify opportunities  to develop and pilot innovative strategies to improve HIV prevention and linkages to treatment and care for key populations;
• Lead efforts to build SFH and partner capacity in DELTA social marketing planning
• Provide strategic directions to HIV Prevention using evidence from the DELTA trainings and in alignment with the national strategic and prevention plan of the National AIDS Control Agency and Federal Ministry of Health.
• In consultation with SHiPS senior management team, develop annual work plans, budgets and marketing plans. for PSI sub agreement. Develop monthly activity plans and write quarterly donor reports.
• Develop and support field and management trainings, communication materials development and review; Lead on the applications of BCC theories for effective strategic behavioral change among high risk populations as well as support the development of appropriate communication materials to intervene with relevant stake holders through the utilization of both social media and interpersonal communications);
• Develop and disseminate knowledge management strategies and tools to foster harmonious approaches to HIV interventions among key populations and across the SHiPs partners;
• Represent SHiPS on relevant interagency task forces, working groups and technical advisory bodies at local, regional and global HIV conferences and meetings as required. Coordinate external technical assistance with PSI and independent consultants as needed.
• Manage PSI technical assistance budget
• Perform other responsibilities as necessary

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Masters degree, MPH or other related advanced degree
• Proven track record with at least 7 years experience managing HIV programs  in developing country settings;
• Prior experience designing and implementing HIV prevention programs targeting key populations;
• Previous experience working with MARP populations;
• Familiarity with PEPFAR funded programs including USAID;
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills;
• Experience and excellence in working with large, diverse teams;
• Proven track record of developing successful behavior change communications campaigns, preferably using social marketing approaches in the African context;
• Considerable understanding and application of quantitative and qualitative  research findings in HIV programming;
• Proven experience supporting and mentoring cross-cultural teams;
• Familiarity with the international donor community;
• Excellent organizational and multitasking capabilities;
• Fluency in English required; and
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.

The successful candidate will exhibit creative, innovative, and strategic thinking ability; excellent oral and written communication, analytical, organizational interpersonal and cross-cultural skills; strong attention to detail; ability to work efficiently and quickly under pressure; and a strong interest in private sector approaches to development; and a proven ability to produce results and meet objectives under difficult circumstances.