Technical Officer, Prevention and Mitigation at FHI 360

Project Description:
The State TO, Prevention and Mitigation will assist in the provision of technical support to the implementing agencies in prevention and mitigation at the state level. It includes supporting the implementation of prevention activities (sexual and biomedical) and strategic behaviour change interventions, testing and counseling, home based care, orphans and vulnerable children and other community mobilization activities.

Duties:

•     Assist the Senior STO in the development of strategies for the design and implementation of HIV/AIDS mitigation interventions. This includes orphans and vulnerable children programming; home based care and other care and support activities at the community level.
•     Support the development and implementation of interventions focusing on nutrition, food security, education and skills development; psychosocial/spiritual support and shelter; household economic strengthening, legislative support and child protection.
•     Assist in the provision of technical support to build the capacity of local implementing agencies and state counterparts to carry out orphans and vulnerable children and other mitigation activities and create effective linkages with facility based services.
•     Support counseling and testing (HCT) services at multiple entry points at the facility and community level and ensuring access to most at risk populations and couples.
•     Assist the Senior STO in the development of strategies for the design and implementation of HIV/AIDS prevention and behaviour change intervention among most at risk populations i.e. PLHIV, MARPs to reduce sexual transmission.
•     Support the implementation of Abstinence, Be faithful, Condom (ABC) and Other Prevention (OP) activities as well as guide the provision of technical assistance to implementing partners on SBC activities.
•     Assist in the development of SBC/ IEC/media materials for the program.
•     Collaborate with the lab team on design and strengthening injection and blood safety practices across SIDHAS supported facilities.
•     Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes:

•     Knowledgeable about health and development programs in developing countries, including its comprehensive impact upon those infected and affected by the disease.
•     Has knowledge about and experience working with health and community services within the geographical area.
•     Has experience working with PLHA and support groups of PLHA
•     Knowledge of Nigerian clinical setting, including government and non-government settings.
•     Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social, political and ethical issues surrounding HIV infections
•     Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain compatibility among project staff, subcontractors, consultants and recipients of assistance.
•     Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision.
•     High degree of proficiency in written and spoken English communication.
•     Well-developed computer skills.
•     Ability to travel within Nigeria 25% time.

Job Summary / Responsibilities:
• Provides technical support and guidance to staff and partners in the region and in country offices. Implements and monitors technical strengthening initiatives. Develops adoption and/or training strategy, designs and conducts training or adoption activities for a specific technical area. Creates scientific and technical material in area of expertise. Assists and gives guidance with development of proposals. Works with communities and partners to maximize local capacity. Evaluates programmatic effectiveness and provides technical assessment reports.
• Provides technical support in the development and dissemination of tools, materials, reports, papers, and intervention for research projects.
• Works closely with assigned team to ensure activities are implemented according to standard operating procedures (SOP’s).
• Writes and edits technical reports and documents.
• Assists with publications, web pages, and presentations.’
• Conducts searches of published literature on evolving issues in assigned technical area.
• Monitors and maintains protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials and reports.
• Responds to requests and inquiries from internal and external staff.
• Develops or writes technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate research, best practices, policies and procedures.
• Assists with the implementation of research studies by monitoring and documenting processes.
• Conducts analysis of program implementation to identify areas for improvement and propose appropriate technical strategy and guidelines.
• Prepares reports and papers summarizing project results.
• Delivers presentations at professional meetings and conferences.
• Ensures project implementation adheres to company strategy and remains technically sound.
• Provides leadership and team building at the task level.

Qualifications:

•     MB.BS/MD/PHD or similar degree with 1 to 3 years public health experience at the state or community level or in the private health sector.
•     Or MPH or MS/MA in relevant degree with 3 to 5 years public health experience at the state or community level or in the private health sector.
•     Or BS/BA in pharmacy, microbiology, health sciences, monitoring and evaluation, public health or in relevant degree with 5 to 7 years public health experience at the state or community level or in the private health sector.
•     Demonstrable experience in large and complex SBC/BCC mobilization activities in a donor (USAID, DFID, CIDA, etc.) funded national health-focused project.
•     HCT experience and ability to understand full range of issues around HCT.
•     Familiarity with Nigerian public sector health systems and NGOs and CBOs is highly desirable.