Technical Officer, HIV/AIDS

 World Learning (www.worldlearning.org)
Description: Technical Officer, HIV/AIDS
Location:  Hanoi, Vietnam

World Learning is currently soliciting qualified candidates for a Technical Officer, HIV/AIDS for an active USAID solicitation titled Pathways for Participation: Strengthening the Civil Society Response to HIV in Vietnam. Individuals should be able to demonstrate experience in implementing and managing programs in one or more of the following sectors: HIV/AIDS prevention, community-based HIV programs, interventions targeting most-at-risk populations, and technical capacity building.

World Learning is a global not-for-profit organization with educational and international development operations in more than 75 countries. Through its international education programs – The Experiment in International Living, SIT Study Abroad, and SIT Graduate Institute – World Learning fosters global citizen-activism by connecting over 100,000 participants across geographic, cultural, political and economic distances and differences. Through its International Development Programs, World Learning practices what it teaches by undertaking community-driven international development, training, and exchange projects in 20 countries. For over 75 years, World Learning has built a deep and diverse array of effective offerings and services that transform individual lives and strengthen the capacity of communities and institutions to address pressing global needs.

SCOPE OF WORK:
The Technical Officer will be responsible for providing leadership in building the technical capacity of local civil society organizations (CSOs) in Vietnam targeting most-at-risk populations (MARPs), such as injection drug users (IDU), men who have sex with men (MSM), and female sex workers (FSW). The Technical Officer will work with CSOs to identify technical needs and service gaps, and will assist organizations in developing interventions to address those needs. S/he will build local capacity by strengthening community-based HIV prevention with MARPs, increasing harm reduction interventions, improving economic strengthening services, increasing community-based treatment literacy and adherence support, reinforcing prevention with positives programs, and conducting relevant trainings and mentoring activities. S/he will represent the technical components of the project to all key stakeholders, government officials, and donors at coordination forums and other related seminars and meetings.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Provides day-to-day technical leadership and direction;
- Develops and implements capacity building plans with local CSOs to strengthen technical capacity for improved service delivery targeting MARPs;
- Assists CSOs in developing linkages with facility-based services, as well as strengthening synergies with other HIV programs and initiatives (under the Government of Vietnam, USAID, PEPFAR, Global Fund, etc.);
- Identifies technical assistance needs and arranges for the provision of needed assistance;
- Ensures that project initiatives adequately address the needs of the most vulnerable beneficiary population in the most cost-effective manner;
- Works closely with Organizational Development Specialist to harmonize technical approaches and address any challenges in implementation;
- Works closely with the Grants Manager to address any issues between partner spending and technical needs;
- Ensures that program strategies are consistent with national best practices, priorities, strategies, and mandates;
- Reports to the funding partner through both formal and informal debriefings, annual, and semi-annual reports;
- Maintains an active dialogue with the partner/funder managers and timely respond to their inquiries;
- Forges and maintains solid cooperation with partner organizations and local government officials; and
- Manages external relations by representing the project and the organization in the public and ensuring the distribution of information about project achievements and lesson learned.

REQUIREMENTS:

- A minimum of 7 years professional experience in international development, especially in HIV/AIDS; preference will be given to qualified Vietnamese candidates;
- A minimum of a Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, international development, or a related field of study;
- Substantial experience working with MARPs, especially IDU, MSM, and FSW, as well as orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and other people living with HIV (PLHIV);
- Experience working with HIV community-based organizations, programs, and initiatives;
- A strong understanding of the local context and its implications on HIV programming;
- Demonstrated capabilities in technical capacity building, high-level strategic visioning and leadership, and experience in working effectively with civil society, local, regional and central-level government authorities, and with USAID or other development partners;
- Experience working with USAID programs is highly desired;
- Strong communication skills, including interpersonal skills, as well as strong written and oral English, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the program and effectively coordinate with a wide range of regional stakeholders;
- A strong understanding of the National Strategy on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control in Vietnam, and its implications on HIV/AIDS programming and civil society strengthening;
- A strong understanding of gender and how gender issues influence the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Vietnam;
- Proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams;
- Effective and persuasive writing and public speaking;
- Proven sound judgment and decision-making skills; and
- Computer literate in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).

Apply by e-mail only with 3-page maximum CV in English, scan copies of relevant certificates and recommendations before 11 March 2011 to [email protected] with a subject line that States “Vietnam Application”.
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