The USAID-funded project, Linkages Across the Continuum of HIV Services for Key Populations Affected by HIV (LINKAGES), under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program is implemented by FHI 360 in partnership with Pact, IntraHealth International, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and conducts a range of activities to reduce HIV transmission among key populations (KP) — sex workers, men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender persons (TG) and people who inject drugs (PWID) — and improve their enrollment and retention in care and treatment across the HIV cascade. LINKAGES will accelerate the ability of governments, key population leaders, organizations working with key populations, and private-sector providers to plan and implement services that reduce HIV transmission among key populations and their sexual partners and extend the lives of those already living with HIV.
We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of: LINKAGES West Africa Project Director for the West African countries of Burkina Faso, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Togo. This position is contingent on funding availability. The position is proposed to be based in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire but location will be confirmed upon confirmation of funding.
The LINKAGES West Africa Project Director will have overall responsibility for administration, program management, performance monitoring and technical implementation and oversight of all aspects of activities, under the oversight of the LINKAGES Global Management Team. S/he will serve as the primary point of contact for the West Africa Regionalization Plan. S/he will provide technical and management leadership to the project and ensure successful implementation of the work plan and achievement of the project’s targets and goals. The Project Director will provide technical and programmatic oversight directly to the activity areas. S/he will be required to coordinate and work with a diverse group of organizations and stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Health, senior government officials, dignitaries, district health staff, international and national development partner organizations, and USAID missions. The Project Director will ensure that technical efforts are evidence-based, community-driven and will contribute to the deliverables in the West Africa Regionalization implementation plan.
- Lead the development and implementation of program descriptions, implementation plans, program strategies, program reports and work plans for countries in the region.
- Responsible for the development, implementation and oversight of all technical activities in the annual West Africa Regionalization work plan, including the provision of in-country technical assistance.
- Coordinate closely with other FHI 360 projects in the region, with international and national NGOs and other key population implementing partners to strengthen quality of KP programming.
- Support cataloguing national policies and conducting country assessments; plan and oversee an acceleration/optimization plan based on these assessments.
- Engage in South-to-South learning and collaborate/build upon regional initiatives.
- Supervise and provide overall program and technical guidance to the West Africa Regionalization team in compliance with the organizational procedures and the standards.
- Provide technical and programmatic expertise in HIV prevention, care, treatment, and viral load activities for female sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, and people who inject drugs.
- Participate in reviewing and providing feedback on partners’ M&E framework, plans and reports to ensure quality program reporting of results.
- Oversee production of timely and accurate technical reports to FHI 360 and USAID as required.
- Coordinate community engagement and empowerment activities with key population groups for access to HIV and other health services.
- Work with the respective Ministries of Health (MOH), National AIDS Commissions and other government agencies to ensure that quality of services provided reduces barriers and improves access to services for KPs.
- Work with CBOs, CSOs, other KP partners, local health centers and the MOH to increase the uptake of HIV and other health and wellness related services both at a community and clinic level.
- Contribute to the achievement of high quality results in accordance with the targets identified in the work plan.
- Keep abreast of developments in larger HIV/AIDS and KP field; document project methodologies, results, and outcomes, and in collaboration with LINKAGES HQ develop abstracts and publications.
- Contribute to program quality according to FHI 360 standards including quality assurance and quality improvement initiatives.
- A minimum of ten years of experience with progressively increasing responsibility designing, implementing, managing and leading large development program involving multiple partners, stakeholders, and geographic target areas in a developing country.
- A minimum of three years of experience providing specific technical direction and oversight of the development and management of HIV programs with key populations.
- Demonstrated ability through previous experience leading a technical activity through evidence and data driven decision making.
- Demonstrated ability through previous experience to establish and maintain productive working relationships with a wide network of partners and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability through previous experience to liaise with senior government officials, dignitaries, executives of NGOs, FBOs, CBOs, and the for-profit business community, and senior members of the donor community.
- Excellent interpersonal, writing and oral presentation skills in English.
- Previous experience in the West Africa region.
- Advanced level of French is required.
Travel Requirements:
- 50%, mostly in the West Africa region.
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