Programming and Training Specialist - Health/HIV

Programming and Training

• PEPFAR program support

• Provides input and works on tasks effecting overall post management and the success of the Peace Corps PEPFAR program. Works with the health team to create and implement a uniform and complementary programming and training plan that includes HIV/AIDS prevention strategies.

• Participates in PEPFAR meetings, including but not limited to: Prevention and OVC technical working groups, DREAMS coordination meetings, COP planning meetings, POART calls, MOH, CSO meetings, PEPFAR-related presentations, PEPFAR COP and other stakeholder meetings.

• Contributes to Peace Corps and PEPFAR documents such as: IPBS, and annual Peace Corps reporting (PSRs, TSRs, IRs, and Congressional Reports).

• Coordinates with Program Managers on the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Peace Corps Uganda PEPFAR Implementation Plan and other documents.

• Collaborates with Peace Corps Uganda partners and provide technical support where necessary to ensure timely achievement of PEPFAR targets.

• Keep the programming team updated on current PEPFAR districts and participate in site preparation and targeted placements to meet set targets

• Takes a lead role in providing technical and administrative support to a highly motivated committee of PCVs focused on HIV/AIDS activities (CAT CREW).

Programming and Management:

• Contributes to periodic assessments of host country and community assets and needs. In conjunction with host country officials, non-governmental organizations, community members, Peace Corps staff members, PCVs, and third parties when appropriate, identifies and develops projects which reflect and serve the needs of the host country in line with Peace Corps goals and heath project objectives.

• Helps ensure that health/HIV projects meet Peace Corps and regional programming criteria and strategies. Helps determines the range of skills and degree of competency needed for project implementation.

• Verifies the probability of recruiting PCVs with the required skills and works with training staff to ensure that the PCVs will be given training to achieve necessary competencies.

• In consultation with the Program Manager, provides advice and guidance to resolve, implement, or manage program or policy issues that involve major areas of uncertainty in approach or methodology. After consultation with other staff members, PCVs, and host country officials, makes recommendations to the DDPT/DPT about the continuation, completion, closure, or reconfiguration of existing sites, activities or projects.

• Researches and contributes to major programming documents including project plans, Volunteer assignment descriptions, Job Specific Requisitions (JSR), funding requests, periodic report forms, and Project Status Reports (PSRs). Participates as needed in the project plan reviews annually as part of PC/Headquarters’ regular review process.

• Following PC Uganda’s Site Management Guidance, surveys potential PCV sites and evaluates them for appropriateness along multiple lines including opportunities for meaningful work, living conditions, and opportunities for community involvement, the availability of supporting resources, and safety and security.

• Ascertains safety situation for PCVs, including the adequacy of transportation and communications for emergency evacuation purposes. Works with the community and organizations at each site to prepare them to work with and receive a PCV.

• Represent Peace Corps with minimal supervision to a broad range of stakeholders, analyzing complex hierarchies and social dynamics to build productive and supportive relationships for Peace Corps.

• Establishes working relationships with the host country government, communities, non-governmental organizations, and other institutions to encourage effective participation and support for PCV projects. Briefs on-site host country supervisors and counterparts on projects and PCV roles.

• Develops and manages complex relationships with relevant ministries and organizations concerning PCV supervision, safety, housing, technical support, and project implementation.

• Contributes to the strategic and operational coordination of the Programming and Training Unit and other PC Uganda organizational units.

• Engage with PC Washington, the Project Advisory Council, and other stakeholders to provide regular updates on the health project and required reports.

Volunteer Training:

• Plans and conducts training activities to ensure that Trainees are given a good start, and Volunteers are prepared to be a valuable member of their Ugandan communities. The duties include:

• Participate in Training Design and Evaluation process to align Volunteers’ training with the health project framework to easily update the continuum and articulate the learning activities clearly in the Learning Development Plan.

• Provides technical training and assessments in line with the competencies and learning development plan to meet the objectives of the Health project plans, safety and security, and other priority development technical areas of PC Uganda.

• Serves as a technical specialist to collaboratively work with the Training team, Admin Unit, and other PC Uganda staff to plan and implement Training of Trainers, Pre-Service Trainings, In-Service Trainings, Mid-Service Trainings, technical workshops/ sector specialized trainings and COS conferences.

• Work with the DDPT, administrative unit and Health Program staff to ensure logistics are organized appropriately for all the health-related training events

• Coordinates collection and production of materials for training and identifies guest speakers to participate in sector-specific training activities.

• Provide technical assistance to Volunteers through needs assessments and Just in Time trainings to improve Volunteer performance.

• Designs and delivers training to Peace Corps Trainees, Volunteers and partners.

• Assesses Trainees and Volunteers on their progress towards competencies and participates actively in round table discussions and Volunteer support meetings.

• Contributes to training evaluation and reporting.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting:

• Train and support Volunteers in collecting valid health data including PEPFAR data that meets relevant reporting guidelines and standards.

• Co-manages, co-coordinates and collects Health project data and information from PCVs; conducts evaluative and reflective activities regarding the project and related PC activities and writes and contributes to reports on Health projects.

• Learns how to use all relevant reporting tools and operations and mentors other staff and Volunteers, particularly the Volunteer Reporting and Grants system (VRG).

• Provides timely, technical, relevant and supportive feedback on VRGs to the PCVs.

• Contributes to reports that comply with special funding needs, Peace Corps Washington reporting requirements, and partner reporting requirements.

• Participates in monitoring and evaluation meetings and activities.

• Supports PCVs and their counterparts to monitor and complete reporting documentation to Peace Corps on their activities.

Volunteer Safety and Support:

• Provides and coordinates the provision of timely, appropriate technical, personal, and administrative and safety and security support to PCVs through site visits, office visits by PCVs, email and phone communications. The duties include:

• Maintain communication with and provide support for each assigned Volunteer and partner organization including supervisors and counterparts.

• Conducts site visits as needed to provide technical support and to monitor PCV’s and partner project work, personal adaptation, welfare, job performance, job satisfaction, skill transfer activities, housing and resource support. Prepares site visit reports indicating any required follow-up.

• Identify and develop Volunteer work sites with partners in compliance with Peace Corps guidance and PC Uganda’s site selection strategy.

• Conducts at least 1 site visit per assigned Volunteer to monitor PCV’s project work, assists PCVs to evaluate their work and plan for the future.

• Provides guidance and / or problem-solving assistance to Volunteers experiencing cultural adjustment, language, job assignment, housing problems, and crises at home. Refers cases in need of professional counseling to the PCMO as appropriate.

• Identify and advise PCVs on grant opportunities, reviews the technical content of grants including VAST, SPA and PCPP funding that Volunteers and their communities can access.

• Promotes awareness of and understanding of grant criteria and processes to PCVs and partner organizations and liaises with Grants Coordinator to encourage prompt and accurate reporting by Health PCVs for their SPA, VAST and PCPP grants.

• Documents interactions with Trainees and Volunteers appropriately in VIDA.

• Conducts visits to potential Volunteer sites to determine their suitability of Volunteer placement, meaningful work and the availability of suitable housing prior to final site placement.

• Complies with MS-270, safety/security and Uganda site identification strategy before Volunteer placement. Updates Site History Files in VIDA regularly with relevant information.

• Identifies possible Volunteer safety and security issues during interactions with Volunteers and/or their supervisors/counterparts and assists the Safety and Security Manager with MS-270 compliance.

• In consultation with the Health Program Manager, Alerts the Country Director through the DPT to any problematic job-related, security or health issues that arise at Volunteer work sites.

• Provides clear guidance to Volunteers regarding Peace Corps policies and enforces those policies in a fair and consistent manner.

• Suggests and enforces disciplinary actions when PCVs violate established policies. In consultation with the Program Manager, informs DPT/CD of problems and recommends solutions.

• Maintain up-to-date information regarding relevant legislation; national policy changes; contact lists of relevant local organizations, institutions, and agencies; and other published resources including reference texts, professional journals and other similar information; and make the information readily available to Volunteers.

General Management and Administration:

• Provides input and works on tasks effecting overall post management and the success of the Peace Corps program in country as a whole. The duties include:

• Works with other staff members to create uniform and complementary programming, training, and administrative systems.

• Participates in planning and implementation of new agency programs.

• Assumes oversight responsibility for specific Peace Corps activities such ad hoc Volunteer working groups and committees.

• Participates in the design and implementation of the Emergency Action Plan and coordinates emergency plan meetings, resources, and contacts for assigned Volunteers.

Other Duties

• Periodically serves as post duty officer responsible for weekend and after-hour emergencies

• Contributes articles on the health project, HIV/AIDS, PEPFAR, and Peace Corps Uganda as required.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the CD or the DPT to assist Peace Corps to successfully carry out its mission in Uganda.

Standard Roles and Responsibilities

• S&S: Addresses Volunteer safety and security by adhering to Peace Corps site development policies and procedures. Identifies and immediately communicates Volunteer safety and security concerns and issues to the Safety and Security Manager (SSM) and the Country Director (CD).  Assists Program Managers to ensure that prospective sites meet established programmatic and safety/security criteria (e.g., safe housing, a clearly defined assignment with an organization that shows real interest in working with a Volunteer, etc.). Reviews and references site history files when evaluating potential sites, and incorporates appropriate safety and security-related information into site history files.  Monitors Volunteer compliance with Peace Corps policies, especially related to safety and security. Participates in the design and implementation of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP).  Acts as duty officer, as needed. Knowledgeable and supportive of Peace Corps safety and security policies and procedures, including the timely reporting of suspicious incidents, persons or articles.

Minimum Requirements:

• A University degree in health field relevant for projects addressing public health and/or HIV/AIDS.

• At least five years of work experience managing programs and delivering trainings related to HIV/AIDS capacity building (prevention and care of PLHA and OVC), sexual reproductive Health among youth and adolescents, malaria prevention, maternal & child health, or other topics relevant for community health projects.

• Excellent computer skills including word processing and spreadsheet programs.

• Language proficiency: Level IV English ability (good working knowledge).

• Must be able to legally work in Uganda.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a field relevant to managing public health or HIV/AIDS projects.

• Experience in PEPFAR coordination and familiarity with systems and actors in Uganda.

• Experience working in a multi-cultural environment.

• Experience coordinating activities with government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, private businesses and individuals.

• Superior representational skills; willingness to contribute actively in frequent stakeholder meetings (USG, CSOs, MOH, etc.).

• Exceptional written and oral English communication skills.

• Strong M&E skills, attention to detail, ability to plan complex events, and implement them with complex tools and systems.