Job Vacancy : TB/HIV-AIDS Advisor Afghanistan

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TB/HIV-AIDS Advisor

Medical Emergency Relief International (Merlin)

International Health NGO

Location: Afghanistan (Kunduz)

Closing date: 15 Sep 2008

Job Description

Department: Programmes

Responsible to: Country Health Director

Location: Kunduz, Afghanistan

Duration: 4 months/ Start date: ASAP

Salary and Benefits: Between £12,854 and £17,304 per annum dependant

on relevant experience, an annual cost of living allowance of £3,717,

insurance cover, accommodation and return flights.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of

this position, applications will be shortlisted on a regular basis

and we may offer this post before the closing date.

Please note: this is an unaccompanied position.

Merlin

Merlin is the only specialist UK charity which responds worldwide

with vital health care and medical relief for vulnerable people

caught up in natural disasters, conflict, disease and health system

collapse. Each year, Merlin helps more than 15 million people in up

to 20 countries.

Merlin Afghanistan Profile

Merlin has been implementing health programmes in Afghanistan since

1993, when it set up operations in Kandahar, and in northern

Afghanistan. Merlin's activities in Afghanistan span two different

periods: 1994 - 1999 and 2001 to the present. Operations closed in

August 1999, prompted by increased difficulties experienced in

working with the Taliban regime. Merlin returned to Afghanistan in

2001, assisting the IDPs/refugees stranded along the Tajik/Afghan

border in the North-eastern region.

Merlin is currently implementing programmes in three provinces in the

north-east of Afghanistan: Takhar, Badakhshan and Kunduz provinces.

Merlin has been implementing a Community Midwife Education (CME)

project in Takhar province since 2004. In the same year, Merlin also

began implementing the Basic Package of Health Services (BPHS) in

Badakhshan where our staff are currently supporting three districts

in partnership with local partner Care for Afghan Families (CAF). In

2007, Merlin was also awarded an EU-funded contract for BPHS

implementation for Kunduz province which is implemented in

coordination with our local partner, CAF.

The overall purpose of Merlin programmes in Afghanistan is to reduce

excess morbidity and mortality amongst vulnerable populations through

the provision of priority health services to a network of health

facilities and Community Healthcare Workers.

TB is a major communicable disease in Afghanistan. Currently, there

are many problems and constraints related to the implementation of

DOTS strategy that need to be overcome to ensure that the program

will succeed and reach its service targets.

On the other hand, HIV/AIDS is not a major problem at the moment but

the implementation of preventive and promotional activities is timely

and crucial to prevent rapid transmission of the disease. Both

programs are part and parcel of the BPHS projects currently being

implemented in the MoPH facilities. Merlin is running these

facilities in Kunduz and Badakshan with funding from the EC and USAID

respectively.

Main purpose of the role

To provide technical support and oversight to staff in Kunduz and

Badakshan provinces to enable them achieve targets and improve their

service delivery of TB and HIV/AIDS programs as essential elements of

the BPHS project.

Overall Objectives (scope)

• To provide written operational recommendations on how to improve

the program implementation and supervision of TB and HIV/AIDS

services in the clinics

• To develop specific TB and HIV/AIDS monitoring tools for use by the

program supervisors at the clinics to supplement the National

Monitoring Checklist

• To analyse existing practices and systems for their ability to

deliver programs according to recommended national protocols

• To review currently implemented Behavioral Change Communication

(BCC) strategies targeting TB and HIV/AIDS and provide concrete

recommendations/support on how to improve those

• To review the TB and HIV/AIDS program achievements and constraints

and provide written recommendations on how to improve performance

based on BPHS guidelines and NACP policies of MoPH

• To organize and conduct training courses on TB-DOTS and VCCT/Blood

safety for CHWs, Health Committees, clinic staff and program

supervisors using MoPH-approved curricula.

• To provide written feedback and documentation on the lessons

learned and best practices in TB and HIV/AIDS service provision

towards the end of the contract

• To facilitate a workshop on action planning during the second month

of mission with heads of clinics and program supervisors based on

operational recommendations and written feedback towards the end of

contract

Required Outputs and Timeline

Outputs

• The Advisor is expected to achieve his/her objectives and tasks by

coordinating with the CHD and HM/PC in particular and with the Health

team as a whole.

• Report to the Office during regular working hours, visit health

facilities and partners as needed and be involved with the medical

team on a regular basis.

• Analyse existing state of affairs with TB Control activities and

HIV/AIDS Control (especially Blood safely and VCCT related aspects).

Based on these, the consultant will be required to design and

facilitate the start up of the BCC strategies, diagnosis, treatment

and community involvement aspects of both diseases.

• Submit a monthly progress report to the CHD with cc to the CD and

HM/PC

• Submit an end of contract report documenting the

achievements/milestones made as well as constraints encountered.

Timeline

- The Advisor shall have achieved his/her objectives by the end of 4

months. The following is a suggested time-line:

• Weeks 1 and 2: visit to health facilities, looking at data,

practices, targets etc

• Week 3 and 4: analysis of existing data, assessment of Kunduz and

Faizabad level support, practices, M & E /logistics, data analysis etc

• Week 5 - 9: feedback and development and rolling out of an action

plan. This will include workshops, etc

• Weeks 10 – 12: BCC Strategies, messages, etc

• Weeks 13-15: ongoing support

• Week 16: final report and wrap up

Person Specification

Essential

• Qualified medical doctor with Master in Public Health

• Significant programming experience with an INGO or HIV/AIDS and TB

specialisation

• Ability to provide training to community and facility based workers

and opinion leaders in TB (i.e. DOTS, cohort analysis) and HIV/AIDS

topics (i.e. VCCT, blood safety)

• Good understanding of the health context in Afghanistan

• Good understanding of security management

• Previous experience of working in insecure environments

• Willingness and ability to travel within Kunduz and Badakshan

provinces of Afghanistan

• Ability to work on own initiative and to meet deadlines

• Attention to detail and ability to produce accurate information and

data analysis.

• Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken

English

• Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office

• Experience of establishing strong working relationships with

colleagues from different functions and cultures

•Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritising a

high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced environment with

tight deadlines

• Experience of proactively identifying and addressing issues

• An understanding of and commitment to Merlin's mission and values

Desirable

• Previous experience of working in Afghanistan

• Knowledge of an Afghan language.

• Previous experience working with TB-DOTS and HIV/AIDS VCCT/blood

safety project

Data Protection

Please note, on submitting your application, you are agreeing to

Merlin holding and using the information that you have given for the

purposes of recruitment and employment – should an offer be made.

In order to process your job application, it may be necessary for

your application to be sent to the Country Director (in the country

you are applying for) for consideration. If you do not agree with

this, please can you state so when applying.

Vacancies Contact

To apply for this position

Please download an application form from our website www.merlin.org.uk

Completed applications should be emailed to

applications@... stating clearly in the subject field the

job title, country and reference number (if any).

Reference Code: RW_7HJJ8Z-96

www.merlin.org.uk