Description
PEPFAR Liaison for HIV/AIDS Prevention USAID/Dominican Republic BACKGROUND The Dominican Republic (DR) has a population of 9,200,000, 42% of whom live below the poverty line (World Bank Report). Approximately 65% of the Dominican population live in urban areas. The country shares the Island of Hispaniola with Haiti (the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere) and approximately 800,000 to 1,000,000 poor Haitians have migrated -- mostly illegally -- to work in the DR in the sugar cane fields, in agriculture and in construction. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the DR is considered to be generalized. The national HIV seroprevalence for 2002 was estimated at 1% of the general population, with a 5% rate for people living in Bateyes (DHS 2002). Tuberculosis is the principal opportunistic infection, and 9% of all TB patients have been found to also be HIV positive. It is estimated that 24% of all persons living with AIDS have also contracted TB. The Dominican Republic is a non-focus PEPFAR country with USG funding of more than six million dollars per year. Besides USAID, USG agencies with HIV/AIDS funds include the Peace Corps and the Department of Defense programming. USAID also has special funding to provide support to the Country Coordinating Mechanism (CCM). The DR has obtained a US$25 million World Bank Loan and a US$47 millions Global Fund Grant to fight HIV/AIDS, plus a US$8 million grant to support the control of Tuberculosis. Other international organizations present in the DR include: PAHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS, UNDP, Columbia and Brown Universities and the William Jefferson Clinton Foundation. They provide support and technical assistance to the GODR National AIDS Program (DIGECITSS), and implementing partners. For fiscal year 2007, all PEPFAR countries with funding over $5 million will be required to complete modified Country Operational Plans (mini-COPs). The DR mini-COP is due November 15th, 2006. In preparation for the mini-COP, we will draft scopes of work and seek technical assistance from OGAC Interagency Technical Working Groups on: most at risk populations (MARPS); Gender and Violence, Prevention and public/private partnerships and TB/HIV co-infection. Recommendations from these task forces will be incorporated in the mini-COP, as appropriate. A scope of work for CDC to assess the DR surveillance systems, make recommendations, and present a two-year operating plan is currently under discussion. It is expected that the CDC evaluation will take place during the summer. In view of the priority given to the HIV/AIDS program and PEPFAR requirements, the DR and OGAC have identified the need to contract a USPSC for a short term assignment. BASIC FUNCTION OF THE POSITION The incumbent will be the principal country liaison with OGAC, and will be responsible for responding to all PEPFAR requirements for the HIV/AIDS technical team. He/She will coordinate with the HIV/AIDS Technical team to ensure that PEPFAR policies and reporting requirements are carried out appropriately and in a timely fashion. He/she will also establish and maintain a highly collaborative relationship with the USG HIV/AIDS Team. The incumbent will report to the USAID/DR Heath and Population Team Leader and will work closely and collaboratively with the USAID Activity Manager for HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The PEPFAR liaison for HIV/AIDS will work closely with USAID’s HIV/AIDS Activity Manager and will have the following specific tasks: • Prepare scope of works for the Interagency Technical Working Groups to provide technical assistance in the following areas: (1) Prevention, especially with MARPs; (2) Public/Private partnership; (3) Gender and Violence; (4) TB-HIV co-infection. • Coordinate and oversee TWG visits, review and disseminate reports and integrate recommendations into strategy document. • Coordinate CDC evaluation in coordination with the HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor. Disseminate report and review two-year plan and budget for follow-on activities. • Draft Mini-COP in coordination with HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor. • Coordinate review of sections of the Mini-COP with the Interagency Technical groups that have a technical responsibility for each of the sections. Incorporate their feedback into the mini-COP, as appropriate.. • As needed, draft waiver for program and budget and prepare contingency plan. • Work with contractor and the person responsible for monitoring and evaluation within the Program Office in order to integrate PEPFAR minimum reporting requirements. • Coordinate with HIV/AIDS technical team implementation of new programs and policies. • Report on USG activities in the DR, as required by OGAC. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS A. EDUCATION – A master’s degree in public health or a related social science discipline or equivalent. B. WORK EXPERIENCE • A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in HIV/AIDS strategy development and implementation. • Previous USAID experience, preferably in a country with an HIV/AIDS Program. C. LANGUAGE Level III (fluent) English and Spanish. The ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English and Spanish are required. D. KNOWLEDGE • Thorough knowledge of HIV/AIDS programs and USAID and OGAC policies; • Understanding of PEPFAR AND OGAC policies and requirements; • The ability to work in teams format; • Strong English writing skills; • Demonstrated ability in activity design, budgeting and monitoring and evaluation; • A strong working knowledge of computer applications; • A comprehensive understanding of HIV/AIDS prevention and community-based health care initiatives; • Have demonstrated experience working in stressful environments and under tight deadlines; • Word processing skills are essential; spreadsheet development is highly useful. PERIOD OF ASSIGNMENT This will be a nine-months assignment starting on or about September 1, 2006.