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Vacancy - Project Officer, HIV/AIDS

12:30:00 PM
ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITIES
ASSOCIATION DES UNIVERSITE AFRICAINES

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The Association of African Universities (AAU), an international non-governmental organisation (INGO) with headquarters in Accra, Ghana, was set up in November 1967 by universities in Africa to promote cooperation among themselves and between them and the international academic community.

As part of its core programmes for 2011 to 2015, AAU is focusing on ensuring that the African higher education community uses all available means within the institutions and through partnerships with the international community to prevent the spread and mitigate the impact of and manage the HIV epidemic through proactive and sustainable programmes. Activities revolve around four major components, namely: Advocacy; Capacity Building using the HIV/AIDS Toolkit; Skills Development, and Networks.

The Project Officer is expected to coordinate and scale up these efforts, through a multi-disciplinary HIV & AIDS Core Programme dubbed “African Universities Responding to HIV/AIDS” and aimed at ensuring that higher education institutions in Africa continue to contribute to the production of qualified, healthy and productive graduates in support of the continent’s development.

The AAU wishes to announce a vacancy at its Secretariat in Accra.

Job Title Project Officer, HIV/AIDS
Organisational Unit Department of Research and Programmes
Duty Station Accra, Ghana
Grade P1-P3

Purpose of Post
As a member of the AAU senior staff, the Project Officer for HIV/AIDS, will be responsible to the Secretary General through the Association’s reporting procedures and shall be responsible for the development, leadership and management of all HIV/AIDS and medically related programmes and projects.

In view the current development in the area of HIV/AIDS worldwide and especially in Africa and the high priority AAU has placed on assisting Higher Education Institutions to combat the scourge and develop education programmes, AAU requires a Project Officer who has exceptional development understanding and subject expertise with ssubstantial track record and experience within the African continent.

The position has responsibilities with providing technical expertise on education in the areas of HIV&AIDS and broader health promotion in university campuses. The post holder is responsible for building partnerships and collaboration across the board and must therefore exhibit credible representational and partnership building skills with Universities, ministries of education, regional partners, international and multinational agencies, UNAID, EDUCAID, civil society and students unions.

The Project Officer should lead the AAU in monitoring and evaluating Partnerships established with national and international agencies to mobilise resources in support of the institutions and AAU Secretariat. The implementation of the HIV/AIDS core programmes requires ssupporting AAU member institutions to develop and implement their HIV & AIDS policies.

The Project Officer should have the capacity and capability to carry this out as well as promote partnerships between AAU Regional Networks (SRNs) and National Civil Service Organisations (CSOs), National AIDS Control Councils (NACCs), Regional Economic Communities (RECs,) Regional HIV&AIDS Partnership Fora, Regional Parliamentary Fora and Regional UNAIDS Support Teams.

The AAU HIV & AIDS Unit, through the leadership of the Project Officer, shall undertake the periodic review and consultation with the entire regional networks umbrella for purposes of setting common operational platform on the continent. The Project Officer must have the proficiency to continuously demonstrate an understanding of institutional strategic steering and development processes in combating HIV/AIDS both in Africa and the world at large.

Main Responsibilities

  • Develop and manage a policy on HIV/AIDS providing strategic direction and leadership in ensuring the implementation of the HIV/AIDS programmes and projects across all higher education institutions in Africa.
  • Identify relevant African regional and sub-regional higher education bodies, including professional associations interested in HIV/AIDS and harness their resources for the benefit of higher education institutions in Africa.
  • Liaise with regional and international partners in the collaborative execution of HIV/AIDS projects, training and activities within Africa.
  • Prepare from time to time and as required, the AAU advisory statement on HIV/AIDS and education and management policies for African HEIs.
  • Develop resource mobilisation strategies including project proposals with a view to positioning the AAU HIV/AIDS activities to be self sustaining.
  • Lead the Unit and selected African experts to develop a monitoring, evaluation and reporting strategy and framework in support of the principles of transparency and accountability to stakeholders.
  • Identify, prioritise and contribute to AAU’s HIV/AIDS capacity enhancement programmes and activities for African HE institutions.
  • Undertake and advise HEIs on regular systematic implementation of various HIV/AIDS programmes, programme audits and reviews, at regional and national levels.
  • Act as the focal point for relations with the African Union Commission in matters relating to HIV/AIDS as well as liaise between the AAU and the regional and sub-regional HIV/AIDS networks and national AIDs control agencies in meeting their capacity development needs and institutional development;
  • Prepare and administer the annual budget, prepare annual reports and long term financial projections for review and approval by the HIV/AIDS Project Steering Committee and AAU Executive Board;
  • Actively participate in the implementation of the AAU Strategic Plan as a member of the senior professional staff

Profile

  • At least a Master's Degree or equivalent academic qualification in health sciences, social science or related fields.
  • A Medical degree with specialisation in Public Health or HIV/AIDS Management and Education will be an added advantage.
  • Have minimum of five years post qualification working experience in the field of HIV/AIDS and other sexually-transmitted infections and be current with developments in HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention in Africa and internationally.
  • Local and community experience is essential and experience working with vulnerable populations desirable.
  • High level of professional knowledge and experience in HIV & AIDS and education.
  • Have demonstrable experience and strength in project planning, administration, project monitoring and project evaluation
  • Have demonstrable experience in proposal writing and fund raising.
  • Have good management and presentation skills
  • Have good interpersonal skills and capable of working as a member of a team of senior professionals
  • Ability to prepare and manage project budgets and produce project reports.
  • Ability to supervise programme staff and undertake special assignments.
  • Proficiency in spoken and written English or French, and a working knowledge of Arabic or Portuguese will be an advantage.

Desirable Additionals

  • At least 5 years experience working in Africa, outside home country
  • Sensitivity to gender issues in African tertiary education
  • Prior work experience in multi-cultural environments
  • Good computer and Internet skills and familiarity with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, MS Project, all major QA Tool kits in operation globally.

Term
The contract will be for a period of three (3) years, subject to a probationary period of one (1) year. The position requires extensive travel outside Ghana.

Conditions of Employment

  • The AAU offers an attractive remuneration package calculated and paid in US dollars.
  • Annual leave of twenty-one (21) working days
  • Other attractive benefits include a monthly post-adjustment allowance and rent subsidy.

How to Apply
The AAU is an equal opportunity employer. As part of a conscious effort of the Association always to reflect the diversity of the African academy, women and non-Anglophone candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications should comprise:

  • A statement of interest and fitness for the position
  • An indication of the date of availability to assume duty
  • A detailed curriculum vitae describing applicant’s professional experience and qualification for the position
  • Three (3) reference letters, one of which should be outside the candidate’s home country

The application letters and supporting documents of candidates should be submitted by (i) e-mail, and (ii) hard copy in a sealed envelope marked “HIV/AIDS Application Documents”.

Each of the three reference letters should be sent direct from the referee, by (i) e-mail, and (ii) in a sealed envelope and marked “Confidential Reference”.

Both sets of documents should be addressed to:

The Secretary General
Association of African Universities,
African Universities House,
Aviation Road Extension,
P.O. Box AN 5744,
Accra-North, GHANA
Tel: (233) 21 774495/761588
Fax: (233) 21 774821
Email: secgen@aau.org
Website: www.aau.org

Closing Date

  • Closing date for receipt of applications is 15 September 2011.The Association reserves the right to extend the closing date if deemed necessary, and the right to make no appointment.
  • The AAU will respond to short-listed candidates only.

Interview

  • Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview in Accra, Ghana, on dates to be advised during the week of 25-30 September, 2011.

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