HIV/AIDS Specialist, P-4, Bangkok
Under the supervision of the Regional Advisor HIV/AIDS, the incumbent will provide technical assistance in policy analysis, research and M&E to enhance knowledge of children affected by HIV/AIDS, children and women living with HIV, and children and partners of the Most-At-Risk Populations in East Asia and Pacific. The incumbent will coordinate with partners in support of regional initiatives including the elimination of new HIV infections in children and congenital syphilis. S/he will also diffuse knowledge in the form of studies, surveys and assessment reports through advocacy forum, the community of practitioners and in collaboration with centres of excellence, to inform national and regional responses.
Key expected results
Provide high quality technical assistance to country offices to scale up national interventions by strengthening evidence-based programming for children affected by HIV/AIDS and children of Most-at-Risk Populations, who are in need of both social protection and HIV prevention measures. This includes strengthening linkages between health system and communities through the Prevention of Parent-to-Child Transmission (PPTCT) interventions and social protection systems strengthening for enhanced protection, care and support for children impacted by AIDS The post will:
a. Advise on baseline and assessment designs, development of M&E tools and finetune operational guidelines to strengthen integrated responses to children and parents infected with and affected by AIDS. The incumbent will also conduct training of national consultants, where necessary, to utilize survey research instruments and use of qualitative and participatory research tools, and verify data quality and findings. From these rigorous assessments ascertain programme results, advise on improved programme design or mid-course actions to strengthen quality and outcomes. The range of assessment could include the appraisal of capacity, systems, structural barriers or opportunities, social and behaviour change challenges, budgets and policies, at national and sub-national level to enabling achieving programme and advocacy results with equity. The evidence will guide project staff in making an eventual, strategic shift from boutique project support to systemic programme response in partnership with others e.g., Child Protection, Health and Communication for Development sectors, to achieve greater impact.
b. Undertake and coordinate policy research, in particular, on cost- effectiveness of integrated health care and social protection options. In close collaboration with the Social and Economic Policy Section, Young Child Survival, Child Protection and with major institutions, guide the use of household surveys, AIDS and public expenditure accounts, MICS and other sources of data, such as qualitative data to analyze policy efficacy and viability of social assistance such as cash transfer (conditional or unconditional), universal or targeted benefits,. The policy analysis should also take account of vulnerability reduction among children and women to HIV, and recommend measures, including programmes and services to address greater male involvement, gender-based violence and inequities that are indirect but important factors in the feminization of AIDS.
In collaboration with other agencies and institution, identify and coordinate a range of special studies, in particular those that identify operational effectiveness and policy successes in raising programme coverage for children and HIV/AIDS. These studies shall enrich policy deliberations, help inform the shift from project to national programme scale-up and provide evidence for UNICEF and national programme response, as well as enhance South-South technical cooperation. Advise on strategies to tackle stigma and discrimination in the health system, education and welfare sectors and communities, and identify potential stakeholders, including faith-based groups, to support such efforts by engaging those most-at-risk and those affected.
Identity and examine good practice in UNICEF-supported programmes, and recommend documentation to country and regional office. Advise COs and RO on resource leveraging opportunities for projects/programmes on children and AIDS with measurable results, and help identify opportunities and technical assistance in preparing regional fundraising toolkits.
Regularly inform Regional Adviser HIV/AIDS, EAPRO about progress of studies and research, and new studies and data available, to contribute to regional and global knowledge management networks, as well as Regional HIV Data Hub. In addition, update and recommend to Regional Advisers in EAPRO on key strategic country programme documents (CCAs and situation analyses, UNDAFs, CPDs, CPAPs, COARs) and programme approaches, and coordinate preparation of donor reports.
Under general guidance of Regional HIV/AIDS Adviser, EAPRO, diffuse studies/surveys through the UN Regional Partnership Forum on Children and AIDS, other regional networks such as the Asia-Pacific PPTCT Task Force and in close collaboration with UNAIDS, ILO, WHO, UNFPA, UNESCO, USG/FHI and major bilateral organizations such as DFID, AusAID and OGAC/PEPFAR. Support regular resource mobilization, and regional and global advocacy events.
Qualification
Advanced Degree in Social Sciences, Behavioral Sciences, Public Health or Public Policy*.
Eight years relevant experiences at international levels in social researches, survey designs, studies and programme development in HIV and AIDS prevention, social protection and addressing issues affecting children.
Demonstrated abilities to determine survey methods to establish baseline, guide and develop research design, survey instruments for pre- and post intervention outcomes, and monitoring and evaluation tools for use by country offices to assess programme outcomes.
Proven experience in research and studies to examine situation and impact of AIDS, undertake response, public expenditures and costing analyses, including programme and service coverage in developing countries.
Experience in budget preparation and management and report writing are essential for the post.
Experience in developing countries in countries in East Asia and Pacific is desirable.
Conversance with HIV epidemiology and knowledge of the work of other UN agencies and UNAIDS, an advantage.
Fluency in English and another UN working language required. Knowledge of local languages of the region an asset.
*A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Competencies
Communicates effectively to varied audiences, including during formal public speaking.
Able to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
Sets high standards for quality of work and consistently achieves project goals.
Has good leadership and supervisory skills; co-ordinates group activities, ensuring that roles within the team are clear.
Translates strategic direction into plans and objectives.
Analyzes and integrates diverse and complex quantitative and qualitative data from a wide range of sources.
Quickly builds rapport with individuals and groups; maintains an effective network of individuals across organizational departments.
Identifies urgent and potentially difficult decisions and acts on them promptly; initiates and generates team- and department-wide activities.
Demonstrates, applies and shares expert technical knowledge across the organization.
UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all national, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation. If you want a challenging career while improving the lives of children around the world UNICEF, the leading children’s rights organization, would like to hear from you.
Visit us at www.unicef.org/about/employ to register in our new e-Recruitment system and apply to this and other vacancies, quoting E-VN-2011-001884. Applications must be received by 11 November 2011.
Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.
In the selection of its staff, UNICEF is committed to gender balance and diversity without distinction as to race, sex or religion, and without discrimination of persons with disabilities: well qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
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