Research, Surveillance and Monitoring Specialist Ministry of Health Dili, East Timor

Research, Surveillance and Monitoring Specialist
LOCATION: National HIV/AIDS Program, Ministry of Health, Dili, Timor-Leste (with frequent travel to districts)
REPORTS TO: National HIV/AIDS Program Manager
DURATION: 18 months
Performance Review: every 6 months

Job Summary:
The Research and Surveillance Specialist will play a key role to assist the National HIV/AIDS program to improve the quality and use of strategic information related to STI and HIV/AIDS. The Research and Surveillance Specialist will work as a member of the core National HIV/AIDS Program team to design and lead HIV and STI sentinel surveillance, integrated biological and behavioral surveillance survey, rapid situation assessments, other operational research and capacity development in the use of programmatic monitoring and evaluation data.

General Role:
The Research, Surveillance and Monitoring Specialist will work closely with the National HIV/AIDS Program, Division of Global Fund, Department of Planning and Monitoring and Office of Health Research and Development to undertake the following roles—

• Lead and support setting up and functioning of regular STI and HIV/AIDS sentinel surveillance sites
• Work with WHO to conduct another round of ad hoc HIV/AIDS sentinel surveillance among STI patients, TB patients and pregnant women
• Lead and support conduction of next round of Integrated Behavioural and Sero Surveillance Survey for most at risk groups for STI and HIV in Timor-Leste. Such surveillance will look into STI and HIV prevalence and risk behaviour of female sex workers, men who have sex with men and people in uniform with samples drawn from at least five districts in Timor-Leste.
• Conduct mapping and rapid situation assessment of high risk population groups and risk behaviour in 5 districts in Timor-Leste.
• Lead and support an assessment of injection drug use behaviour in two districts in Timor-Leste.
• Work with Data Management Specialist, MoH Surveillance Department, and HMIS Department to provide input into the integrated disease surveillance database.
• Train and provide necessary mentoring support to the HIV/AIDS Unit, staff of the monitoring unit of the Division of Global Fund and Department of Planning and Monitoring in the collection, verification, analysis and use of monitoring and evaluation data
• Undertake other social and operational research to assess the risk factors and programmatic gaps for supporting the national HIV/AIDS program.

Specific Deliverables:
• At least six STI and HIV/AIDS sentinel surveillance sites set up and functioning
• 2012 round of ad hoc HIV/AIDS sentinel surveillance conducted among STI patients, TB patients and pregnant women
• 2012 round of Integrated Behavioural and Biological Surveillance Survey conducted for STI and HIV in five districts.
• Mapping and rapid situation assessment of high risk population groups and risk behaviour conducted in 5 districts.
• An assessment of injection drug use behaviour conducted in two districts in Timor-Leste.
• Training and necessary mentoring support provided to the relevant staff of the HIV/AIDS Unit, monitoring unit of the Division of Global Fund and Department of Planning and Monitoring in the collection, verification, analysis and use of monitoring and evaluation data

Required Qualification and Competency:
• Graduate qualification in Statistics or social sciences with specialization/experience in quantitative and qualitative methodology
• At least 3 years experience in research and surveillance
• Sound theoretical knowledge and practical experience in mapping, situation assessment, sero surveillance and behavioral surveillance survey
• Experience in training, mentoring and capacity building in low resource health setting
• High-level English language skills. Language skills in Tetun, Bahasa Indonesia and Portuguese will be added advantage
• Critical analysis, creative thinking and problem solving skills and ability to work with multiple stakeholders and in difficult to work situations

How to apply:
Please submit your application by email attaching a cover letter, resume and list of three professional referees to-- marcelo.amaral@mohcdc.gov.tl with copy to Dr. Luna, Resident Representative of WHO (lunaj@SEARO.WHO.INT) ( (Please ensure sending email to both addresses). The last date of receiving application is 1 August 2012.