Programme Officer – Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Special Service Agreement (SSA): The Ministry of Health and Child Care

The government of Zimbabwe adopted Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) as one of the key HIV prevention strategies, after research demonstrated that MC reduces HIV acquisition risk by up to 60% in circumcised men. The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) has since developed a national male circumcision policy and strategy to guide the implementation and scale up of VMMC services. The MOHCC implements the Integrated Support Programme which is a funding mechanism that strengthens the Ministry’s efforts to scale up HIV prevention services in an integrated approach. Through this support the MOHCC is implementing the VMMC programme in selected districts within the broader context of the National Male Circumcision Programme and its aim of strengthening SRH services nationally.

In these districts surgical VMMC will be carried out employing reusable surgical equipment as a pilot implementation approach in an effort to investigate a cost-effective implementation model. The MOHCC in collaboration with United Nations Population Fund is therefore seeking an experienced and highly motivated cadre to fill the post of Male Circumcision Programme Officer to be based at the AIDS and TB Unit. The initial contract will be for one year, with a possibility of extension depending on results and emerging needs of the national VMMC programme. Under the guidance of the AIDS and TB Unit Director and direct supervision of the National Male Circumcision Coordinator the incumbent will be responsible for oversight of the delivery of quality safe male circumcision service s in the context of the pilot implementation model through hands on support to health service providers and facilities.

Duties and responsibilities
The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:
–    Support the respective provinces and districts in developing and piloting vibrant MOHCC led VMMC services
–    Facilitate the development, review and strengthening of VMMC activities in the pilot implementation districts
–    Serve as primary contact point for MC related issues emerging in the pilot districts
–    Work closely with MOHCC logistics department and assist with resolving emerging supply issues in the pilot districts
–    Provide technical assistance to the district male circumcision centres in the pilot districts with emphasis on high quality service delivery. This includes aspects such as interaction with the community, demand creation, site management, counselling, surgery, infection control and prevention, logistics and supply chain management, including storage, distribution of all VMMC commodities and equipment items, and monitoring and evaluation
–    Support quality assurance in the various settings where the services are provided in accordance with WHO and national VMMC quality assurance guidelines and protocols
–    Monitor the completeness and timeliness of VMMC reports from all VMMC sites in the pilot districts, support analysis of reported data and promote utilisation of monitoring data for national VM MC programme improvement
–    Track occurrences of MC adverse events from the pilot VMMC sites and facilitate remedial action. Conduct weekly surveillance for adverse events in the target districts. In liaison with the M & E officer support correct documentation and reporting of all adverse event cases
–    Identify training needs of personnel at the targeted VMMC pilot sites and ensure these are met in close collaboration with the national coordinator and the national training team
–    Organize together with the VMMC training officer on the job training and internal quality audits and supervisory visits for the pilot implementation districts
–    Actively participate in quality assurance and quality control activities for VMMC services in the targeted districts
–    Support program me management, the National MC coordinator, and trainers in continuously developing and reviewing VMMC standards, guidelines and tools for use by the national program
–    Contribute to identification, documentation and dissemination of good practice s and lessons learned from the VMMC program me

Qualifications and experience
–    Advanced university degree in Nursing Sciences
–    An additional degree in Public Health is an advantage
–    Post graduate training with strong component of program monitoring and evaluation
–    At least three years of experience working in the Zimbabwe public health system, with demonstrated experience in district and provincial level service delivery and the national and provincial logistics systems
–    At least three years of experience in managing provincial level SRH interventions
–    Experience with VMMC programme delivery is an advantage
–    Conversant with routine Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook or any other message software)
–    Demonstrated organizational skills and skills in project management, i.e. identifying and trouble shooting implementation bottlenecks
–    Demonstrated skills in identifying and documenting good practice
–    Demonstrated ability to communicate at all levels and work effectively in partnership with a variety of audiences and organizations and in teams

To apply
Please send your CV and cover letter to: UNFPA Representative, Ref: Programme Officer – Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision, Block 7, 1st Floor, Arundel Office Park, Mt. Pleasant, PO Box 4775, Harare

Or by email to: mailzwe@unfpa.org

Applicants are requested to also fill out and submit a personal history form (P11) available athttp://www.sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc or from the Operations Unit, UNFPA, Arundel Office Park, Mt. Pleasant, Harare along with their applications.

Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

UNFPA offers attractive compensation package commensurate with experience but reserves the right to appoint at the indicated or lower grade.

Only short listed applicants will be contacted.

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application deadline: 13 December 2013 (12 noon)

N.B. UNFPA Zimbabwe reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNFPA Zimbabwe at the same or lower grade level and with similar job description, experience and education requirements.