Tuesday, September 22, 2009

CVLT, Technical Advisor HIV/AIDS-Consultant, Deadline October 6, 2009.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Technical Advisor HIV/AIDS, Consultant

Supporting HIV/AIDS Program in East Timor Red Cross / Cruz Vermelha de Timo-Leste (CVTL)

1. Introduction

  1. Brief description of the organization

    Cruz Vermelha de Timor-Leste (CVTL – Timor-Leste Red Cross) is the largest Timorese humanitarian organisation with branches in all 13 districts, community volunteer’s network of 1800 and over 10,000 members and 100 plus staff. CVTL gained legal recognition from the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as the country’s national Red Cross society in 2005, but there has been a strong Red Cross/Red Crescent presence in Timor-Leste for the last 25 years. CVTL is in the unique position of being a local volunteer based Timorese organisation with legal auxiliary status to the government in the provision of humanitarian assistance and linkages to the international the Red Cross movement. With the establishment of the Dili Headquarters in 2002, CVTL identified key concerns in health and disaster management. CVTL has a multimillion dollar budget and runs programs in the areas of health, disaster management, dissemination and tracing with support from a wide variety of donors including the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent (IFRC), International Committee of Red Cross/Red Crescent (ICRC) and bilateral agreements with various Red Cross National Societies. Through program implementation activities, effective working relationships with relevant government departments, UN agencies and NGO have been established and strengthened.

    CVTL is one of the most active implementing organizations working in the National HIV/AIDS and STI Program, lead by the Ministry of Health. HIV/AIDS is emphasized in CVTL’s Strategy 2006-2009 with the objective of increasing HIV/AIDS knowledge and its prevention in youth and Most at Risk Groups (MARGs). Since 2005 CVTL has been involved in HIV programs with MARG including transport workers, clients of sex workers and female sex workers.

    CVTL employs a National HIV/AIDS Program Manager, HIV/AIDS Senior Project Officer, HIV/AIDS District Coorindator, Training Officer, and 14 full time professional Outreach Staff. It also has a Peer Education programme which involves 142 Peer Educators.

    CVTL are currently receiving a grant for their activities with MARGs, specifically clients of female sex workers and men with multiple partners. Funding is from the Ministry Of Health, and is part of the country’s Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM) grant. This grant started in January 2008 and will continue until December 2011.

  1. Results to be achieved by CVTL in their GFATM grant

CVTL aims to continue its successful implementation of their grant to reduce the risk of STI and HIV/AIDS transmission among for clients of female sex workers and men with multiple partners, in four districts – Dili, Bobonaro Covalima and Oeccusse. The grant’s objectives are to:

· Increase knowledge and practice of safer sex behavior in target population through outreach targeting reduction in the number of partners, mutual monogamy and/or using condoms correctly and consistently

· Encourage testing of STIs and HIV among target population

· Encourage treatment of STIs among the target population and their partners

· To build the sustainability of the program by increasing the capacity of CVTL National Headquarters (NHQ) and District Branches to implement, manage and monitor quality HIV/AIDS programs in Oecusse, Covalima, Bobonaro, and Dili.

2. Goal of the consultancy

The goal this consultancy is to assist CVTL health department to plan, implement and monitor behaviour change communication strategies in the area of HIV/AIDS as per the MoH/GFATM grant agreement, budget and in accordance with global fund and Ministry of Health requirements as well as CVTL policy.

3. Responsibilities of the Consultant

The work of the consultant will be to:

  • Provide expert technical advice in BCC interventions and materials
  • Provide capacity building assistance for project staff and partners (including district hospitals, clinics, CVTL district branches and local NGO partners)
  • Plan and implement project training events together with the National Training Officer
  • Advise and assist on the development of media package (TV, Radio and Drama)
  • Develop further the project’s monitoring and evaluations system
  • Assist in the coordinatation of data for reporting, draft quarterly reports
  • Advise on financial management and budgeting

1. Assist CVTL in the application for further rounds of funding

2. Support the broader HIV and Health programme at CVTL with technical assistance on BCC interventions

3. In association with CVTL liaise with important stakeholders including the Red Cross Movement, MoH and Global Fund advocating CVTL position and project aims

The consultant will work alongside the HIV/AIDS Programme Manager and Senior Project Officer, and will report to the Health Coordinator.

4. Candidate Requirements

The consultant will have:

  • Minimum 4 years experience working in the area of behaviour change communication in health. HIV or sexual health experience is preferred
  • Masters in Public Health or Communication
  • Experience in a capacity building role
  • Experience reporting to Global Fund an asset
  • Leadership and team management skills
  • Budgeting and financial reporting experience
  • Fluent in both English and Tetum or Bahasa Indonesian
  • Report writing skills
  • Willingness support and abide by the fundamental principles of the Red Cross and Red Cresent Movement
  • Willingness to travel to target districts regularly


5. Timing

The consultant will be offered a 12 month contract. Extension will depend on further funding. There is an option for this consultancy to be part-time (minimum 3 days a week) depending on candidate’s expertise. The consultant is expected to start in the in the beginning of November 2009.

6. How to Apply

Please send applications, including a cover letter, CV and daily rate by 6th October 2009 to cornelio.gomes@redcross.tl