Job Description

Grade: NOC
Duty Station: Accra, Greater Accra Region
Duration: 6 Months

Introduction:

• The National AIDS/STI Control Programme (NACP) of Ghana Health Services (GHS), Ministry of Health (MOH), is the agency responsible for the implementation of the Health Sector HlV Response in Ghana.
• Under the current New Funding Mechanism of the Global Fund, the following five Modules which are of priority are being implemented and shall be considered as a measure of  success of the implementation of the operational plan of the Ghana TB/HIV  grant of the Global Fund for the period July 2015 to December 2017: HIV Testing services (HTS), Prevention of Mother to child Transmission of HIV/AIDS (PMTCT), Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), Tuberculosis /HIV (TB/HIV) and Health System strengthening (HSS).

Purpose of the Post:

• This Technical Assistance has become necessary to strengthen the technical capacity of the NACP to enable it specifically implement the agreed programme deliverables under the current funding mechanism, in consonance with the current performance framework underpinned by new global aspirational targets and WHO guidelines.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity (Overview of the programme):
Specifically the TPTA will provide technical support to the NACP in general, but particularly in the weak areas such as Paediatric HIV Care and ART, Early Infant Diagnosis, Viral Load Monitoring of all ART Clients, as well as in fostering linkages with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and other private entities and partners by working with or leading the various units of NACP in:

• Evaluating the current state of programme implementation, identification of factors and challenges and coming out with strategic plans for reprogramming and implementation which will include the effective review of work plans and new implementation approaches for results;
• Implementation quality assurance and quality improvement activities for effective treatment, care and support services;
• Implementing the newly developed Acceleration plan for Paediatric and Adolescent HIV and ART Care to improve coverage.
• Working through the Regional Health Directorates and in collaboration with the Regional and District Laboratory focal persons to improve the Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV Exposed Infants and the utilisation of Viral Load Testing by all ART sites. This will ensure that all Clients on ART undergo at least one viral load testing per year, bearing in mind that these two laboratory activities will directly impact the measuring and attainment of the last 90 in the global target of 90-90-90;
• The national adaptation of the New Guidelines on HIV and Hepatitis Band C treatment, care and prevention;
• The development, revision, review, publication and dissemination of technical guidelines, protocols and manuals as may become necessary;
• The provision of technical support for continuous epidemiological analysis, surveillance and research; in particular the area of HIV Drug Resistance, to guide programmatic operations and national direction for action;
• Coordination of activities with other public health programmes, partners and stakeholders (private sector, CSO and Development Partners (DPs) for effective harmonisation in programme implementation;     ~
• Harnessing resources and strengths of the Persons Living with HIV/AIDS  (PLHIV) associations and workplace RIV programmes for collaboration to I ensure their greater involvement; ~
• Performing any other related task assigned by the Programme Manager.

Expected Outcome of Temporary Assistance:

• Evaluation of programme implementation conducted and strategic plans for reprogramming and implementation put in place to address challenges.
• Quality assurance and quality improvement plans in place.
• Accelerated plan for Paediatric and Adolescent HIV and ART Care being implemented and on target.
• At least 100 per cent improvement in the Early Infant Diagnosis of HIV Exposed Infants and in the utilisation of viral Load Testing by all ART sites.
• At least 50 percent of all Clients on ART received at least on viral load testing in the preceding 6 months.
• New WHO Guidelines on HlV and Hepatitis Band C treatment, care and prevention adapted and national guidelines reviewed accordingly.
• All relevant technical guidelines, protocols and manuals requiring attention duly developed, revised, reviewed, published and disseminated.
• Planned HIVDR survey started and EWIs monitored on schedule.
• Up to date technical and research data available to guide programmatic operations and national direction dialogue for action.
• Effective mechanism for coordination of activities with other public health programmes, partners and stakeholders (private sector, CSo and DPs) for HIV programme implementation in place.
• PLHlV associations and workplace HlV programmes involved to a greater extent in areas of community/corporate involvement and implementation.

Key Deliverable Reports:

• Inception report including situation analysis of grant implementation (progress, challenges, recommendations and proposed actions. To be delivered by August 31st 2016.
• Monthly progress report on Specific objectives and Deliverables to be filed with the Programme Manager at the end of each month.
• Final completion Report indication all the attained Expected Outcomes with explanations as to sustainability and reasons and explanations for any unachieved target. To be filed with the Programme Manager by December, 31st 2016.

Required Skills or Experience

• Medical doctor with advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in public health, economic development, epidemiology or related field.
• At least 10 years of demonstrated experience in RIV/AIDS interxention and programme implementation with profound knowledge of PPPs, srakeholder engagement or private sector experience.    

Functional Skills

• Excellent interpersonal skills, respect for diversity and diplomacy.
• Strong computer skills including the use of health, epidemiology and social sciences related software.
• Documentation and report writing, presentatipn programmes and Internet research skills are desirable.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and or French; fluency in other local dialects apart from mother tongue will facilitate work