Pathfinder International Senior Technical Advisor for Community Job Vacancy in Tanzania

Description

Pathfinder Overview

Pathfinder International
is a global leader in sexual and reproductive health . We place reproductive
health care at the center of all that we do—believing that it is not only a
fundamental human right, but is critical for expanding life opportunities for
women, families, communities, and nations, and paving the way for
transformations in environmental stewardship, decreases in population
pressures, and innovations in poverty reduction. Pathfinder provides women,
men, and adolescents with a range of quality health services—from contraception
and maternal care to HIV prevention and AIDS care and treatment. Pathfinder
strives to strengthen access to family planning, ensure availability of safe
abortion services and post-abortion care, advocate for sound reproductive
health policies, and, through all of our work, improve the rights and lives of
the people we serve.

Program Overview

Pathfinder is seeking a
Senior Technical Advisor for Community-based Programming to support the
Community Care and Social Services Strengthening for HIV-Affected Populations
in the United Republic of Tanzania project.

The goal of this five
year project is to strengthen community care and social support systems,
improving access to comprehensive services for people living with HIV, OVC and
other vulnerable populations. Within the context of the Tanzanian HIV/AIDS
epidemic, community care and social support systems refer to structures and
mechanisms used by communities to interact, coordinate and deliver home-based
care; social protection and welfare for OVC and other vulnerable populations;
legal services; nutrition support; mental and psychosocial support; and
referral and access to health services and follow-up. The project will support
an implementation model that builds on existing governmental, private sector,
and community programs, enhancing the delivery of the continuum of care
services.

Position Purpose

The Senior Technical
Advisor for Community-based Programming will provide strategic vision and
technical leadership to carry out community mobilization initiatives to
discourage harmful traditional practices, encourage male involvement, gender
equity, healthy timing and spacing of pregnancy (HTSP), girls’ education,
partner communication and women’s empowerment. S/he will work with local
stakeholders (e.g., local government agencies, health facilities, NGOs, women’s
groups, religious leaders and other influential community leaders) to
strengthen community systems with the aim to improve the local environment for
community care and support of HIV-affected and other vulnerable populations.

Key Responsibilities

Strengthen the
capacity of local leaders and health care providers to undertake problem
analyses and think creatively to propose new and non-traditional ways to
mobilize resources and increase community-level buy-in to sustain high quality
community care and social support services.
Build local capacity
to improve public sector systems and management, and mobilize community
resources to expand basic knowledge about HIV prevention, care and
treatment, OVC, child health and nutrition, and the need to ensure
resilient referral networks and social safety nets.
Provide support to
community leaders to increase access to community health and social
welfare service by making these services more widely available through
community-based clinics, market-based agencies, community-based agents,
workplace providers, schools and religious institutions.
Create and guide
community-led opportunities for leadership, skills development, advocacy
and resource mobilization to sustain community-based health and social
welfare services.
Develop messaging to
increase community awareness of living with HIV and healthcare management.
Facilitate dialogue
and engagement of key stakeholders and groups to strengthen understanding
and engagement in local government planning and policy.
In collaboration
with the Programs Department, identify potential gaps or deficiencies in
program performance (within Pathfinder and amongst implementing partner
organizations), and develop technical tools and approaches to address
these gaps.
Provide technical
input to strengthen relationships between health care facilities and
clinics, and the communities they serve to improve quality of care,
patient respect and the overall health service delivery environment.
Advanced degree in
international development, social services, public health or related
field.
7 + years’
experience implementing health and/or social sector programs in developing
countries, preferably Tanzania, with at least 5 years’ experience
providing technical assistance at the community-level.
Demonstrated
experience in program design and integrated approaches to community-based
activities including BCC and advocacy.
Recent, hands-on
experience working effectively with local partners, civil society and
faith-based organizations, community leaders and local government
authorities to build local capacity and carry out social empowerment,
advocacy, and initiatives to support HIV affected and other vulnerable
populations.
Experience in
designing, implementing, and monitoring USAID supported health programs.
Proven ability to
create and maintain effective working relationships with host country
national and local level government officials, stakeholders, INGOs,
implementing partners and U.S. government agencies.
Excellent
inter-personal and communication (verbal and written) skills.
Expert computer
skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel,
PowerPoint and Outlook.
Fluency in spoken
and written English required.
Willingness and availability
to travel in-country up to 25% time, and internationally as needed.
Familiarity with the
political, social, economic and cultural context of working in Tanzania.