2 DREAMS Program Officer USAID Project Jobs – University Research Co., LLC (URC)

Job Title: DREAMS Program Officer (2 Job  Vacancies)

Organization: University Research Co., LLC (URC)

Duty Station: Uganda

About US:

University Research Co., LLC (URC) is a global company dedicated to improving the quality of health care, social services, and health education worldwide. With a non-profit affiliate, the Center for Human Services (CHS), URC manages projects in over 45 countries, including the United States.

Established in 1965, URC offers a range of technical assistance to strengthen health and social systems and service quality by empowering communities and health workers to identify and scale up locally appropriate solutions to critical problems. Internationally, we expand access to and improve the quality of services addressing maternal, newborn, and child health; infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria; reproductive health and family planning; food and nutrition; and vulnerable children and families. In the US, we focus on improving communication related to issues like substance abuse, with a particular focus on reaching underserved populations.

About RHITES-N Project:

With the RHITES-N Acholi Project (Regional Health Integration to Enhance Services in Northern Uganda – Acholi), USAID will continue its support of the Government of Uganda’s (GOU) efforts to improve access to and use of health services in the country’s post-conflict northern region. RHITES-N Acholi Project activities will build on USAID investments and national advances to increase access to and use of high-quality integrated services that accelerate the ability and capacity to respond to the specific health needs of residents in the Acholi sub-region, leveraging the URC-ASSIST project successes.

The RHITES-N Acholi Activity is currently supporting the implementation of Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) Initiative targeting to adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) aged 09-24 years in Gulu, Agago and Omoro districts with the goal of reducing new HIV infections. RHITES-N Acholi also supports the provision of combination prevention packages and the implementation of Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) targeting key and priority populations including AGYW.

Job Summary:  The DREAMS Program Officer will report directly to the HIV Prevention and DREAMS Advisor and work closely with District Technical Coordinators, M&E teams and Community Coordinators of Gulu, Omoro and Agago districts and oversee implementation of the DREAMS initiative at District level.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Integration of DREAMS activities within the district in close collaboration with the RHITES N Acholi District Technical Coordinator, district teams, subcounty coordinators and peer facilitators
• Take lead in planning, coordination and implementation of DREAMS Initiative including enrolment of AGYW (09-24yrs) and service layering at community and health facilities for the RHITES-N, Acholi project.
• Provide technical assistance for DREAMS services through trainings and on-site mentorship activities based on national guidelines and protocols
• Build the capacity of the District and sub county DREAMS teams, Facility and community structures to provide services timely services as per the National guidelines
• Work closely with the project M&E team and USAID SITES to ensure regular updates of the DREAMS tracker and accurate and timely reporting.
• Ensure timely reporting and documentation of results from the DREAMS implementation in collaboration with M&E team with focus on accurate data for timely entry in the UDTS
• Foster collaboration with partners, district and sub county DREAMS steering committee and Ministry of Health
• Strengthen referral and linkages between health facility and community service delivery points for AGYW and partners
• Support establishment of community Quality Improvement teams to support implementation of AGYW risk reduction plans in identified communities
• Strengthen partner coordination in the region through monthly meetings and joint field activities
• Develop timely activity trip plans, budgets and implementation plans on weekly, monthly and quarterly basis
• Timely submit activity progress reports on weekly, monthly and quarterly basis
• Represent the project at DREAMS regional and national meetings including Ministry of Health and USAID DREAMS technical working group activities.
• Document project success stories, case studies and blogs for sharing with a wider audience
• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor/Chief of Party.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The ideal candidate must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in health sciences, humanities and or related discipline.
• At least three years’ work experience implementing DREAMS Initiative is an added advantage
• A trainer/experience in implementation curriculum-based approaches such as SINOVUYU, journeys plus, stepping stones, SASA! etc is desired
• A post graduate certificate in project planning and management is an added advantage
• Excellent communication and interpersonal, teamwork coupled with management skills
• Excellent writing, oral and organizational skills
• Ability and willingness to travel within the supported districts
• Experience of working in northern Uganda is an advantage.
• Ability to organize, analyze, interpret and program performance data.
• Experience of working with USAID funded projects is an advantage.

Desired Knowledge and Skills:

• Good knowledge and understanding of DREAMS programming is a must.
• Good knowledge and understanding of the political/cultural context of Acholi region and experience of previous work in the region is essential.
• Good domain and understanding of the context of HIV prevention issues and drivers in Acholi region is desired.
• Good skills and knowledge of coordination of multiple partners, facilitation and moderation of stakeholder meetings.
• Familiarity with USAID and Ministry of Health HIV prevention and DREAMS priorities.
• Demonstrable knowledge in analyzing of data and using it to inform programing
• Proficiency in written and spoken English, including the ability to draft reports at a professional level.
• Knowledge of MS Office package (MS Word, advanced MS Excel and MS Access) is required.

Please note: Only candidates who are eligible to work in Uganda for an indefinite period without a need for sponsorship will be considered for this position.

How to Apply:

All candidates must upload an updated CV/Résumé and your Cover Letter where indicated at the link below. Also, please complete your application form and attach a completed USAID Form 1420 Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet, Download Here

Click Here

Deadline: Friday, 13th November 2020.