Project title:  FFHPCTS – Program

Mary Joy Ethiopia is a nonprofit development oriented organization serves the community for the past 25+ years dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable communities by advancing and implementing integrated development program focuses on livelihood enhancement, education and heath with cross cutting issues of children empowerment, environmental protection, Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS and inclusiveness.

Currently, Mary Joy Ethiopia has been awarded fund with USAID for Family Focused HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment Services in SNNPR and Sidama regions.

JOB SUMMARY:

The OVC service specialist is responsible for technical follow up of day-to-day OVC activities, coordination and support to Local Implementing Partners (LIPs) implementing the ‘Family Focused HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment Services’ Activity in all MJE Prime sub-grantees in SNNPR and Sidama regions of 10 SNUs. These operational sites/SNUs include Hawassa, Dilla, Yirgalem, Butajira, Hossana, Sodo, Arbamich,  Mizan aman, Tepi and Jenka. The OVC service Specialist will also be responsible to build the capacity of case workers, social service workers and stakeholders and partners to implement the Comprehensive OVC services, establishing and maintaining effective referral networks; and fostering an environment to provide the OVC minimum package of services with acceptable quality standards Under the direct supervision of the OVC Service Manager, the incumbent is expected to closely work with other technical specialists, OVC care &Support officers, Referral linkage Officers and other officers of the LIPs to ensure that they receive comprehensive TA in a quality and timely manner in order to effectively and efficiently implement integrated OVC activities.  Importantly, s/he will work with other MJE technical team to identify LIPs’ technical capacity gaps in a participatory approach, develop need-based action plans, and based on this, implement/provide tailored capacity strengthening interventions to achieve intended results. Furthermore, s/he will work closely with LIPs and regional and Zonal stakeholders to strengthen the capacity of local community structures to sustainably respond to HIV epidemic control in the country.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Facilitate the enrollment of OVC to comprehensive care and support along with case workers.
• Directly oversee the implementation of the OVC focused activities, ensuring that all guidelines, procedures and SOPs are used in implementing the activities.
• Provide technical support to the OVC staff of the LIPs (the sub-grantees) that include the community workers like SSWs, CWs, and ES animators at site level.
• Facilitate a working environment of mutual trust, respect, and care among all staff. Encourage effective teamwork, with staff members supporting each other.
• Work closely with health facilities, households, community and government platforms like CCC, HEW, HDA, PLHIV associations, religious leaders and government structures to strengthen the program.
• Participate in regular staff meetings to ensure issues are raised and addressed and to encourage reflection on project progress and learning for improvement.
• Participate in annual planning to ensure that plans are made to meet the targets set out in the project design.
• Oversee the implementation of planned activities to ensure targets are achieved.
• Conduct monitoring visits to project activities to assess progress against targets and to provide coaching and direction to activities in areas where improvements are needed.
• Collect routine data on OVC MER/Custom indicators from LIPs on regular basis and update the OVC Technical Lead.
• Ensure that there is a good flow of information among project team such that issues are identified and reported  before they become problematic to manage.
• Closely collaborate and network with government stakeholders and others in order to ensure transition and sustainability of the program, continued partnership and sharing best practices in various fields.
• Follow up the day-to-day OVC activities implementation at site level and update the OVC technical team lead
• Participate in all OVC related issues as necessary
• Participate in organizational activities whenever assigned.
•  Perform other project and organizational activities when assigned by the Technical Team Lead and the organization.

Report to: OVC Service Manager

Required education and experiences:

• BSc/MPH and 6/8 years progressive experiance  in Nursing/Public Health Officer or other related field  and a minimum of  3 years’ experience  in NGO on the same or similar project and position.
• Familiarity with USAID funded OVC programs in the previous years.
• Experience in working with government and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated analytical and report writing skills.
• Proficiency in using computer specially Microsoft word processing, Power Point, excel and other computer skills.

Other skills

• Excellent interpersonal and Communication skills
• Ability to Coordinate and Support volunteers working in the community
• Excellent report writing skills and knowledge
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with team members and partners
• Good interpersonal communication skill and ability to effectively liaise with staff,