VMMC Advisor at University of Maryland1

REPORTS TO : PROGRAM DIRECTOR

The VMMC Advisor works with clinical team leaders and sub awardee to ensure the highest quality VMMC service provision that adheres to international and national standards/protocols. This position provides overall strategic leadership and direction in the region to ensure achievement of VMMC program objectives and targets.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical assistance and supportive supervision to the sub awardee.
• Promote quality assurance and monitor adherence to international and national VMMC guidelines.
• Reports any region-wide issues to the VMMC services team. Refers serious site-level issues to VMMC services team during weekly meetings, as appropriate, for management and resolution.
• Monitors service delivery statistics within that region. Suggests revisions to site scheduling and placement strategy, as needed.
• Promotes adherence to national QA standards at each site—participates in, and responds to, QA visits within the region.
• · Assists with the follow-through of site-level performance improvement plans, where necessary Ensures project documents (to include client files, registers, project reports, and SOPs) are complete, current, and stored appropriately at respective sites within.
• Ensures that sites comply with the infection control standards to minimize occupational exposure of all clients and staff.
• Holds weekly regional meetings with site coordinators. Keeps sites well informed of any changes within the program.

• Keeps track of lessons learned and shares those lessons across the program.

• Provide technical guidance and coordination for expansion of VMMC programmes, including both adult and neonatal circumcision.

• Work with the project team to support integration of VMMC services into HIV prevention and other initiatives, as appropriate.

• Contribute to regular programmatic and donor reports and document programmatic lessons learned.

• Engage with other stakeholders such as NASCOP VMMC TSU and JHPIEGO to ensure adherence to national standards and define strategies for sustainability

Communication and Demand Creation:

• Monitors and reports demand creation activities, successes, and failures. Flags areas of concern and consults, as necessary, with supervisors to resolve problems
• Works closely with the implementing partner(s) and team to ensure that the targets are met
• Holds frequent meetings with site teams, and keeps site team well informed of changes within the target coverage and demand generation work plan
• Liaises closely with focal persons from host facility/community to ensure successful working relationships
• Effectively communicates relevant project information to the Senior Technical Advisor and program director
• Resolves and/or escalates site issues in a timely fashion
• Understands how to communicate difficult/sensitive information tactfully

Leadership and Teamwork:

• Inspires coworkers to attain goals and pursue excellence
• Identifies opportunities for improvement and makes constructive suggestions for change
• Effectively utilizes each team member to his/her fullest potential

Qualifications and Experience:

• A degree in Nursing, Medicine, or Public Health
• 5 years of experience in the health sector—including clinical and/or managerial/administrative positions
• Knowledge of QA principles, generally, and VMMC QA principles, specifically
• Experience implementing public health programs and working with cross-sectorial stakeholders at all levels.
• Technical expertise in VMMC service delivery as well as strong understanding of barriers and facilitators to acceptance of VMMC.
• Demonstrated experience related to capacity building of service providers and monitoring/supportive supervision of service delivery.
• Experience working within MOH structures in the specific county
• Demonstrated experience related to capacity building of service providers and monitoring/supportive supervision of service delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to work with private sector and NGO health care providers, as well as collaborate closely with national and County government partners

Skills:

• Ability to manage, lead, and motivate staff in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment
• Willingness to travel
• Ability to respond to emergencies in a level-headed and effective manner
• Ability to take initiative, plan, and monitor activity flow and outcomes
• Ability to work well with people from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds
• Capacity to manage multiple tasks in difficult working situations
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and solve difficult problems
• Ability to successfully identify clinical and logistical improvements
• Ability to resolve conflicts between stakeholders
• Ability to effectively screen site issues and report/refer problems to clinical/HR leads, as needed
• Excellent computer skills: Windows, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, and e-mail)