Lesotho: Lesotho HIV project manager and country coordinator

Contract Type

Fixed term appointment (minimum three years)

Place of Assignment:

Maseru, Lesotho (with frequent dislocations to the project site in Butha Buthe District)

Start of duties: Beginning of 2016, with a certain flexibility

Organization:

SolidarMed is a non-profit organization committed to improving the health of people in Sub-Saharan Africa. We work with national partners to strengthen health systems and community capacities. Scientific evidence and policy dialogue are the foundation and objective of our work.

Program Lesotho:

SolidarMed implements a thriving health program in the district of Butha Buthe:

• Decentralized quality care for national health priorities (HIV, TB, maternal and child health)
• Towards 90-90-90: HIV testing and routine viral load in rural Lesotho (a project with a strong research component, which will start in January 2016)
• Hospital support Paray Mission Hospital

Within its country program, SolidarMed promotes operational research to answer project-related questions and to inform public health dialogue.

The position comprises both the management of the HIV project “Towards 90-90-90” (ca. 60% of working time) and the coordination of the country program (ca. 40% of working time)

Key responsibilities as HIV project manager

• Assume overall responsibility for the implementation, management, monitoring, budgeting and reporting of the SolidarMed project “Towards 90-90-90”
• Collaborate with national and international project and research partners: Ministry of Health Lesotho, Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, University of Basel, Switzerland

· Participate in the research activities as part of project implementation

· Ensure lessons learnt are shared with policy makers, stakeholders, and partners

Key responsibilities as country coordinator:

• Assume overall responsibility for the coordination, monitoring, budgeting, reporting and annual planning of the country program
• Support and supervise the project managers
• Oversee SolidarMed’s administrative support team (human resources, logistics, accounting, general administration)
• Contribute to country program development
• Engage in local fundraising
• Coordinate and link with partners, donors, stakeholders as well as with the SolidarMed head office; proactively seek potential collaborations
• Promote public health best practices, evidence-based interventions, operational research and policy dialogue

To best fit into our interdisciplinary team, we expect the following qualifications:

• Advanced degree in health (medical or nursing) and a Master in Public Health
• Good understanding and clinical experience of issues related to HIV and TB
• Experience in a public health context in Sub-Saharan Africa, ideally at district level
• Sound knowledge and experience of management (including planning and human resources) and administration.
• Accustomed to using project cycle management and project development tools
• Good writing and reporting skills (in English)
• Knowledge of and interest in principles and methods of operational research
• Ability to assume leadership and responsibility in a team

Language skills

• Excellent English (written and spoken)
• German would be an asset

Other

• SolidarMed offers an attractive benefit package, professional development opportunities and stimulating linkages with competence networks
• Semi-urban African setting. Family posting possible, international school available.
• SolidarMed is a medium size NGO, dynamic, flexible and with a clear vision. It is linked to bilateral organizations, universities, and other NGOs.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview
• Further information can be obtained by calling Dr. Pfeiffer at SolidarMed or sending an email to jobs@solidarmed.ch

• Applications are accepted in electronic format only, and with the reference “HIV project manager and country coordinator Lesotho”.
• Please also indicate how you heard about the job posting (if internet please mention which site)
• Please send your application with CV (including your age and a photo) and a short letter of motivation to: jobs@solidarmed.ch